When to Choose a Septum Clicker Instead of a Circular Barbell

Learn why septum piercings appeal to so many. Then understand the best jewelry to choose based on aesthetics, ease of use, and convenience.

Septum piercings enable you to make a bold statement through the use of body art. This modification involves creating a hole in the thin strip of skin in the center of the nose. To make the most of your new piercing, it’s a great idea to understand the two main types of jewelry that are typically used, enabling you to come to the best decision that meets your needs, goals, and preferences.

The two types of septum jewelry explained

For this piercing, jewelry generally comes in two distinct styles: circular barbells (horseshoe), and septum clickers. These differ in several significant ways.

Let’s start with the closure mechanism. For clickers, the hinged segment snaps audibly into place, resulting in enhanced security. By contrast, circular barbells remain affixed thanks to removable threaded or threadless end beads.

Visually speaking, septum clickers provide a sleek, continuous appearance. A minimalist ring or a more ornate design can function as the centerpiece of your entire face with this style. On the other hand, a circular barbell offers a classic horseshoe shape that allows you to show off stunning end beads.

For any jewelry, practical considerations are also important. If you want to be able to insert and remove your septum ring easily and quickly, a clicker is the clear winner because it snaps open and shut with one simple hand movement. On the other hand, circular barbells close by means of twisting small beads in a relatively limited physical area, a process that can be frustrating, tedious, and even painful.

Visibility is another important factor. There may be times when you choose not to show your septum ring to the world. While a septum clicker cannot be discreetly flipped up inside the nose due to its construction, a circular barbell can.

Finally, the jewelry you select is dependent on the healing stage of your piercing. Because the seams and hinges of a septum clicker can irritate a new piercing, you should only use it after total healing has occurred. Alternatively, the smooth, seamless construction of the circular barbell makes it ideal during the crucial initial stages of your septum piercing.

When to choose a septum clicker

Of course, there are situations when a circular barbell is preferable. This jewelry type works best for new or healing piercings or if you need to hide your piercing for any reason. With its diverse choice of ends and ability to adjust the size, circular barbells offer extended customization that clickers don’t provide.

However, there definitely are times when septum clickers are the best choice by far. For a piercing that has totally healed (usually in three to five months), clickers give you a way to flaunt your individuality. Show your style with all sorts of embellishments, including gemstones, stacks, and complex geometric patterns.

If minimalism is more appealing to you, clickers will give you the smooth, continuous look of a hoop without any exposed beads. At the same time, you will not need to go through the ordeal of twisting and adjusting that is so common with circular barbells. This is especially appealing if you like changing your jewelry on a regular basis.

Piercing your septum lets you put your identity and edgy preferences right out there for the world to see. Now that you know the right jewelry to select, you can enhance and customize your personal statement even further.

PHOTO CRED: Mert Coskun, Alejandro Peralta, Daigoro Folz, Andres Balanta, Gisele Seidel, Kenneth Surillo