To clarify: This was not the first piercing I've ever had, but it was my first professional one. Over the course of my life I have had several piercings -- my eyebrows, nostrils, lips, ears, navel and other assorted areas. However, I did each and every one of my piercings on my own (which I'm not necessarily recommending). I've always been nervous about letting other people pierce me, and have always preferred the slower (and painful) method of doing it myself. I'm accustomed to the discomfort of piercings myself, and have always believed that it is better than putting that much trust in someone else -- even though I have put trust in others to put less-than-acceptable tattoos on me -- go figure.
Anyway, I went to Precious Slut to pierce my septum after I toyed with the idea of piercing it myself. I even went as far as ordering a self piercing kit that included needle, clamp and jewelry so I could do it at home. However, this was the first time I ever chickened out about piercing myself. Even after watching multiple videos of people piercing their own septums, I still was unable to find my own "sweet spot" to do it myself. I simply was not confident enough to pierce it myself.
When I went to Precious Slut, Jay was my piercer. I let him know that I had never let anyone else pierce me, and he immediately put me to ease and explained that he knew what he was doing. He warned me that there would be a pinch but little else in regards to pain. He had me sit on the table in front of him, put a clamp in my nose and quickly found the right spot. He told me to take a deep breath -- and I closed my eyes -- and in just an instant my septum was pierced.
It was completely painless. I didn't even feel the "pinch" that he warned me about. When I asked him what gauge he used for the needle, he smiled and said "Fourteen."
I couldn't hep but laugh. I had forgotten to tell Jay which gauge I wanted, but I was very happy with the choice he made, albeit shocked. I never knew a 14 gauge needle could be so totally painless. None of my piercings have ever exceeded 18 gauge.
Overall, I recommend Precious Slut for piercings and I intend on trying them out for a new tattoo in the very near future. I will also probably never do my own piercings again after being pierced by Jay in such a perfectly painless and enjoyable experience.