:: SEPTUM FAQ ::

Doesn't that really hurt?

Not if it's done right. A properly placed septum piercing will be through only a thin, soft piece of skin towards the tip of your nose. It will not touch the hard cartilage above or the thick, tough skin below. It might make your eyes water a little, but shouldn't hit the spot that makes you sneeze. A septum shouldn't be awful to get, or to have afterward. You'll feel it if you push on your nose, but you shouldn't have trouble moving your face or talking. (If you do, something is wrong.)

My mom says it can paralyze my face.

She's just trying to get to you. We wouldn't be doing it if that were really a possibility. Of course, you don't want to get it done by just anyone. A messed up septum piercing could make moving unpleasant, but it's easy to avoid. Make sure you go to a skilled piercer who knows what they're doing and uses appropriate jewelry. Take care of your piercing and keep it clean. Piece of cake. Tell mom to try a new argument. (Or get a retainer; she'll never know.)

Can I hide it?

Absolutely. This is one of easiest to hide. Put a staple-shaped septum retainer in it, flip it up inside your nostrils, and you're golden. Anyone who notices it shouldn't be looking at you in that way. (They'd have to be standing under you, looking up your nose.) You can get steel, titanium, niobium (black!), and even clear glass in some sizes. Some people with stretched piercings also use acrylic plugs. Whatever you use, make sure you still clean it daily (or twice daily during healing). Antibacterial soap is your best bet for getting out all the dead skin cells and smoke residue--stinky!

Can I flip a circular barbell up in there like a retainer?

We don't recommend it. It works for some people, if their nostrils are large enough and the jewelry is a small enough diameter, with small enough balls to clear. But it can be uncomfortable, can distort your piercing, and may be more visible than a retainer. And not everyone's nose is big enough to make it work. Best to stick with a retainer for a retainer's job, and a circ when you want to show it off.

When can I start wearing those cool spikes and tusks?

As soon as you are healed, about 6 - 8 weeks. There are all kinds of crazy septum jewelry out there, from bone and horn, to wood, glass, acrylic and porcupine quill, to name a few. And since so many cultures before us have practiced septum piercing, you can make a point of hunting out unique pieces from around the world.

How easy is it to stretch?

Stretching your septum may make your eyes water, or make you sneeze, but it shouldn't be too bad--to a point. Once you get big enough that the jewelry or the stretch is putting pressure on the cartilage, you'll start to really feel it. And you may get to a size where you can't go any further comfortably. Wearing really heavy jewelry may give you a similar sensation. Many of the cultures which traditionally wore huge septum jewelry actually removed a section of cartilage to do it. Possible, but not painless.

If you do get to that point, and you still want to stretch more, try giving it some time in between stretches to heal and add new skin cells. Wear a ring or circular barbell instead of light acrylic or retainers, since the added weight can help pull the soft skin down and facilitate stretching. Massage the skin daily, with cocoa butter if possible. Take out your jewelry and rub the skin in a circular direction between your thumb and index finger for a minute or two. This helps stimulate circulation and new cell growth, and keeps existing cells healthy and flexible, so they will stretch more easily. And don't try to go more than one size every month or two, or longer.

Will it ever close up again?

Yes. With few exceptions, body piercings will all close up again if left empty long enough. In the first year or so, septums usually close up in anywhere from a few hours to a day or two. After that, it may take longer to close, but it generally will. If you like your piercing, keep something in it.