Everything To Know According To Experts

The world of body modifications is constantly evolving. Those who love piercings are always finding somewhere new to put a snazzy piece of jewelry. One style that has gained popularity in the last few years is a septril piercing. You might guess from the name that it has something to do with your nose, but if it’s not a side piercing or a septum one, what space is left?

We tapped experts to find out everything there is to know about this trending facial piercing. To cover all aspects of this procedure, we asked a body piercing trainer and dermatologist to share their expertise across costs, aftercare, expected pain levels, and more. Below, find the complete rundown on septril piercings.

What Is a Septril Piercing?

“A septril piercing is an advanced nose piercing located at the bottom tip of the nose that utilizes an existing stretched septum to achieve this unique body modification,” explains Jim Kelly, the manager of piercing training at Banter by Piercing Pagoda. This means that this type of piercing is only accessible to those who already have a septum piercing.

But that is not the only prerequisite, you also need to have the piercing gauged to a large enough hole to fit an additional piercing inside. “You cannot get a septril piercing without a stretched septum,” says Kelly. It may take multiple appointments over months, or even years, to work up to being ready for this piercing.

Before booking an appointment, you’ll want to start by talking with your piercer. “Consult with a piercing professional to discuss the process and confirm you’re a good candidate for this piercing based on your anatomy,” suggests Kelly. “If you don’t already have a stretched septum, it can take more than a year to pierce, stretch, and heal a septum piercing to the desired gauge (about a 2),” he notes.

Cost

The cost of this piercing should be in line with other nose piercings. On average, you’ll pay $50-100 for the piercing work. With jewelry taken into account, it can cost up to a few hundred dollars. It’s important to keep in mind that not every piercer performs this piercing. It might be advantageous to pay a little extra for someone with experience rather than let a rookie attempt it on you for the first time.

Pain Level

Many people find that nose piercings hurt less compared to other body parts. This is thanks to the nature of cartilage versus flesh. That said, expect a septril piercing to be a bit more painful in the range of nose piercings. The new hole has to make its way through thick and tough cartilage which can cause greater discomfort. It’s also tricky to do, which is why an experienced piercer is key. The more of these someone has done, the faster and more smoothly they will be able to do it. Even if it is on the more painful side, piercings are fast, so know that it will be over soon.

Healing Time

Due to the precarious nature of this piercing, healing takes longer and is more involved. “The healing time for a septril piercing generally takes between 6 to 9 months to heal completely,” says Dr. Hannah Kopelman, an expert in Clinical Dermatology. “This is relatively longer compared to a standard nostril piercing, which typically heals in about 2 to 4 months, or a septum piercing, which usually heals in 6 to 8 weeks.”

Aftercare

All piercings should be well-tended to until they heal, and a septril piercing is no exception. Proper care is vital if you want it to ensure great results. “A septril piercing requires diligent aftercare to ensure proper healing,” says Kopelman. “Because the septril piercing goes through both cartilage and soft tissue, it might require more careful attention to avoid complications such as infections or migration,” she adds. In other words, this aftercare routine requires more vigilance than the average body piercing. Below are some of most important steps.

• Clean the piercing often: “It is important to clean the piercing twice a day with a saline solution or a gentle, fragrance-free antimicrobial soap,” says Kopelman. Additionally, she says to “avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as they can be too harsh and slow down the healing process.”
• Don’t play with it: Kopelman stresses that keeping the area clean and dry and avoiding touching it with dirty hands is crucial.
• Help reduce inflammation: “In the initial days, some swelling and tenderness might occur,” says Kopelman. “Applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling.”
• Be gentle to the piercing area: “Be cautious to avoid any physical trauma to the area, such as bumping it or pulling on the jewelry, as the septril piercing can be more delicate due to its unique placement,” says Kopelman.

The risks of not following rigorous aftercare are best avoided. “Bacterial infections can occur, leading to redness, swelling, pus, and pain. Severe infections might require medical intervention,” warns Kopelman. She also notes that you can form scars or keloids, and end up with a prolonged healing period.

Jewelry

As far as jewelry options go for this category of piercing, the options are fairly simple. “Flat-back labret studs are the most common,” says Kelly. He shares that the specific length of each jewelery will vary depending on the size of your nose and which angle the septril is pierced at. You can generally put a decorative top on the stud if that’s your style but keep in mind potential snagging or tugging.

Where you place the piercing hole will affect the finished look as well. “Generally, getting a septril angled lower toward the bottom front part of your nose looks more like a septum piercing without the hoop,” says Kelly. ” But a septril can also be placed further up on the tip of the nose, which gives a much more extreme body modification look.”

The Final Takeaway

In simple terms, a septril piercing is a piercing within a piercing. It can take months or years to get an original hole gauged large enough to add a septril. The process may hurt more than your average nose piercing, and it will likely take longer to heal. Both experts stress that to get a good and desirable result, you must be diligent with your aftercare. If you’re interested in this piercing, choose a skilled expert and meet with them first to discuss if a septril piercing and if it’s right for you.