Septum Stretching and Jewelry

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Wednesday August 27th, 2008 @ 2:56 AM

Filed under: Nose

Hi guys

First of all, I would like to thank you regarding my previous questions at the beginning of the summer. My septum healed perfectly and the nipples of my girlfriend too. So thank you.

But of course, I have another question regarding my septum ! At the moment, I have an horseshoe jewelry into my septum. Since I wear most of the time my septum hidden, I find the horseshoe kinda “large”. I’m looking for a jewelry a bit smaller like a retainer, plug or tunnel. My 2 favorites are the retainer and the tunnel, but I’m affraid that the retainer will feel as the same as the horseshoe, too large. I do not have a large nose.

I was more looking at the tunnel, because I like the way it’s made. You can actually see the hole and it does not rotate like the horseshoe or even the retainer. My septum has been pierced at 14G, which I think is very small for a tunnel. From what I’ve read on the BME wiki, the plugs are usually starting at 10G. Is it the same for the tunnels or do they make smaller gauges ?

If so, I would need a stretch. If there is a stretch to be done, I would like to do it my self. Not because I’m cheap or anything, just because this is my body. In order to stretch I would need a stretcher somehow. My local piercing shop is pretty expensive and I would like to buy online, but BME Shop is down and we have no clue when it’s coming back. Would you happen to know any good online store for jewelry and piercing tools such as stretchers ? I’m not talking about ebay, but reputable stores such as BME Shop. This wouldn’t be a big stretch but I feel much more confortable using a tool made for it than something with electrical tape on it.

I’m not doing a big stretch because I want to keep it hidden. Ideal would be a tunnel with black ends. I love big septums (2G,0G), but I just can’t afford to have one at my work.

Oh and last question : My local piercing shop sells Titanium and Stainless Steel jewelries. Other than Titanium being lighter, is there any other benefits ? At the shop,

You can get 14ga Quartz Glass Retainers/Plugs in various lengths. It essentially is a flat back on one side and a silicone o-ring on the other side.

However there is a bit of “is this a loaded question” stuck in my head, because it seems you simply don’t like the 14g and want to go bigger. So just trying to clarify and figure that out because really whats the point in telling you there is something in that size, when you simply are more drawn to the larger gauge sizes.

Also know that going from a 14ga to a 10ga hole IS a big stretch and not advisable, realistically you should go from 14ga to 12ga first, let that relax and settle down and then go to 10ga.

Personally I’m of the mindset that we should not sell piercing tools to untrained/inexperienced people, but that’s just my opinion. Realistically you can find a taper anywhere but the main concern is if it will come sterilized or not, same goes for the jewelry as well. Because quite often most clients (sadly most piercers as well) do not properly comprehend what stretching does and what all is involved. As passing through a non-sterile taper and non-sterile jewelry can lead to many complications/problems.

Any off-topic but is it just me or am I the only one that feels black is so over-rated a shade/color? When are we going to start seeing people more interested in white…blue…pepto bismol pink…its always gotta be black…black as my soul…

excuse me, off topic, sometimes my head is like a hole hahaha get it! yes my comedy is bad.

But as for keeping it hidden and stretching it to a larger size and wearing a black tunnel/eyelet, depending on your nose, “hidden” might not be doable. So as I said you can either purchase a 14ga quartz glass single flared retainer/plug in the right length required. Or you can find a means of stretching your septum, but I strongly encourage you to do so very slowly and try not to force the stretch too much.

As for the Steel and Titanium question….Long as they both meet ASTM standards for implant grade capability, they are both good in my books. Some people are better suited for titanium and others are better suited for steel. As I’ve known people who have had allergic reactions to both metals… Personally I’m more a fan of Titanium though because it can be anodized various colors and not just the regular steel look.

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