NEW PIERCING:Last night I got my septum pierced. The piercer [Dave @ Ocean Mystique] told me he didn't want to pierce it at a 16 gauge- He said those have the tendency to rip. I was terrified. I have backed out of the process in the past, but finally decided that I really wanted to get this done. This is not my first piercing, though it is my first facial piercing. (My ears are stretched to 4g talons in each ear, 12g CBR’s in each ear, 1 cartilage, and a 14g horizontal navel industrial) Total number of piercings + new septum piercing = 8PROCEDURE:1) Filled out paperwork, showed I.D., talked to Dave about the procedure and aftercare, then decided on a 14 gauge retainer. I will purchase a circular barbell soon.2) When Dave was ready, he took me into the piercing room and told me to lay down on the table with my head at the bottom towards him. [at this point, I am terrified]3) He explained that he would be using a "new method" for piercing septums that was virtually pain-free if done correctly.4) Conversation:Dave: "I'm going to poke around your nose to find your soft spot. Don't be alarmed, I will be doing this with a needle."Me: [very much alarmed] "...okay."Dave: You're done.Me: [looks down at tip of nose] "It's...done!"Dave: "Mmmmhmm, did you feel anything?"Me: "Nothing at all.." I know you're probably thinking: "She's lying". I'm not. I felt NOTHING. NO, I don't have a high pain tolerance. I have a slightly LOW pain tolerance. I have recently discovered this.’There are three possible reasons for this:1) I took 800 mg of Motrin before I came to the studio. That is the equivalent of four pills [in one pill] and the particular dosage is the dosage given after major dental work. I took the pill in hopes of alleviating the pain. If that's what stopped it, it worked. (THOUGH IT MAY HAVE HELPED, I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU GO TO A PIERCING STUDIO UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY DRUG. INCLUDING HIGH DOSAGES OF MOTRIN/ADVIL. )2) Dave was using a "new method" of piercing the septum that doesn't require the use of clamps. The method, if done correctly, is supposed to be virtually painless. The procedure, from what I gathered, seemed to only require the use of a receiving tube.If that's what stopped it, it worked.3) Dave didn't let me know he was going to pierce. He simply said he'd be "poking around my nose". Then I had a needle through my nose, and it was finished. If that's what stopped it, it worked.PIERCER: Dave was a wonderful piercer, and if I decide to go back for any more work, I will definitely want him to do it. He was personable, professional, funny, had a quick push time, and was very concerned about the cleanliness of everything.He thoroughly explained the piercing process to me, and provided me with an extensive aftercare sheet, as well as his own tips on the healing process of a septum. I definitely recommend him.DOES IT HURT NOW?:Yes. It feels like I've been punched in the nose. It isn't unbearable though. I can function without it really bothering me. It doesn't help that I hit it a few times last night. You really don't realize HOW MUCH you hit your nose before you get your septum pierced. You hit it quite often.THE PIERCING ITSELF:If you have parents, family, or a career that bans you from having visible body piercings, this may be the piercing for you. I still live at home, and my parents are not incredibly happy about my fascination with body modification. I currently have a retainer in mine, and when I flip it up, you cannot see any part of the piercing- even when someone is looking straight up my nose. Of course, this differs for everyone. Apparently I have the “perfect nose” for septum piercing. If you are worried about your piercing being visible, ask the piercer their opinion. Girls, if you’re worried about the piercing looking too masculine, don’t. Even with the standard 14 gauge, it still looks “dainty” and feminine in some aspects.TOTAL OVERALL EXPERIENCE:My experience couldn’t have been better. He fully explained everything, showed me that everything was very clean, and made the experience a comfortable one. I wasn’t exactly “comfortable” when in the waiting area. I admit I was very scared. I had heard nothing but negative things about the septum piercing, including many on the BME. When one hears nothing but “IT HURT”, it doesn’t make the individual with the low pain tolerance excited to go do it. I recommend this piercing to anyone that wants an attractive facial piercing that is easy to conceal, if necessary.