Nose Piercing Guide 101: Things You Should Know

Are you ready to have a needle inserted to a part of your nose? Nose piercing can be the coolest and the most bad ass piercing a person can have.

When we modify our body through piercing, we see this as a form of self-expression, or to abide or rebel to their culture. Ear piercing and nose piercing is the common body pierce.

It has been the body piercing with the richest and longest history. The first written record of nose piercing came from 4,000 years ago. It even has a Biblical entry in the book of Genesis. When Isaac gave her wife, Rebekah a nose ring. From there, it had been a practice for men to gift golden nose rings to their future wife.  People associate nose piercing primarily and prominently with the culture of the Indians and Southeast Asia. The practice was passed to Indians of Mughal Empire, where up to this date the practice is still observed.

In this modern day, nose pierce is mainstream in different regions of the world. However, there is still a number of people who are conservative of body piercing and did not observe the trend.

In this modern day, people have a lot of unanswered questions about nose piercings. Body piercings are permanent modifications, and you have to determine the important things of nose piercing to know whether you should have it or not.  We collated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and important information that a person needs to know before getting one.

What are the types of nose piercing?

The skin or the cartilage of the nose is the site for a nose piercing. The nostril piercing is the most common of the varieties of nose piercing. The practice of body piercing emphasizes the need to use safe body piercing materials. It is considered an invasive procedure as it poses risks and unanticipated physical injuries.

If you do not know, there are various type of nose piercings. It is your decision to mix or layer a combination of the nose piercings.  The most common type is the nostril piercing and septum piercing.

• Bridge piercing: This nose piercing is also known as the Earl piercing. You can locate the pierce across the bridge of the nose, right between the eyes. Bridge piercings are at risk for rejection. The body detects the piercing as a foreign object. If you wish to have this type of piercing, go to an expert piercer.
• Nasallang piercing: This piercing hits three location which requires long, straight barbell jewelry. The piercing goes from the outside of the nostril, through the septum, and through the opposite side of the nostril.
• Rhinoceros piercing: It also goes by the name vertical nose tip piercing. The piercing goes through behind the tip of the nose, or also known as the tip defining point.

    and, the most common type of nose piercing:

• Nostril piercing: This is the most commonly known of nose piercing. Nostril piercings are inserts on the right side, left side or both side of the nose. An unusual placement for nostril piercing is at the high part of the nostrils. It will require nose jewelry that is less than 20 grams.
• Septum piercing: Septum piercing or the sweet spot is placed through the soft tissue of the nose and at the bottom end of the septum. However, this can be difficult to achieve, if the piercing goes through the cartilage it can result in unbearable pain.

With all the types of nose piercings, we wonder which side is best for the piercing.

In the cultures of Western America, the placement of the nose piercings are insignificant. But, the people in India believe that women who pierce their left nostrils have an easier childbirth. Moreover, the piercing symbolizes social status and beauty.

However, if you do not practice these cultures, the piercing placement depends on your personal preference.

How painful are nose piercing?

As the pierce breaks through the skin, and without any doubt, it will hurt. As of the moment, what you will feel is just a pinch.

You will feel a dull and throbbing pain after the nose piercing is inserted. Some people think nose piercing is more hurtful than other body piercings.

Choose a nose jewelry that has a small ring diameter this can prevent introducing trauma to the piercing area. The process of nose piercing involves a needle, not like earlobe piercings that uses a piercing gun. Thus, the process is slow and painful.

If you have a low pain tolerance, you can take pain medications prescribed by your physician to address aches and swells after the nose piercing.

Most importantly, you have to choose a reputable and an experienced piercing artist to ensure you a less painful experience.

Go to the piercing studio relaxed, you will feel less pain. Do not panic if you see someone who gets a nose piercing with tears in their eyes. The nerve signals of the nose connect with the sinuses, thus making the eyes water when the nose detects irritation.

What type of jewelry piercing is best for nose piercing?

Most type of nose piercing uses nose rings, but there are nose piercings that require another type of jewelry piercing. Some of the use nose bones and nose screws, which are jewelry piercings that are not rings.

Nostril Piercings

• Nose Screws: It is a type of jewelry piercing that is designed like a short pin with a decorative top at the visible end. The other end of the jewelry is bent into a semi-circle, it can face to the right or left depending on which side of the nose. It is an advantage to use nose screws because it can be customized to perfectly fit on you, and it can be easily put in and take out. However, nose screws can spin around the nose which can make the bottom end of the nose screw to peek out. Thus, you really need a screw that fits just right.
• Nose Bones: A nose bone has a decorative top that connects to a short, straight post that has a ball at the bottom end. The ball has a wider diameter than the diameter of the post. It is an advantage to use nose bones than nose screws because it is easier to put in and take out. However, the ball at the bottom end needs to fit perfectly for you. If the ball is small, it can fall out and if the ball is too big, it is uneasy to put in and take out. Thus, customize the nose bone to match the diameter of the ball and the gauge of the post.
• Labret Studs: It is an alternative to the traditional jewelry piercing for the nostrils. The flat backs are less prominent yet ensure that it will not fall off. However, it is difficult to take out. You may need help from a piercer or someone to change the jewelry.

Nostril Piercing (Rings)

• Hoop Nose Ring: Septum piercings also use hoop nose rings. There is a number of hoop rings to choose from: segment rings, captive bead rings, seamless rings, and screw-on ball rings. It is possible to purchase a hoop nose ring with the right diameter and gauge that can fit around your nostril or septum. The seamless rings can be easily put in and take out. However, some of the hoop nose rings are tricky to put in without help or with ring openers or pliers.

Septum Piercing

• Circular barbell: People also refer to this jewelry piercing as horseshoe ring. It can easily be put in and take out. There are a wide array of decorative ends for the circular barbells. However, this jewelry piercing can be annoying, it moves from side to side.
• Septum pincher and septum tusk: These jewelry piercing are the best alternative for you septum pierce.

Nasallang Piercing, Rhino Piercing, and Bridge Piercing

• Straight barbell: People mostly use straight barbells for nasallang piercing. However, there are some who use it for bridge piercing and rhino piercing. This jewelry piercing is customizable. You can decide the length, gauge, and size of the ball. However, people who use a straight barbell for their bridge piercings experience rejection process because of its exerted pressure.
• Bent barbell: Some refer bent barbell as curved barbell or banana barbell, it is the ideal jewelry piercing for rhino piercing and bridge piercing. It does not exert pressure on the fistula of the nose and reduces the risk for rejection. If you plan to purchase a bent barbell, look at the eyebrow rings, it has the right shape.

The type of jewelry piercing for your nose pierce depends on your personal preference. Ensure that you know the appropriate gauge, diameter, and length you need before you leave the shop. The information will be your guide when you buy a new jewelry piercing.

How long is the healing time for nose piercings?

Ear cartilage piercings and navel piercings heal the longest. The healing time for nose piercing varies from the location of the piercing. However, each person has a different healing time, one person might need more time to heal.

• The location of the septum piercing affects the process of its healing time, but the average healing time takes 6 to 8 weeks.
• It takes the bridge piercings 8 to 12 weeks to heal.
• The regular and nostril piercing does not vary, it needs 4 to 6 months to heal.
• It takes 4 to 6 months to heal for a nasallang piercings.
• It takes 6 to 9 months for a rhino piercings to heal.

Take note that the listed healing time is only the average length. The healing time will vary due to the situation of the piercing. Some want to stretch their piercing. However, do not rush it, it can be uncomfortable.

How long until I can stretch my nose piercing?

If you desire to stretch your nose piercing, you have to wait a little longer than the average healing time. A stretching tape wrapped around the nose ring can ease and give you comfort in stretching your nose piercing.

To wrap the nose ring, take out the piercing jewelry and wrap the stretching tape around it in incremental layers and put it back. Repeat the process until the piercing hole stretches. Do not rush the process, it will take a few weeks or months to achieve the desired size.

• The average healing time to stretch a septum piercing will take 16 to 24 weeks.
• An average length for a bridge piercing to heal for stretching is about 24 to 36 weeks.
• The nasallang piercing and nostril piercing needs 12 to 18 months to heal before it can be stretched.
• The longest average healing time is the rhino piercing, it needs 18 to 27 months to be stable for stretching.

What are the possible factors that can delay the healing process?

There are situations that can delay the healing process. However, these situations can be prevented.

• Using jewelry piercings that are too tight. A couple of nose jewelry piercings are too tight and short to fit on the piercing hole. It results in the jewelry piercing sink into the hole, which can lead to swelling and infection.
• Backless stud. It gives inconvenience and discomfort because it has a high chance of falling out accidentally. Thus, do not use backless studs because it will not stay in place.
• Black and tarnished marks. Those who use jewelry piercings made from sterling silver can cause tarnish and stain on the skin. The procedure to heal the skin includes removing the skin and giving up the piercing.

What to do during the process of healing?

During the healing process of the nose piercing, you have to observe the proper aftercare to avoid infections and complications.

1. Wash your hands or wear protective gloves before you touch the piercing.
2. Do not turn or play with the jewelry piercing.
3. When there are crusts building up around the jewelry piercing, do not turn or move the jewelry to break it. Observe proper aftercare by using sea salt solution and cotton balls to wipe the crusts away.
4. Do not use creams, ointments, balms, or oils on the piercing. This can clog the piercing hole, which results in infection because of the trapped bacteria. However, tea tree oil is an exception. Mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil into the sea salt solution, for natural moisturizer and at the same time, antiseptic solution.
5. Soaps are not recommended to wash the piercings. However, there are soaps that are allowed to use.

Religiously practice the aftercare regime for nose piercing, and the piercing will heal in time without any complications and infection.

Aftercare is an essential procedure that you have to know after getting a nose piercing. It begins from the day you had the piercing until it is healed. Cleaning the nose piercing for the first time gives discomfort due to the swelling, pain, and tenderness. But, bear in mind that the aftercare soothes and improves the healing process of the piercing.

How to practice the proper aftercare for nose piercing?

There are two options that you can use with your aftercare: an aftercare product solution or a Do-It-Yourself solution.

1. The first protocol for this procedure is to wash your hands thoroughly. This is to avoid bacterial contamination to the nose piercing wound. More so, you have to be careful in choosing the appropriate hand soap because there are soaps that can cause irritation.
2. Prepare the homemade salt solution. In cleaning the wound, it requires a saline solution or sea salt solution. There are available aftercare products for online purchase or through the piercing artist. However, if you prefer the homemade style, you can.
3. To make the sea salt solution, use a fine grain sea-salt and not a table salt. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and 1 cup of warm distilled water. Stir the solution until the grain sea-salt is dissolved.
4. Place the solution in a bowl for easy access.
5. There are two options on how to apply the saline solution to the nose piercing. The first method is to dip the nose into the bowl of the solution and hold it in for several seconds. If you lose your breath, take your nose out of the solution, breathe and put it back for another second. Do this cleaning process for not more than 3 minutes. The second method is to use a cotton ball, dip it into the solution. Place the wet cotton ball on the nose piercing for not more than 3 minutes. Re-wet the cotton ball with fresh saline.

Take note:

After cleaning the piercing, remove the crust that has built around the piercing. Dip a cotton swab and gently remove the formed crust around the piercing both inside and outside of the nose. Do not rub or pull a stuck crust.

Do not use any solutions other than saline and sea salt solution to clean your piercing. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide is not recommended. These solutions will irritate and dry the surrounding skin.

You can moisturize your nose piercing, this can enhance the healing time and prevent crust formation. To moisturize, mix a small quantity of tea tree oil and unrefined coconut oil. Apply it on the piercing area using a cotton swab.

If you think an infection might occur, you do not need a stronger antiseptic. Continue using the saline solution and do not touch the jewelry piercing. Do not attempt to use an antibiotic ointment, it can interfere the fluid discharge. Fluid discharges fight the infection and bacteria.

How often should the piercing be cleaned?

The nose piercing can take at least 6 months to heal, clean your piercing twice a day.

It is advisable not to clean more than twice a day, it can dry the skin around the piercing and can cause irritation. Do not irritate the skin, it can result in infection. If you clean less than twice a day, it can allow bacteria build up around the piercing, which can lead to a risk of infection.

Thus, observe the complete two cleanings. Make the piercing cleaning a part of your routine.

When is it time to stop cleaning the piercing?

When the piercing is healed, you do not need the soak solutions. However, you have to clean the piercing with water and mild soap to prevent oil and skin cells buildup that can cause odor in the piercing. After the piercing heals, clean the piercing jewelry.

How to clean a jewelry piercing?

When the jewelry piercing is clean, it can prevent the buildup of skin cells and oil on the jewelry, and risk of infection.

Clean the jewelry piercing by rubbing a mild soap and rinsing it thoroughly. Do not put back the jewelry if it is not yet dry. The nose piercing is still prone to infection even if it is fully healed. Thus, choose a good metal quality of your jewelry piercing and clean it regularly.

Do not use budget type jewelry metals because it can lead to undesirable complications.

There is no difference between the method of cleaning the types of piercings.

The nose piercings are appealing, aren’t they? But, you still have to know the possible health consequences of nose piercing.

What are the possible health risks?

1. Aspiration and migration of the jewelry piercing. This condition usually happens with septum and nostril piercing. There is a possibility that the jewelry will deviate from its original position, the worst scenario is it will embed to the wall of the nose, and only a surgical procedure can remove it.
2. Nasal wall necrosis. There is a possibility of a localized death of the skin cells on the nasal wall.
3. Nasal wall perichondritis. The perichondrium is the connective tissue that wraps the cartilage of the nasal wall. Nose piercings pose risk for developing inflammation of the perichondrium.
4. Nasal septal hematoma. When the septum is pierced, it can cause excessive bleeding. The difficulty of breathing, painful swells, and nasal congestion are signs of septal hematoma.
5. Nose infection. This is the most common health risk, it occurs when the jewelry piercing is soiled and it is in contact with the wound.
6. Nerve damage. There is a possibility that the piercing artist can puncture the wrong site, which can permanently damage the nerves.

What are the causes of nose infection?

Nose infection is the most common health complication for a nose piercing. The wound can harbor microorganisms that can cause infection. The following are the possible causes that can contribute to the infection.

• The use of a piercing gun. It is best for the piercer to use a hollow needle, a piercing gun harshly damage and puncture the nose tissue. More so, piercing guns are not fully sterile. Look for a piercer that does not use a piercing gun to experience a more safe procedure.
• Swimming pools or other bodies of water. It is a great risk for infection to swim. These bodies of water may carry microorganisms and the disinfecting chemicals of the pool can irritate the wound.
• Touch. We sometimes touch our face unconsciously, and the nose is a sensitive part of the face. Simply touching the face can cause infection. Our hands harbor microorganisms from the things that we touch.

• Inappropriate type of metal for the jewelry piercing.Choose the appropriate type of metal for your piercing. There are types of metal that can cause allergic reactions, which can slow the healing process of the wound. Some people cannot tolerate nickel. Thus, they use titanium or gold jewelry.
•  Be cautious and gentle with the nose piercing. If you participate in contact sports, you better look for some sports for the meantime.
• Inattentive with aftercare. The proper aftercare is the best prevention of infection, make aftercare a part of your routine to prevent infection to develop.

What are the signs and symptoms of nose infection?

When the piercing is infected, it will not be obvious at first. Check the following signs and symptoms to know whether it is infected or irritated.

• Redness. It is expected to have a little redness on your nose. However, if the redness does not subside or you notice red streaks branching out from the pierced area.
• Swell. Painful bumps or swollen areas can mean there is an infection around the pierced area.
• Pain. There is a pain with a nose piercing. However, if the pain is excruciating it can be a sign of infection. Infections can have a higher level of pain.
• Bumps. A bump around the pierced area is a sign of nose infection. Cautiously observe the bumps that are red, painful to touch, and oozy.
• Discharge. Discharges from nose piercing are expected. However, if the amount of discharge increased, has a yellow color, and foul odor, the discharge can be a sign of infection.

If you plan on getting a nose piercing or if you already have, learn the important information of the piercing. Follow the aftercare instructions to prevent complications and infection. Consult a physician if you have observed a possible infection.