First of all let me start by saying this is the second time I have had this piercing performed. The first time I had it done was about two years ago at a different studio, in a different place, by a different person. My first experience was FAR different.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Mark Studio Eternal Art Location Tuscaloosa, AL I went to a studio where I had received some tattoo work and the lone artist also did the piercings. I am not about to name names because he is a fabulous tattoo artist, but my septum piercing was a little... weak. I sat there waiting, and anxious to recieve my first "external" facial piercing. This man who had done wonderful tattoos on me should in fact be able to do wonderful piercings too... right? I sat and watched him prepare all of the equipment and open every item from a sterile package. He marked the piercing and clamped my nose. It is noteworthy to mention that he used Pennington forceps.
As with any piercing there was pain and my eyes watered (hey they shoved a needle through my nose). Instead of ordering/using a more open horseshoe for the piercing he opened one up with pliers in the shop prior to and after the piercing. I think this is probably a pretty regular practice, although I am not sure. However, once the jewelry is already in I do not advise using pliers to open it up. This hurts like hell. This was so I could flip it up and hide it. Furthermore, the jewelry was extremely uncomfortable and it was an onerous task to flip. The balls seemed massive inside my nose and it even seemed difficult to breath like having severe congestion.
After the piercing had concluded I took a closer look at it. It was crooked... very crooked! Using the Pennington forceps and a pen to mark the piercing there was no real way to ensure it would be straight. With all of this information in hand I decided within a couple of weeks it had to come out and be redone. He does do great tattoos though. That was, as they say, a long time ago.
I love my mods and I am a working professional so it is important for me that they look good, and that the piercer/artist can empathize with my needs. That is exactly what I found with Mark at Eternal Art in Tuscaloosa, AL. I recently moved here to continue my education and saw this as the perfect opportunity to once again get my septum pierced. Looking around Tuscaloosa all indicators pointed to one place. Still, I chose to investigate all possible outlets before venturing back into the piercing studio to pursue the hole that had caused me problems before. After speaking with Mark about my needs he offered to do the piercing with multiple jewelry sizes and shapes, and offered to order custom jewelry for my application. Unlike many, Eternal Art does not come off with the pushy salesman attitude (shameless plug).
The procedure was much different the second time around. I went in to see him on multiple occasions before plopping down to have the hole. He was cool and laid back and spoke with me about the studio, the town, and we just chatted about any ole' thing. Bubba, the store owner, and also a piercer was around and willing to chat me up about any thing as well. When I decided to do it he was very methodical and professional in his approach. He took lots of time finding correct placement for the piercing. In my first piercing, it was two little marks dotted on with a pen and slide the needle in. In the second case, septum forceps were used to ensure proper alignment and a straight piercing, something I had already expressed concern over. We decided on a 14g 3/8 horseshoe with small (I think 3mm) balls to make the flip easy. Once everything was set he slid the needle through and in went the jewelry. Of course it hurt a bit but this experience has been so much better than the first. M y piercing is straight and my jewelry is comfortable.
For anyone considering this piercing I would advise a piercer you are comfortable with and who is willing to work with you. This is by far not my first time around the block and I guess I have been lucky. This is, however, the only piercing I have HAD to do over despite having done other ones over anyhow. People also always ask about the pain. Pain is relative. With both experiences it hurt, but unlike other piercings the pain is sharp but brief and a type of soreness sets in that is defiantly bearable. This is my favorite piercing. I can flip it out and make a bold statement (or just scare the neighbors) or keep it tucked up nice and neat and you would never know I had it unless I told you.