I don't know if there is any piercing out there more unique and interesting than the Septril. A unicorn amongst unicorns, these are one of the most unique nose piercings a person can get, and they also happen to be one of my personal favorite piercings. Leaving viewers stumped wondering….how does that work? How is that in your nose? These optical illusions of na piercing rely on years of dedication and commitment from clients before they can be done. Today, let’s take closer look at the Septril!
….But how does it work?
A septril is a unique piercing that passes through the channel of a stretched septum, to the outside of the nose. This piercing only works when someone has a large enough stretched septum to support the piercing.
Many folks see septril piercings and assume they are surface anchors, however, that is not the case. The nose would actually be a pretty terrible place for a surface anchor. I truly can’t wrap my mind around trying to install an anchor in cartilage like that (anchors do best in fatty tissue and low movement areas, so….not a nose), and anchors are inherently long-term temporary so would not last forever. As cool as it would be to be able to make it happen with an anchor, it’s simply not viable. This means that the prerequisite to having a septril is a large stretched septum. And it is exactly this facet that makes a septril so dang impressive. Septum stretching is a slow, sometimes fairly spicy process. It’s a long-term commitment to have a septum stretched large enough to support a septril, and that commitment is very impressive.
Anatomy
Like most piercings, septrils are anatomy dependent. However, anatomy for these comes down to two main components- the stretched septum, and the structure of the nose itself.
When we are doing a septril, the existing septum needs to be large enough to support a septril. I generally suggest being at a 2g or 0g in your septum minimum. There are a few reasons for this. The first is shrinkage. When a septril is initially pierced and healing you are unable to wear jewelry in your stretched septum, as the pressure from jewelry can cause migration and irritation for the septril. Because of this, it’s generally common to lose a little bit of size in your septum, anywhere from 1-3mm. So the initial septum needs to be large enough that even with the potential shrinkage, it will not close up so much that the backing of the septril could become embedded. At these sizes that also gives piercers more clearance for working, allowing us an easier time ensuring this turns out perfect for you.
The second anatomy factor is where along your nose the final placement of the septril ends up being. This is largely determined on where there is room inside the channel of your stretched septum, where the tissue is most suitable for piercing, and where it will lay the flattest. While you may have a preference of a placement higher on your nose, or lower, it’s really going to depend on your anatomy. A reputable piercer will do a thorough assessment, and discuss the pros and cons of different placements, and be honest with you if your desired placement for this is not the best option for your anatomy.
Jewelry Considerations
With septril piercings, there are two layers of jewelry considerations. The jewelry you wear in your actual septril, and the jewelry you wear in your septum! For the septril, labrets are definitely going to be the most ideal style of jewelry to wear. I actually can’t fathom trying to wear say a nostril screw or an Lbend in this. Please stick with labrets. I personally like to do these at a minimum off a 16g for stability and to prevent migration. While septrils are not likely to reject, the pressure from jewelry in your septum can cause them to want to favor one side or another, or shift in placement, so slightly thicker jewelry- 16g or 14g, tends to minimize this. A very good fit on your jewelry is important, and I find these often get multiple rounds of downsizing, wearing something fairly small once healed.
Like mentioned, initially for the septum you’ll wanna leave it with no jewelry. Typically after the first or second downsize you can see about reinsuring jewelry, although do so with care. Too soon, and the pressure from the jewelry can cause that migration or irritation to the septril. Most folks will loose some size so will be wearing something a little smaller than they were at. Lightweight jewelry seems to be the most comfortable, things like glass or Delrin pinchers or plugs. Some folks opt for silicone eyelets, although do be careful with them near the fresh septril. Silicone can sometimes trap moisture and cause some irritations. While I’ve had clients wear them with no issues, I always warn folks to be extra careful with them and do so at your own risk. Larger metal pieces can be worn, like your favorite oversized circular barbell or captive, but some folks report that the weight of those large pieces can be uncomfortable, or cause the disc of the septril to dig into the nose in an unpleasant way.
A lot of this is going to be an individual preference. Some peoples noses will be fine with silicone, others may have issues. Some might wear a giant CBR after just fine, and someone else might find it’s uncomfortable. You may have to experiment with different pieces and styles and see what is most comfortable for you. Go into this prepared to possibly need to buy a variety of new pieces in different sizes till you find your perfect fit that is safe for both your septum and your septril.
Healing Considerations
Healing a septril is equal parts an easy process and a frustrating process. The easy part is- these generally heal just like a regular nostril. They aren’t difficult healers like high nostrils or particularly prone to irritation and issues. Like traditional nostrils they can get easily irritated of caught or snagged, so being gentle with them is important. Keeping them clean can be a bit tricky as getting into the stretched septum channel to remove debris (or boogers) can be a process. However, anyone who has a septum large enough to get a septril is usually also a pro at booger picking, so usually manages just fine.
The part of the process that is frustrating is the balance of things with the septum. Most folks have committed years and years to stretching their septum large enough to get a septril, and the concept of losing size can be stressful. Many people want to put something back in their septum as soon as it’s safe to do so. But, as I mentioned, pressure from jewelry in the septum can sometimes cause irritation, and depending on the material and style of jewelry can come with its own issues. Folks have to walk a fine line between wearing jewelry to preserve their septum and managing any irritations and issues that may create for the healing septril. In my experience no two noses are alike, and I’ve seen folks all have wildly different healing experiences from wearing jewelry after just two weeks and being totally fine to getting irritation and bumps when reinserting jewelry after 6 months. You’ll need to really listen to your body, pay attention to your piercings, and work with your piercer to determine the safest timeline and products for your nose.
Re-Stretching
A big question with septrils is….can I stretch back up? What about the size I lost during healing? And the good news is yes, after having a septril you can still stretch your septum again! But the process may look a little different, You’ll want to wait till the septril is very well healed and established (I would suggest 1 year old) before stretching. You’ll want to go slow, and consider using .5mm increment pieces so each stretch puts less pressure on the piercing. You may need to experiment with what styles of jewelry are most comfortable with the septril, and what materials are the least irritating. And of course, throughout the process, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the septril to ensure there's no irritation or issues from the stretching. Septim stretching is already a process of patience best done slowly, but especially once you have a septril it’s important to really listen to your body and take your time.
What About Stacks?
Another common question I hear from folks considering a septril is what about with stacking? If I’m stretching via stacking can I get a septril? And the answer is no*.
The no part- septum stacking creates a narrow, elongated shape in the nose similar to a coin slot which allows the rings in the stack to lay neatly in alignment with each other. This is very different than stretching with a solid piece which creates a large round channel in the nose. Septum stacks are very narrow spaces and the backing of jewelry for a septril would have a limited amount of space. It would also be difficult for us as piercers to maneuver tools in the nose to correctly execute this piercing.
*- I can however theorize how I would approach trying to pull off a septril with a stack. It would necessitate someone with very specific and perfect anatomy for this, possibly a bit of extra stretching first before we could go for the septril, and for sure would be something I consider experimental. I would have no guarantees of it healing or healing well, and this would come with a lengthy informed consent conversation. But I can mentally envision how I might attempt to pull it off. So if any other intrepid piercers have tried to do a septril with a stack, and had it heal….let me know! And if someone wants to volunteer their nose to see if its possible….
Septrils are very cool and unique piercings that are only possible thanks to a lot of dedication on the part of clients committed to stretching their septum, and then trading some of that size to allow for these piercings to happen. They are some of the coolest, most unique piercings around and I will never get tired of seeing them or doing them! If you are considering a septril, go for it!