A septum piercing involves the penetration of the nasal septum, a piece of skin that separates the left and right nostrils. Contrary to popular belief, this piercing does not actually invade the cartilage, but rather the Columella, also known as the “sweet spot”, which is a small, thin flap of skin that goes right past the cartilage of the nose. Before getting this piercing done, it is important to educate yourself on the actual process, the inevitable aftercare, and the type of jewelry available to choose from!
Does it Hurt?
Pain is normal when piercing any part of your body and should be expected to some extent. However, septum piercings tend to hurt less in comparison to actual cartilage piercings. Most people with (at least) a moderate pain threshold, explain the sensation as “strange.” Eyes tend to water, which is normal for most nose piercings, and an overwhelming need to sneeze may take over, but the procedure’s overall pain is relatively low. Many customers complain that inserting the jewelry usually hurts more than the piercing itself! Expect some level of soreness and discomfort for at least the next week, as the piercing site heals.
Healing and Aftercare
The way you care for the piercing will determine its long-term success. A typical septum piercing can take 2-3 months to heal, so knowing how to best wash, disinfect and otherwise care for the jewelry as well as the healing site is the key to avoiding infection and other complications. Each individual piercer will make a recommendation based on their knowledge and experience but, in general, there are a few aspects to consider when in the healing stage.
- Don’t touch it. Resist the urge to tug at, scratch, touch or twist the jewelry. Your body is working hard to heal your skin’s trauma and touching the piercing can result in ripped scabs or potential infection from your dirty hands. Always wash your hands before touching the piercing site!
- Avoid using scented soap, harsh chemicals or products containing alcohol, as this can dry-out and irritate your fresh piercing. Instead, gently rub a saline solution on the piercing 2-3 times per day to properly disinfect the site.
Septum Jewelry
Once the piercing is fully healed, you can now switch out the jewelry! The recent popularity of this piercing creates a large demand of products, including a variety of metals to choose from. Clients can now opt for surgical stainless steel, titanium, Niobium, or solid gold, preferably 14k or higher.
Besides metal type, septum jewelry also comes in a variety of shapes, colors and designs. Popular variations include ring, horseshoe and circular barbell styles.
Due to the relatively low pain and maintenance, its no wonder that septum piercings became as popular as they have. With the endless possibilities of jewelry style and design, there is an option for everyone!