A septum piercing involves puncturing the thin, fleshy area known as the “sweet spot” or columella, located between the nostrils. While popular, a common concern is crookedness. This article explores the reasons behind a crooked septum piercing and outlines steps for both self-assessment and professional correction.
Why Septum Piercings Appear Crooked
A septum piercing might appear crooked for several reasons, often stemming from the initial piercing process. If the piercing needle was not inserted perfectly straight, even a slight deviation can become more noticeable once jewelry is in place, significantly impacting its final resting position.
Individual nasal anatomy also plays a role. Conditions such as a deviated septum, where the wall between the nasal passages is off-center, or naturally uneven cartilage can make it challenging to achieve a perfectly straight piercing. In such cases, a piercing that is technically straight through the “sweet spot” might still appear crooked relative to the overall nose structure.
Temporary factors, like swelling during the healing period, can also cause a piercing to look asymmetrical. Swelling can shift the jewelry, creating the illusion of crookedness that often resolves as the swelling subsides over several weeks. The type and weight of the jewelry can further influence how the piercing sits; heavy rings or ill-fitting retainers might pull the piercing off-center, contributing to an uneven appearance.
In some instances, the body’s natural processes, such as migration or rejection, can cause the piercing channel to shift over time. Migration involves the piercing moving from its original placement, while rejection means the body is pushing the jewelry out entirely. Both can result in an altered, potentially crooked, alignment.
Initial Steps and Self-Assessment
If you suspect your septum piercing is crooked, a careful visual assessment is the first step. Examine your piercing from various angles, using a mirror or even taking photos, to determine if the crookedness is consistent or only apparent from certain viewpoints. It is helpful to distinguish between temporary swelling, which can make a new piercing look off-center, and a truly misaligned piercing channel.
Patience during the healing process is important, as initial swelling can distort the appearance of the piercing. Septum piercings typically undergo initial healing in about two to three months, but full healing can take anywhere from four to eight months. Waiting for this period to pass allows the tissue to settle and can reveal the true alignment of the piercing.
Checking your jewelry can also provide insights. Sometimes, the jewelry itself may be uneven or a particular style might not sit optimally within your anatomy. While it is generally advised against changing jewelry too early in the healing process, a professional piercer can assess if a different size or style might improve the aesthetic. For well-healed piercings with minimal crookedness, very gentle, minor manual adjustments might be attempted. This involves slowly and gently rotating the jewelry in the desired direction, but it is not a guaranteed fix and can cause irritation if not done correctly.
When to Consult a Professional
If self-correction efforts are insufficient or inadvisable, professional intervention is necessary. If the piercing remains noticeably crooked after the initial swelling has subsided and any gentle self-adjustments have proven ineffective, it indicates a need for expert assessment. Persistent crookedness suggests the issue may be beyond simple adjustments.
Significant angle deviation, where the piercing is severely off-center or positioned at an uncomfortable angle, warrants immediate professional attention. This level of misalignment can sometimes indicate improper initial placement that requires more than minor adjustments.
Furthermore, any signs of irritation, discomfort, pain, excessive swelling beyond the initial healing phase, or suspected infection demand prompt professional evaluation. These symptoms can exacerbate crookedness or signal a more serious underlying problem that a piercer or medical professional can address.
If you feel uncertain about how to proceed with self-correction or are uncomfortable attempting any adjustments yourself, consulting a professional piercer is a sensible choice. For individuals aiming for a perfectly straight piercing where even minor crookedness is aesthetically unacceptable, a professional piercer can provide the most precise solutions.
Professional Correction Methods
A professional piercer will thoroughly assess your crooked septum piercing. They will examine the piercing’s placement, the surrounding tissue, and your individual nasal anatomy to determine the most effective course of action. This evaluation helps identify the root cause of the crookedness, whether it is due to initial piercing angle, anatomical factors, or other issues.
Sometimes, the appearance of crookedness can be improved by simply adjusting or changing the jewelry. A piercer might recommend a different size, style, or weight of jewelry that sits better within your unique anatomy, potentially making the piercing appear straighter. For example, a circular barbell or horseshoe can sometimes be manipulated to sit more evenly.
In very specific and minor cases of slight crookedness, a piercer might suggest carefully stretching the piercing to a slightly larger gauge. This can sometimes allow the jewelry to sit straighter within the enlarged channel. However, this method is typically reserved for minimal deviations and requires a fully healed piercing, as stretching an unhealed or significantly crooked piercing can cause complications.
For significantly crooked piercings, or those with improper placement, the most common and effective solution is removal and repiercing. This process involves taking out the existing jewelry, allowing the piercing channel to heal completely, which can take several months, and then repiercing in the correct spot. Allowing the tissue to fully recover before a new piercing is crucial for optimal healing and straight placement. A skilled piercer can also offer advice if anatomical limitations, such as a prominent deviated septum, make a perfectly straight piercing difficult or impossible for an individual.