“When Can I Change My Septum Piercing?” If you’ve recently got your septum piercing, you might’ve already been thinking about changing it.
We understand that you’re itching to experiment a little bit. After all, you’ve got this cool piercing not to keep that CBR (captive bead ring) forever.
But you should be careful because the septum can easily be infected.
We’ll tell you when to expect healing, the dangers of changing your hoop too soon, and what to do if you experience pain or infection.
How long should you wait to change your septum jewelry? And which jewelry should you wear with your new piercing?
Keep reading for all the info you need to know.
The Trend of Septum Piercing
Getting the septum pierced is all the rage right now, and for a good reason.
It’s incredibly trendy, unique and looks good on most people.
The Gen Zs are probably the biggest fans of this trend, and some young celebrities, including Kylie Jenner, Willow Smith and Zendaya, have turned it into a fad.
Millennials and older people are not far behind too. They have their idols in Rihanna, Madonna the “Queen of Pop” and Alicia Keys.
Septum piercing was prevalent among aboriginal people and many North American tribes.
They do it for beautification, a soul-searching journey symbol, and a manhood ritual.
Later on, some rebel subcultures adopted it as their sign of identity. However, it has become another fashion statement these days.
Some people may wear it to express their individuality or as a bold expression of self-confidence.
What Is Septum Piercing?
Also known as bull nose piercing, the septum is just one variation of nose piercing.
A professional piercer (a body artist) uses a needle to pierce through the nasal septum, a flesh area between the front of your nose and cartilage.
How is septum piercing done?
The piercer may use forceps to open the nostrils, but not everyone does that.
The needle goes through the thin flesh into a hollow receiving tube on the other side.
After pulling out the needle, the piercer will slip a jewelry piece into the hole.
How much does it cost?
The service and jewelry piece cost could be between $40 and $100. Of course, the total price can be more depending on the studio’s location, the artist’s expertise and the value of the jewelry piece.
However, the cost will increase if you change the jewelry piece later. In fact, that’s the most common practice because the one you get at the time of piercing is a generic horseshoe ring or bar.
A high-quality solid gold or titanium hoop, scroll or barbell could be around $200 or more, especially if it features an expensive gemstone like a diamond.
The best material for piercing jewelry
Surgical stainless steel is a good choice because it’s sturdy and nonporous.
But people with severe nickel allergy may find it uncomfortable because it releases a little nickel.
Titanium is probably the safest option because it contains no allergic substances.
Another wholly safe and inert material is platinum.
Since these materials are rare and quite expensive, you can choose niobium as the slightly cheaper alternative.
However, it’s somewhat heavier and does not have approval for surgical implantation.
Gold jewelry is another good choice, but it must be 14K or higher. Low-quality gold can cause severe allergic reactions.
For the same reason, you should not wear silver jewelry because it can cause irritation and infection during the healing period.
You can wear high-quality sterling silver rings or dangles in a fully healed septum, but not for an extended period.
The other metal elements in the alloy can cause various skin problems, including localized Argyria.
When the wound has healed completely, you can use almost any material as the septum ornament, including wood, horn, bone or silicone jewelry.
Don’t forget to disinfect the ornament, your hands and the pierced area.
What Is the Healing Process for Septum Piercings?
Piercings in the septum heal faster than other types of nose piercings. Complete recovery may take several months, but everyone’s body type and immune system are different.
The healing process could be slow for some people because of poor health, neglecting aftercare, picking the wound often, or using low-quality jewelry.
When Can I Change My Septum Piercing? know if the septum piercing has healed
Since the piercing can take several months to heal completely, you must monitor the wound closely.
A healed piercing should not feel tender or crusty after two or three months.
You should also not feel any bump or soft spot there.
You should not change the jewelry during the healing period. If it’s essential for some reason, go to a professional piercer.
If the piercing looks reddish or you notice any lump or discharge for more than two weeks, visit a doctor.
Septum piercings are delicate and sometimes require extra precautions during healing.
So, prolonged discomfort or pain needs medical attention.
Why do septum piercings smell?
Septum piercings smell for the same reason nose rings and earrings smell. The odor can be more pungent in this case because the septum is positioned inside the nostrils.
Pus and blood contribute to this stink during the healing period. If it doesn’t go away even after cleaning regularly, you should seek medical help.
A distinctive odor could be there even after the healing period. If there is no infection, it’s probably the result of dead skin cells and skin oil accumulation around the septum jewelry.
Regular cleaning of the piercing is the only solution. Using glass or wooden jewelry will also help with reducing the smell.
So When Can I Change My Septum Piercing?
You might be wondering about this.
The straightforward answer is that you can do it as soon as the piercing heals.
Some people experience faster healing, from 2 to 3 months. But the process can be much slower and extend to 6 to 8 months for others.
When Can I Change My Septum Piercing? Can a septum piercing heal in 2 weeks?
No. This is the initial healing period when your pain and swelling may go away.
It may still feel tender for up to 8 weeks, especially if you touch the nose frequently.
When Can I Change My Septum Piercing? Can I change my septum after 2 months?
It depends on your healing condition. Some people recover faster and can change the jewelry after 2 or 3 months.
However, you should wait longer if the piercing site is still red, inflamed or sore.
It’s normal for some people to experience a slow healing process. Also, if you are unsure about the piercing’s condition, consult your piercer and ask them to change the jewelry.
When Can I Change My Septum Piercing? Can you change your septum ring after 6 months?
When can you change your septum ring? Six to eight months after the piercing is the ideal time.
Unless you are suffering from any other health problems, you can change your septum piercing after 6 months.
Don’t do anything that can irritate or reopen the healed wound. Also, use disinfectant and high-end jewelry to avoid any further infection.
How Do I Change a Septum Piercing for the First Time?
After the piercing has completely healed, you can finally change the jewelry.
The first time could be a little scary, but you can do it by being patient and following the safety rules.
Wash your hands properly and try it out before touching the nose. Don’t forget to disinfect the piercing area and the jewelry.
Does your septum piercing hurt? Try to gently push or twist it (depending on the design) and see if you feel any pain.
If not, proceed with removing the jewelry.
If the jewelry is closed with balls on both sides, just unscrew one ball and slide it out.
If it uses a click-style closure, undo the clicker and remove it. If the ornament feels a bit stiff, twist it gently a little bit.
When the old piece is out, line up the new jewelry to the septum hole before sliding it in.
Use a mirror if necessary and pull the front part of the nose down to see the spot clearly.
You can also use an insertion pin (a tapered still pin) to make the task easier.
How to Clean Septum Piercings
A big part of having a septum piercing is cleaning and aftercare. Otherwise, it can turn into a nightmare with infection, pain and swelling.
The initial stage of piercing demands the utmost care and dedication. Your piercer will prescribe you anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief, swelling and redness. Taking them will help with a quick recovery.
Soak the piercing site in saline solution for cleaning and loosening the crust.
Make the solution at home by mixing sea salt into distilled water, or you can purchase it from the piercing studio.
Use it 3 to 6 times a day for the first two months. After that, you must clean the place occasionally, possibly once or twice daily.
Remove the dirt or crust with sterilized non-woven gauze. Then, wash the nose with clean water after cleaning to prevent having a salt layer inside.
Don’t forget to clean the protruding jewelry parts with a mild skin cleanser. Use a paper towel or hair dryer on the “cool” setting to dry up the piercing after cleaning.
Also, avoid getting it wet for at least 24 hours after the piercing.
The Best Aftercare Practices for Septum Piercings
To avoid infection, you must continue the aftercare routine during the healing period.
A sea salt saline spray gives you a hassle-free solution. Just spray it onto the area once or twice a day, and you will be fine.
Also, be careful when tanning with your piercing. A healing wound will irritate a lot and can scar if it gets sunburned.
Another thing to be concerned about is harsh disinfectants, including hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol.
Some people think the stronger the disinfectant is, the quicker the recovery.
But these strong chemicals kill, or at the very least damage the healthy cells, which slows the healing.
The Final Words
Changing your septum piercing should not be taken lightly. Doing it the wrong way can trigger infection and cause severe pain.
Our guide helps you understand the healing process better and when to schedule your jewelry replacement.
FAQs about how long you should wait to change your septum jewelry
How do I know if my septum has healed?
The healing takes at least 2 to 3 months, but it can take longer. So, the best practice is to wait until the spot is no longer tender and crusty.
Also, don’t change the hoop during the healing period. If changing is essential, go to your piercer.
Will my septum close if I take it out for a day?
It depends on the condition of your piercing. If it’s old and it has completely healed, the hole will never close fully, no matter how long you have kept it empty.
But a new piercing may close if you take out the jewelry piece for a day.
How long is the septum piercing sore?
The piercing site remains sore for around 1 to 8 weeks. It may not feel painful other than when you touch the swollen nose,which you shouldn’t do except for cleaning.
How long do septum crusties last?
Crusting is expected at the beginning. For most people, it lingers for around 1 to 2 weeks, given proper care has been taken.
However, it may take longer for some people to fully heal, and the crust may not go away before four to five weeks.
Clean the place regularly and seek medical help if the crusting persists.
Can I flip my septum piercing up straight away?
Yes, you can flip the jewelry to hide the nose piercing during office time or professional meetings.
A retainer or circular barbell is the most convenient septum jewelry option for occasional tucking.
However, don’t try to flip it when the piercing is healing. If you need to keep the piercing hidden, use a keeper (a small pin) until the wound has healed.