A Septum piercing is not a new trend, but it is slowly becoming a fashion staple as this accessory moves from a nice to have to a solid must-have. In 2013, actress Jessica Biel wore a simple septum ring on the red carpet. Since then, several public figures including Rihanna, Paris Jackson, and FKA Twigs have rocked the piercing. In fact, talk show host, Busy Phillips recently rocked a piercing that she claims to have had since 1993.
If you’re thinking of getting a septum piercing, then that’s a great but bold choice. In certain societies, piercings like this attract the wrong attention, so it takes the truly bold and confident to wear it. However, you shouldn’t let this change your mind. People will always talk, after all.
This article will provide you with all the information that you should have before you go ahead and get your piercing so that after you’ve done the deed, you won’t feel like you’ve made a huge mistake.
What is a septum piercing?
A septum piercing is simply a piercing that is located at the septum, which is a part of your nose. The septum is the thin cartilage located between your two nostrils. Don’t be scared though; a septum piercing will not penetrate the cartilage, instead, it will go into the softer flesh beneath the cartilage, which piercers like to call the ‘sweet spot’.
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One of the most important rules of getting this kind of piercing is to find an experienced piercer or you just might end up with a botched, unfixable piercing that you then have to live with.
How painful is it?
Sorry, but this piercing isn’t pain-free. Depending on your pain tolerance, it can be a quick pinch or hurt even more. You should get ready to feel tears in your eyes when your nose is being pierced. Generally, if you’re getting any kind of nose piercing, the pinching sensation it elicits causes your eyes to water.
However, once the needle is out and the jewelry is in, the pain will disappear and you’ll enjoy how different your face now looks.
How long does it take to heal?
After about eight weeks, your piercing should start feeling a lot better than when you first got it. If you notice that your piercing is smelling, this may not be a cause for concern. As your piercing heals, there will be a little blood and a slight smell. If it’s not accompanied by pain, yellow pus, or blood, then it’s nothing to worry about. Otherwise, visit your piercer.
Generally, a septum piercing takes up to eight weeks before it starts to feel better. However, it takes between four and six months for healing to take place and up to a year for the scar tissue to completely clear up. If you want to change your jewelry, don’t do it before the eight-week mark, and never without your piercer.
Procedure for Septum piercing
No doubt, by now you’re curious as to how exactly a septum ring is installed in the first place. Well, you’ll be surprised to find that it’s quite straightforward.
Like most piercings, your piercer will disinfect everything that they will use, and clean your nose. Next, they will use a clamp to hold your nose in place, particularly your septum, where the ring will be placed. Afterward, they will pass a tiny needle called a cannula through your nose, then pass the jewelry through the newly formed hole. After doing this, the process is complete. The whole thing shouldn’t take up to five minutes.
Aftercare for septum piercing
You must take good care of your piercing or it will get infected and start to look really bad. If you’re lucky, you’ll just have to take out the jewelry. The great thing is that aftercare for a septum piercing isn’t complicated at all.
All you need to do is to clean your new septum piercing twice a day with a saline solution. If you’re using a cotton swab to clean it, you need to be extra careful. Ensure that every swab that touches your piercing is clean and that you don’t leave bits of wool in your piercing, as this can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Side effects of septum piercing
There are a couple of important but not fatal possible side effects when it comes to getting a new piercing, especially this type. Your piercing can get infected if you
- react badly to the piercing jewelry,
- don’t take good care of the piercing area,
- have severe allergies.
Piercings are also susceptible to scarring and granulation tissue, which is a small bump that forms at the piercing site. If you take good care of your piercing, you won’t need to worry about all of this.
Conclusion
Septum piercings are gorgeous when done right. The most important thing to do before getting a septum piercing is to do as much research as possible — about the jewelry, your skin, your piercer, and aftercare. Your piercing should take only a few weeks to heal after which you can sit back, relax, and enjoy how much different your face now looks.
