At A Glance Author Mely Contact Mely@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Jim Sens Studio 5 Point Studios Location Johnston, IA For my eighteenth birthday, I knew I wanted to celebrate by getting something pierced. I had been thinking about it for years--in seventh grade and for a fair few years thereafter, I had my heart set on a barbell through my eyebrow. As I approached eighteen, however, this became increasingly mainstream (in my high school, at least) and began to lose its appeal. Also, because I am involved in theatre year-round, it would have to be either non-facial or easily hidden.
My interest in the septum started when I found out that my boyfriend had previously had his pierced. I began to research it and found out just how wonderful it is. I think it is a very attractive piercing on girls (and on me, if I do say so myself), plus it hides quite nicely. So, I decided a few months before my birthday that a septum was what I wanted. I didn't tell anybody until I asked my friend to go with me that day. For some reason, I wanted this to be a surprise to those around me. In the days leading up to my birthday, I could barely sleep for excitement. I actually had several dreams about getting that coveted septum piercing.
This was to be my third professional piercing (I have two lobes and cartilage from the gun at the mall but discovered bme in time to go to a professional for my next set of earlobe piercings).
For my septum, I went back to 5 point body in johnston, where leo had done my ears. As my birthday fell on a sunday, I had the opportunity to meet Jim, the other piercer working there. I told him that I wanted my septum with a retainer, 12 ga. Unfortunately, they were all out of 12 ga. retainers as someone had taken the last one just earlier. I went for a 10 ga. instead, albeit reluctantly. Jim encouraged me, saying I really wouldn't notice the difference, but it looked so much bigger, I was a bit scared. I confirmed that it would be through the sweet spot, not the cartilage and that it was big enough to hold the 10 ga (I was informed that it could easily handle a 4).
After washing and donning the first of several pairs of gloves, Jim cleaned my nose, which, had I not been a bit too nervous, would have made me giggle. I laid back on the paper-covered table and he felt around with his pinkies and told me that first, I would feel the receiving tube on the left, then the needle point on the right. He said to just relax, it is hard to have people do the deep breathing with this because they move and it goes crooked. I grabbed my friend Caitlin's hand and closed my eyes. I felt the tube, then the scratchy point of the needle.
Oddly, I cannot remember any sensation, let alone any pain, from any of my piercings.
Next thing I know, I am standing up, looking in the mirror at my lover-ly black niobium Anatometal 10 ga. retainer, hanging perfectly straight in my septum. Jim showed me how to flip it up and talked aftercare (salt soaks). I paid, tipped, and left with a huge, goofy grin on my face.
Getting my septum done at 5 point was a great experience, and I have already recommended the studio to a couple of my friends. It is clean and professional, and I plan on stopping back in to fulfill my ever-growing piercing wish list (I'm thinking rook or nipples next...). Jim (and Leo from before) is a great piercing and I felt very safe and comfortable in his hands.
It has been four weeks since the actual event, and my septum is healing wonderfully. It is still straight and I have not had any problems at all. I cannot wait until I can change the jewelry! I'm thinking something blue, to match my hair...
An odd side note: I used to be absolutely terrified of needles, after I passed out leaving the doctor's office in 6th grade because of a tetanus shot. I managed to conquer this fear and have had blood drawn, etc. several times (they force me to lay down for fifteen minutes after), in addition to three piercings (which I got right up from). However, last week, I went to a new doctor for a vaccine. I didn't tell them that I was a "fainter" because I thought I was over it, but I passed out as I was walking out of the office (hitting a wall and a chair before the floor, it would seem). Apparently I need the positive reinforcement of a pretty body ornament to keep from "losing it" around needles.