Septum Piercings 101: A Complete Guide
I have always wanted to have a septum piercing. So, before getting one, I want to arm myself with facts before deciding. Of course, I want to share this information with everyone who wanted to get a septum piercing. There was a time that septum piercing is considered quite an extreme, alternative piercing reserved for people who subscribe to the punk aesthetic.
However, nowadays, it has become one of the must-have accessories that people want to have. Historically, people use septum piercing as a rite of passage. It is a mark of a warrior or signaling one’s marital status. They’ve been around for thousands of years. Then, it has become popularized in more mainstream culture lately.
What is a septum piercing?
A septum piercing is where a piece of jewelry is inserted through the thin wall of cartilage separating your left and right nostrils. The piercer marks the sweet spot, the place where the actual piercing occurs. Then, they will hold the cartilage in place with either septum forceps, a receiving tube, or nothing (which they also call freehand). Then, the piercer inserts the needle using a taper before they thread the jewelry through and make it secure.
Pain: Does it hurt?
Of course, it does. Momentarily, you will feel a sharp pain from this type of piercing. Then, you will likely have watering eyes and a sensation that you might want to sneeze. This is common with nose piercings. Although you can feel soreness after, the sharp pain should remain manageable and over quickly. However, it remains different for everyone. It depends on your pain tolerance, and how you get along with your fear of needles. Many people also report a warm sensation in the area for a while after the piercing.
Healing and aftercare: How long do septum piercings take to heal?
The initial period of healing may take one to three weeks. To heal completely, septum piercings take more time than any other piercing on your body. It will take six to eight months and experts advise you to leave the original jewelry in place unless your septum becomes completely healed.
Of course, after your piercing, you need to take care of a few things. It fastens the healing period of your septum. Aside from that, it also ensures that you don’t feel a lot of pain. These include the following:
- Clean your nose every day with salt and water solution. You can also use saline nasal drops or space to clean the area.
- There will be a minimal amount of watery discharge. In some cases, it will bleed with the discharge. However, if it has a green or yellow discharge that smells foul, it may have a septum infection. So, seek medical attention. When crust forms, on the other hand, it’s okay.
- Apart from cleaning the piercing, you also have to clean the jewelry regularly. Then, you can rotate the ring around once or twice a day until the piercing becomes healed completely.
- You can also use an organic remedy such as coconut oil works well to heal the dry crust formation. It also fastens the healing process.
- Keep your piercing dry for as long as possible. Pat the area dry with a towel after washing your face.
What to avoid after having the septum pierced?
Taking little care goes a long way. The dos and don’ts after piercing your septum. The dos generally include cleaning the pierced area and using natural remedies. For don’ts, there are big no-no’s that you have to follow.
- Jumping in a swimming pool within 24 hours of getting your septum pierced. It will wet the area of the piercing and may lead to infection.
- Applying anything around the piercing unless otherwise advised.
- Picking the nose or rubbing the pierced area will wound it.
When can I change my septum piercing?
You can take out the septum piercing. But, not right after the procedure. Experts suggest that you wait at least a year to change your jewelry. If you take out the piercing frequently, you may have to see the piercer time and again. You may also have to make frequent visits to the doctor to treat the infection or wound.
Piercers use materials like stainless steel, titanium, and/or niobium for piercing. Stainless steel becomes the safest choice of metal for any piercing as it is hypoallergenic and barely leads to infection.
Meanwhile, titanium remains more durable than other metals. It may cost a little more. However, we’re pretty sure the price is worth it.
Niobium, on the other hand, is the best choice to wear, especially if you are super sensitive to wearing metals. This element doesn’t cause infection and remains cheaper than other metals.
If you wish to know more about septum piercings, go on and have your own research or talk to experts or piercers.
