Nostril piercings are a timeless form of body modifcation, embraced by cultures worldwide for centuries. Contemporarily, nostril piercings are among one of the most popular piercings. It's a classic that is flattering on everyone!
There is a range of placements for this piercing, including high nostrils, mantis, and nasallang piercings. In this guide, we will be covering traditional nostril piercings -- from pain and piercing procedure to aftercare and jewelry options.
Pain Level: How Much Does it Hurt?
Pain is subjective, but generally, traditional nostril piercings are considered to be fairly low on the pain scale. It is often described as a quick pinch followed by some soreness in the days after. You can expect your eyes to water a lot after the piercing, which is totally normal!
Placement: Choosing the Right Spot
Placement is a key part to nostril piercing's aesthetic and comfort. Here are some factors to consider:
Left or right nostril: Choosing the side you'd like your piercing to be placed is all up to personal preference. Take into considerations your current/future piercings to create harmony amongst all your piercings!
The crease: Every nostril has a crease. Some people prefer to have their piercing placed directly on, right under, or further away from the crease. The choice is ultimately up to you!
Future jewelry: Consider if you plan to wear a hoop, chunky jewelry, or a nose chain in the future, as this can influence the placement.
Discuss your preferences with your piercer. They can offer advice based on your anatomy and desired look. Be clear with your intentions for future jewelry and styling to ensure you leave the piercing studio happy with your new piercing!
Piercing Procedure: What to Expect
The nostril piercing process is straightforward. You can expect the following:
Preparation: After choosing your placement and jewelry, the piercer will sanitize your nostril and mark the desired spot for the piercing. Following them marking your nose, you will be able to check and approve of the placement.
Piercing: A hollow and sterile needle will be used to make a quick, precise puncture. If your piercing plans to use a piercing gun -- RUN!
Jewelry Insertion: Once your nose has been pierced, your piercer will then insert the jewelry.
Typically, nostril piercings are pierced with a 18GA needle and fitted with jewelry to match. A smaller gauge size than this can cause a cheese wire effect (where the jewelry migrates toward the edge of the nostril). To avoid this, professional piercers use at least an 18GA initial jewelry.
Aftercare and Healing Time
As with all piercings, proper and thorough aftercare is essential to ensure the health and longevity of your new piercing. We recommend the following routine:
Clean with Saline: Use a saline solution to clean your piercing twice a day. We recommend our Base Laboratories Piercing Aftercare Spray!
Avoid Touching: Refrain from touching your piercing unless cleaning it, as this can introduce bacteria and irritate the area.
Avoid Makeup: Keep skincare and makeup products away from the piercing until fully healed!
Nose piercings take about 6-9 months to heal (on average). If you find your piercing taking longer, don't be too concerned! Factors like climate, jewelry choices, as well as your body's own healing schedule can prolong the healing time.
Jewelry Options: Initial Jewelry & More
Initially, you will be fit with a labret stud or nose screw to heal your new piercing. A well fitted piece of jewelry made of high quality metal (gold or implant grade titanium) is a huge determinant in the health of a nostril piercing. Ill-fitted or poor quality jewelry can lead to complications (like piercing bumps or infections).
Once healed, you can explore different jewelry styles:
Labret Posts: Simple and versatile, labret posts are ideal for long term wear. Like lip or ear posts, there is a small disc at the base and a charm or gem on the other end. They come in various materials and styles, from simple to ornate.
Hoops: Hoops can be worn in fully healed nostril piercings. Styles can vary from seamless rings to decorative hoops.
L-Shaped Studs & Screws: These nose studs have a post that is bent at a 90-degree angle. A benefit of this style is the ease of insertion.
Nose Bone Studs: Nose bones are a straight post with a small bulbous tip on one end, designed to stay in your nose. The end is designed to be small enough to pass through the piercing, while being big enough to anchor once inserted.
Additional Considerations:
Go to a Professional: Seek out a reputable and trusted piercer to get pierced by!
Snagging Risks: Be mindful of clothing, towels, and materials that can catch on your jewelry.
Monitor Your Piercing: Normal healing involves some sensitivity and redness. Prolonged symptoms and pain could signal that the piercing isn't healing right. If so, contact your piercer.
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Shop our faux nose rings here.
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About Pierced Owl:
Pierced Owl is a high quality body jewelry retailer selling in the United States, Canada and Australia. Founded in 2016, our team works hard to hand pick the salon quality pieces we carry. We pride ourselves on being the go-to source for unique, safe, and high quality jewelry for our customers.
We offer a unique collection of items, from natural stone and wood plugs to 14K gold barbells, and are dedicated to providing consistently new selections of jewelry. We strive to maintain high customer satisfaction and to offer an extensive selection of body jewelry made from safe materials including titanium, stainless steel, 14K gold and sterling silver.
