DIY: do-it-yourself. That's not something I live by or enjoy hearing when it comes to piercing. I haven't done a "DIY" piercing on myself since I was 15, so why now? When I hear "DIY" or "self-done piercing" I think of teenagers puncturing their flesh with safety pins that have been "sterilized" by fire or alcohol. I never wanted to be like that, and never wanted to be grouped with that, so it's hard for me to say that my septum is "DIY".
At A Glance Author Holly Contact Holly@bme.anon IAM doom_kitty When It just happened Artist I did Studio My home Location Virginia It's been about a year and a half since I got my septum pierced for the first time. It was a painless quick procedure done by a professional (I will not say names) with a 12 gauge needle. After it healed and I had it stretched up to 8 gauge I realized how horribly crooked it was. My boyfriend at the time advised me to remove the jewelry and let it heal so we could do it right, so I did. Months past and my 8 gauge septum piercing shrank to about a 16 or 18 gauge and stayed there.
My ex was going to re-pierce me (I trusted him to scalpel my ear, but the thought of him piercing me made me feel awkward) but he ended up moving away and we split up. Luckily I got to keep the 10 gauge needle (from BMEshop.com) he had for my septum, and I had jewelry in all different sizes.
My set up was probably not the most sterile, but it was definitely a lot better than many DIY experiences I have read (and reviewed) on BME. I laid out a fresh paper towel on my bed and put a q-tip with a dab of Neosporin, the needle still in its sterile packaging, an unworn clean 8 gauge single flared glass plug, and a 10 gauge septum retainer on it. I set up my mirror and then went to my bathroom to prep the area to be pierced. I used a q-tip with alcohol on it to clean out my nose and to get any boogers out. I then washed my hands with anti-bacterial soap and air dried them without touching anything on the way back to my bed room.
I sat back down on the bed, avoiding touching anything. Everything was set up, I knew what I was going to do (pierce, attempt to get in the 8 gauge, if that fails then just use the 10 gauge jewelry). I thought "this won't hurt, it didn't hurt before", but that just made me freak out that little bit more. I had waited this long because I knew I couldn't do it, but finally I had the nerve to do this myself. The professional who had pierced me couldn't do it straight, and I knew I could do just as well if not better than her. So it was set, I was going to do it, no stopping now!
I opened up the package the needle was in and stared at the long beveled edge, and it made me feel a little sick. I sucked it up and placed it against the right side, lining it up, seeing where it should go. I decided the placement in my nose from before was the best choice (I have a huge sweet spot, so placement isn't too much of an issue) and put a little Neosporin on it for lubrication. I lined it up as well as I could and started to push. I did it slowly, not to be masochistic, but to make sure I didn't fuck up the lining like the piercer had done. Each layer of skin popped, and the pain was so minimal at that point that I don't know if it really hurt, or if it was just the thought of a 10 gauge needle going through making it hurt.
I had it almost all the way through, at least I thought. The extra sharp point had gone through, but the beveled edge was so long that I knew that I still had a little ways to go. My heart was beating so hard at the point that I wanted to turn back. The pain was not an issue, but the pressure of having this needle in my nose was bothersome and my hands shook so much that I didn't think I could do it. I left it in my nose like this for a few seconds (which felt like minutes), then I looked into the mirror and thought "just fuckin' do it Holly!" and I shoved that sucker through (holding up my nostril so I wouldn't pierce that too) with a few more pops, and DONE! My eyes naturally got watery (any sort of pain or pressure inside the nose will do this to you) and a few tears came down my face, but I was smiling. I looked in the mirror again and laughed at how goofy I looked with this needle going through my nose like it did.
I decided not to put more pressure on my nose, so I just slid the 10 gauge retainer in. When I pulled out the needle (following through with the jewelry) it felt so nice, I can't find a word to describe the relief I got. The only way I can describe it is that it was a huge pressure in my nose, and then it was relieved when the needle was out.
It's only been a day since I did it, and I'm very glad that I went through with it. I plan on stretching it up to a 4 or 6 gauge and wearing just a plug in it. You may be confused on why I would pierce this and not wear visible jewelry; it is self gratification. I get pleasure out of knowing what I have, I don't need people to comment and stare to feel good about having a piercing.
Disclaimer: Just because my experience with a piercer wasn't the greatest doesn't mean all piercers suck at septum piercings. If you want a piercing done without a huge risk of infection or complications please go to a professional. If you know the risks and have the connections to acquire sterilized equipment and jewelry, then go for it! Happy piercing!