How to Hide a Septum Piercing

Co-authored by David Wilkins

Last Updated: March 10, 2023

A septum piercing goes through the tip of your nose between the nostrils. Septum piercings look great but aren’t always appropriate for school, work, or when a visiting conservative grandparent. You shouldn’t remove your new septum piercing for at least 6-8 weeks, but you can make it look more discreet and avoid it getting inflamed during this time. Once you’ve had your piercing for a few months you will be able to wear a retainer ring which you can flip back into your nose to hide the piercing.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Hiding a Newly-Pierced Septum

1
Choose the thinnest and most discreet piercing ring. The lowest width of a septum piercing ring is usually a 16 grams (0.56 oz) ring. Choosing the smallest size will help make the ring look less obvious.^{[1]
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- Avoid rings with diamonds or stones because they will stand out when light reflects on them.
2
Keep your septum piercing in for at least 6-8 weeks. Removing your piercing before it has healed is a bad idea as it increases the likelihood of the piercing getting infected or closing over. A bruised or swollen nose will catch people's attention and also slow the healing process.^{[2]
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- Once you remove the ring you will find it hard to get it back in as the wound will be painful.
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3
Cover the piercing with a small piece of skin-colored tape. This will not hide the fact that you have a piercing but will cover the area temporarily. This can be useful in work and sporting situations.^{[3]
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- Sports tape or fabric plasters both work well when trimmed down to an appropriate size.
- You will need to remove the tape each day in order to clean the piercing.
4
Clean your piercing each day with saline solution. Gently squirt saline solution around both sides of the piercing each day. Rinse the area with water afterward to stop the salt from drying out your skin.^{[4]
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- Avoid moving the piercing too much while cleaning it as this can cause irritation.
- Looking after your piercing well will allow you to hide it much more effectively in the long run. The area will become very noticeable if it gets infected and swollen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Concealing a Septum Piercing Using a Retainer

1
Purchase a septum retainer after 6-8 weeks. A retainer is a septum ring that you can flip inside your nose when you want to hide it. It will keep the piercing hole open while making it less obvious that you have a piercing. There are many different styles of septum retainer, many of which are inexpensive.
2
Choose a ring that is the same width as your current jewelry. You can purchase a retainer online or at a jewelry store.^{[5]
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Research source} If it is your first time buying a septum retainer it is best to go into a store to look at retainers. This will help you decide which size and style will look best on your nose.
- It is important to wait the recommended time before using a retainer. This will decrease the chances of your piercing getting infected.
3
Insert the retainer in the same way you would put in a regular septum ring. Use a mirror to help you find the hole inside your nose. Remove any stoppers from the jewelry and bring the piercing up to your nose. Slowly guide the retainer through the hole and re-attach any stoppers to the end of the jewelry.
- If it is hurting, stop pushing and try slightly change the angle of the jewelry.^{[6]
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- Always wash your hands before changing your piercings.
4
Turn the ring to conceal it inside your nostrils. Pull down the skin between your mouth and nose, then gently push the balls of the retainer up and back until the retainer is hidden in your nose. If you are having trouble pushing it back, try again with a smaller sized retainer.
- This gets easier the longer you have had the piercing as the swelling in your nose will decrease.^{[7]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I wear a retainer on my septum straight away or do I have to wait?

Tara Burke

Top Answerer

It will probably be different with each piercing artist, so you should consult the parlor prior to coming in. I expect you would be able to - but don't worry if not, as horse shoe septum piercings are very easy to hide
Question

I just pierced mine by myself. Can I use a retainer one so my mom doesn't pull it out?

Catcatcat

Community Answer

Sadly, no. You will need to let it stay in there for 6 to 8 weeks. If your mum is going to pull it out, then tell her not to or you will experience healing problems.