Septum piercings are recognized for being an edgy nose piercing choice, yet they’ve gained a an ext mellow reputation recently. Every little thing your aesthetic, obtaining a septum piercing is a good way to express your style and show off cool jewelry—that’s why you have the right to see lock on celebrities favor Zoe Kravitz and also FKA Twigs.

You are watching: How to pierce your own septum


If you decide to take it a septum piercing out, over there won’t be much of a map left, so it’s a good idea if you interested in removed it under the line. However, a septum piercing is such a unique and also cool piercing idea that you won’t ever want to eliminate it. Here’s whatever you should know around the sleep piercing.


Placement: The cartilage that separates the individual nostrils — aka the septum

Pricing: $40-$90, though it varies by studio and piercer

Pain level: “I would rate a five,” states Sue

Healing time: three-to-four months

Aftercare: Wash your piercing twice everyday with saline solution and also be cautious not to snag it on anything


What is a Septum Piercing?

A septum piercing is whereby a item of jewelry is put through the thin wall surface of cartilage that separates your left and also right nostrils. This is typically done with a sterile, single-use needle. First, her piercer will mark the “sweet spot” (where the yes, really piercing will certainly occur). Then, her piercer will hold the cartilage in place with either septum forceps, a receiving tube, or nothing (also dubbed freehand). The needle is then placed using a taper, and the jewelry is threaded through and secured.


Keep in mind that septum piercings job-related with the shape of her nose, and also everyone's is unique, for this reason it’s necessary to find a piercer that is experienced and also will have the ability to complement your anatomy.


more precise from the perspective of a piercer in terms of needing to gain the anatomic location right,” says board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch. “Make certain you choose someone who knows what they room doing and also have done before.”


Pain and also Healing Time

Everyone has a various pain threshold, so how much obtaining a septum piercing will certainly hurt for you has tendency to differ from person to person. However, it’s commonly not also painful once performed properly and also no an ext painful than any other nose piercing.


“Normally your eyes water and occasionally feel the urge to sneeze appropriate after you room pierced,” states Sami Sue, a piercer at satisfied in ache Tattoo in Taunton, MA. “But ultimately, the piercing pain have to not be also uncomfortable.”


You have the right to expect to take it diligent treatment of your piercing until about three or four months after getting it. It’s normally a pretty simple process, however be certain to save in mind the climate can influence healing time, as well as how well you save up v your aftercare, so heal time may vary. Because that safety, Outland likes to tell she clients to consider it a brand-new piercing because that as lengthy as they have the right to — as in, follow proper aftercare and be careful in basic — to be certain that the safely and correctly healed.


“I usually favor to quote my clients four months or longer,” states Kristina Outland, a piercer at Deep root Tattoo in Seattle.


price of a Septum Piercing

Although there’s no collection price for a septum piercing, you have the right to expect come spend in between $40 and $100 for a high-quality, well-done piercing—factors favor shop location, piercer, and jewelry.


“Pricing varies substantially from city come city, and also shop come shop,” claims Outland. “But, I will say, if who is giving a fifteen disagreement piercing including jewelry, steer clear. You won’t be getting the high quality jewelry your body deserves to line you up for the best feasible experience.”


Aftercare

The aftercare for a septum piercing is nice simple, claims Outland. Most piercers recommend a saline systems to clean it, though Hirsch additionally suggests utilizing antibacterial soup. Nevertheless of what you use, make certain you clean the piercing site twice a day till it’s fully healed.


Proper aftercare additionally includes being mindful with your brand-new piercing. Be cautious not to wear any clothing that might snag on her septum ring for this reason as no to pull at and irritate it. Also, prevent playing with it or touching it in general, as it could cause it to take longer to heal. Hirsch also says no to change your jewelry until you’re instructed to by your piercer. 


“Your body is already great healer, for this reason the saline is just to clean the ‘crusties’ and also buildup off the jewel itself,” says Outland.


Side results of Piercing

Infection: infection occurs in a piercing if friend fail to follow the ideal aftercare procedure outlined by her piercer. If you’re concerned you may have actually an infection in your spetum piercing, store an eye out for an increase in pain, redness, or size post-piercing. “If the piercing appears excessively swollen, check earlier with her piercer and get your thoughts, or visit a doctor if that appears necessary,” says Outland.


Migration: migrate is once your piercing moves from its initial spot, which might happen if you don’t follow appropriate aftercare. Make certain to record it as soon as you can and contact her piercer, together it could lead come an infection.


Scarring: If you nothing take suitable care of her septum piercing throughout the heal process, or if you wake up or tug at it, you run the danger of leaving a scar. Girlfriend will additionally be left with scarring if you remove the piercing for good or if you get an infection during healing.


exactly how to change Out a Septum Piercing

“You for sure can change out your own septum piercing if you feeling comfortable,” states Outland. “While the healing time is about four months, I typically don’t suggest trying to adjust it ~ above your very own until around a year or so.”


To adjust out your piercing on your own (after the has completely healed), unscrew the ball or bend your hoop far from the septum before slowly removed the jewelry from the piercing site. ~ removal, be certain to clean the area through a little of saline solution. Then, slide the new, sterilized jewelry with the septum piercing site and secure the in place.


If you’re having a hard time an altering out her jewelry or don’t desire to execute it yourself, her piercer can do it for you, though be warned it will be because that a small fee. Plus, if girlfriend visit a piercer, you will do it most most likely be restricted in jewel selection.


“Keep in mind, part piercers would be willing to change, yet some will only use their very own jewelry marketed their shop because of liability worries the jewelry you bring in is not good quality,” says Sue. “Call and ask beforehand!”


What form of jewelry Is offered for a Septum Piercing?

“A septum piercing should always be completed making use of either a horseshoe-shaped hoop or a one hoop, also known as a CBR,” states Sue. “The gauge typically is a 16 or 14g, and the diameter or dimension of the hoop depends on every person's own personal anatomy.”


Circular Barbell: A typical barbell is a metal bar through a fixed ball ~ above the finish that is inserted through a piercing and also secured on the other end with an flexible ball. Septum piercings occasionally use circular barbells, which curve exterior to permit for a better fit about the herbal shape of her nose.


Ring: another option because that septum jewelry is a ring, one piece of flexible, bent-into-a-ring-shaped metal. This item is gotten rid of by extending it out and also creating a gap in between the two ends huge enough to slide off. Some civilization with septum piercings favor rings called clickers, which have actually a slim bar that snaps into place, connecting each finish of a one ring.


What Jewelry material Is offered for a Septum Piercing?

“It is really important that any type of jewelry is always implant grade. No exceptions!” claims Sue. “Stay away from any shop that provides nickel or cheaper quality. Cheap made jewelry will certainly most absolutely lead come infection and also could lead to other significant issues.”


Surgical steel: Most septum jewel is made the end of operation steel because of that is reputation as the many reliable and also high-quality. Don’t get jewelry do of operation steel, however, if you’re allergic to nickel.


Titanium: Medical-grade titanium is a solid metal selection for jewelry thanks to being practically exactly favor steel — other than without nickel. That means you’re may be to gain the same variety of designs without an allergic reaction and also with a an ext lightweight metal.

See more: What Is The Dot Over The I Called ? What Is The Dot Over The Letter 'I' Called


Gold: If you’d fairly stay far from silver- jewelry, walk for gold! just be certain that the gold jewelry is at least 14 karats — anything less than that could harbor bacteria that would be bad for her piercing.