All About Nose Piercings
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About Nose Piercings
The second most popular type of body piercing in the world after ears is the nostril piercing. A longtime presence in Indian, African and South Pacific cultures, in the last two decades this small bit of body jewelry has gone from rare to everywhere in the US and Europe. Yet as prevalent as this piercing seems, it can be tricky to heal without complications and is cause of some debate in the professional working world.
Here is information on the types of nose piercings you can get, healing and aftercare tips, options for nose jewelry, videos of nose piercings being done, how to recognize if you have an infection, some piercing "no-nos" to avoid and much more.
Take the Nose Piercing Poll!
Do you think employers/businesses are over-reacting when they make people take out or cover their nose piercings for work?
See results without votingWatch a Nose Piercing
Piercing Age Laws
- Tattoo & Body Piercing Laws - US
Guidelines to find out how old you have to be before you can legally get pierced in your home state. - CBC News Indepth
The story behind tattooing and piercing in Canada - H & S Guidance - Skin Piercing
regulations in Devon, UK
Types of Nose Piercings
Nostril - this is the most common place for a nose piercing. The jewelry is placed somewhere along the rim of the nostril, either on the left or the right side of the nose. There is no significance or meaning to which side you get pierced, it's just your own preference. A ring or stud is best for starting but make sure the jewelry is not too tight to the nose if it is a stud. That can lead to healing problems.
Septum - these piercings are placed in the cartilage wall between the chambers of the nose, at the bottom of the nostrils. It's sometimes called a "bull ring" as you sometimes see cattle with this style of nostril piercing. It can be a bit sensitive to pierce, or if the ring gets snagged. This is the only type of nose piercing that can be made completely and truly invisible.
Bridge - sometimes called an "Earl" piercing after the first man to regularly get this type of jewelry, this piercing is done on the surface of the nose, through the skin of the bridge of the nose. This is the hardest to heal and carries the most potential for rejection or healing out.
See How A Septum Piercing Is Done
Suggested Soap For Healing Piercings
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Dr. Bronner - Organic Castile Soap Lavender, 32 fl oz liquid
Price: $10.19
List Price: $14.99 |
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Dr. Bronner - Organic Lavender Soap Bar, 5 oz bar
Price: $2.99
List Price: $3.69 |
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Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Pure-Castile Soap, All-One Hemp Lavender, 5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 6)
Price: $17.00
List Price: $23.94 |
Nose Piercing Info and Links
- Nose Piercings eBook
Many people decide get their nose pierced and then have a lot of questions afterwards. Educate yourself before you get pierced and have a better experience. Learn why piercing guns are bad and get tips for getting rid of keloids. - Nose Rings and Piercings
It's only been in the last two decades that nose piercing has gained a mainstream popularity in Western culture. Presently, it is the second most-popular body piercing desired by teens and young adults. This lens will tell you about nose piercings, g - Nose Piercings
This is usually a piercing made somewhere along the curve of the nostril rim on either the left or right side as the wearer chooses. - Septum
"So what's next, a bone through your nose??!" - Nose Piercing - BMEzine
Nose piercing is very attractive, and can accentuate the face, because the nose is the face's most prominent feature - Nose piercing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nose piercing is the piercing of the skin or cartilage which forms any part of the nose, normally for the purpose of wearing jewelry.
Nose Rings and Nostril Screws
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2.5mm Amethyst 14kt GOLD NOSE Ring 18g
Current Bid: $23.49
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2mm Blood Red Ruby 14kt GOLD Nose Ring 18g
Current Bid: $21.49
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2mm square Red Ruby 14kt GOLD Nose Ring 18g
Current Bid: $21.49
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18K White Gold Nose Screw Ring 1.5mm 18G 18 Gauge CZ
Current Bid: $27.99
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Pair 18g 5/16" 14K Gold Plated Captive ring,Tragus,Nose
Current Bid: $8.99
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2.5mm Blood Red Ruby 14kt GOLD Nose Ring 18g
Current Bid: $24.49
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Types of Nose Jewelry
Ring - a tiny captive or fixed bead ring is very popular for nose piercings, and is the best-recommended for starter jewelry until the initial healing period is over as they make it easy to clean the piercing thoroughly and it allows room for any swelling.
Screw - a nostril screw is a style of jewelry from India and have become very popular in Western piercing. It has a short post which then goes into a small curl. This curl takes the place of a backing and holds the jewelry in place.
Bones/Pins/Studs - This is a short post-style piece of jewelry with a small bead or decoration that rests on the outside of the nostril. Items described as "bones" or "pins" often do not have a conventional backing. Sometimes they are just a straight post and sometimes the inside end terminates with a larger bead end. I get a lot of email from people complaining that bones are hard to get in and out and are painful to change. DO NOT GET THIS TYPE OF JEWELRY WHEN YOU FIRST GET YOUR NOSE PIERCED. Essentially, you'll just wind up ripping it out of your nose later if you ever want to change it.
U-Bend - this is a jewelry option just for septum piercings. It is a small "U" shaped piece that can be worn with the ends flipped up inside the nostrils, thus making the piercing undetectable. This is the only type of nose piercing jewelry that can truly be entirely invisible.
Spikes - this is another jewelry option for septums, and sometimes bridge piercings. It's essentially a straight taper worn horizontally through the piercing, with pointed ends that stick out. Not for new piercings!
See a Bridge/Earl Piercing
Nose Ring Buzz - blogs
- The Un Mom: Of cat meat and nose rings - Random Tuesday Thoughts
I was play-wrestling with my son the other day, and my nose ring came out, so I just took it out and left it. Except, well, it was more liike a week ago. Maybe a week and a half. Oh, crap. I bet the hole grew in. Where did the ring go, ...
- Care and upkeep of a nose ring « Thinking Woman’s Weblog
I have wanted a nose ring for as long as I can remember. I’ve always thought they were gorgeous, even before they went mainstream, but I didn’t have the guts to be that radical for two decades. And when I’d really made up my mind to go ...
- Mark Brooke Photographer: Nose Ring... poll
My husband had a nose ring for a good year and now he has a scar on his nose that looks like a olive's butt. Yes, it gives him character, and thats cute and all, but seriously, do you want a olive butt scar on your nose when you decide ...
Body Piercing Aftercare
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H2Ocean 4 Ounce Purified Ocean Salt Water Piercing Aftercare Spray
Price: $9.99
List Price: $14.99 |
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Dr. Piercing's Piercing Aftercare Product - 36 swab pack
Price: $5.99
List Price: $9.99 |
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Prick Fixx Sea Wipes Piercing Aftercare
Price: $8.95
List Price: $8.33 |
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Tattoo Goo's Piercing Aftercare Kit
Price: $10.55
List Price: $26.85 |
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Dr. Piercing's HOLE-ISTIC Aftercare - 36 swab pack
Price: $5.99
List Price: $9.99 |
Some Nose Piercing No-Nos (and ways to avoid them!)
Here is the healing and aftercare info that answers the questions I get asked the most frequently. If you post a question in the comments section and it's answered here, I'm just going to delete it to save repetition.
Do not get your nose pierced with a piercing gun! These were not invented for noses and the jewelry is very blunt and often way too tight. This increases your chances of infection, keloids and scarring. But the really big reason is that the employees of places that use these tools are not trailed properly about blood-born disease transmission and the piercing guns are not sterilized properly in between customers to prevent the spread of HIV or Hepatitis C!
Do not wear sterling silver in a new/healing pierced nose! The tarnishing of this metal worn in a healing piercing can permanently stain the skin, leaving a black mark around the piercing site that will never, ever go away. New nose piercings need to be healed wearing stainless steel, niobium, titanium or 14k gold.
Do not change your nose jewelry too soon! Noses take three months to fully heal and some people find that if they take out the jewelry sooner, the piercing collapses or closes down and they can't get any jewelry back in, thus losing the piercing entirely. Changing jewelry too soon can also re-tear the inside of the healing piercing and make you start the healing process all over again.
Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your new piercing! They both can cause tissue burns and increase irritation, which slows down healing and increases the chances of scar tissue or "bumps" forming.
Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs and swimming in the ocean during the healing period. Chlorine and other chemicals used to maintain public pools are very bad for the healing tissues. The danger from the ocean is bacterial infection from pollution contaminants. Also, if you exercise or sweat very heavily, the toxins that the body releases in perspiration can also irritate piercings, so be sure to rinse or wash off your face when you get done playing sports or working out.
How To Recognize An Infection
The tissue trauma of getting a nose piercing causes some redness, tenderness and swelling and these may not show up for a day or two after the initial piercing. Being sore and a little red after getting a nose piercing is completely normal.
It's when you've got all of the following going on that you most-likely have a problem.
Infections are most-often characterized by:
- increasing redness
- increasing tenderness and pain
- increasing swelling
- discharge that is yellow or green in color
If you think you have an infection, go back to see your piercer again or go see a doctor! I am not a medical professional and cannot tell you if you have an infection or not based on a comment or description!
BEFORE YOU A QUESTION...:
- If you ask something that is obviously answered in the Hub, the question will just be deleted.
- If you have a question about cost or pricing, go ask a body piercer, as only they know what they charge.
- Information will not be given on how to do self-piercing due to legal liabilities.
- Advice can not be given on how to convince parents to let a minor be pierced. Go see a family counselor for help in dealing with those conflicts.
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Nose Piercing Comments and Questions
Hi!!! I got my nose pierced about 6 weeks ago. I have not had a problem with it, but i have notised that it is still a little red. Is this normal? Ir does not hurt unless I pull on the stud itself, then it is a little sore. They told my to use bactine to clean it, but I was wondering if maybe I caould use something else because I dont really like it. Thank you :)
I just wanted to say thanks for everything you helped me with this hole i wanted in my face lol. You are very educated and its so kind of you to tell people the truth and not like the people at the piercing places who just want to make a quick dollar and don't really care about their customers. so thanks
Jesi, you're not supposed to be changing the jewelry this soon so messing around with it could trigger irritation or an infection.
Alice, if the metal that your nose jewlery is made from is poor quality, the smell could be from your skin and the metal interacting. Make sure you're NOT wearing sterling silver and make sure you're cleaning it well and rinsing it thoroughly. Not getting enough air to the piercing from that tight stud could also be a cause.
I HAVE HAD MY NOSE PIERCED FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS AND I JUS TRIED TO CHENGE IT TO A GOLD STUD INSTEAD OF THE STAINLESS STEAL ONE. ITS NOT SORE AT ALL AND IT CAME OUT FINE BUT I COULDNT GET THE GOLD ONE IN. ALSO, THE ONE THEY PIERCED ME WITH IS SO MUCH LARGER THAN THE ONES YOU FIND IN STORES. FIRST OFF, IM WORRIED THAT THE WHOLE WILL BE HUGE WHEN ITS HEALED AND I WONT BE ABLE TO WEAR A CUTE LITTLE ONE. SECOND, I NOTICED WHEN I TOOK THE STUD OUT, THAT ON THE INSIDE OF MY NOSE THERE IS A LARGE LUMP WHERE IT COMES OUT AND IM WORRIED IF THATS NORMAL. THIRD, WHEN I PUT THE ORIGINAL STUD BACK IN WHITE GUBBERY STUFF CAME WITH IT... IS THAT OK?
i recently got my nose repierced again and noticed a unpleasant odor coming from the stud however there is no discharge and the site isn't very red either. i was wondering if this could be a sign of infection? along with that question...i also got a tighter stud since the one i had was a bit loose...and the stud was so tight it looked like it was going to go through the hole so i took it out and put the longer stud in..what suggestions or advice would you have
Maria, why didn't you ASK the person who pierced you when they didn't offer up that information? Take some responsiblity for yourself, and either go ask the person who pierced you, or take the time to follow the links I provided on this page that goes to that information. Those links are there so that I don't have to answer questions like yours over and over again.
I just got my nose pierced today, and it's been pretty good so far. It's hardly red or swollen at all, but it's still only the first day. However, the guy that did it started me off with a stud. He gave me a choice as to which stud, but not whether I wanted a stud or a ring. There's also a back on it, just like there would be on the back of an earring. Is that normal? He also didn't tell me how to clean it, which concerns me because I don't want an infection. What's the easiest way to keep it clean from infection? Thanks.
The fact that you got your nose pierced at the age of 15 makes me think this person is not piercing legally. Not giving you a choice of jewelry and the fact that he started you off with a stud, and didn't tell you not to go swimming in pools (yes, chlorine is BAD) makes me think this person wasn't trained very well at what they do. Try finding an experiened piercer near you, as they can change the jewelry for you and provide you with better aftercare info.
I just got my nose pierced and I don't know if its because i am only 15 but they gave me no option of what kind to get. The man just said come sit. After reading this blog you said many times not to get a stud ring, well they gave me no option so i am not sure what kind i got. He also said to use antibacterial soap but is there any other thing i could use? My friend is having a swimming pool party tomorrow is it okay to go completely under water or will that bother my new piercing because of chlorine.
A lot of anti-bacterial soaps can be really harsh and prolong the healing process. I personally like to use something natural like Dr. Bronner's lavender, as that has some natural anti-bacterial properties (that's in the lavender essential oil in the soap) but it has nothing synthetic in it. You should also take care not to sleep on the piercing as much as you can, since you say anything bumping it seems to re-irritate the scab and movement while sleeping could freshly annoy it every single night.
I got my nose pierced almost a month ago. Within the first week, I fell on it and I think it ripped alittle. Since then, there is a scab above the piercing that won't heal. If anything slightly touches it, it starts bleeding again. It is not painful at all, it isn't oozing pus or anything; the scab just won't heal. I've been using sea salt spray once a day and cleaning with anti-bacterial soup once or twice a day. If the scab falls off in the shower, it's fine and not bleeding until it gets bumped and bleeds again.
Do you have any advice for me? I read that you say not to use antibacterial soap. What brand and kind of soap do you recommend?
Micah, your nose is only about halfway through the healing period, so you should still have been taking really good care of it. You're just going to have to do the best you can with it and see what happens.
Ellen, nose rings (meaning a hoop) don't fall out, nor do nostril screws (although I personally don't recommend any stud/post style jewelry for healing). And for costs, you'll want to call and ask your local body piercers as fees for their service vary.
I want to get my nose pierced, but i am worried that it will fall out. Is there any way to be 100% sure it wont fall out? Also how much money should nose piercings cost?
I had my nose peirced about a month and a half ago, I thought it had healed and I recently got sick and blew my nose constantly for like 2 weeks . Well yesterday I noticed that I have a bump right underneath my stud, it is visible. i am worried that this is going to be permanent. I have been cleaning w/ sea salt, but had stopped when I thought it was healed and now I have started again, should I be worried? and is there anything else I can do?
Lauren, if you read my comments about jewelry in this hub, you'll see I don't recommend that people start out with a stud at all for just this reason. Go find a body piercer knowledgable about fitting jewelry and get something that fits properly.
I just got my nose pierced two days ago and I noticed that the stud was embedded in my nose. I pushed it back out but I am afraid it may push completely through my nose. What do you suggest I do?
Yuma, it takes three months for nose piercings to heal, so you'll want to wait that long before you change your jewelry.
Hi - I want to get my nose pierced but wanted to hide out when I had to wear the big stud. How long do you have to wear that initial stud? Do I have to wait for summer vacation - ie do I need months, or can I do it over Christmas break?
Thanks
Hannah, you shouldn't be wearing a clear retainer right now either, as the plastic can react with the healing, inner surface of your nose and cause inflammation and irritation, which increases your chances of forming a keloid (those pesky nose bumps). And you're right about sterling silver having the potential to leave a mark forever. You've having all these problems because you jumped the gun by about a month when it came to changing your nose jewelry. Go see a reputable piercer and get something that's surgical stainless steel or gold to wear while your nose finishes healing.
Hi
i had my nose pierced with a stainless steel screw 9 weeks ago. i just took it out because i wanted to change it but i think it was too soon as it really hurt and bled a bit. then i couldnt get the original one back in as its too twisty. i put a silver one in but then got scared because i read that it can go black and damage it. i currently have a clear plastic 'retainer' one in but am not sure what to do. its sore at the moment although not showing any physical signs of infection...please help!
thanks
Sarah, even though you lost your nose piercing so soon after having it done, I still recommend that people wait a few months before repiercing.
I HAD GOTTEN MY NOSE PIERCED LIKE TWO DAYS AGO AND ON THE SECOND DAY MY PIERCING FELL OFF WHILE I WAS SLEEPING I GUESS BECAUSE WHEN I WOKE UP I DIDNT HAVE IT ANYMORE. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN AND IT WOULD NOT GO THRU THE OTHER SIDE.
HOW LONG BEFORE I COULD PIERCE IT AGAIN? I WAS TOLD A WEEK CAN IT BE SOONER?
Sarah, I have no idea what you are using to clean your nose with as I've never heard of a cleaner that is a powder. If your nose piercing is really new, it's going to be red for a bit. Take care of it as gently as you can, and make sure you rinse out any soap REALLY WELL.
I got my nose peirced and i clean it but with a white powder that i have to mix nd the person that peirced my nose said i have too use soap to clean it as well and im not sure if my nose is infected ..its red ands its lumpy around itt..i dont feel like taking it off thoo..well something happen ?
Sara, if you have to convince your mom, it means now is not the time for you to have a pierced nose.
hi. im thinking of getting my nose pierced but im not sure of a couple things:a) how do i convinvce my mom to let me get it done?b) how do i make sure the inside gets clean?
Tomi, some people wind up with a clear and distinct hole that stays that way, some don't. No one can predict how your own nose will react.
Casey, the biggest danger of piercing in the same spot is that by piercing right over the scar tissue of the first piercing, you'll trigger the skin to build even more scar tissue. As for pain, no one can interpret or predict how much something might hurt for you.
I've been wanting to get my nose pierced for a while now. The only thing stopping me is the worry that later if I decide to take it out, if it will leave a noticeable mark on my nose. And if so, if it will be permanent, or will it eventually go away? Thanks for any information or advice! =]
i have had my nose pierced and after a few months a bump came so i took it out, probably since i changed my stud so much.
i would like to get it redone in the same spot but i hear it will be very painful because of scar tissue?
is this true?
Renee, if you aren't getting all the soap out of your nose piercing when you clean it, or if what you are using to clean it is irritating the healing piercing, that could cause it to be red.
I've had my nose pierced for six months and it's been red for the whole six months. I wear a hoop in it so it's not that the jewelry is too tight. And I'm not allergic to any metals so that isn't it either. Any ideas? My red nose looks so awful in pictures =(
Molly, public pools are not offer a huge possibility of infection, the chemicals in them often cause irritation and tissue burning in fresh piercings, making healing extremely problematic. I'd adivse you to never get any body piercing due to the amount of time you spend in conventional pools, or to only do it if you can take several months off without swimming.
I'm a college student considering a nostril piercing. I swim everyday for about two hours, is it possible to get a nose piercing and continue with the swimming without risking infection?
Sam, why didn't you ask your piercer any of those questions?
hey ive just had my nose pirced 3 days ago how long do i leave it before i change the stud to a smaller one and what type of stud should i get? and do i just clean it with salt water?
Teri, you *just* got pierced and your nose is going to be red, tender and even a bit swollen as a result of the trauma to the tissue.
i just pierced my nose 4 days ago (myself) and its red and sore
is that normal or is it a sign of infection?
Emma, did you wash off the new jewelry before you put it in? I find a lot of people forget that step and sometimes introduce something into their nose. Your nose could also be reacting to having been scratched or scraped just the teeniest bit when you changed the jewelry. Take care of it like you did when it was first pierced and it should settle down. If it doesn't, go see a professional piercer or a doctor to determine if it's genuinely infected.
i have had my nose pierced for about a year, and just changed it for the first time. i put in a very thin, 22-gauge gold hoop. since i've put it in a few days ago, my nose has started to show signs of infection- it's red and tender, and it's hard to move the hoop around. it really hurts! i've been washing it with dr bronner's organic soap and doing salt water soaks, but is there anything else i should do?
Brande, micro jewelry is a bad choice for starter jewelry, as it doesn't deal well with the swelling that comes with a fresh nose piercing. Go back and get a hoop/ring, which offers the best cleaning access and fit during healing, and then in three months, try the super small stud again.
I recently got a new nose piercing (3 days ago) with an 18 gauge and have a micro titanium piecing. It's sinking into the hole and I can't keep it up and out of the piercing! What do I do? The more I try to keep it out, the more red and inflamed it becomes! Help!
By natural soap, I mean something organic so that it has nothing synthetic in it.
any suggestions on the types of soap like better than that
Personally, I'd suggest stopping the anti-bacterial soap (lots o' harsh chemicals in that) and switch to something that's more natural for a soap. When you clean your nose, you have to make sure to rinse really, really well, 'cuz if you leave soap in there, that's surely going to irritate it. Give the salt water a try, it surely won't make things worse.
I still have the after care info and they told me to clean with anti-bacterial soap and water. I called them they said to continue that but they werent sure about the sea salt water? do you know if that is good
Heather, peroxide is also bad for healing noses as it too can cause tissue burns. Essentially, everything you've done so far to try and help your nose carries a large potential to make things worse. Please go back to your piercer, have them take a look at your nose and have them go over healing and aftercare with you again.
working
relache says:
26 hours ago
It's still healing Shannon, so being a tad red doesn't seem that out of the ordinary. There's a whole bunch of piercing aftercare products listed on this page, so take your pick.