What To Know About The Nose Piercing Du Jour

If you’ve found yourself in a beauty rut that a new hair colour or fresh slick of lipstick just can’t fix, it may be time for more drastic cosmetic measures. Something frivolous and fun that’s purely about self-expression, piercings can be a great (and reversible) way to change up your appearance and add an extra layer to your jewellery wardrobe. In this case, we’re talking about septum piercings.

The current piercing du jour, septum piercings are the 2023 way to work a nose piercing. Forget old school steel hoops that look more grunge than piercing goals, the latest way to wear a septum piercing is simple, understated and totally chic. Just look to Florence Pugh if you don’t believe us.

But, before you rush out and do something exciting without even thinking about it (which we totally don’t encourage…) it’s key to do your research. Read on for everything you need to know before getting a septum piercing according to the experts…

Everything You Need To Know Before Getting A Septum Piercing

What is a septum piercing?

Unlike the more traditional nose piercing that sits on the side of your nostril, a septum piercing is definitely a bolder look. ‘A septum piercing is located at the bottom part of your nose and goes through a thin piece of skin sometimes referred as the “sweet spot”, between your nostrils,’ explains jeweller Laura Bond. ‘It’s usually pierced with a hoop or a horseshoe shaped ring.’

What should you know before you get a septum piercing?

It’s always good to do your research and seek advice before taking the piercing plunge. ‘Always choose a reputable piercer,’ recommends Bond. ‘Your piercer should take time to talk to you about the piercing and what to expect as well as the kind of jewellery you want to wear when it’s healed. Like any piercing you need to take care of it, especially while it heals, and be careful not to knock it when applying or removing make-up.’

Less practical, more encouraging advice is also welcome. ‘Septum piercings look amazing on everyone!,’ says Sacred Gold piercer, Gemma Thomson. ‘It’s a piercing you can explore lots of different options with; you can wear with a full ring or change to a circular barbell and hide it if you have a job that doesn’t allow piercings or are in a situation where you would like to have the piercing hidden. This gives you more freedom to express yourself!’

How painful is a septum piercing?

First things first, all piercings are painful. It’s just an unhappy fact that when you pierce a hole in yourself it’s going to hurt. But, fortunately, septum piercings actually sit on the lower end of the pain scale. ‘Septum piercings are one of the least painful piercings on the body, this may come as a surprise to most people,’ says Thomson.

‘When the septum is pierced correctly and by an experienced piercer the piercing will be in a very soft thin part of skin that is thinner than an ear lobe and will miss any cartilage in the nose- this is usually referred to as “the sweet spot” . This is located normally at the front of the nostrils, however is different depending on the client! A single tear will usually be shed – this is not due to any pain just a normal reaction from any nostril piercing.’

How long does a septum piercing take to heal?

We all know that the key to a successful piercing is to leave it alone for as long as possible! But, eventually we all get bored of the plain steel jewellery we got pierced with and want to move on to something a little more Maria Tash. ‘Healing times can greatly vary person to person dependent on a variety of factors including stress levels, natural immunity, lifestyle choices and of course aftercare regimes. On average it should take around 4-6 months for a septum piercing to heal fully for most people,’ advises Bond.

‘You can change the jewellery after any initial swelling and discomfort has subsided, but we would recommend checking in with your piercer before doing so. They should be able to make sure it’s ready and they can change it over for you safely. Changing your jewellery too quickly can cause irritation and prolong the healing process.’

What aftercare is needed for a septum piercing?

As with any piercing, aftercare is key. It might be boring but avoiding any unwanted infections is more fun than having to take the piercing out completely. ‘For most piercings we recommend sterile saline solution and sterilised non woven gauze, using this to gently clean away any build up of crust or dirt,’ advises Thomson. ‘Clean the jewellery lightly without rotating the ring, usually around once to twice a day until the piercing has fully healed.’

What shouldn’t you do after getting a septum piercing?

When it comes to piercings, a little care and consideration goes a long way. As does not jumping in the nearest swimming pool. ‘I’d avoid swimming in a pool for the initial healing stage if you can to minimise any risk of infection,’ explains Bond. ‘The most important thing is to not touch or play with your new piercing, this can irritate the piercing site and delay your healing process. Make sure to wash your hands before cleaning the piercing site and to dry your piercing thoroughly after cleaning it or showering. Using a paper towel to gently dry it will do the trick.

What kind of jewellery can you wear with a septum piercing?

Not everyone wants the traditional ‘bull’ ring look, but what other options are there? According to the experts, actually quite a few. ‘The beauty of a septum piercing is you can be pierced with many different stunning options straight away,’ says Thomson. ‘I would stress the importance of being pierced with high quality materials such as solid 14k gold and implant grade titanium.’

Other than that, the world is your oyster when it comes to septum piercing jewellery. ‘A popular option is a Circular Barbell (horseshoe style with two small beads at either side) this will give you the opportunity to hide the piercing when it has fully healed. You can also get rings with beautiful decorations, we have many options that come with prong-set genuine diamonds or more intricate beaded detail.’

Alas, as with most aspects of getting a piercing, there are things to watch out for. ‘Avoid using anything that is completely seamless or very heavy until the piercing has fully healed. I also wouldn’t recommend being pierced with anything too thin, equally this doesn’t mean you must be pierced with something extremely large, there is a nice middle ground! Many of our clients come to our studio and request the piercing to look “dainty and delicate”. This is very achievable when first doing a septum piercing.’