Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Septum Piercing

I finally did it—after years of admiring the look and second-guessing myself, I got my septum pierced. I had considered it for a long time, but kept putting it off because I travel often and didn’t want to deal with aftercare complications while on the road. Eventually, I found the perfect quiet stretch in my calendar and decided it was time to go for it.

Like many, I did my fair share of research before getting pierced, but even with all the reading, there were things that caught me off guard. So here’s everything I wish someone had told me before getting my septum done.

Does It Hurt?

I won’t sugarcoat it—the worst part for me wasn’t the needle, but the clamp used to hold and align the skin before the actual piercing. It felt like a sharp pinch inside my nose, way more intense than I expected. Once the needle went through, there was a second of pressure, and then it was over. My eyes watered instantly, and I bled more than I thought I would. Not an alarming amount, but definitely more than when I had my ears pierced.

After it was done and cleaned up, the area felt tender but manageable. Honestly, I was surprised at how quickly the pain faded after the jewelry was in.

Can It Affect Breathing?

In the beginning, yes—but temporarily. Right after getting pierced, my nostrils felt a little swollen, and breathing through my nose was slightly restricted. It wasn’t serious, more like a mild congestion. After the first week, that sensation started to fade. Once the swelling went down, I barely noticed the ring at all when it came to breathing.

Unless you go for oversized, heavy jewelry, your airflow won’t be significantly affected. It’s just something to expect in the early healing stage.

Healing Timeline and Care Routine

Everyone says septum piercing is “easy to heal,” but I’d say they’re more low maintenance than no maintenance. For me, it took around 6 to 8 months to fully heal. At the 6-week mark, the swelling and soreness were gone, and I felt confident enough to switch my ring. But the piercing still needed regular cleaning for a few more months.

For aftercare, I stuck to a twice-daily routine with saline soaks. Sometimes I used cotton pads soaked in warm saltwater and held them inside my nose for a minute or so. Other times, I would lean my head back and do a mini “nose bath.” Both worked well for loosening any dried buildup and keeping things fresh.

The biggest lesson? Don’t twist or move the jewelry too much. Every time I did—usually by accident—I felt a sharp sting and sometimes drew blood. Just leave it alone and let it settle.

Catching It on Everything

This was a big one. In the first few months, I managed to snag my piercing on everything—towels, shirts, and even while sleeping. The worst was accidentally brushing against it while drying my face or changing clothes.

One strange thing I noticed was how my brain would sometimes misinterpret the ring as something foreign that needed to be pulled out. I’ve reached for it without thinking, which usually ended in regret and a sore nose. Luckily, these moments became less frequent as I got used to the feeling.

Sickness, Crying, and a Runny Nose

No one tells you what a runny nose feels like with a septum ring—it’s not glamorous. The first time I caught a cold post-piercing, I realized just how much my nose had to adapt. Blowing my nose was awkward and often uncomfortable, especially if there was any pressure near the jewelry. Snot could get caught on the ring (sorry, but it’s true), which meant I had to be extra diligent about cleaning both my nose and the jewelry itself.

Pro tip: be gentle and patient when you’re sick. Your nose will thank you.

Hiding the Piercing (If You Need To)

I didn’t have to hide mine, but I was curious about the option. If you’re in a workplace, school, or family environment where you might want to keep your piercing discreet, make sure to let your piercer know beforehand. They can use jewelry that flips up inside the nose for a completely hidden look.

It’s worth noting that flipping the jewelry up and down can be a bit uncomfortable while healing, so try to limit movement and only do it with clean hands. If the jewelry feels stuck, a warm compress can help loosen any crust or buildup before flipping it.

Changing the Jewelry

Changing out the ring was exciting and surprisingly emotional—I felt like I was finally styling it to match my personality. I started with a horseshoe ring and eventually switched to a more decorative option. Removing the original piece was easy once I got the hang of the screw-on balls, but inserting the new jewelry required some patience and coordination.

Some styles, especially clickers or seamless rings, are harder to install because they require precision inside the nose. I spent a solid ten minutes in front of the mirror wiggling it into place. It wasn’t painful, just awkward. But once it clicked in, it felt secure and looked amazing.

Will It Close Up?

If you remove your jewelry for a long time, the hole can close. It depends on your body and how long you’ve had the piercing. I’ve gone a few days without mine and had no problem putting it back in, but I wouldn’t risk going months without jewelry if you want to keep the hole open.

And just because the hole isn’t visible doesn’t mean it’s safe to leave it dirty. Buildup inside the piercing channel can cause irritation or even infection, so even during downtime, cleanliness matters.

Final Thoughts

Getting a septum piercing was one of the best decisions I’ve made when it comes to body modifications. It felt like a bold yet personal way to express myself, and it genuinely made me feel more confident. Was it painful? A bit. Was the healing frustrating at times? Definitely. But the final result was 100% worth it.

If you’re thinking about it, do your research, go to a professional, and commit to proper aftercare. This little ring in the middle of your face might surprise you with just how much you end up loving it.