A septum piercing is made through the soft, flexible strip of tissue just behind the tip of the nose, often called the “sweet spot,” rather than the hard cartilage. This location makes it a common piercing, but like any fresh body modification, it creates an open channel requiring careful attention during healing. A frequent concern is determining when it is safe to return to water activities, especially swimming, due to the risks of irritation and infection. Healing involves forming a protective layer of skin around the jewelry.
The Critical Waiting Period
The most important rule for a new septum piercing is to avoid submerging it in any body of water until the initial healing phase is complete. This initial period, when the piercing channel is essentially an open wound, typically lasts for a minimum of six to eight weeks. During this time, the tissue is highly susceptible to foreign contaminants, which can delay healing or cause severe infection.
Submerging the piercing allows waterborne microbes and chemicals to enter the vulnerable tissue. While some piercings may feel healed on the surface sooner, the internal channel is still forming and requires patience. The strict prohibition on swimming applies to the first few weeks of healing. Always consult your professional piercer for an individualized timeline, as healing varies significantly.
Understanding Contamination Risks
The waiting period is necessary because water sources, even those that seem clean, harbor various irritants and pathogens that pose a threat to a healing piercing. Swimming pools and hot tubs contain high concentrations of chemical sanitizers, such as chlorine, which can aggressively dry out the delicate healing tissue. This chemical irritation can cause redness and swelling, significantly prolonging the healing time.
Hot tubs present an even greater risk because the elevated water temperatures promote the rapid growth of bacteria, even in treated water. The warm, circulating water can harbor bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is notorious for causing infections. Introducing a fresh piercing to this environment provides a direct entry point for opportunistic pathogens.
Natural bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and the ocean, contain unpredictable levels of contaminants, bacteria, and parasites. While the ocean’s salt content might appear beneficial, it is not a sterile or reliable cleaning agent for a fresh wound. The water can carry pollution and microorganisms that cause serious piercing infections, making them a high-risk environment for any unhealed body modification.
Post-Swim Aftercare
Once the initial healing period is over and your piercer has confirmed it is safe to swim, mitigation and cleaning protocols become the focus. Even a fully healed septum piercing can become irritated by residual chemicals or bacteria after water exposure. The first step after leaving the water should be to thoroughly rinse the piercing with clean, fresh water to wash away any lingering chlorine, salt, or debris.
Following the rinse, immediately clean the area using a sterile saline solution to flush the piercing channel and maintain a clean environment. This step minimizes the time the piercing is exposed to residual irritants or potentially harmful microorganisms picked up during swimming. Performing this aftercare routine promptly helps ensure the integrity of the healed piercing is maintained and reduces the chance of irritation or secondary infection.