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Keep your septum piercing healthy and clean with our care guide
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Cleaning and taking good care of a septum piercing speeds up your recovery and fights off the risk of infections, so it’s important to do it properly. Fortunately, cleaning a septum piercing is as easy as soaking it in saline solution a few times per day while it heals over the first 2–3 months. Keep reading, and we’ll cover everything you need to know and what to do in case you notice any signs of irritation.
Things You Should Know
- Use saline solution to clean your septum piercing. You can make your own by mixing sea salt and warm distilled water.
- Dip your septum piercing in the saline solution for 10–15 minutes. Alternatively, wet a cotton ball and hold it against your piercing.
- Clean your septum piercing 2–4 times every day while your piercing heals, which takes around 2–3 months.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Cleaning Your Septum Piercing with Saline
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Make a sterile saline solution with sea salt and clean water. Fill a glass with about 8 fluid ounces (240 ml) of warm bottled or distilled water. Add around â…›–¼ teaspoon (0.75–1.42 g) of iodine-free sea salt . Stir the solution together with a spoon until the salt completely dissolves. [1] X Research source
- Avoid mixing more salt into the water because the solution can irritate your piercing if it’s too concentrated.
- Alternatively, use a premixed saline solution if you don’t want to mix your own at home.
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Dip your nose in the solution to soak the piercing for 10–15 minutes. Fill a glass or mug with your saline solution and hold it up to your nose. Gently stick the tip of your nose into the solution so your piercing is submerged. Let it soak for about 10–15 minutes to help sanitize your piercing and break apart any crusty buildup that formed. [2] X Research source
- If it’s uncomfortable to hold the tip of your nose in the solution, soak a cotton ball in the saline solution and hold it tightly against your piercing for 10 minutes
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Break apart crust on your septum piercing with a Q-tip. It’s normal for your piercing to form crusty residue for the first 2–3 weeks after your piercing. Once you soak your piercing, dip the end of a Q-tip or cotton swab into the saline solution. Gently rub the swab against any crust forming around your piercing to loosen it and break it apart. [3] X Expert Source Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist [v161168_b01] 29 October 2019. -
Rinse your piercing and dry it with paper towels. Wet a paper towel with bottled or distilled water, then gently dab the paper towel around your piercing to rinse off the saline. Then, use a new paper towel to pat the area dry. [6] X Research source
- Leaving saline solution on your nose could dry your skin out and cause more irritation around your piercing.
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Soak your piercing 2–4 times a day. At the very least, try to do one saline solution soak in the morning and another in the evening before you go to bed. If you have a little extra time during the late morning or early afternoon, do a shorter soak to keep your septum piercing clean and sterilized. [7] X Research source
- Do not soak your piercing more than 4 times a day because this can dry out your septum and increase the healing time.
- Do some of your daily cleaning in the shower by cupping water in your hands, dipping in the tip of your nose, and then blowing bubbles. Just make sure to clean with a saline solution a couple of times during the day too. [8]
X
Expert Source
Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist [v161168_b01] 29 October 2019.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI want to get a septum piercing, but I will have to remove it during the day for my job. Will this affect the healing process?Community AnswerYou can't take the jewelry out while it's healing, as it will close and you won't be able to get it back in. Tell your piercer you need to hide it for work and they will give you a horseshoe-shaped piece of jewelry that they can flip up and hide. You will need to keep it in for the duration of the healing process.
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QuestionCan I go to the pool on the first day of a piercing?Community AnswerIt's not recommended because of the germs in the pool, and the chlorine can irritate the piercing. You should wait until it's fully healed, about six weeks.
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QuestionCan I use Dove soap to clean my septum piercing?Community AnswerBecause of the fragrance in most Dove soaps, it is not recommended (unless you use the fragrance-free sensitive skin one). Dial brand antibacterial soap is what's generally recommended with most piercings.
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Tips
- Always keep a piece of jewelry in your septum piercing because the hole can shrink or close within hours without one. [22] X Research sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Don't wear junk jewelry. I've found that the plating wears off fast and turns your nose green. Plus, it's super irritating to the piercing. Stick to gold and implant grade titanium—Anatometal, BVLA, and Maria Tash are some of my favorite brands!
- Only wear implant grade jewelry to avoid irritation. Titanium is best, but implant grade steel is okay too.
- Don't use lavender oil or hydrogen peroxide to clean your piercing—it can be irritating!
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References
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Nk4_WKCyR6o?t=242
- ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview 29 October 2019.
- ↑ https://gurkhatattoofamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/7-Septum-Piercing-After-care.pdf
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://atomictattoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Piercing-Aftercare.pdf
- ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview 29 October 2019.
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/septum-piercing-healing-times/
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview 29 October 2019.
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://atomictattoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Piercing-Aftercare.pdf
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-often-should-you-wash-your-bed-sheets/
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/septum-piercing-healing-times/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/infected-nose-piercing/
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/septum-piercing-infection/
- ↑ https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/piercingcare.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To clean a new septum piercing, do a sea salt soak at least 3 times a day for the first month. Dissolve about ¼ teaspoon (1.4 g) of sea salt in 8 ounces (30 mL) of warm water. Dip your nose into the solution and keep it there for 5-10 minutes. If that’s too uncomfortable, soak a cotton ball in the sea salt solution and hold that against your piercing instead. When you’re done, gently clean any crust away from the piercing with a cotton swab dampened with the sea salt soak. Don’t touch the piercing any more than necessary and use mild skin care products on your face to minimize irritation. Avoid swimming until the piercing is fully healed. If you notice signs of an infection, such as pain, pus, or worsening redness or swelling around the piercing, see your doctor. For more tips, including how to recognize a septum infection and treat it, read on!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 677,461 times.
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