Septum Piercing Near The Dalles OR OR: Walk-Ins Welcome, Est. 1974
Septum Piercing Near The Dalles OR: Why Multnomah Body Piercing is Your Best Choice
If you're searching for a septum piercing near The Dalles OR, you've found the right destination. Located just 90 minutes west in Portland, Multnomah Body Piercing has been Oregon's trusted piercing family since 1974—nearly 50 years of expertise, safety standards, and artistic excellence. Whether you're a first-time piercer or adding to an existing collection, our professional team welcomes walk-ins and handles septum piercings with precision and care.
A septum piercing—the piercing through the nasal septum, that small strip of cartilage between your nostrils—has become increasingly popular over the past decade. According to piercing industry data, septum piercings rank among the top five most requested facial piercings in the United States, with approximately 35% of piercing clients requesting one at some point. The appeal is clear: it's a bold statement piece that's still relatively professional when needed, and it heals faster than many other piercings.
Understanding the Septum Piercing Process and Healing Timeline
Before scheduling your appointment at Multnomah Body Piercing, it's important to understand what the septum piercing process involves. During the procedure, a professional piercer uses a hollow needle—typically 16 or 14 gauge—to create the opening through your nasal septum. The entire process takes about 30 seconds to one minute, though the preparation and jewelry selection can take longer.
The initial healing process typically takes 6 to 8 weeks for a septum piercing, though complete internal healing can extend to 3-4 months. During the first two weeks, you may experience:
- Mild swelling and tenderness
- Clear or slightly bloody discharge
- Minor discomfort when touching or bumping the area
- Occasional light bleeding during healing
Pain levels for septum piercings vary by individual, but most clients rate the experience as a quick pinch rather than severe pain. The piercing itself is less painful than many believe because the actual septum septum—where the needle passes through—has fewer nerve endings than the surrounding cartilage.
Aftercare Requirements for Optimal Healing
Proper aftercare is crucial for preventing infection and complications. Our team at Multnomah Body Piercing provides detailed aftercare instructions with every piercing. The standard protocol includes:
- Saline solution rinses 2-3 times daily
- Avoiding touching or playing with the piercing
- Skipping oral contact for the first 3-4 weeks
- Avoiding swimming and hot tubs during the first two weeks
- Sleeping on your back to prevent pressure on the piercing
- Using unscented, non-iodized sea salt for cleaning
Approximately 10-15% of septum piercings experience minor complications like keloids or irritation bumps, most often due to inadequate aftercare or unsuitable jewelry materials. That's why choosing an experienced piercer is essential.
Jewelry Selection for Your Septum Piercing Near The Dalles OR
One of the advantages of visiting Multnomah Body Piercing for your septum piercing is our extensive jewelry selection. Your initial jewelry will typically be a surgical steel, titanium, or gold retainer that allows your piercing to remain discreet if needed—a major advantage of the septum location.
Standard gauge sizes for septum piercings are 16G (1.2mm) or 14G (1.6mm), with 16G being more common for initial piercings. Once healed, you can stretch to larger gauges if desired. Popular jewelry styles include:
- Clickers with intricate designs
- Seamless rings and continuous nose rings
- Horseshoe rings for a subtle look
- Hinged segment rings for easy insertion
- Retainers for concealing the piercing when needed
Quality materials matter significantly. Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) is hypoallergenic and ideal for healing piercings. Surgical steel (316LVM) is also acceptable if it's medical-grade. Avoid plated jewelry during healing, as the plating can wear off and irritate your fresh piercing.
Why Experience Matters: 50 Years of Portland Piercing Excellence
Since 1974, Multnomah Body Piercing has maintained an impeccable reputation as Oregon's Original Piercing Family. This isn't just marketing speak—it represents five decades of refinement, safety protocols, and genuine expertise. Our piercers have performed tens of thousands of successful piercings, including countless septum piercings.
The piercing industry has evolved dramatically since 1974. Modern safety standards, sterilization requirements, and professional education have transformed body piercing from street-level work to a legitimate medical-adjacent profession. At Multnomah, we've evolved with industry best practices:
- Autoclave sterilization of all reusable equipment
- Single-use, sterile needles for every piercing
- Professional training and certification of all piercers
- Comprehensive health screening before procedures
- Written aftercare protocols for every client
According to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), infection rates at professional studios should be below 5%, while DIY and amateur piercing carries infection rates exceeding 30%. When you choose a professional piercer, you're investing in your health.
Walk-Ins Welcome: Your Septum Piercing Appointment
Finding time for a piercing appointment shouldn't be complicated. That's why Multnomah Body Piercing welcomes walk-ins, making it convenient for residents of The Dalles and surrounding areas. While appointments can be scheduled in advance, our first-come, first-served walk-in policy means you can visit us when it works for your schedule.
When you arrive for your septum piercing near The Dalles OR, expect to spend 15-30 minutes total. This includes consultation, jewelry selection, marking the exact piercing location, and the procedure itself. Our team will answer all your questions and ensure you feel comfortable before the needle comes out.
Located in Portland, just 90 minutes from The Dalles, we're easily accessible via I-84 East. Many clients from The Dalles, Hood River, and surrounding communities make the drive for our reputation and expertise.
Cost and Value of Professional Septum Piercing
A professional septum piercing at Multnomah Body Piercing typically ranges from $40-80 for the piercing service, with jewelry costs varying from $20-150 depending on material and design. While this might seem like more than mall piercing kiosks, the difference in quality, safety, and aftercare support is substantial.
Consider the investment: a professional piercing with quality jewelry from an experienced piercer comes with proper sterilization, jewelry that won't irritate your healing piercing, and expert aftercare guidance. Complications from inexperienced piercers can cost hundreds or thousands in medical care. The value proposition is clear.
Ready for your septum piercing? Visit Multnomah Body Piercing in Portland today. Walk-ins welcome, or call ahead to schedule. We're Oregon's Original Piercing Family since 1974, and we're ready to add another beautiful piercing to your collection. Whether you're from The Dalles, Hood River, or anywhere in Oregon, we're your trusted choice for professional, safe, and artistic body piercing.
Frequently Asked Questions
septum piercing near the dalles oregon
Multnomah Body Piercing, established in 1974, offers professional septum piercing services and welcomes walk-in clients near The Dalles, OR. With decades of experience, their skilled piercers ensure safe and quality septum piercings using sterile equipment and proper techniques.
do you do walk ins for septum piercing
Yes, Multnomah Body Piercing welcomes walk-ins for septum piercings and other body piercing services. As a long-established shop since 1974, they're equipped to handle walk-in clients efficiently while maintaining their high standards of safety and professionalism.
how much does a septum piercing cost
Pricing for septum piercings at Multnomah Body Piercing varies based on jewelry selection and specific services, so it's best to call or visit in person for current rates. Their experienced piercers can discuss options and costs when you arrive as a walk-in or scheduled appointment.
is septum piercing painful how bad does it hurt
Septum piercing discomfort is typically brief and mild since the piercer targets the thin tissue between the nostrils rather than cartilage. Multnomah Body Piercing's experienced piercers, with over 50 years of combined shop history, use proper techniques to minimize pain during the procedure.
how long does septum piercing take to heal
Septum piercings typically take 6-8 weeks to heal initially, though complete healing can take several months. Multnomah Body Piercing provides aftercare instructions with each piercing to ensure proper healing and reduce complications.
what jewelry should i get for septum piercing
For a fresh septum piercing, titanium or surgical steel is recommended as it's hypoallergenic and biocompatible. Multnomah Body Piercing offers a variety of quality jewelry options and can help you choose the right gauge and style during your visit.