Piercing in Septum: Bold, Edgy and Trending Now
These days, most places you go will have someone with a “bull ring” piercing in septum. It’s easy to want a septum piercing, since celebs such as Florence Pugh, FKA Twigs, and Zoe Kravitz have shown how stylish it can look. But you need to get some questions answered before you go under the needle. That’s why we’ve gathered all the information you need about septum piercings, including how much they hurt and which jewellery works best.
Expert piercer Kevin Lamb and board-certified dermatologist Jeremy Fenton, MD, helped us. To learn more about piercings in septum, including how much they cost, possible side effects, and how to take care of them, keep reading.
What Is a Septum Piercing
A piercing in septum goes through the septum of the nose. Your septum is made up of cartilage and is thin like a wall, running down the middle of your nose and splitting your nostrils in two. However, a septum piercing shouldn’t go through the cartilage.
Your piercer will mark the softer area of skin just below the septum, often called the “sweet spot.” Lamb explains they hold the cartilage where needed using “freehand, a receiving tube, or clamps.” A clean, single-use needle is then inserted, and the jewelry is carefully put through and fastened.
Price
A piercing in septum will cost at least $40 and up to $100. The price of a septum piercing depends on where you go and what state you’re in, just like with most beauty treatments. It also depends on what kind of jewellery you pick; the price may go up, too.
Which Material for Your Jewellery?
Body jewellery for septum piercings can be made from a lot of different things, but these are the most common:
- Stainless steel: This is one of the best metals to use for any piercing because it doesn’t cause allergies, so it’s a good choice for jewellery for people with sensitive skin.
- Titanium: Another common, long-lasting nose ring choice unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. Compared to other metals, titanium is usually more expensive.
- Niobium: If you are very allergic to metals that body jewellery is usually made of, niobium might be a good option. It has a low chance of reacting, and it is generally around the middle price level.
What kind of Jewellery is used?
Septum holes are mostly decorated with two types of jewellery:
- Septum clicker: These hoops have a hinge that lets them easily open and close with a “click.” Closed hoops often have different stones and other decorations on the outside. This makes them a good choice for customising your jewellery.
- Barbell: Circular barbell jewellery fits septum piercings perfectly, and you can do the easy flip-up trick with them to hide the piercing without taking off the jewellery.
How Much Does a Septum Piercing Hurt?
Getting a septum piercing will definitely make you cry, but the pain is different for each person. That’s not crying; it’s normal for your eyes to water when your nose is squeezed or poked. Lamb says, “Clients say it feels like a quick, sharp sensation, but it turns into a warmer feeling after the needle is taken out and the jewellery is put on.”
Time to Heal
Fenton says your piercing will feel much better after 8 weeks, but it can take 4 to 6 months for most body piercings to heal fully. He says, “As with any significant damage to the skin or mucosal surfaces, it can take up to a year or more for the scar tissue to have reached its full strength, so one should be cautious about changing jewellery prior to that.”
AfterCare
When it comes to body piercing treatment, Lamb says to use the standard cleaning method: “Saline-soak twice per day; dry the skin after; no picking, playing, or twisting the piercing, and try not to knock.
Things You Shouldn’t Do After Getting a Piercing
You should adjust your skincare routine during aftercare, and be careful not to use certain products. Fenton says, “When you clean or moisturise the skin near the nasal septum, don’t use soap or moisturiser near the piercing too much.” “Try not to touch soaps, creams, moisturisers, or anything else that might get into the piercing.” He also says to avoid baths and hot tubs because they can be places where bacteria grow.
When not to have a Septum Piercing
You might not want to get your septum pierced if you have seasonal allergies or are more likely to get sick at that time of year. If you have hay fever, we have good news for you: according to Lamb, blowing your nose will feel “just fine.” Still, you should skip a septum piercing if you have bad allergies or are prone to getting lung infections.
Possible Side Effects
Every body piercing can cause side effects. After getting a septum piercing, here is what you should look out for:
Infection and itching: Fenton says that infection is the most worrying thing when healing a hole. “Look for pus, swelling, or more pain. That could be a virus. Some people say they smell something weird when they wear a septum ring. The piercing itself doesn’t change your smell, but an odour might mean that it’s infected or that you are allergic to the metal.
Scarring and granulation tissue: Fenton says, “Granulation tissue is a bump that forms at the site of a nose piercing. A lot of people think it’s scar tissue.” “This is really an over-reaction of the healing process because of the nose’s environment and the jewellery.” It is also possible for scarring to happen.
How to Replace a Septum Piercing
As Fenton said, you should wait at least a year before changing the jewellery if you have a septum piercing and want to remove it. For the first change, go back to your piercer. One good thing about a septum piercing is that you can easily hide it by turning the jewellery (a circular ring works best) upside down, which flips the piercing up. Also, keep in mind that the jewelry’s size and the balls on the ends could make it harder to breathe through your nose when you do that. A septum brace gets around that issue, but it looks less friendly when people can see it.
Remember that, like most piercings, a septum piercing will close if the jewellery isn’t left in the hole for a long time, especially if you take it out while the piercing is healing. Once the hole has healed, you can sometimes take breaks from wearing jewellery, but it’s best to keep something in the hole to prevent it from closing.
Faqs
Final Verdict
A piercing in septum is a bold, stylish choice that passes through the soft tissue below the nose’s septum. Whether you choose a barbell or a circular hoop, proper aftercare like cleaning with saline, avoiding harsh products, and preventing trauma ensures a smooth healing process, typically 4–6 months. With careful maintenance, this edgy piercing can elevate your look, remain safe, and make a lasting statement.
