I received this message from a reader:

Elayne, the book was amazing!  I always had a feeling that the old shop I was going to was not the cleanest or most knowledgeable place in the world, and now I am certain haha!  You have really opened my eyes to a lot of things that I just didn't look at before.  I plan on enrolling in my classes soon, and hopefully with what I learned from your book I will have a bit of a head start above my competition for an apprenticeship.  Also, your aftercare section was great.  I have heard a ton of varying viewpoints, but never any reason other than "it just works."  The piercer who did my lip told me to use anti-bacterial soap and peroxide to clean my lip ring, and now I no longer have it because it wouldn't heal.  I wish I would have found your book sooner!  It probably would have been able to keep it!

Also, I found a video on YouTube after reading your book that you might be able to use as a "how not to pierce" guide.  Here you go: https://youtu.be/4bYU4fLYIVk

Any way, thanks again for everything.  You are the best.  I am going to be far more picky when I get my septum pierced and when I look for my apprenticeship.  Thank you so very much!

Alan

My reply:

Alan,
Oh my goodness! I'm blown away by how bad that video was! It honestly could be used for a lesson on "How NOT to Pierce." Regular forceps should never be used on septum. I find it easiest (especially for the piercee!) if I use a receiving tube.

By contrast, if you want to see me do a septum, you can watch me doing one here: https://youtu.be/XxkRe-srWmA

I posted that as a video response to the one you shared with me. Yeow.

Well, I'm so glad that you enjoyed my book and learned a lot from it! Please keep me posted on your progress.

Be safe!

Elayne