So, you’ve just gotten that cool new septum piercing. Now, you’re probably wondering when you can switch your piercing out to customize it the way you’ve been dreaming of. Rest assured, you’re not alone! Changing your septum piercing is probably the most exciting part of the piercing, as you get to show off your style. But when can you do this?
You should wait between 6 and 8 weeks to change your septum piercing. This waiting period is essential for the healing process so as not to disrupt its progress. Remember to have gloved hands and use high-quality jewelry when making the change. Be gentle throughout the process to minimize any discomfort or complications that may arise.
In this article, we’ll get into the details of when it’s safe and appropriate to switch up your septum jewelry so that you can confidently showcase your style while ensuring the well-being of your piercing. Let’s get to it!
When is it Safe to Change Your Septum Piercing?
It’s best to wait for the healing process, which typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, before changing your septum ring. Changing the jewelry early can result in issues like infections or irritation. So, just remember that patience is vital to a happy and healthy piercing.
How Do You Change a Septum Piercing?
If you’re determined that you have waited enough time to change your piercing, now it’s time to do it! You can always go to your piercer for help the first couple of times if you wish. However, if you feel you’re ready to do it on your own, follow the steps below:
- Clean Hands: Start by washing your hands with soap and warm water to ensure they are clean. Dry them thoroughly.
- Clean Jewelry: Make sure your new jewelry is clean and sanitized before proceeding. If you wish to wear gloves during this process, put them on after you’ve cleaned the jewelry before you pick the sanitized jewelry back up.
- Handle with Care: Take your time and unscrew or unclip the jewelry, avoiding any rush or excessive force.
- Insert New Jewelry: Slowly slide in the jewelry, aligning it carefully with the piercing hole. Don’t rush this step; give yourself time.
- Secure It: Once the new jewelry is in place, fasten it by screwing or clipping it according to its design.
- Check for Comfort: Ensure the new jewelry feels comfortable and sits well in your septum without causing any pinching or irritation.
- Final Inspection: Give everything a once over to make sure that everything is in order, looks good, and feels good.
How long Does It Take for a Septum Piercing to Heal?
Typically, a septum piercing takes around 6 to 8 weeks to heal. However, it’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for everyone.
The healing duration can vary from person to person depending on factors such as your body’s ability to heal and how well you take care of the piercing. It also highly depends on the quality of the jewelry you’re using.

What Can Slow Down the Healing Process of a Septum Piercing?
The healing process is perhaps the most essential phase you’ll have to go through. So, you should educate yourself on what slows the healing process down so that you can avoid doing things things:
- Frequent Touching: Constantly touching or rotating the jewelry can introduce dirt and bacteria, which in turn slows down the healing process.
- Subpar Jewelry Quality: Using grade or non-hypoallergenic jewelry may lead to irritation and prolong the healing period.
- Excessive Cleaning: Overdoing your cleaning routine can strip away oils from your piercing, leading to dryness and irritation. Stick with a simple cleaning regimen a couple of times a day.
Can You Speed Up the Healing Process of a Septum Piercing?
Just as you can slow down the healing process, you can also speed it up and help it during recovery. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Prioritize Cleanliness: Make sure to clean your piercing gently twice a day using saline solution. This will help keep it happy and free from any infections.
- Keep Your Hands Away: Avoid touching your piercing with dirty hands, as this can introduce germs and increase the risk of infections.
- Clean it Carefully: Give your piercing a gentle cleanse using saline solution a couple of times a day without going overboard.
- Use Only Top Notch Jewelry: Consider upgrading to high-quality, hypoallergenic jewelry for your piercing.
- Manage Stress Levels: Stress can slow the healing process, so try relaxation techniques such as slow breathing exercises.
- Follow Instructions: If your piercer provided aftercare instructions, be sure to follow them.
- Maintain Good Hygiene Habits: Keep your surroundings clean, including pillowcases and phone screens—think of it as creating a clean environment for your piercing.
What Types of Jewelry Can You Use for a Septum Piercing?
When it comes to finding the right jewelry for your septum piercing, you have a variety of stylish options to choose from. Here are a few of the choices you can choose from:
- Circular Barbells: These delicate hoops with a gap offer a minimalist vibe, just like the classic little black dress of septum jewelry.
- Horseshoe Rings: Shaped as you guessed, horseshoes these add an edge to your septum piercing.
- Captive Bead Rings: These rings feature a bead that securely locks into place, creating an element of surprise and discovery for your septum piercing.
- Seamless Rings: With their continuous design, these rings provide a look for seamless transition.
- Septum Clickers: These versatile jewelry pieces effortlessly click open and close, making it easy to change your style whenever you want.
- Retainers: If you need to keep your piercing discreet or hidden at times, retainers are the solution. They come in flesh-toned options, so it’s great to use them if your workplace doesn’t allow facial piercings.
How Do You Choose the Right Jewelry For Your Septum Piercing?
Here’s a guide on how to choose the best jewelry for your septum piercing:
- Pick the Right Size: It’s sort of like finding the perfect outfit for a special occasion! Make sure you know the gauge (thickness) and diameter of your septum piercing.
- Choose the Best Material: Opt for materials like steel, titanium, or niobium to avoid irritation.
- Be You: Consider your style when choosing jewelry for your septum piercing. Do you prefer simple pieces or bold accessories? Perhaps you want a mixture of both.
- Prioritize Comfort: Make sure the jewelry feels comfortable and suits your lifestyle. You wouldn’t wear heels or flip-flops on a hiking trip, right?

Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to change my septum jewelry before it’s fully healed?
Changing your septum jewelry before completely healing is not a good idea. It is essential to wait for the recommended 6 to 8 weeks of healing time.
Otherwise, switching out your jewelry early can lead to complications, so exercise patience and allow your piercing to heal entirely before showcasing jewelry with confidence.
What should I do if I encounter any complications during the healing process?
If you come across any obstacles during the healing journey of your septum piercing, don’t panic! Instead, plan a trip to your piercer, as they’ll be able to guide you on what to do. You might need to change up your cleaning routine or maybe even change the jewelry.
If you need to change the jewelry, it’s highly advisable to do this by your piercer, rather than trying to do it yourself. Sometimes, your body rejects piercings altogether. So, your piercer may tell you to take the piercing out and retry it later.
How do I know if my body is rejecting my septum piercing?
Rejections happen quite a bit, and this can be because your body doesn’t like the piercing, or maybe you went to a piercer who hasn’t done too many of them.
Some signs of rejection are swelling and redness associated with pain even though you’ve followed the directions, infections that won’t seem to heal or go away, and a piercing that won’t seem to heal.
Sometimes, you can wait this out, and it might turn around on its own. However, most of the time, you must remove the piercing and wait for it to heal before trying it again.
Final Word
To sum it all up, your septum piercing serves as a fashion statement, and taking care of it is essential to keep it looking fabulous. Remember to remain patient while it heals, choose high-quality jewelry, and seek advice if any problems arise.
With good care and a touch of style, your septum piercing can become your favorite accessory that enhances your appearance and boosts your confidence. But this only works if you let it heal first!

Hey there, I’m Jennifer M. Lowes, but my friends call me Jenn. Born and raised in sunny California. By day, I’m a freelance makeup artist transforming everyday people into their best selves. By night, I’m here on this blog, sharing my favorite nail designs, makeup tips, hair styling techniques, and much more.