Like most people, when I first saw septum piercings, I thought they looked awful. However, time passed and I suddenly had a longing for one. This longing lasted for 2 years, and I needed to get this piercing. I like to think of myself as one of the "lucky ones", who has a caring and understanding mother when it comes to modifications...as long as they're "normal". My mum had no problem with my regular ear piercings, tragus and side navel, however, she found the septum to be utterly disgusting. I couldn't really grasp why it was all right in her books to get my nostril pierced, which would be visible at all times, rather than something that can be completely hidden. Anyway, more time passed, and I decided that the septum would be a perfect present to myself when I turned 16, and would not need parental consent.
At A Glance Author Polari Contact Polari@bme.anon IAM polari When Three months ago Artist John Studio Nirvana Piercing Location Glasgow, Scotland Fast-forward to late December 2007, and I'm standing outside Nirvana in Glasgow's city centre. I had been in the previous week to book my appointment, so I was familiar with the staff, who were all friendly and extremely helpful. The studio's shop front was spotlessly clean and smelled like disinfectant and fruity sweeties. I told John (the owner) what it was that I wanted and led my friend and I through to one of the back piercing rooms.
This room was small and white, with the routine doctor-type bed and a large sink, surrounded with drawers and cabinets, which contained all the piercing materials. The piercing room was absolutely pristine, and John washed his hands for a good three minutes before putting on a pair of gloves and getting the equipment ready. Throughout the whole procedure, he changed his gloves six times, which I thought was great, as I am a huuuuge hygiene freak, haha.
He made some small talk and bantered a wee bit with my friend and I, which really put me at ease. He cleaned my nose out (which was really stingy, but not too bad) and made the markings which the needle was going to follow (through the sweet spot). I then lay down and he lined up the needle and told me to take two deep breaths, he'd pierce on the second exhale. The piercing was done free-hand, but I completely trusted him, as he's been piercing longer than I've been alive! It was over in a split second and the pain was completely nothing. This is coming from someone who has an extremely low pain tolerance, and finds pushing the shopping trolley around Tesco an unbearable work load. Aye, I'm a wuss! On a scale of 1-10, the pain was a 2, easily. My eyes, however, watered uncontrollably, and wouldn't stop for about 5 minutes afterwards.
John explained the aftercare thoroughly and I left a very happy customer, with my new piercing hidden in my nose. (I was pierced with a 14g needle and wore a titanium keeper, which cost £29).
So, overall, septum piercings are great. They're (almost) pain-free, unusual and can be hidden whenever you like! When I was doing my research on BME, I found that there were two categories of people with this piercing : those who thought it wasn't bad and other who thought it was "OH MY GOD, AH EXTREME PAIN!" I definately thought I would be in the latter, but I was pleasantly surprised. If you get your fingernails and squeeze the sweet spot of your septum (where there's not cartilage, just thick skin), you'll think that that sensation will be similar to that of the needle. You'll be pleased to know that it hurts way less than that (if you can even call that pain!).
Now, recently my mum has even started to ask me questions about it! I've definately won her over. She'll ask me when I'm going to change my jewellery and remind me to clean it. She even made me put in an oversized "bull ring" so that she could "have a laugh". She's really lightened up on the whole piercing fascination, so maybe I'll be able to coax her into liking lip piercings. The only obstacles to overcome now are school and my dad! I'm currently at a Catholic school that has a very strict uniform policy, and my dad just doesn't know I have my septum pierced. I am so thankful that it can be disguised.
I highly recommend going to Nirvana for a piercing because you are treated with care and respect. Also, for those unsure of getting a septum piercing, just go for it! It really does not hurt, and heals great. Cleaning with salt water solution and a cotton bud twice a day is the best way to care for it, and the healing period is 6-8 weeks. Also, mine is completely straight, and I've had no problems whatsoever (touch wood!). Even with having 2 colds and the flu since getting it done, and it is still fighting on, though I have been cleaning it during my periods of illness, as the phlegm can damage it.
Happy hole-punching!