Septum—how much does it hurt, how does it heal, and can you hide it?

The Septum in a Nutshell—Key Facts

What does a piercer actually pierce when doing a septum piercing?

This is the most important part of this article. Between the two cartilages of the nasal septum lies a narrow strip of soft tissue, right at the edge of the nose. Piercers call it the “sweet spot,” and that’s exactly where the needle goes through. The cartilage remains untouched.

Two things follow from this single fact. First, the pain is much less than everyone expects, because soft tissue reacts differently than cartilage. Second, a septum piercing heals faster than typical ear cartilage piercings, which can take up to a year.

There’s also another side to the coin. In some people, the “sweet spot” can be very narrow or displaced, and the septum can be crooked. An experienced piercer will sense this when assessing your anatomy. If the needle hits the cartilage instead of the “sweet spot,” the piercing will be much more painful, take months to heal, and may end up crooked. That’s why, with a septum piercing, choosing the right piercer is more important than with any other nose piercing.

How much does a septum piercing hurt?

On a ten-point scale, a septum piercing ranks around a 5 or 6, but that number doesn’t mean much without context. The key point is that the pain lasts literally a fraction of a second—just as long as it takes for the needle to pass through. Most people describe it as a sharp, intense sensation that ends before it really has a chance to begin.

There is, however, one thing worth knowing in advance: your eyes will start to water, and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s a nervous reflex—not crying and not a sign of pain. Many people also describe the urge to sneeze. Both symptoms pass within a dozen or so seconds, but they can be surprising if no one warns you about them beforehand.

In the days that follow, the septum usually doesn’t hurt much. It may be tender to the touch and when blowing your nose—and it’s these two situations, rather than the procedure itself, that turn out to be the most bothersome in practice.

How the septum heals

Initial healing usually takes 2–3 months, and full healing takes between six and eight months. This is faster than most ear cartilage piercings, which we compared in the healing time table. This is due to the fact that the channel passes through soft tissue.

Let’s be honest about two things that nobody warns you about. The first is scabs and discharge—it’s moist inside the nose, so dried lymph will collect around the piercing. This is normal during the first few weeks. The second is a distinctive odor that can occur even with proper healing. It results from a combination of moisture, dead skin cells, and discharge in the narrow canal. It does not indicate an infection and goes away with regular rinsing using saline solution.

Is it possible to hide a septum piercing?

Yes—and it’s precisely this feature that makes the septum piercing the most popular choice among people who work in places with a formal dress code. The secret lies in the shape of the jewelry.

Simply rotate the horseshoe so the ends point upward and tuck it inside your nose. From the outside, nothing is visible, and the process takes just a few seconds. This solution only works with a horseshoe—you can’t rotate a clicker or a closed ring.

There are three caveats that need to be honestly mentioned. First, this trick shouldn’t be used on a fresh piercing—it’s best to wait at least 2–3 months for initial healing, otherwise you’ll irritate the piercing site and prolong the entire process. Second, with larger diameters, the horseshoe may be slightly noticeable inside the nose. Third, the beads are visible to someone looking at the right angle—“invisible” here means “invisible during a normal conversation,” not “completely undetectable.”

Which septum piercing should you choose?

For a fresh piercing, the piercer usually inserts a G23 titanium horseshoe. Not a clicker—its hinge and thicker profile hinder healing, and inserting it requires movement that irritates the canal.

The thickness is usually 1.2 mm. The starting diameter is most often 8 mm, allowing for swelling. Once healed, many people downsize to a size that fits their nose—we explain how to measure this in our size guide.

1. Horseshoe: the most versatile choice. Suitable for fresh piercings, it can be rotated and hidden, and is the least expensive. Models with an internal thread are gentler on the piercing channel than those with an external thread.
2. Clicker: the most eye-catching, but only for a healed septum. In this category, you’ll find decorated models, such as the “Teardrop” clicker with zirconia stones.

Step-by-Step Septum Care

1. Rinse with saline solution twice a day. The most convenient way is to use a spray or a sterile gauze pad soaked in the solution—you’ll find these products in the “Care” category.
2. Soften scabs; do not pick at them. Apply a soaked gauze pad for several dozen seconds, then gently remove it.
3. Don’t touch the piercing unnecessarily. Every time you touch it with dirty hands, you risk irritation and granulation tissue formation.
4. Be careful with cosmetics. Foundation, cream, and perfume should not come into contact with a fresh piercing.
5. Return to your piercer after 2–3 months. They’ll assess the healing and, if necessary, select the final piece of jewelry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

The septum has a reputation for being more painful than it actually is, and more comfortable than its visibility might suggest. The piercing takes just a moment, heals faster than ear cartilage, and thanks to the horseshoe-shaped stud, you can hide it when the situation calls for it. Everything else boils down to two decisions: a good piercer and high-quality titanium to start with.