Septums.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When N/A Studio Adrenaline Location sherbrooke st, montreal One of the few facial piercings left that is actually ugly to some. This, in a twisted way, makes it special.
And I was in need of a special change. The winter blues were upon me and the consumerism of boxing day was wreaking havoc on my well-being.
'twas the day after christmas and in a last hopefull dash, I ran to my piercer, said I would pay cash.
I struck up a conversation with the other piercer at the shop, who informed me that they had switched to another clamp model for their septums and had noticed less complaining as to the pain of the procedure.
No worries, I thought as I walked to the back. The anticipation I had conscioulsly been building for this one was at the point that if it didn't hurt, my adrenaline/endorphine hormones wouldn't know what to do with themselves. I have been lusting after this piercing for a while now and was waiting for the right moment. (right moment meaning not broke)
I sat down in the glass room they use at Adrenaline for the peircings and watched the piercer prep. When we got to the fun part, he felt around up there for the spot, entertaining a middle-aged couple who were watching from outside, like kids at the zoo. Now the clamps. I've always had a thing with the clamps, they tend to hurt me more than the actual needle part. This time was no exception. As my breathing grew deeper, I made a mental note to explain exactly WHY there had been less complaints with the new clamps.
It's not easy to describe the pain of a piercing without relating it to something else. Sooo...It hurt more than my tongue but less than my tragus. I would put it on the same level as a nipple. Same uncomfort with the clamps, about the same pressure going through.
There was an amusing popping noise when the needle came out the second side. It bled some, and the piercer wiped that and changed his gloves, with the needle through my nose. It was all that woman outside could do to not actually press her nose up against the glass behind me.
He put the jewellery in and invited me to lay back if i was feeling dizzy. No way, thought I, I wanna see! Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It was straight as an arrow. The other piercer came in and complimented on the placement. He explained the aftercare procedure which I politey ignored, simply because by this time I prefer to do things my way and don't agree with the methods employed there. I love the shop in all other aspects and the aftercare procedure given is suitable and healthy, but I stick to my regime of salt water and compresses which has never let me down yet.
I paid and left with a check-up in two weeks, feeling better than I did when I walked in.
My septum has been modified for two days now and isn't as sensitive as it was immediately following the procedure. I usually soak a few times a day for cartilage, but I insisted on getting it done during cold season, which calls for a little more pampering.
It gets mighty cold in montreal and I've noticed with some amusement that this is the only piercing so far that actually gets COLD outside. The balls on the curved barbell get extremely cold, and if I scrunch up my nose just so, it feels like they're going to stick somewhere. I haven't encountered any problems yet and are hoping not to since I'd like to change the jewellery fairly soon to finish the healing process with just a 14g ring instead of a CBB.
My advice to anyone cosiderng this piercing:
-stock up on q-tips. This is very important, especially if it is cold season. Moisten them to remove snot, crusties and whatever else you can find up there.
-make sure you're as calm as they get. I've seen crooked septums, and the piercer plays a huge role but if you're not ready you're to blame. Practice your breathing if you're a jumpy piercee and trust your piercer.
-after cleaning, to avoid letting all the water stay up there soak it up with your new best friends the q-tips and then blow-dry it. Too much moisture up there will harbor bacteria.
-prepare for the looks. A septum is still extreme enough for them not to let you get away with it like they would a nostril or eyebrow. As I just found out, you'll have to be extra charming on job interviews for them to consider you. Discrimination it may be, but your fault it is not. Don't put up with that shit. Oh and that reminds me: Get ready for the bull jokes. Forgive your friends, they can't help it.
find happiness in all things.
jess