Give your look an edgy vibe with a septum piercing. You can rock it with a classic ring, an easily hidden horseshoe, or a fancy design. However, before you take the plunge, there are a few things to consider. Check out our guide on all there is to know about septum piercings. From how much it will hurt, to cost, aftercare, and even faking it, we’ve got you covered.
RELATED: Your Guide to All Types of Nose Piercing
What is a Septum Piercing?
A septum piercing is, as the name suggests, a piercing located at your septum. This is the wall of cartilage that runs down the center of your nose, and the piercing should be done through the small, thin membrane of skin in the center of your nose, between the end of the cartilage and your nostrils. It is one of the coolest piercings you can get and has a very edgy vibe.
Do Septum Piercings Hurt?
This is one of the most common questions about piercings. In short, yes, however, there is good news. While a septum piercing will hurt because you’re creating a hole through your skin, the pain is short-lived. It might make your eyes water, or you might feel like sneezing, but once the needle is through, that’s the worst of it over. It’s more than likely that what you imagine the pain will be, is far worse than reality. Keep in mind that different people do have different pain thresholds, so if you know you don’t do well with pain, perhaps a fake septum piercing might be a better option for you.
How Much is a Septum Piercing?
The cost of a septum piercing will vary depending on where you get it done and what jewelry you choose. Prices can range from $40-$100. However, there are several important factors to consider when choosing a place. Professionalism and cleanliness are the priority. There’s nothing more important than ensuring your piercer is using proper hygiene practices, which includes a clean venue and properly sterilized tools. Additionally, because a septum piercing is tricky, ideally, you want someone who is more experienced. As such, it can be worth spending the extra money to make sure you’re getting professional service. Make sure you do your research, read reviews, ask for a portfolio, or even see if you can visit before making an appointment. Finally, jewelry choice will also determine the cost. Preferably you want implant-grade stainless steel, titanium, real gold, or biocompatible white gold.
Where to Pierce the Septum?
When you get a septum piercing done, it’s important to make sure the piercing is going through the correct place. There’s a small, thin membrane of skin that sits in the center of your nose, between the end of the cartilage and the top of the harder, thicker part at the end of your nostrils. That thin membrane is where the piercing goes through. It can be more challenging to get to, which is why finding an experienced piercer is a good idea. The best part of the needle going through such thin skin is that it’s much easier and less painful than going to the cartilage or thick tissue.
How to Clean a Septum Piercing
Aftercare is just as important as choosing a professional, hygienic piercer. The best way to keep your septum piercing clean is regular rinsing with a sterile saline or sea salt solution. Start by thoroughly washing your hands. Then, soak a clean cotton ball or gauze in the saline solution and hold it on your piercing for 10 minutes. Do this twice a day for the first six weeks of healing. You’ll also want to avoid touching it or moving it around in those first few weeks. If you must tuck it up for work, move it when you do your salt rinse. Finally, it can take up to six months for the piercing to heal all the way through. Then, up to 18 months for the piercing to be 100% healed. As such, avoid changing your jewelry early, as this can extend the healing time or even cause infection.
How to Treat an Infected Septum Piercing
Piercings can become infected for many reasons. It could be from unsterilized piercing equipment, inadequate aftercare, or touching the piercing too much. Infection happens when bacteria gets into the piercing, causing inflammation. It can be dangerous if left untreated. It’s normal for the piercing to be a bit sore, crusty, and even showing white discharge when healing. However, if you experience yellow or green discharge, excessive or increasing swelling, or heat around the piercing, you may have an infection. To treat an infection, continue with the saline or saltwater rinses twice or even three times a day if you can. Use a cotton tip soaked in the solution to gently remove any crustiness to allow the air to circulate around the piercing. If it’s not getting better, or it gets worse, you made need a trip to your general care practitioner for some antibiotics.
Removing a Septum Piercing
Removing your septum piercing, once it’s completely healed, is relatively easy. You might want to remove it to change the jewelry, or if you’ve had a change of heart. If you’re changing your jewelry, make sure you’ve thoroughly washed your hands, and that the new jewelry is sanitized, so you don’t get an infection. Alternatively, if you’ve had a change of heart, you could always swap to horseshoe-shaped jewelry that you can tuck into your nose to hide. However, if you’re sure you do want to remove the piercing altogether, the best thing about a septum piercing is that while there will be a scar, it won’t be visible. The hole that the piercing was in will eventually close over, but it will take time. Keep in mind, the longer you’ve had the piercing, the longer it will take to close over.
Do Septum Piercings Smell?
It is possible that your septum piercing can smell, and this is often referred to as septum funk, which is usually more common during the healing period. The good news is that this can be removed by cleaning it with a Q-tip and warm water or antiseptic that the individual who pierced your septum for you has recommended.
Septum Piercing for Men
Septum piercings aren’t just a look for the ladies – guys can rock it too. In fact, the origins of septum piercings lie in tribal and warrior traditions of Native American, Indian, Papua New Guinean, and Pacific Islander cultures. Nothing says manly like passing a cultural coming of age body modification ritual. More recently, the septum ring was linked to punk and alternative subcultures and rebelling from mainstream culture. Finally, nowadays, septum piercings for guys can have many meanings, from rebelling against your parents to an edgy-style choice or for cultural significance.
Fake Septum Piercing
If you like the idea of a septum piercing, but aren’t quite ready to commit, or are not-so-keen on needles and pain, a fake septum piercing is just the trick. Fake septum rings clip over the thick part between the nostrils and are easily put on and removed. There are plenty of places to buy faux septum rings online, as well as at brick-and-mortar stores. Consider both your style, as well as the material it’s made of when you are looking for the perfect one. There are options from simple rings to elaborate mandalas filled with crystals. Material options include gold, silver, titanium, stainless steel, and even plastic. Plus, fake septum piercings can be much cheaper than the real deal!
Septum Piercing Jewellery
Just like fake septum jewelry, there is an abundance of styles and material options for the real deal. However, because the ring is sitting through your nose, for extended periods, you need a material that won’t irritate. This is especially important while the piercing is still healing. As such, opt for implant-grade stainless steel, titanium, real gold, or biocompatible white gold at the time of piercing. When the piercing is fully healed, you can try options such as sterling silver or surgical steel. Style-wise, it’s really up to you. The horseshoe shape is easily hidden, which is excellent if work isn’t facial piercing friendly, or your grandma has declared your style choices a disgrace. There are delicate hoops for an elegant look, jeweled mandalas for something more extravagant, or thick rings for a more edgy look. It’s a look you can easily adapt to your style.
Septum Nose Piercing FAQs
Can I flip my septum on the first day?
One of the most appealing things about septum piercings is that they can be flipped, making them easy to hide, and allowing you to wear them in a variety of different settings. That said, this should not be done during the healing period to avoid irritation and infection. It will also hurt if you try to do it on day one.
How painful is septum piercing?
Septum piercings do hurt, but probably not as much as you think they would. It will make your eyes water and will likely be more painful than a standard nose piercing. The discomfort is short-lived, though, because the area's skin is so thin that it heals quickly. If, however, you have a problem with your septum, such as a deviated one, this could be a lot more painful.
How long does a septum piercing take to heal?
A septum piercing usually takes around two to three months to heal. During this healing period, you should avoid flipping the ring up and down as much as possible so as not to irritate the skin. You should also try to avoid touching it unnecessarily.
Can you hide a septum piercing right away?
A septum piercing is going to get noticed. However, you can remove it after 6 to 8 weeks when it has healed (it can also take up to three months to heal) and swap it out for a retainer ring, which will help you hide the piercing. This is one of the most appealing things about a piercing in this location because it is flexible and can be flipped after it is healed. Always thoroughly wash your hands before handling any piercings to avoid getting an infection.
Alexandra Linde is an experienced writer holding a bachelor's degree in Journalism. She is the owner of Alexandra McKiterick Creative and has expertise in travel, fashion, fitness and lifestyle. Alex has previously written for Flightcenter, Travello, and Backpacker Deals.
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