Septum Piercing
A septum piercing passes through the soft tissue beneath the cartilage that divides your nostrils. Bold and versatile, it can be flipped up to sit almost invisibly, or worn out with a statement ring. We pierce with a 16 gauge horseshoe or segment ring, and our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your anatomy to find the ideal sweet spot.
- Pain level
- 4 to 5 / 10
- Method
- Needle
- Minimum age:
- 13 years*
- Jewellery type:
- Horseshoe or segment ring View jewellery options
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Two Piercings From $80
Get two of your favourite standard piercings for just $80 when pierced with selected surgical steel jewellery. Read more
Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
* Available from 13 years with parental consent, 16 years and over without. Check our ID and consent requirements here.Note: in WA you must be 18 years to get pierced without parental consent.
What Is A Septum Piercing?
A septum piercing sits through the thin strip of soft tissue just in front of the cartilage that divides the nostrils, often called the sweet spot. It's one of the most versatile piercings we do, since the jewellery can be worn out or flipped up out of sight.
Finding the sweet spot is the key to a comfortable, well healed septum. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your anatomy first and mark the exact spot with you. Read more on our piercing info page.
What To Expect
Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.
How We Pierce
We pierce every septum with a single-use hollow needle, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so you're looked after from consultation through to aftercare advice. Read more about our approach on our piercing info page.
Choosing Your Jewellery
Every septum is typically pierced with a 16 gauge horseshoe or segment ring, though 14 gauge may be used depending on your anatomy. Browse our septum ring collection to see what's available.
Step By Step: Your Septum Piercing Experience
- Your piercing specialist will examine your septum and locate the sweet spot with you.
- We pierce with a single-use sterile needle for a clean, precise channel through the soft tissue.
- A 16 gauge horseshoe or segment ring is fitted, ready to flip up or wear out.
- You'll get full aftercare guidance before you leave, plus advice on when to come back for downsizing.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Find Your Nearest Studio
Ready to book in? Check our age, ID and consent requirements before your visit so you know what to bring.
Nearest studios
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Aftercare
Healing takes time, and that's completely normal for a septum piercing.
Your Daily Routine
Stick to a simple daily routine and stock up on the right products from our aftercare collection. For the full step by step, read our aftercare guide.
- Clean with sterile saline twice daily.
- Avoid swimming for 6 to 8 weeks.
- Be mindful of blowing your nose gently and avoid twisting the jewellery.
When Can I Change My Jewellery?
Downsizing is available at 6 to 8 weeks if required, once the initial swelling has settled, with full healing taking a minimum of 6 months.
- Pierced
- Day one
- Downsizing:
- 6–8 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Jewellery For Your Septum Piercing
The right jewellery makes all the difference to comfort while your septum heals, and to how easily you can flip it up or wear it out.
Starter Jewellery
We pierce every septum with a 16 gauge horseshoe or segment ring in 316L surgical steel, chosen to support healing from day one.
Building Your Stack
Once you're healed, explore our full septum ring collection for statement styles and everyday staples.
Not Sure What Metal Suits You?
If you're torn between finishes, our guide on silver, rose gold or gold can help, or browse everything by material to compare options.
FAQs
What is a septum piercing?
A septum piercing passes through the soft tissue in front of the cartilage that divides the nostrils, often called the sweet spot.
Does a septum piercing hurt?
Most people rate it a 4 to 5 out of 10. You may feel your eyes water or a quick urge to sneeze as the needle passes through. Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
How long does a septum piercing take to heal?
Full healing takes a minimum of 6 months. See the average healing time by piercing type for how it compares.
What jewellery is used for a septum piercing?
We typically pierce with a 16 gauge horseshoe or segment ring. 14 gauge may be used depending on your anatomy.
Can I flip my septum ring up to hide it?
Yes, once healed most septum jewellery can be flipped up inside the nostrils, making the piercing almost invisible when you want to keep it low-key.
When can I downsize my septum piercing?
Downsizing is available at 6 to 8 weeks if required, once the initial swelling has settled. Read why downsize your piercing for more.
Will everyone be able to find the sweet spot?
Anatomy varies, and not everyone has an obvious sweet spot. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will check yours at your appointment. See our piercing info page for more.
Can I get a septum piercing as part of the two piercings from $80 deal?
Yes, this piercing qualifies for our two piercings from $80 deal when paired with another standard piercing and selected surgical steel jewellery.
Explore More Nose Piercings
A septum pairs well with other nose placements. Check our piercing info page for more on choosing your placement, or explore some of our most popular nose piercings below.