Considering a septum piercing? This edgy and versatile style has become popular, and it's natural to have questions before committing. Wondering "does a septum piercing close?" or curious about how long a septum piercing takes to heal? And, most importantly, "does a septum piercing go through cartilage?" We'll cover all the essential information to help you make an informed decision about this bold statement piece.
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It's a type of facial piercing that goes through the thin, soft tissue between your nostrils, also known as the columella or the "sweet spot" as piercers like to call this placement for a septum piercing.
Unlike popular belief, it doesn’t usually go through hard cartilage, making it a unique and easily customizable piercing option. However, everyone’s body is different, and not everyone has a columella. So, make sure to visit an experienced piercer who can do the piercing properly.
Getting this piercing is a quick process performed by a professional piercer. They'll check the person's anatomy to make sure they can wear a septum. Next, they'll get their needle and equipment ready.
So, what gauge is the most common for a septum piercing? This piercing is typically done with a 16- or 14-gauge hollow piercing needle.
The piercing itself typically takes just a few seconds, followed by inserting the initial piercing jewelry piece. Make sure you choose the right jewelry like implant grade titanium or gold for your initial jewelry. The initial jewelry is usually a captive bead ring or circular barbell. Your piercer will recommend the best type of jewelry for you. Make sure you don't get anything with a base metal you're allergic to. Allergic reactions can make healing more painful, or even force you to remove it entirely.
If you’re thinking about stretching your septum, you can shorten your stretching journey by get pierced at a larger gauge, but talk to your piercer about it.
Pain levels can vary from person to person, but most people find it tolerable. Some even describe it as a quick pinch, followed by a warm sensation. Remember, it's over in seconds!
However, if the piercing isn't done correctly in the right septum piercing location—like piercing through cartilage or being placed in the wrong location—it can cause significant discomfort both during and after the procedure and can take longer to heal. This is why choosing a reputable piercer is essential for minimizing pain and ensuring a smooth healing process.
Pain scale on 1-10: Between 2-4
So, how much is a septum piercing? It can range from $40 to $100, not including the jewelry for the septum. The final price depends on the piercing studio, location and the jewelry. Consider getting high-quality jewelry, like implant grade titanium, for a smoother healing process.
So, how long does a septum piercing take to heal? Your healing time depends on factors like aftercare, irritation, and your body's unique recovery rate. Typically, a septum piercing takes between 6 to 12 weeks pass through the initial, inflammatory phase. During this time, tenderness, mild swelling, and some crusting can be a normal part of the healing process. Even if your piercing starts to feel better, it’s important to continue proper aftercare and avoid unnecessary touching or movement of the jewelry.
A septum piercing can take around 6 to 8 months to fully heal, and some people may need longer. To make the septum piercing healing process easier, avoid touching, moving, or snagging the jewelry as much as possible. If you need to keep your piercing discreet while it heals, ask your piercer if your circular barbell or retainer can be flipped up. Keeping the jewelry in one position rather than repeatedly flipping it up and down can help minimize irritation while your septum piercing heals.
Aftercare is crucial to ensure proper healing and avoid infections. Avoid touching your piercing with dirty hands – always wash them first before cleaning your piercing.
You want to clean your piercing at least twice a day, in the morning and night, using a saline solution or saline spray. Soak the piercing area for a few minutes and then use a paper towel to gently dry the area or let it air dry.
During the healing process, avoid touching your piercing, bumping it, rotating the jewelry or moving it. Just don’t touch it! Avoid bodies of water like swimming pools, hot tubs and the beach. These places contain bacteria that can cause an infection.
An advantage to getting a septum piercing is that you can easily hide it. You can talk to your piercer about using a septum retainer or flipping the jewelry up when you get it pierced so that you don’t have the temptation to touch it.
As your piercing heals keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as excessive redness or swelling, persistent pain or discomfort, yellow or green discharge or fever or flu-like symptoms. If you see signs like these, get in touch with your piercer or doctor.
For a step-by-step aftercare walkthrough, see our septum piercing aftercare guide.
SHOP PIERCING AFTERCARE HERE
Just got your septum pierced and wondering what to do next? Good news—cleaning it is simple. You don’t need anything harsh or complicated. If you stick to the basics and stay consistent, your piercing can heal smoothly.
You only need one main thing:
This is gentle, safe, and perfect for healing piercings. Skip alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and homemade salt mixes—they can irritate your skin and slow healing.
Always start here. Clean hands help prevent bacteria from getting into your piercing.
Spray the saline directly onto your septum piercing. Make sure it fully covers the area.
Give the saline a moment to soak in. This helps loosen any buildup and keeps the area clean.
Use a clean paper towel to lightly tap away excess moisture. Avoid cloth towels—they can hold bacteria.
Let your piercing finish drying on its own. No touching!
Clean your septum piercing twice a day—once in the morning and once at night. That’s all it needs. Over-cleaning can actually slow healing.
If you need to blow your nose, be extra gentle. Instead of wiping harshly, dab carefully with a clean tissue. This helps avoid irritation.
When it comes to healing, less is more. Stick with saline, keep your hands off, and give your body time to do its thing.
So, you just got your septum pierced—congrats! But now you're wondering, “How the heck do I blow my nose without ruining this fresh piercing?” Whether it’s allergy season or you’re just dealing with a random sniffle, navigating this can be tricky, but it’s totally doable if you’re careful. Let’s break it down for you.
A fresh septum piercing is super sensitive in the beginning. Blowing your nose too aggressively can cause irritation, slow down healing, or even lead to an infection. Your goal? Avoid moving, pinching, or putting unnecessary pressure on the piercing.
Here’s what you can do if your nose is running:
Taking care of your piercing is key to avoiding complications while you’re healing. Here’s a quick reminder of what you should be doing:
Allergies can make this even harder, but don’t panic. Use a gentle saline spray to keep your nasal passages clear without irritating your piercing. And remember, if your symptoms get too bad, you can always check in with your piercer for advice.
Blowing your nose with a fresh septum piercing takes a little extra patience and care, but it’s not impossible. Be gentle, keep things clean, and follow your aftercare routine to keep your piercing happy and healthy.
If your piercing has healed, you can now find that perfect piece to adorn your septum! This body modification allows for many beautiful styles. Before you remove your jewelry, make sure it's fully healed.
Circular barbells, or horseshoes, are a popular style. You can customize the look with different bead options like opals, stones and spikes. An advantage of wearing a circular barbell is that it can be flipped up into the nose, making it easy to hide the jewelry when needed. But only flip it if your piercing has fully healed. For a similar look, pinchers are also a bold option.
Captive bead rings (CBRs or captives) are another trendy choice, especially for starters. They have a small bead that holds the ring in place and adds a bit of style to the simple hoop design.
Septum clickers are a top choice. These hoops have a hinged piece that clicks securely in place, making them easy to wear. With bold and sparkly designs available, clickers are perfect for making your jewelry stand out.
For a sleek look, seamless rings are a great option. They create a smooth, clean style that works with any outfit.
What about stretched septums? You can wear earskins and plugs, which are also great for hiding this piercing. For a different look, try tusks and spikes or stack multiple rings in your septum.
BROWSE EVERY SEPTUM RING AND CLICKER
Removing a septum clicker ring can sometimes feel tricky, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re swapping out jewelry or just need to take it off, here are three simple methods to help you get that clicker ring out without stressing. Let’s dive in!
The simplest way to remove your septum clicker ring is by using your hands. Here’s how:
If the ring feels stuck, don’t force it. You don’t want to damage your jewelry or hurt yourself.
If your hands aren’t doing the trick, you can try the string method. This works great for rings that are a bit harder to open:
This technique gives you extra leverage, making it easier to open a stubborn clicker ring.
For really stuck septum clicker rings, ring-opening pliers are a lifesaver. These tools are designed specifically for body jewelry. Here’s how to use them:
Ring-opening pliers are especially useful if you wear clicker rings or captive bead rings regularly. It’s a good idea to have a pair handy in your piercing care kit.
Whether you’re using your hands, string, or pliers, removing a septum clicker ring doesn’t have to be stressful. Take your time, be gentle, and use the method that works best for you. And if all else fails, consider visiting a professional piercer for help!
Need to hide your septum piercing? That can easily be done by flipping your jewelry up into your nostrils. This is a great way to keep your piercing discrete, without taking your jewelry out.
Before you do this, know that this can only be achieved with septum retainers, and some smaller diameter circular barbells. Your piercing should also be fully healed before you begin moving and touching your jewelry.
Gently grasp your jewelry, and rotate it within the piercing until the jewelry is upside down, and the 'legs' of the retainer or ball ends of the barbell are tucked up inside your nostirils.
If you just got your septum pierced and you're wondering if it's okay to flip the jewelry up and down—stop right there. The short answer? No, you shouldn't flip it while it's healing.
We get it. Maybe you're trying to keep it hidden from your parents, your job, or just want to see how it looks both ways. But here’s why flipping your fresh septum piercing is a bad move:
If you're worried about hiding your septum, talk to your piercer before getting it done. There are better ways to handle this without messing up your healing process.
If your jewelry was flipped up when it was first pierced, leave it that way until it's completely healed. Don’t flip it back down early. Let your body do its thing and focus on healing first.
Healing time for a septum piercing is usually 6 to 8 weeks at minimum—sometimes longer depending on your body and aftercare. Until then, leave it alone as much as possible.
The less you mess with your jewelry, the smoother your healing will be.
A taper that only stretches one size at a time with a concave end is a good tool to use for this purpose, and a body-safe lubricant is a must. We recommend Jojoba oil, or a stretch-up salve. You will also need jewelry that’s not more than one gauge larger than your current size. Your best options will be single flare plugs, captive bead rings, or circular barbells, and the material should be stainless steel, titanium, or glass. Porous materials such as wood, silicone, or stone are not recommended for stretching.
It’s important to note that you should only stretch up as gradually as possible. That means if you are at 16g, you should stretch no larger than 14g, and then let your piercing rest before going larger.
In summary, just like with stretching your ears, the best practice is to stretch slowly and in small increments at a time. Use a taper, a body-safe lubricant, and high-quality, non-porous jewelry. And turn to your piercer if you need help or guidance.
Thinking about stretching your septum? Good news—you can dead stretch your septum just like you would with stretched ears. But before you grab the next size up, there’s a lot you need to know to keep it safe and healthy.
Dead stretching is the process of slowly increasing the size (or gauge) of a piercing by inserting jewelry that’s slightly bigger than your current size. It's all about patience, time, and listening to your body.
When dead stretching your septum, quality jewelry matters. Stick with:
Tip: Use a little lubricant like jojoba oil to help the new jewelry slide in more comfortably.
This isn’t something you want to hurry. Septum tissue needs time to loosen and heal between stretches. In most cases, you should wait at least 2 to 3 months before even thinking about going up a size. Some people wait up to 9 months between stretches—yes, really!
The stretch should feel comfortable and fully healed before sizing up again. If it still feels snug, tender, or irritated, hold off.
When you go up a size, it’s normal to feel:
But here’s the deal—it should never be super painful or bleed. If that happens, it means you stretched too early or too fast. Take the jewelry out, let it heal, and give it more time before trying again.
Stretching too quickly can cause tears, blowouts, or permanent damage. Trust the process, go slow, and your septum will thank you.
If you don't have a septum piercing yet, but you know you want to stretch it in the future, you're actually in a great spot to plan ahead and do it right. Stretching can take a lot of time if you start too small, and rushing the process can damage your piercing.
Most septum piercings are done at 16 gauge or 14 gauge, which are pretty standard sizes. But if you're already thinking about stretching later on, talk to your piercer before getting pierced. You can ask them to start you at a larger gauge, like 12 gauge or even 10 gauge.
Starting at a larger gauge has some big benefits:
If you start small, you’ll have to slowly stretch your septum over time—and that can get frustrating. It takes patience, and stretching too quickly can lead to problems.
We get it—once you decide to stretch your septum, you want results. But stretching too fast can cause:
Basically, rushing it can leave your septum looking and feeling rough. Nobody wants that.
If stretching is your goal, it’s totally okay to bring that up with your piercer from the start. They can help you get pierced at a safer, larger size and give you tips for healthy stretching down the road.
Communication is key. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or share your plans. It’s your body, and you deserve to get pierced in a way that works for your future goals.
Thinking about stretching your septum and wondering if pinchers are the right tool? Let's get into it.
Pinchers are actually a solid option for stretching your septum. But not all pinchers are created equal. The key is choosing ones that are safe and smooth.
If you’re planning to use a pincher, here’s how to do it right:
Stretching should never be painful or forced. If your septum isn't ready, don't push it. Patience is key for a healthy, well-stretched piercing.
Bottom line? Yes, you can use pinchers to stretch your septum—as long as you use the right kind and take your time.
Can you sleep in a glass septum pincher or other glass septum jewelry? Yes, you can! Glass is a popular choice for stretched septums because it's smooth, non-porous, and easy to clean. However, how comfortable it feels while sleeping depends on the jewelry style, fit, and gauge size.
Glass septum pinchers tend to stick out more than other jewelry styles and are usually held in place with O-rings. If you toss and turn while sleeping, your O-rings could shift, causing your jewelry to move around or even fall out.
If you prefer glass jewelry but worry about losing your pincher, you could try a glass plug or tunnel instead. These sit inside your stretched septum, making them less noticeable and harder to accidentally bump while sleeping.
Choosing the right wearable length is important for comfort. Your jewelry should fit comfortably without feeling bulky or putting pressure on your nose. If you're using O-rings, make sure there's enough room to keep them secure.
Larger gauge jewelry can feel heavier or more noticeable, especially while sleeping. What feels comfortable for one person might not work for another, so pay attention to how your jewelry feels.
Before going to bed, check that your jewelry is secure. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
If your glass pincher keeps shifting or feels uncomfortable, you can try other jewelry styles, such as a snug circular barbell or basic clicker. Just make sure the jewelry fits your septum properly and doesn't put pressure on your nose.
Sleeping in a glass septum pincher is generally fine for a fully healed septum, as long as the jewelry fits comfortably and stays secure. If you're still healing from a fresh stretch, check with your piercer before switching jewelry.
Ultimately, comfort is key! If your jewelry bothers you while sleeping, don't be afraid to try a different style.
Thinking about stretching your septum to a larger gauge? It’s a cool look, but here’s something you might not have considered: stretching your septum can actually change the shape of your nose.
Once you start getting into the larger sizes—usually around 2 gauge or bigger—you might start to notice small changes in how your nose looks. This doesn’t happen to everyone, and the effect can vary from person to person, but here’s why it happens.
When you stretch your septum, the jewelry puts pressure on the surrounding cartilage. Over time, that pressure can cause the cartilage to compress or shift. This might:
Another thing to look out for is what some people call a “septum droop.” This can happen when you:
The weight can actually pull your septum down a bit, making the tip of your nose look lower or more droopy than it did before.
Not necessarily! Some people love the way their nose looks after a big stretch. Others might not like it as much. And for some folks, the change is so small it’s barely noticeable.
The important thing is to stretch slowly and carefully. If you rush the process or use heavy jewelry too soon, you’re more likely to end up with a nose shape change that’s not easy to reverse.
So, can stretching your septum piercing change the shape of your nose? Yes, it can. But if you’re patient and do it the right way, you’ll have more control over how your nose looks in the end.
If you're stretching your septum or thinking about it, you’ve probably heard the term septum denting. But what is septum denting exactly? Let’s break it down.
When you first get your septum pierced, the needle goes through the “sweet spot” — that soft, thin bit of tissue between your nostrils. This area sits right in front of the harder cartilage part of your nose.
Stretching your septum piercing means slowly increasing the size of the hole by using bigger jewelry over time. But here’s where things get tricky.
Septum denting happens when you stretch your piercing big enough that your jewelry starts pressing into the hard cartilage behind the sweet spot. Once the soft tissue can’t keep up with the size increases, the jewelry starts to rub against that tougher part of your nose.
This pressure and friction can start to wear down the cartilage, eventually leaving an indent or even reshaping that part of your nose. That's what we call “denting.”
When denting starts, you’ll feel it. It's not subtle. Expect:
It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey, slow down!”
This is different for everyone. It all depends on your unique anatomy — specifically, how much soft tissue you’ve got in that sweet spot.
Some people start denting as early as 6 gauge. Others don’t notice it until they hit 2 gauge or larger. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but when it happens, you’ll know.
The larger you stretch, the longer you’ll need to wait between stretches. Patience is key if you want to keep your septum healthy.
Septum denting is a real thing and something you definitely want to understand before stretching too far too fast. Take it slow, listen to your body, and you’ll have a much better time with your septum stretching journey.
Thinking about getting a septum piercing but not totally sure yet? You're not alone. A lot of people love the look, but it's smart to understand both the good and the not-so-good parts before you decide.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of getting a septum piercing in a simple and honest way.
One of the biggest perks is how versatile a septum piercing is. You can wear jewelry like a circular barbell or horseshoe and simply flip it up inside your nose when you need to hide it. This makes it a great option for school, work, or family situations.
A properly done septum piercing goes through a soft spot inside your nose called the “sweet spot.” Because it avoids thick cartilage, many people say it hurts less than other nose piercings.
If you like switching up your style, this piercing is a win. There are so many choices, including:
You can go simple or bold depending on your mood.
Because of the easier healing and flexible styling, many people consider this a good first piercing beyond earlobes.
Even though it's not the most painful piercing, healing still comes with some tenderness. For a few weeks, things like blowing your nose or bumping it can feel uncomfortable.
This is a big one. If your piercer misses the sweet spot and goes through cartilage, the piercing can be more painful and harder to heal. That’s why choosing an experienced piercer is so important.
Like any piercing, you’ll need to stay on top of cleaning and aftercare. Skipping this can lead to irritation or infection, which no one wants.
If you plan to stretch your septum, be ready. It’s a slow process and can feel a bit “spicy” at times. Patience is key here.
If you love the look and are willing to take care of it, a septum piercing can be a fun and flexible choice. Just make sure you go to a skilled piercer and follow good aftercare for the best experience.
If you have serious allergies or ongoing sinus issues, this piercing might not be right for you. Blowing your nose frequently can slow down healing. It can also cause discomfort.
Additionally, if you have very thin or oddly shaped septum tissue, it could make the piercing difficult or even impossible. It’s also important to avoid getting a septum piercing if you can’t commit to proper aftercare, as improper cleaning can lead to infections or complications.
If you don't have the anatomy or can't get this piercing, a good option is wearing a faux septum cuff. It gives you the look without making it permanent.
If you remove your septum jewelry, the piercing can start to close up pretty quickly, often within a few days to a week. The speed at which it closes depends on how long you’ve had the piercing and how well it has healed. If it's a fresh piercing, it can even close in a few minutes. If you want to keep the piercing open, it’s best to leave the jewelry in or replace it as soon as possible.
Yes, you can blow your nose, but it’s important to be gentle. Using a soft tissue and avoiding too much pressure will help prevent irritation or discomfort. Just be careful not to pull or twist the jewelry while blowing your nose.
If it's a fresh piercing, you want to avoid touching it and just dab around the area.
Yes, it may still be possible to get your septum pierced if you have a deviated septum. The piercer will work around the deviated part to find the best spot for the piercing. However, it might draw attention to any asymetry in your nose or the jewelry might not sit completely straight. Go to a reputable piercer with experience working with a deviated septum.
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