While many people only get their ears pierced, body piercings have existed for some time. it really is a tradition dating back 5,300 years!
But one of the most interesting is the septum piercing.
septum piercings have been around for a long time.
They were common among Native Americans, specifically the Tecumseh, Tenskwatawa, and Shawnee tribes. The Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas, as well as people from Africa to Southwest Asia, have sported piercing.
What is a septum piercing?
A septal perforation is a hole that goes through the thin membrane of tissue between the nostrils. It is a piercing that is placed under the hard cartilage of the nose.
Septum piercings are often closer to the tip of the nose than the face, as this location tends to be universally flattering.
Photo: Grace Hagen via Wikimedia Commons
How much does a septum piercing cost?
Depending on the piercer you choose, the piercing studio, jewelry, and aftercare products you buy, this can affect the total amount you’ll spend.
The average cost of piercing will run you between $40 and $100, which includes the jewelry but does not include the tip for your professional piercer.
How long does it take for a septum piercing to heal?
While the piercing may seem “hard” or intense (as many people commonly associate piercing with “wildness” and/or bone through the nose), this piercing is relatively easy to bear.
However, in terms of healing, septum piercings take at least four to five months to fully heal. The piercing should start to feel better in six to eight weeks. This is slightly longer than the standard nose stud.
The advantage is that during the healing process, you can lift the septum ring whenever you want. Make sure you do this with clean hands though, as you don’t want the piercing to get infected.
As for a strange smell, don’t panic. This is simply due to the buildup of oils and dead skin cells getting stuck around the jewelry. It is best to clean often. But instead of wondering when you can change your septum piercing, it’s better to wait the recommended number of weeks.
How are septum piercings done?
The septum piercing process is quite simple.
Your piercer will begin by marking where the needle will pass through the thin cartilage between the right and left nostrils; they call this the “sweet spot.”
Your piercer will then do one of three things: freehand the needle, use septum forceps, or use a receiving tube to hold the cartilage in place. Lastly, the needle will pierce the cartilage with a cone and the piece of jewelry will be threaded.
There are three types of metals to choose from for a septum piercing.
There is stainless steel, which is one of the safest metals because it is hypoallergenic; there is titanium, which can be a little more expensive but is very durable; and there’s niobium, which is used for people with sensitive skin and tends to have a low reaction rate.
How bad it hurts?
Unlike getting your ears pierced, where the piercing needle or gun goes through the lobe, a septum piercing is done in a thin layer of cartilage. This means that you may feel more pain; however, everyone has a different threshold of pain that they can handle.
Many people who have had their septum pierced report that they break during the procedure. But this is just a natural nervous system response, so don’t be too hard on yourself for your reaction.
What are the risks of septum piercings?
Like any other piercing, there will be risks with piercing a septum. You could have an allergic reaction to the metal used, or the open wound could get infected.
A septal hematomawhich is an accumulation of blood within the septum, is a complication that can develop if the perforation damages the blood vessels within the nasal tissue causing pain, swelling, pressure and congestion.
Other risks include scarring, tears, and blood-borne illnesses that can occur. All of these risks are exactly why you should go to experienced piercers.
How do you clean a septum piercing?
If you’ve never had a piercing anywhere, aftercare is an essential step to ensure your piercing doesn’t become infected or heal improperly.
During the first weeks after the piercing, soak yourself with a sea salt solution and choose specific antiseptics. For the sea salt soak, soak a cotton ball in aftercare spray and press it against the piercing. Repeat this process for five minutes.
Another method includes the use of good quality sea salt, not to be confused with table salt. Combine this with boiled water to sterilize it and add a cup of water for every 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Use cotton balls to apply the solution once it is fully mixed.
For people experiencing any issues with their piercing, consider using an antiseptic spray or swabs.
When your piercing is healing, also make sure you don’t traumatize the piercing (like when you have to blow your nose), use blood thinners (including alcohol and caffeine), swim in a pool, use soap directly on the piercing, apply lotions or creams, or remove the piercing prematurely.
Can a septum piercing be stretched?
The short answer is that stretching a septum piercing is not recommended. However, it can be done.
You have to stretch it under strict rules or you risk damaging your piercing. You will need to wait six to eight months between each stretch and only stretch about 0.5mm each time.
It’s slow and steady wins the race by stretching a septum piercing.
How long do I have to wait to change the jewelry?
You should always wait until the piercing is fully healed to change jewelry!
However, you can start changing jewelry around six to eight weeks. Then you can insert your circular bar in the shape of a horseshoe and rings of captive beads.
Just be sure to keep everything clean to avoid infection. You can use a saline solution for this.
How do you hide a septum piercing?
Like hide tattoosWhile the most obvious piercings (ears, nose rings, labret, and even tongue) are difficult or impossible to hide, a septum piercing is surprisingly easy, both during and after healing.
All you need to do is flip the jewelry, but it depends on how healed the piercing is. For newly healed septum piercings, use a thin ring (recommended size is 16 gauge).
Use a piece of flesh-colored tape to cover the area temporarily, especially if you want to hide it for work or if you’re physically active. Make sure to remove the tape every day and replace it with new tape. Of course, you’ll also want to clean the piercing every day.
After waiting six to eight weeks for the piercing to heal, another method is to wear a septum retainer. A septum retainer is a piece of jewelry specifically designed to hide your septum ring. You can use the retainer to flip it inside your nose, making your piercing much less obvious.
Just like if you were changing your septum ring, the process is similar with a retainer. Remove the plugs (the balls at the end of the ring) and place it up to the nose, slowly pushing the retainer through the holes. Then put the plugs back on.
Nicole Lane is a wife, mother, writer, and regular contributor to YourTango. She is a staunch supporter of women’s rights, a strong believer in equality and parity, and an advocate for women’s health, mental health, and sexuality.