At A Glance
Author	francesca
Contact	francesca@bme.anon
When	Three months ago
Artist	Malcom
Studio	Sirius
Location	hereford

Basically, like most other people, I thought septum piercings were ugly when I first saw them, but my friend Stef has one (her storys on here somewhere)and I was fascinated with it. The more I looked at them, the nicer they appeared to be, so I decided I was set on getting one. It seemed easy to hide for work and other people, but it was also pretty cheap too.

I started researching first, about how much it hurt (even though everyones experience is different) but I just wanted to get a basic idea of what I was about to do to myself.


I decided to get one on my ex boyfriends birthday (purely to fill up my day.) I'd done plenty of research and i've had tattoos and piercings before so i wasnt too worried about pain. However, two days before I was due to have it done, I came down with flu, but I thought to myself "no way am I going to cancel" so went ahead with it anyway.

My parents arent big on piercings at all, but i'd read that so many people had been able to flip their rings up and hide it, so i thought why not. My parents were also on holiday at the time, so I thought its now or never.

I went to the studio on 28th July and my (incredibly squeamish) friend Abi came along for the ride. Malcom is a brilliant piercer and he's the only person in hereford i'd trust poking a needle in me. I've had my nose, navel and nipple pierced with him and i'd definately reccommend him to anyone. He completely put me at ease and explained the procedure and aftercare advice thoroughly. My friends have had work done by him too, and I know the studios a clean, safe place to be pierced.

To cut a long story short, I was asked to use a cotton bud to put some numbing stuff up my nose, it was pretty cold, and I was hoping it was going to make the whole experience pain free. I love piercings but hate pain. Stupid combination I know :| When I was researching I heard so many people complaining about how the clamps were the most painful part, but I have to say I found the application of the clamps completely pain-free. I didnt even notice they were on, to be honest. When he put the needle through it made me jump and screw my nose up. It was quite a shock as I had hoped the numbing stuff would take the edge off it. Its a very sharp, intense pain, even though it only lasts for a few seconds (thank god.) I had my septum pierced with a retainer, because then the piercing will heal straight and be easier to change. Malcom said it would also be less painful when healing. I initially wanted a black horseshoe ring, I thought they looked ace, but I also wanted it to heal as quickly as possible so bought a ring to put in, in a couple of weeks. It bled quite a bit but was fine after a couple of minutes. My eyes watered a lot, not because I was crying, but I think it has something to do with being connected to your tearducts, I dont know.

People said the retainer can hardly be seen but mine was quite obvious. You could see the flat metal bit at one side, so I was worrying because I know my mum would notice, and shes not the sort of person you want to get into an argument with.

I used some of the shops own herbal healing serum which ive used on previous piercings, but because I was so ill, my immune system was low and I had to keep blowing my nose which completely messed up the healing process.

The same night I had it pierced I went out with my friends, I regretted it because so many people poked at my nose asking "DOES THIS HURT?" My nose felt bruised and painful. Some guy licked my septum too, which im sure did it the absolute world of good :|

After 3 days there was still no progress with my healing, and I was so irritated with having to blow my nose all the time I took the retainer out and within 24 hours it had fully healed. I was absolutely gutteddd.

I'm pretty upset I had to take it out, but i'm off to uni next week so i'm definately going to get it done again!! So if anyone knows a good piercer in bolton/manchester area give me a shout!

Remember, everyones experience is different, I read so many stories saying "I hardly felt a thing." This doesnt mean it'll apply to you, so prepare yourself. The pains definately worth it even if it does hurt like a bitch!!