When I first starting seeing septum piercings more regularly (on the BodyArtForms.com Forums, in particular), I never really liked them. I actually thought they were kind of ugly. As time went on, however, they actually started to look attractive to me. For a while, I was stuck in the frame of mind that while I thought they looked good on others, I would never get one myself. Somewhere along the way, though, something clicked in my brain and I suddenly knew that I had to have one. I loved the idea that I could keep it hidden whenever I needed to, and keep it down when I wanted to.
At A Glance Author Liv Contact Liv@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Nick Studio Nick's Body Piercing Location Portsmouth, UK However, it wasn't as simple as just going out and getting it pierced. My boyfriend was strongly against the idea. While I sometimes think that if he really loves me he would let me get whatever I want pierced, I didn't want him to look at me and think, 'Yeah, she's hot, but she was better before she got that pierced.' I guess, his opinion means more to me than what I desire.
I kept on at him for a while, but he still hated the idea. I started to convince him, though, when I showed him how well they can be kept hidden, with retainers. He eventually 'gave in' and I started planning when to get it pierced.
I went to my local piercer, but she said she only pierced septums with straight barbells, which wouldn't work for me, because I needed to hide it for work. My usual piercer had closed a few months ago, so I couldn't try there. I finally tried the piercer I go to while I'm at Uni, and she said they pierce septums with retainers, so I could keep it hidden.
I decided on a date, worked out my money, grabbed my boyfriend and set off on the four-hour journey to Portsmouth, where I go to Uni.
I had heard good things about this piercer, and I have been pierced in another of his studios so I thought it would be a good choice. My boyfriend and I walked in, and it was completely empty of people, apart from the girl behind the desk. I quickly scanned the area to make sure it looked well kept and clean (which it was), and saw how awesomely decorated it was, with tribal masks on the walls. I walked to the desk, asked the girl if I could get my septum pierced, filled out the form, paid and was led into the piercing room in the back.
By this time I was really nervous, because I had read a few experiences on this site and was worried about the pain factor. I sat in the chair, which Nick (owner of the studio and the other studio I have been pierced in before) then reclined. He rolled up some gauze and stuck it into each nostril, like a U shape, and sprayed some numbing gel on the gauze, waiting a few minutes for it to soak in and take effect. I've never been numbed for a piercing before, so I didn't know what to expect after this, pain wise.
He took out all the equipment from their little sterile baggies and laid them in a metal plate. He picked up the clamps and started feeling my septum with them, finding the right spot to pierce. He picked up the needle, positioned it, and said, 'I'll pierce on 'zero'.....THREETWOONEZERO!'
And the needle was through. I felt very slight pressure, but no pain. I opened my eyes and looked down, saw the tubey thing through my septum and thought, 'YES!!'
I actually said, 'Blimey! That was easy!' I was still in shock at how pain free it had been, when I had been psyching myself up for earth shattering pain.
He then inserted the jewellery and flipped it up, neither of which caused any pain at all.
I thanked him a million times, picked up my bag, once again grabbed my boyfriend, and left, with a HUGE grin on my face.
About half an hour later, the numbness wore off and I began to notice a tickly feeling in my nose when I spoke. My boyfriend bought us some chips and I ate a few, having to stop because the chewing motion was moving my nose and making it really itchy. I was expecting an ache to come once the numbness had gone, but it never did. It's been about 9 hours since I got it done and it still doesn't hurt. I can only feel the jewellery when I eat or speak.
I actually managed to smash my nose on my boyfriend's shoulder when we were on the train back, because the carriage jolted and sent me flying into him. But still... no pain.
I've got to say, this has been the best piercing experience I've ever had. I was really, really nervous when I was walking to the studio, because I'd read horror stories about the pain and, being a massive wuss, I was convinced that I'd be one of those to really feel the pain, too. But since getting it done, it's quickly become one of my favourite piercings. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone. It's easy to hide, and relatively quick to heal, and (at least for me) it was completely painless! I'm hoping that the healing goes as well as the piercing itself did, because I want to keep this piercing for a long, long time.