
Septum Stretching 101, How to Size Up Safely & Stylishly
Septum piercing is an exciting journey with never-ending stylish statements. Unlike classic nose piercing that goes on the side, a septum piercing is bolder and rather unique. When a septum is done and looks absolutely stunning, some people go for size-up to make it more unique, and this is where septum stretching comes in.
So, let's talk about how to stretch the septum safely and look for mistakes that can create complications.
Can You Stretch a Septum Piercing?
Yes, you can stretch your septum piercing jewellery, even at home, by yourself, but most of the time, it is not recommended due to mishandling the needles and less information on anatomy.
However, the septum is made up of soft tissues that give a little more margin to DIY than cartilage piercings. When you are going to increase your septum size, you need to have patience and care to do it safely without causing any harm.
How Long Should You Wait Before Stretching?
The main point for a sale septum stretching is to give your piercing enough time to heal. Each size up requires some time to shift it to bigger sizes.
If you've recently gotten your nose pierced, wait at least 3–6 months before attempting any stretching. Your septum should be fully healed, free from irritation, and not tender before you start increasing the size. Stretching too soon can cause tears, irritation, or even a blowout (where skin pushes out unnaturally).
How to Stretch Your Septum the Right Way
Choose the Right Jewellery
Septum piercing jewellery plays a cruicial role when we talk about septum stretching. You can't do it without the right size and premium quality piercing jewellery. So try to be concerned about what you buy and go for internally threaded smooth piercing. You can experiment with titanium septum piercings and surgical steel rings for bigger sizes.
Cheap metals mostly cause irritation that delays the healing process or sometimes causes piercing jewellery rejection. For beginners, it is advised to go with single-flare plugs and tapered retainers. This is the best choice as it allows a smooth transition.
Clickers and horseshoe rings may not be the best at first, as they can put uneven pressure on the stretched area.
Increase Size Gradually
The golden rule of septum stretching is slow and steady wins the race. You should only go up one size at a time, waiting at least 6–8 weeks between each stretch. Jumping sizes too quickly can cause painful tears and long-term damage.
The typical stretching process follows this sizing order:
- Standard septum piercing: 16G (1.2mm) or 14G (1.6mm)
- First stretch: 12G (2mm)
- Next step: 10G (2.4mm)
- Slowly moving up to 8G (3.2mm), 6G (4mm), and beyond
Once you hit 4G (5mm) or larger, stretches will take even longer as the skin needs more time to adjust.
Use Lubrication & Tapers
You don't want to make your piercing scratchy by not applying lubricant. Even using tapers is a key thing.
Always apply a gentle lubricant (like jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, or a piercing-safe balm) before stretching to reduce friction and irritation.
Slowly push the taper through your nose piercing, following it with your new jewellery. If you experience sharp pain or resistance, stop immediately and wait a few more weeks before trying again.
What If You Feel Pain?
Pain like less pressure or a slight sensation is normal; you will feel some pain, but it should not linger on. Stretching should never be extremely painful. If you feel a sharp, stinging sensation, your body is telling you to stop. Overstretching can cause:
- Tearing leads to scar tissue that makes future stretching difficult.
- Infections occur if bacteria enter an irritated piercing.
- Blowouts, where the skin inside your septum piercing is pushed outward in a painful ring.
If you suspect you've stretched too fast, downsize to a smaller size and let your piercing rest for a few weeks before trying again.
How Big Can You Stretch a Septum Piercing?
Most people comfortably stretch to 6G (4mm) or 4G (5mm), but some go even larger. Beyond 2G (6mm), the stretching process becomes much slower. Some enthusiasts stretch their septum piercings to 0G (8mm) or even 00G (10mm), but this requires years of slow and careful stretching.
If you're unsure, test a size for a few months before moving up further. The larger the stretch, the harder it is to go back to a smaller size later on.
Stylish Jewellery for Stretched Septums
One of the biggest perks of septum stretching is the amazing nose jewellery you can wear! Here are some stylish options:
- Thick septum clickers: To give a bold look to your nose and make a style statement. It will snap right into this agenda.
- Large seamless rings: Minimalist but eye-catching, large septum rings give that much-needed element.
- Tunnels & plugs: Perfect for showing off the stretched look, and yes, you can wear these pieces as septum by being a little creative.
- Stacked rings: Layer multiple thinner rings for a custom look. It will give you a customized look to talk about.
Whether you love gold, titanium, or even coloured glass, stretched septum jewellery lets you express your style like never before.
Yes, septum stretching is not for everyone, especially when you can not follow care instructions. If you love bold looks and unique piercings, it's an amazing way to personalize your premium nose piercing. Just remember: patience is key. Rushing the process can lead to complications, but taking your time will result in a comfortable, stylish, and well-healed stretched septum.