Everything you need to know about getting a septum piercing

A professional piercer answers all your septum piercing-related questions.

In primary school, I desperately wanted my ears pierced. I anxiously waited until my ninth birthday (the age my mum decided was appropriate) to book an appointment at my local chemist, where a teenager shot two green gemstones through my lobes with a piercing gun. I cringe when I think about it, especially knowing what I know now about the dangers of piercing guns.  

When I was in high school, I was never popular enough to hang out with the kids who had ‘extra’ piercings. Even though it was against school policy, many of my classmates had sneaky helix or second-lobe earrings and I desperately wanted one of my own.

We like nosy people. Don’t be shy, head to our Beauty section for more. 

The really cool kids though, had septum piercings. They’d flip them up as they walked through the school gates to avoid being caught by teachers, and I looked on in awe, wondering if I’d ever be brave enough to get one of my own. 

Fast forward about nine years, and it turns out that yes, I am brave enough. I took the leap a couple of weeks ago after impulsively booking an appointment, and I have zero regrets. 

In case you need a little more convincing, I spoke to Sydney-based piercer Eden Cox, who works out of Influence Tattoo Studio, about all things septum piercings so you can feel as informed as possible before taking the plunge. 

What is a septum piercing?

Eden tells me that the septum piercing goes through what is often called ‘the sweet spot’, or the soft part of cartilage in between your nostrils. According to Eden, their popularity is partly due to the fact that “they are one of the only piercings that you can hide”, as “circular barbell jewellery can be easily flipped up inside your nose”.

Can anyone get a septum piercing, or does it depend on your anatomy?

“The first thing your piercer should do is assess your anatomy,” Eden says. “They’re going to pop their fingers up your nose to feel around the inside of your septum (we’re all friends here!) to check where your ‘sweet spot’ is, how large it is, how much cartilage you have and to check for any deviations or scar tissue.

“Certain anatomy can be quite tricky, especially for those with deviated septums or who have had nasal surgery such as a septoplasty,”  Eden says. But generally, most people are able to get a septum piercing without any issues. 

What is the piercing process like?

Firstly (and most importantly), the nose will be cleaned with an iodine solution and the jewellery and piercing station will be properly sterilised. Eden says that this is when she likes to inform her clients of any issues that may come up during the piercing process. “Sometimes with deviations, they are incredibly hard to get straight and there may have to be some re-angling involved.”

Then comes the fun part. The client is then pierced using a single-use needle but exactly how this is done depends on where you go. “Every piercer has a different technique when they pierce a septum. Sometimes the client will be lying down, sometimes they will be sitting against a backrest. Some piercers use clamps, and some free-hand,” Eden explains. After your chosen jewellery is inserted, everything is given a thorough clean with sterile saline and you’re good to go.

Can I get a hoop or ring straight away?

“Yes, and no,” Eden tells me. “They should 100 per cent be pierced with rings, but the style and type of ring is important.” Eden says you should never be pierced with a ‘full circle’ seam ring, or a hinged ring where the hinge can be rotated through the septum. “Ideally, you want to be pierced with… a circular barbell, captive bead ring or a decorative ring that cannot spin.

“I recommend my clients start off with a circular barbell – they’re easy to heal, the jewellery can be widened for comfort if they are too tight and they can be flipped up your nose if you wish to hide it,” she says. 

What’s the pain level like? Is it similar to a regular nose piercing?

“Septum piercings, when done correctly, are quite low on the pain scale! Myself and the vast majority of my clients have said that their septum hurt much less than their nostril piercing, and healed in a quarter of the time,” Eden says. I have to agree with her here, as my septum piercing was the least painful piercing I’ve ever had. 

How long does a septum piercing take to heal?

Eden tells me septum piercings are one of the easiest piercings to heal. In fact, she says they “heal so fast it’s almost suspicious, but between eight to 12 weeks is pretty standard”.

In terms of the healing process, she recommends people take the ‘LITHA’ approach: “Leave it the hell alone!”. Apart from rinsing IT in the shower and spraying with saline solution (she recommends Neilmed Wound Wash), Eden’s advice is not to touch it. “No twisting, turning or touching,” she says.

What kinds of jewellery can I put in a septum piercing once it’s healed?

“Once your septum is healed, you have a huge range of jewellery options to choose from! From dainty and delicate to big and bold, septum piercings are wonderfully versatile,” Eden says. “A popular option at the moment is ‘septum stacking’, where multiple rings are worn through a septum that has been stretched.” In terms of materials, she recommends jewellery made from implant-grade titanium or solid 14k or 18k gold.

How do I find a reputable piercing studio?

Eden tells me that going to a reputable studio that has properly trained piercers is the most important part of making your appointment. “Avoid chain stores, as their level of training and quality of jewellery isn’t great. The best studios you can go to are either the Australasian United Professional Piercers or the Association of Professional Piercers’ studios. This way, you know that they are held to strict standards when it comes to infection control, bloodborne pathogens training, quality of jewellery and training of their piercers.” 

Although these studios do charge more for their services, Eden says they are absolutely worth it. “You deserve the best! At the end of the day, you really do get what you pay for, so steer clear of places offering ridiculously cheap piercings and jewellery. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

Eden tells me that your piercer should always be open to answering your questions, and if they aren’t it’s a big red flag. “If your piercer is giving off weird or creepy vibes or generally makes you uncomfortable, just leave. You want a friendly and welcoming piercer, who… makes you feel at ease,” she says.

Do you have any other advice for someone thinking about getting a septum piercing?

“Just do it,” Eden says. In her opinion, everyone can pull off a septum. “You can hide it from Nan when you go to visit, and your boss doesn’t have to know about it either. They aren’t like most other piercings where if you take it out it leaves a visible scar, so if you get one and you don’t like it, take it out and no one would ever know you even had one.”

For more on septum piercings, head here.