Everything To Know Before Getting a Septum Piercing

What is septum piercing aftercare like?

“Septums are interesting because the piercing is inside the nasal cavity, meaning it’s coated in mucus on a regular basis,” says Verrette. “The job of mucus is to keep bacteria from entering your body, which actually makes a great protector for your piercing.” 

When it comes to cleansing the area, Verrette recommends dipping the tip of your nose with the piercing into a bit of soapy water pooled in your hand and giving a good blow. “That should give your piercing a thorough rinse without drying out your nose, causing unnecessary irritation,” he says. “[Doing it] once a day is sufficient,” he advises, but you shouldn’t do it more than twice a day for the duration of the healing time. 

A cleanser, such as the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar, is gentle enough to use around the piercing and will ensure the area is sterilized. Another good option is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Gentle Facial Cleanser. It’s formulated with good-for-skin ingredients (hello, prebiotic thermal spring water and ceramide-3!) that are ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Are there any side effects from getting your septum pierced?

As with most piercings, there could be some side effects — but that’s why it’s important to take proper care of it. “If the piercing has been done properly and you keep it free of contaminants, the chances of infection are really low,” says Verrette. That being said, infection is a possibility for all open wounds, but with the proper aftercare, Verrette says it’s “extremely unlikely” for the piercing not to heal well with time.

As for scarring? “Mild scar tissue is a possibility with any open wound,” he adds, “but I’ve never seen an abnormal or severe case in the history of my career, plus who can see inside your nose?”

How do you change or remove a septum piercing?

One thing to keep in mind about septum piercings is that you can’t change the hole, but you can change the jewelry in the piercing. Verrette says you can start swapping out your initial jewelry once the hole is fully healed and comfortable to touch. The process only takes about ten minutes but also depends on the style of jewelry.

“I recommend you change it as often as desired, as adorning jewelry is an act of creative expression,” says Verrette. “I don’t believe human beings are static, so their jewelry shouldn’t be either.”

Bonus: While the septum piercing is definitely a bold look to rock, it can also be very subtle. “I love that it’s so cheeky,” Verrette adds of his favorite piercing. “Oftentimes, you don’t even know that people have them because by just flipping the jewelry up into your nostrils, it becomes hidden from the world, making it your little piercing secret.”