Are you thinking about getting a septum piercing? It used to be mainly for rebels and cartoon characters, but now it’s becoming more popular, especially among celebrities. Interested? Here’s what you need to know:
Can anyone get one? Everybody’s nose is different. Some people have a thin piece of tissue called a columella in the front of their septum, where piercers usually put the piercing. If you don’t have this tissue, they might need to pierce through the more complex cartilage, which can hurt more and take longer to heal. Also, if your septum is crooked, your piercing might need to be more perfectly centred. It’s not a big deal for everyone, but it could bother some people who care about symmetry.
How’s it done?
Once you’ve chosen your piercer, you’ll show your ID and sign some papers. Then, you’ll lie down while they clean your nose inside. How they do the piercing can change. They might use just a needle, or they might use forceps to hold your nose open while they use a needle. Sometimes, they’ll use a tube to help guide the needle. Then, they’ll put the jewellery in, and it’s done quickly! The piercer should wear clean gloves, clean your nose, and use sterile tools.
How much does it hurt?
Getting a hole poked in your body might hurt a bit, but septum piercings aren’t usually super painful. It feels more weird than anything, like needing to sneeze.
The needle pain is quick, like a pinch that’s over fast. Putting in the jewellery hurts a bit more. Your nose might feel sore for about a week, but not too bad. If it hurts a lot more, something might be wrong, like an infection.
What’s the best metal to use?
Most piercers use surgical stainless steel for septum piercings because it’s safe and cheap. It doesn’t absorb stuff and releases very little nickel, so it’s usually okay, even if you’re allergic to nickel.
If you’re allergic to nickel, titanium is safest but more expensive. Niobium is safe for most people and cheaper than titanium but heavier. Solid 14-karat or higher gold is an option, but it’s pricier and must be solid gold, not plated, to avoid issues.
What about the jewellery type?
After your septum piercing heals completely, you can choose different types of fabulous jewellery. But while it’s healing, you’ll usually use a 14- or 16-gauge ring, circular barbell, or horseshoe.
Talk to your piercer about what options are available and any worries you have. Some styles might be better for you. For instance, a horseshoe shape is good for hiding your piercing at work.
What do I need to do afterwards?
Taking care of your piercing is essential to help it heal well. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do:
Please don’t touch it too much because it can make it take longer to heal. If you need to touch it or clean it, wash your hands first to keep it clean. Try only to flip it up if it’s fully healed. If you need to flip it, rinse it with warm water first to avoid hurting it. Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps on it. Instead, use a saline solution to rinse it, which you can buy or make at home. Clean it sparingly; just a couple of times a day is enough. And be careful when getting dressed or blowing your nose to avoid catching or pulling the piercing.
How long does it take to heal?
A septum piercing usually gets better in 2 or 3 months, but it can take longer, like 6 to 8 months, for some folks. How fast and how good you get better depends on a few things. First, you’ve got to follow what the piercer tells you to do after getting pierced. Don’t poke or fiddle with it too much while it’s healing because that can slow things down. If you’re generally healthy, that helps, too. However, if any issues, like infections, healing can take longer. So, it’s all about being careful and caring for yourself while your piercing improves.
When can I change the jewellery?
The typical advice is to wait until:
The piercing doesn’t hurt any more. At least 2 to 3 months have passed, which is how long it usually takes to heal. No more crusts or goo is coming out of it.
Unless there’s a problem with the jewellery, could you keep it in for the whole healing time? If you have to change it for some reason during this time, get a piercer to do it for you.
Do they start to smell?
After your septum piercing heals, you might notice a strange smell sometimes. It’s likely because of oils and dead skin cells around the jewellery. Since it’s right under your nose, you can smell it more. Just clean it often to stop the smell.
How do I know if there’s a problem?
Watch out for:
- Terrible pain, redness, or swelling.
- Keep an eye on any itching or pressure around the piercing.
- If you see thick, gross-looking discharge (like green, yellow, or grey) that smells bad, that’s not good.
- If you start feeling feverish or getting chills, that’s a sign something’s wrong.
- Look out for any bumps or lumps forming near the piercing.
- Keep an eye out for any weird bumps or rash-like things.
- If the skin around the piercing starts looking strange, like it’s getting thin or flaky, that’s not normal.
If you notice these things, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is essential.