Do you have a septum piercing and want to change the jewelry? Or are you already looking for a new one but don’t know anything about septum piercing sizes?
Well, you have come across the most detailed guide to help you with all your septum piercing size questions.
The jewelry for septum piercing is not the same as other types of piercings with a standard size. With septum piercing, the size of the jewelry depends on the hole punctured on the septum wall of the nose.
Before buying septum piercing jewelry, you need to know about specific measurements including the gauge and diameter of the jewelry.
The question is – what gauge is a septum piercing? In this article, you learn about how to know the gauge and diameter of septum piercing jewelry, the types of jewelry, materials, and other useful information.
If you are new to septum piercing, this article also explains some basic knowledge about it.
Contents
- What Is a Septum Piercing?
- Septum Sizing Chart: Gauge and Diameter
- How to Know the Septum Piercing Size
- Which Size Should You Choose?
- Which Septum Piercing Jewelry to Wear
- Which Material Is Best?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Septum Piercing
- What Is the Thickest Septum Piercing Gauge?
- What Is the Biggest Septum Piercing Diameter?
- Can I Make the Size of the Septum Piercing Bigger?
- When Is the Best Time to Change Jewelry?
- Can I Flip the Septum Piercing Jewelry?
- Why Do Septum Piercings Have a Certain Smell?
- How Long Will the Septum Piercing Heal?
- When Do I Seek Medical Help?
- What Are the Risks Involved in Getting a Septum Piercing?
- The Takeaway
What Is a Septum Piercing?
The thin cartilage that separates our nostrils is called the septum. With septum piercing, the piercer creates a hole in the septum wall with a sterile single-use needle. It is common to see people wear a ring or barbell for this type of piercing.
Some may find it painful, while some don’t since every person’s pain tolerance levels are different from another.
In fact, it is considered less painful compared to other nose piercings. However, it is common to feel discomfort and the urge to sneeze after piercing.
Septum Sizing Chart: Gauge and Diameter
Septum piercing jewelry is not a one-size-fits-all. There is no standard jewelry size since it depends on the required gauge and diameter for the person’s unique measurements and preferences.
The gauge of the septum jewelry refers to the thickness, which is usually written in millimeters.
For instance, you can find a measurement written in either 16G or 16 gauge. The diameter is the vertical measurement from the inner edges of both sides of the circular ring. This is commonly written as, for example, 1/4″ or 6 mm.
If you do not get the right measurements, the jewelry will not properly fit, making it too large or too small for the nose. The most common size is usually 16G. For those who like to go smaller than that, they use 18G.
Below is a table of the septum sizing chart for gauge and diameter.
From thinnest to thickest gauge:
| 21 gauge | 0.7 mm |
| 20 gauge | 0.8 mm |
| 18 gauge | 1.0 mm |
| 16 gauge | 1.2 mm |
| 14 gauge | 1.6 mm |
| 12 gauge | 2.0 mm |
| 10 gauge | 2.4 mm |
| 8 gauge | 3.0 mm |
| 6 gauge | 4.0 mm |
| 4 gauge | 5.0 mm |
| 2 gauge | 6.0 mm |
| 0 gauge | 8.0 mm |
| 00 gauge | 10 mm |
From smallest to largest diameter:
| 1/32″ | 0.8 mm |
| 5/128″ | 1.0 mm |
| 3/64″ | 1.2 mm |
| 1/16″ | 1.6 mm |
| 5/64″ | 2.0 mm |
| 3/32″ | 2.5 mm |
| 1/8″ | 3.0 mm |
| 5/32″ | 4.0 mm |
| 3/16″ | 5.0 mm |
| 1/4″ | 6.0 mm |
| 9/32″ | 7.0 mm |
| 5/16″ | 8.0 mm |
| 3/8″ | 10 mm |
| 7/16″ | 11 mm |
| 1/2″ | 12 mm |
| 9/16″ | 14 mm |
| 19/32″ | 15 mm |
| 5/8″ | 16 mm |
| 3/4″ | 19 mm |
How to Know the Septum Piercing Size
The best way to know the right size of septum jewelry is to measure your septum piercing.
You can ask your piercer to measure it or you can simply do it yourself with a pen, paper, and ruler. Here are five steps to measure your septum piercing:
- Make a small strip of rectangular paper that can fit into your nostril.
- Place the tip of the paper along the bottom of the piercing hole.
- With a pen, draw a line on the paper where the tip of the nose is.
- Take out the paper and measure the distance between the edge of the paper and the marked line.
- Repeat these steps again to double-check the measurement.
With this method, you will be able to determine the smallest possible diameter best for your nose. Should you decide to go for a larger size, there is a chance the jewelry hangs too low and touches the lip.
As for the gauge of your septum piercing, it is best to keep a note of the gauge given by your piercer to help you remember when you buy a piece of new piercing jewelry.
Which Size Should You Choose?
8mm VS 10mm septum ring? 16 gauge VS 18 gauge? Even if you already know your septum measurements, choosing the right size can still be confusing.
Before buying one, there are a few considerations to take note of. If you use piercing jewelry with a smaller gauge size than your current one, there is a big chance your piercing hole will become smaller in time.
On the other hand, if you wear something bigger, it becomes too tight and causes pressure.
Thus, stick to the size with the best fit. Ask for advice from a professional piercer to help you choose the perfect septum jewelry.
Piercing shops have the proper tools to accurately measure the septum piercing and help you select the right gauge and diameter.
Which Septum Piercing Jewelry to Wear
One of the best things about a septum piercing is the variety of jewelry available. You have the option to choose from a selection of circular barbells, curved retainers, captive bead rings, staple retainers, septum clickers, seamless hinged rings, septum pinchers, and segment rings. Circular barbells are the most common septum piercings for both men and women.
It is usually a curved bar with a ball on both ends. The curved shape makes it easy to insert and fit perfectly through the shape of the nose.
Captive bead rings and segment rings are also popular alternatives that are loved for their full ring design.
You can also opt for septum clickers and seamless hinged rings for its simple lock mechanism. If you want a wilder style, go for a septum pincher or septum tusks which can make you look like you have animal tusks.
Which Material Is Best?
Most jewelry is made from stainless steel, titanium, and gold. The most recommended material is titanium, which is the most durable and lightweight metal of all. It is the best option for those who are hypersensitive as well.
Stainless steel is the most common metal used for septum jewelry that offers quality and affordability.
However, those who get allergic reactions to nickel should not use stainless steel. Should you decide to get gold jewelry, it is best to get 14 karats or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions about Septum Piercing
What Is the Thickest Septum Piercing Gauge?
According to the table presented above, the thickest gauge is 00 gauge or 10 mm. It is commonly used for stretched lobe and is highly noticeable for its massive size.
What Is the Biggest Septum Piercing Diameter?
The biggest diameter for septum piercing jewelry is 3/4″ or 19 mm. Its size can be compared to a very small coin.
Can I Make the Size of the Septum Piercing Bigger?
It is possible to change your septum piercing to a bigger size. It can be stretched even further by wearing a bigger size than the current one. Since the hole will be stretched, expect a bit of discomfort because of the pressure.
However, it is not advisable to make drastic changes in size. Choose the next biggest size and only do this method one size at a time.
When Is the Best Time to Change Jewelry?
There is no specific duration of time as to when you can change the jewelry. However, the only time you may be able to do so is when the piercing is completely healed. You know when it is healed when you no longer feel tenderness or swelling in the area.
Some piercings heal faster than others, depending on the location and how much you followed the aftercare procedures. Most piercings usually heal as fast as two months.
Can I Flip the Septum Piercing Jewelry?
Especially when it is during the healing stages, it is not advisable to move, flip, or touch the septum piercing.
Take note that septum piercings are not straight but curved. When you flip the jewelry during the healing stages, the hole’s direction may flip as well.
If the septum piercing is fully healed, it is generally okay to flip it upside down. One of the reasons why some people flip it is because they simply want to hide it.
Why Do Septum Piercings Have a Certain Smell?
You may notice a stench in the area mainly because the bacteria is mixed up with nasal mucus and natural oils. If you smell the stench frequently, that means you have to clean the piercing more often.
As a result of the septum piercing, the discharges from the nostrils become trapped in it.
To prevent the stench, remove the piercing and clean every nook and corner of the jewelry, as well as the piercing hole. Sometimes, it also helps when you change the type of metal of the jewelry.
How Long Will the Septum Piercing Heal?
In at least two months, a septum piercing can fully heal. This means that you no longer have pain, tenderness, swelling, or bleeding in the septum.
The healing time varies per person as several factors come into play, including the person’s overall well-being and hygienic practices.
If you want to be sure, you can always ask your piercer and have them check if it is completely healed. To get the best healing results, make sure to follow all the necessary aftercare procedures recommended by a professional piercer.
When Do I Seek Medical Help?
It is common to feel a bit of discomfort, pain, swelling, tenderness, and bleeding with a freshly pierced septum. However, there are more severe signs and symptoms to watch out for.
If you experience the following, seek medical attention as soon as possible as these are indicative of infection.
- severe pain
- severe irritation
- severe swelling and redness
- pus or green to yellow discharge
- fever
What Are the Risks Involved in Getting a Septum Piercing?
Going under the needle comes with many risks. Generally, any body modification or any substance you put in your body can have a positive or negative reaction.
For instance, you can get allergies to some jewelry made of a certain type of metal such as nickel.
You also have the risk of having an infection since it involves an open wound. Piercings can damage blood vessels, which can cause a septal hematoma.
If you do not go to safe and trusted piercing shops that don’t use sterile equipment, there is a high possibility you can get bloodborne diseases like HIV, tetanus, and hepatitis B and C.
The Takeaway
Septum piercing is one of the most popular types of facial enhancement for men and women around the world. Not only is it the less painful type of piercing, but it is also the easiest to manage.
You can easily insert and remove the jewelry since you can get a clear look at both ends sticking out of the nostrils.
On top of that, you don’t have to worry about scars or keloids left by the piercing since it is completely hidden from people’s view. It leaves without a trace should you decide to stop using it.
The only maintenance you need to do is to keep in mind the gauge and diameter of the septum piercing jewelry and always keep it clean.
If you need assistance in measuring the gauge and diameter, you can always go to your trusted piercer to measure for you. So, what are you waiting for? Jump on board and give yourself an edgy persona.
Did this article answer your questions about septum piercing? Share your thoughts below in the comments section. If you are wearing one right now, let us know your recommendations as well.
