Septum Piercing: The Complete Guide to Jewelry Styles, Sizing, and Care
The septum piercing has gone from counterculture statement to mainstream must-have. Celebrities, influencers, and everyday people are all embracing this versatile piercing—and for good reason. It flatters virtually every face shape, offers an incredible range of jewelry options, and has one killer advantage that no other facial piercing can match: you can hide it instantly.
Whether you're considering getting a septum piercing, just got one and want to know how to care for it, or you've had one for years and want to explore new jewelry styles, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is a Septum Piercing?
A septum piercing passes through the thin strip of soft tissue between your nostrils, known as the columella or "sweet spot." Despite what many people assume, a properly done septum piercing does NOT go through the thick cartilage wall of your septum. It goes through the thin, flexible membrane sitting just below the cartilage toward the tip of your nose.
This is an important distinction because piercing through the actual cartilage is significantly more painful, takes much longer to heal, and is a sign that the piercer didn't know what they were doing. A good piercer will feel for your sweet spot before marking the placement—and if they can't find a suitable sweet spot (some people's anatomy makes it difficult), they'll tell you honestly rather than piercing through cartilage.
Why the Septum Piercing Is So Popular
It's versatile. No other piercing gives you as many jewelry options. From tiny, barely-visible seamless rings to bold, ornate clickers dripping with gems, you can completely change your look just by swapping your septum jewelry.
It's hideable. With a circular barbell or horseshoe ring, you can flip your jewelry up inside your nose in seconds. Nobody will know it's there. This makes septum piercings ideal for people who need to look professional at work or want the option to go incognito around family.
It suits everyone. Septum piercings are one of the few piercings that genuinely look good on every nose shape and face shape. The center placement creates natural symmetry that complements any features.
It heals relatively fast. Compared to cartilage piercings that can take 6-12 months, septum piercings typically heal in 2-3 months, making them one of the quicker facial piercings to heal.
Getting Your Septum Pierced: What to Expect
Finding the Right Piercer
A septum piercing is one of those piercings where the skill of your piercer matters enormously. The difference between a well-placed and a poorly-placed septum is immediately visible—a crooked or too-low septum piercing is very noticeable because it sits right in the center of your face.
When choosing a piercer, look at their portfolio specifically for septum piercings. You want to see photos of fresh and healed septums that are centered, placed high and snug to the nose, and straight. If a piercer's septum photos look low, crooked, or placed too far back toward the face, keep looking.
The Piercing Process
Your piercer will start by feeling inside your nose for the sweet spot. They'll mark the placement, have you approve it in a mirror, and then use a receiving tube on one side and a needle on the other to make the piercing. The whole process takes about one second once the needle goes through.
Does It Hurt?
Septum piercings have a reputation for being painful, but most people are surprised by how quick it is. The most common description is a sharp pinch that lasts about one second, followed by a dull ache and watery eyes. Your eyes will absolutely water—it's an automatic reflex that happens to everyone, regardless of pain tolerance.
On a pain scale, most people rate it around a 4-5 out of 10. The anticipation is genuinely worse than the actual piercing. Within a few minutes, the sharp pain fades to a mild tenderness that lasts a few days.
Initial Jewelry
Most piercers will start you with one of two options:
Circular barbell (horseshoe): The most common starter jewelry for septum piercings. It allows for easy cleaning, can be flipped up to hide the piercing while healing, and puts minimal pressure on the fresh piercing. Typically 16G in either 8mm or 10mm diameter.
Captive bead ring: A full ring held closed by a bead. These look great but can't be flipped up to hide, so they're better if you don't need to conceal your piercing during healing.
Your initial jewelry should always be implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136), solid 14K or 18K gold, or niobium. These biocompatible materials give your piercing the best chance to heal quickly and without complications.
Septum Piercing Aftercare
Healing a septum piercing is straightforward, but it requires patience and consistency. The location inside your nose means it's exposed to moisture, bacteria, and the temptation to fiddle with it—so discipline is key.
Daily Cleaning Routine
Twice a day, spray both sides of your piercing with sterile saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride, no additives). You can find this at any pharmacy as wound wash or piercing aftercare spray. Let it sit for a moment, then gently pat dry with clean gauze or paper towel.
That's it. Don't overcomplicate it. More cleaning is not better—over-cleaning can actually irritate the piercing and slow healing.
What to Avoid During Healing
Don't touch it. This is the hardest rule to follow because septum jewelry is right there and it's tempting to play with. But every time you touch it with unwashed hands, you're introducing bacteria directly into a healing wound.
Don't flip it up and down constantly. If you need to wear it flipped up for work, that's fine—flip it up in the morning and back down in the evening. But flipping it back and forth multiple times a day irritates the healing tissue. Pick a position and leave it there as much as possible.
Don't use harsh cleaners. No rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, tea tree oil, or any ointments. These either damage healthy tissue or trap bacteria. Sterile saline is all you need.
Don't submerge it. Avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes, and baths until fully healed. The inside of your nose is warm and moist—adding bacteria-laden water to a healing piercing is a recipe for infection.
Don't change the jewelry too early. Wait at least 2-3 months, and ideally get your piercer's approval before switching to new jewelry. For a step-by-step guide on your first jewelry change, check out our guide on how to change your nose ring.
The Septum Smell
Let's address the elephant in the room—septum piercings can smell, especially during healing. This is completely normal. Dead skin cells, natural oils, and lymph fluid accumulate around the jewelry, and because it's inside your nose, you notice it. Nobody else can smell it. Regular saline cleaning keeps it under control, and the smell diminishes significantly once the piercing is fully healed.
Septum Jewelry Styles: A Complete Breakdown
Once your septum is healed, the jewelry options are almost endless. Here's a detailed look at every major style so you can choose what works for your aesthetic.
Clickers
Clickers are the most popular septum jewelry style, and for good reason. They feature a hinged bar that clicks open and shut, making them incredibly easy to put in and take out. The hinged design also allows for elaborate decorative fronts—from simple plain bars to ornate designs with CZ gems, opals, fan shapes, crescents, and more.
Best for: People who want variety and easy jewelry changes. Clickers come in the widest range of designs, from minimalist to statement-making.
Sizing: Typically available in 16G, with 8mm and 10mm being the most popular diameters. For help finding the right size, see our Nose Ring Size Guide.
Circular Barbells (Horseshoes)
Circular barbells are horseshoe-shaped rings with a ball or decorative end on each side. They're the classic septum jewelry and the most practical option for people who need to hide their piercing—just push the ring up into your nose and the balls tuck inside your nostrils.
Best for: People who need to hide their piercing for work or social situations. Also great if you prefer a classic, understated look.
Sizing: Available in 16G and 14G, with 8mm and 10mm being most common.
Seamless Rings
Seamless rings are continuous hoops with no visible closure—just a tiny gap where the ends meet. They create a clean, minimal look with no ball or decorative element breaking the circle. They can be slightly trickier to open and close than clickers, but the smooth aesthetic is worth it for many people.
Best for: Minimalists who want a clean, simple look. The unbroken circle creates a sleek appearance.
Sizing: Available in multiple gauges, with 8mm being the most popular diameter for septums.
Captive Bead Rings (CBRs)
Captive bead rings are full circles held closed by a single bead that snaps into place through tension. The bead sits at the bottom of the ring when worn in a septum, creating a classic traditional look. CBRs can be a bit tricky to open and close on your own—ring opening pliers make it much easier.
Best for: People who want a traditional, bold look. The single bead creates a nice focal point.
Septum Retainers
Retainers are U-shaped or staple-shaped pieces designed specifically to keep your piercing open while being as invisible as possible. They're usually made from clear bioplast or glass and are meant to be flipped up inside the nose where nobody can see them.
Best for: Situations where you absolutely cannot show any jewelry—job interviews, certain workplaces, formal events.
Choosing the Right Septum Ring Size
Gauge
Most septum piercings are done at 16G (1.2mm). This is the standard and what you should shop for unless your piercer used a different size. Some septums are pierced at 14G (1.6mm), which is slightly thicker. Always match your jewelry gauge to your piercing gauge.
Diameter
This is where personal preference comes in:
8mm is the most popular and versatile diameter. It sits close to the nose with a small, natural-looking drop. Works for both subtle and decorative styles. If you're buying your first piece of septum jewelry and aren't sure, start with 8mm.
10mm creates a slightly larger, more visible look. Great for ornate clickers and statement pieces where you want the design to be fully visible and not squeezed against your nose.
6mm is very snug and subtle. Sits extremely tight to the nose. Best for people who want their septum jewelry to be barely noticeable.
12mm and above creates a dramatic, bold look with significant hang below the nose. Popular for large statement clickers and tribal-inspired pieces.
How to Measure Your Current Ring
If you already have a septum ring that fits well and want to buy the same size, measure the inner diameter—the distance across the inside of the ring from one inner edge to the other. Place a ruler across the inside opening and read the measurement in millimeters. That's your diameter.
Styling Your Septum Piercing
Matching Your Septum to Your Overall Look
Minimalist: A small seamless ring or plain clicker in silver titanium. Barely there but adds subtle edge.
Boho/Festival: Ornate clickers with geometric patterns, crescent moon designs, or tribal-inspired shapes in gold.
Edgy/Alternative: Black PVD titanium clickers, spiked circular barbells, or bold statement pieces.
Professional: A small, simple ring in silver or gold that reads as refined rather than rebellious. Or flip it up entirely when needed.
Mixing with Other Piercings
Septum piercings pair beautifully with nostril piercings—the combination of a septum ring with one or two nostril studs is one of the most popular piercing combinations. For a cohesive look, try to match your metals. All silver, all gold, or all rose gold creates a polished, intentional appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide a septum piercing at work?
Yes, that's one of the biggest advantages of a septum piercing. With a circular barbell (horseshoe), you simply flip the jewelry upward inside your nose and it becomes completely invisible. This takes about two seconds and is painless once the piercing is healed. Septum retainers made from clear material are another option for maximum concealment.
How long does a septum piercing take to heal?
Most septum piercings heal in 2-3 months, making them one of the fastest-healing facial piercings. However, full maturation of the piercing channel can take up to 6 months. Don't change your jewelry until at least 2-3 months, and get your piercer's approval before your first swap.
Does a septum piercing go through cartilage?
No. A properly placed septum piercing goes through the columella—a thin strip of soft tissue between the cartilage wall and the tip of your nose, also called the "sweet spot." If your piercer hit cartilage, the piercing was placed incorrectly. A well-placed septum should have gone through soft tissue only.
Why does my septum piercing smell?
Septum piercing smell is completely normal, especially during healing. Dead skin cells, lymph fluid, and natural oils accumulate on the jewelry inside your nose. Regular cleaning with saline solution keeps the smell under control, and it decreases significantly once the piercing is fully healed. Nobody around you can smell it—only you notice it.
What's the most popular septum ring size?
The most common septum piercing is 16G gauge with an 8mm inner diameter. This fits the majority of people and works with virtually every jewelry style—clickers, circular barbells, seamless rings, and captive bead rings. If you want a slightly larger look, 10mm is the next most popular size.
Can I change my septum ring myself or do I need a piercer?
Once your septum is fully healed (2-3 months minimum), you can change it yourself. Clickers are the easiest to change—just open the hinge, slide through, and click shut. Circular barbells require unscrewing a ball end. Seamless rings need a gentle twist to open. Your first change can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easy quickly. If you're unsure, your piercer can do the first change for you.
Final Thoughts
The septum piercing is one of the most rewarding piercings you can get. It's relatively quick to heal, endlessly customizable, and looks incredible on everyone. Whether you keep it subtle with a tiny seamless ring or go bold with an ornate gem-studded clicker, your septum piercing is a canvas for self-expression that you can change as often as your mood.
The keys to a great septum piercing experience are simple: choose a skilled piercer, start with quality titanium jewelry, follow basic saline aftercare, be patient during healing, and then have fun exploring all the amazing jewelry options available to you.
Explore Septum Jewelry
Browse our complete collection of septum clickers, circular barbells, and seamless rings—all crafted from implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136). Available in silver, gold, rose gold, and black finishes.
Looking for something specific? Contact us—we'll help you find exactly what you're looking for.
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This guide is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a professional piercer for personalized advice about your specific piercing.