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SEPTUM

The septum piercing is made through the thin layer of tissue between the alar cartilage (outer) and the quadrangular cartilage (separating the nostrils). This space of tissue is usually largest towards the tip of the nose. The jewelry should be no thicker than what the space can comfortably accomodate. Jewelry that is too thick can painfully pinch the cartilage. If the space is small but the wearer desires a thicker gauge, the piercing should be performed at a thinner gauge and later stretched. Septum piercings are easily stretched after healing.

If the piercee anticipates wearing spikes and tusks the piercing should be made low enough to allow the jewelry to fit comfortably below the nostrils.

Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings, bead rings, circular barbells, in 18 to 10 gauge, 3/8» to 5/8» inside diameter. U-shaped septum retainers are available for those who need to hide the piercing. Rings are easier than retainers to clean during healing. To prevent losing the retainer the shanks should be at least 5/16» long and adjusted so that the retainer is snug when flipped up and down.

If the wearer must hide the piercing occassionally an option to buying two pieces of jewelry (ring and retainer) is to wear a small circular barbell with the gap between the balls expanded so that the ring may be flipped up into the nose. Wearing a circular barbell as a retainer is limited by the size of the nose.