The septum has gone from niche to mainstream over the past decade and with good reason. It is one of the most flexible piercings you can get: bold enough to command attention when the ring is visible, completely invisible when flipped up. It heals faster than most cartilage piercings and suits an enormous range of jewellery styles.
A septum piercing passes through the columella the soft tissue between the nostrils, just in front of the cartilage. It rates 3–4/10 on pain, takes 4–6 months to heal, and uses a 16G circular barbell or horseshoe as starter jewellery. The jewellery can be flipped up inside the nostrils to make the piercing completely invisible.
The Sweet Spot: How a Septum Piercing Works
The septum passes through the columella the strip of tissue between the nostrils. The key is finding the "sweet spot": a thin band of soft tissue just in front of the cartilage wall. A correctly placed septum goes through this soft tissue only not through the cartilage itself.
Piercing through cartilage instead of the sweet spot produces significantly more pain, a longer healing time, and much more difficulty wearing jewellery comfortably. This is why choosing an experienced piercer matters enormously for a septum. They will feel for the sweet spot before marking.
Not everyone has a prominent sweet spot. Very deviated septums or unusually thick columellas may require a different approach or make the sweet spot harder to access. Your piercer will assess this.
Septum Piercing Pain
The septum rates around 3–4/10 when pierced through the sweet spot. The sensation: a sharp pressure that makes your eyes water almost universally (this is a nerve reflex, not an indication of exceptional pain). The sharpest moment lasts a fraction of a second; the dull throb that follows settles within 20–30 minutes.
A septum pierced through cartilage instead of the sweet spot rates considerably higher — around 6–7/10 which is another reason why correct placement matters.
For a full comparison: Does a Septum Piercing Hurt?
Septum Piercing Healing Time
The septum heals faster than most nose piercings because the sweet spot is soft tissue, not cartilage. Expect 4–6 months for full healing. Initial discomfort resolves in 2–4 weeks; the channel fully matures over the following months.
| Stage | Timeline | Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Weeks 1–4 | Tenderness, clear discharge, mild swelling |
| Active | Months 2–3 | Mostly settled; occasional sensitivity |
| Maturing | Months 3–5 | Stable; no routine discharge |
| Fully healed | 4–6 months | No tenderness, ready for jewellery change |
Septum Jewellery: Sizes and Styles
Starter Jewellery
A 16G circular barbell (horseshoe) or 16G D-ring in implant-grade titanium. The horseshoe can be flipped up inside the nostrils immediately — a key functional advantage of the septum. Initial diameter is typically 8–10mm.
Healed Jewellery
• Seamless hoops — clean and modern; 8–12mm diameter
• Clicker rings — hinged for easy on/off; hugely popular for septum
• Circular barbells / horseshoes classic; retains the flip-up functionality
• Segment rings — a seamless look with a removable segment for insertion
• Retainers — clear or flesh-toned; designed for maximum concealment
| Measurement | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gauge | 16G (1.2mm) | Most common; 14G for stretching |
| Inner diameter | 8–12mm | Smaller sits tighter; larger hangs lower |
| Clicker internal diameter | 8–10mm | Most popular everyday size |
| Retainer diameter | 8mm | Minimal — designed for concealment |
Browse: Septum Collection
How to Hide a Septum Piercing
The septum's concealability is its defining advantage. A horseshoe or clicker can be flipped up inside the nostrils in seconds, making it completely invisible from the outside. The technique:
• Hold one end of the horseshoe and rotate the ring upward into the nostrils
• The curve sits inside; both ends are hidden within the nostril
• Avoid flipping frequently in the first 6–8 weeks repeated movement during early healing can cause irritation
Full guide: How to Hide a Septum Piercing
Septum Aftercare
• Saline rinse twice daily spray into each nostril gently and around the outside of the columella
• Pat dry with paper towel
• Do not flip the jewellery up and down repeatedly during early healing
• Blow your nose gently never forcefully during healing
• Avoid swimming for the first 2 months
Full guide: Body Piercing Aftercare
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a septum piercing go through cartilage?
No a correctly placed septum piercing passes through the columella, the soft tissue between the nostrils, just in front of the cartilage. An experienced piercer locates the "sweet spot" of soft tissue. Accidental cartilage piercings are significantly more painful and slower to heal.
How long does a septum piercing take to heal?
4–6 months for full healing. The sweet spot is soft tissue and heals faster than cartilage. Initial tenderness resolves in 2–4 weeks.
Can I flip my septum up right away?
A horseshoe or circular barbell can be flipped up as soon as it is inserted. Avoid doing this repeatedly in the first 6–8 weeks to minimise irritation to the forming channel.
What size septum ring do I need?
Most septum piercings use 16G (1.2mm) with 8–10mm inner diameter. The right size depends on your anatomy smaller rings sit tighter, larger rings hang lower. Your piercer will advise.
Can I get a septum piercing if I have a deviated septum?
In most cases yes, but placement may need adjustment. A deviated septum shifts where the sweet spot sits. An experienced piercer will assess your anatomy and find the correct placement.