New to the western culture maybe, but nasal piercings have been as old as time in areas like the Middle East, India, and Africa.Septum piercings were particularly common among Native American tribes, as Tori Mumm reported on Love To Know. People from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, even Shawnee leaders like Tecumseh, donned the septum ring.
Rebellious you say? No, actually in places like India nose piercing is not a sign of defiance and youthful rebellion but one of wealth and prestige, a must have accessory for beauty and status!
Where to get Pierced on the Nose?
Nose piercings come mostly in pairs similar to industrial piercings for ears and are likely to be in one of the following placements.
- Septum: Goes through the septum, a soft tissue cartilage between the nostrils
- Nostrils: Can be a double or single hole to fit a stud or loop on either side of the nose.
- Bridge/Third Eye: Also known as Erl placed on the highest point on the nose right between the eyes. Can be vertical and called the third eye.
- Nasallang: Traverses the nose end to end in a single barbell through the septum on the mid lower nose.
- Nose tip: These are right at the tip of the nose and can be vertical forming a Rhino horn piercing or lateral in the case of a Septil.
Is My Nose Shape Right for a Piercing?
Everyone has a little unique nose when you think about it. The size and form of each nose varies somewhat. In addition, there are several varieties of body piercings. In light of this, the issue of what piercing best matches your nose shape should be asked rather than which nose shape is best for a piercing.
While opinions on the number of “classes” of nose forms vary, all noses have the same fundamental characteristics.
Recognize your nose’s distinctive characteristics before deciding on a piercing. Think about what distinguishes these characteristics from those of other nose forms and what ties them together.
3 Nasal Features That Determine The Best Piercing for You
The bridge, septum, and nostrils are the three most important aspects of the nose to take into account.
1. Nostrils
The area of your nose through which you breathe is known as the “air holes,” or nostrils. Although you might be surprised, you might not assume there would be much diversity in nostrils. Check your own nares. Are they big or little? Does one exceed the other in size? Are they more oblong and shapeless or more rounded? Most significantly, how thick or thin is the nasal wall that surrounds the nostrils?
2. Bridge
The hard, bony portion of your nose that stretches from the area between your eyes toward the tip is known as the bridge. The part of your nose that varies the most and gives it its distinctive form is often the bridge.
What features distinguish your bridge? Is it broad? Narrow? Flat? Bony? Fleshy? Curved? There are countless possible features. Try your best to recognize them.
3. Septum
Your nose’s septum serves as a barrier between the two. While some people have a thin, narrow septum, others have a big, thick one. The septum of some people curls inward into the nasal cavity, whereas that of others protrudes downward toward the lip. What distinguishes your septum?
How to choose the Best Piercing for Your Nose Shape
You can see that there are many different piercing possibilities for distinct types of nose shapes. You only need to choose the type of piercing that is best for your nose shape; you don’t need to worry about whether your nose is the proper form for a piercing.
Keep in mind that most piercings are quite adaptable. Particularly, nose piercings may accommodate a variety of various nose forms. If your nose shape isn’t “ideal,” don’t give up. There’s a good chance you may still locate the ideal piercing for you!
Follow your piercer’s aftercare instructions carefully if you want to make sure your piercing heals as well as it possibly can. You should also make sure to use a high-quality aftercare product to speed up healing.
The After Inked Piercing Aftercare Spray is the greatest post-piercing care item I’ve ever had the pleasure of utilizing. It is not only suitable for vegans, but it is also entirely devoid of alcohol and additives. The remedy comes in a sizable mist-spraying container for simple administration and works well on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The spray works to shorten healing time frames and get rid of any remaining pain or discomfort when used early in the healing process.
Nose Piercings Explained: Placement, Piercing Size, Jewel choices and Healing Time
You’re ready to think about the many sorts of nose piercings now that you’ve determined your unique nose characteristics. There are many different types of nose piercings, but some of the most popular ones are included below.
Nostril/Ala Nose Piercing
Because it complements practically every shape of nose, this form of piercing is possibly the most popular. It is very flexible and customized since you may pick the precise spot on your nostril where you wish to have the piercing done.
- Left or right side of nose
- 18-20 gauge piercing
- Captive bead, nose bone/stud, nostril screw, horseshoe, L-shaped nose pin and nose hoop
- 4 to 6 months to heal.
High Nostril Piercing
The nostril is pierced high up on the nose, toward the bridge, in this more particular sort of nostril piercing. Although there are few jewelry alternatives for a high nostril piercing, it works for the majority of nose forms.
- Higher than normal nostril
- Varying gauges
- Nostril screw,, L-shaped nose pin, and nose bone/stud
- 4 to 6 months to heal
Septum/Bull Nose Piercing
This particular style of piercing goes through the thin skin flap on the septum just before the cartilage begins. Since more narrow septa may not give sufficient surface area for the piercing, it works better on noses with larger septa.
- Goes through soft tissue of septum not born or cartilage
- 16 gauge
- Captive bead and horseshoe barbell
- 2 to 3 months to heal.
Nasallang- 3 Piercings in One
A nasallang is a piercing that travels through the septum from one nostril to the other. Even though there is just one piercing that goes straight through the nose, it creates the impression that there are two nostril piercings. Although they are quite adaptable, nasallang piercings are an excellent choice for noses with narrow septa and nostrils.
- Goes through nostrils and septum and no bone (very difficult)
- Varying gauge
- Straight barbell
- 4 to 6 months to heal
Vertical Nose Tip/Rhino Piercing
A vertical nose piercing goes through the tip of your nose, just like a septum piercing does. It is a less frequent kind of piercing and is most effective on noses with a fleshy, pronounced tip.
- Between the nostril vertically up through the nose tip
- 14-16 gauges
- Curved barbell only
- 2 to 3 months.
Bridge Piercing
Bridge piercings often occur between or slightly below your eyes, at the top of your bridge. They just travel through your skin just beneath the surface, not puncturing the cartilage or bone.
Bridge piercings are excellent for thin, long, or meaty noses because of their placement and nature. A bridge piercing may result in painful skin strain around your eyes and nose if your nose is excessively bony.
- Surface piercing high between the eyes
- Varying in gauge
- Horseshoe and curved barbell
- 2 to 3 months.
What Type of Jewelry Is Best for Freshly Pierced Nose?
Think about how long it will take for your nose piercing to heal while choosing jewelry.
Captive bead Rings (CBR): Even though most individuals prefer to wear little jewels rather than rings, a captive bead ring (CBR) could promote healing better.
Studs: For a first nostril piercing, studs are a wonderful choice since they are secure, comfortable, and keep out of the way. The post on these studs is bent and slides into the piercing.
Hoops: Small nose hoops, like a Horseshoe hoop, are ideal for newly implanted piercings as they stay secure and out of the way.
Nostril Screws, L-shaped Nose Pins and Fishtails: Nostril screws and fishtails are acceptable for nasal piercings once they have fully healed, although they can be problematic during the early stages of recovery. The thin wires on them might stab your nose from the inside since they are loose and prone to slipping out.
Pro Tip: Most nose jewels are 18 gauge, however they can occasionally be as tiny as 20 gauge. Check out the options that your piercer offers and get your piercing sized appropriately.
Nose Piercings Costs
The price of nose piercings can range from $35 to $50 at respectable establishments. Although the piercing itself is not particularly expensive, it is worthwhile to spend a little bit more to ensure that you are receiving the highest caliber of professional care. The price of the jewelry, on the other hand, is the main determinant.
Nostril piercings are relatively easy to do and don’t hurt all that bad. Because of all the bacteria and germs that are always present in your nose, the recovery period may be the most challenging. Typical healing time is three months during which time it won’t hurt but might be somewhat sensitive. Colds and allergies can make it worse, but so can just living your normal life.
Runny nose in the winter? During the healing process, blowing your nose will be challenging but not impossible.
How to Care for a Freshly Pierced Nose
Similar to ear piercings, nose piercings heal in 4 to 6 months. Really, it depends on;
- Placement/ type of nose piercing (nostril, septum, nose tip, bridge etc.)
- Material choice for jewelry (nickel, gold, steel, titanium, niobium etc)
- Your care routine and hygiene
The healing process can be broken down into stages so you can easily monitor your progress until completely healed.
1. Shock/ Acceptance/ Inflammatory Stage
Your body will react to the intruder with an inflammatory response. First blood clots hardens sealing off the wound, white blood cells restore the skin tissue with collagen while the tissue around the piercing swells rejecting the foreign object (jewelry) which is perceived as hostile and a hindrance to the normal healing process. This stage is characterized with pain, tenderness, warmth, and even bleeding around the piercing site is normal.
2. Proliferative/ Recovery Stage
This is the stage that takes the weeks to months following your session depending on the level of injury sustained and quality of aftercare. In this stage, there may be redness and swelling still visible from afar. This happens because the body is trying to create a structure of scar tissue (fistula) to seal the piercing back shut. You can expect a yellowish discharge which is called lymph and eventually stops when the two sides of the opening reach around the jewel and join completing the scarring process.( these are very small scars not visible so don’t panic!) You can expect the nose to remain tender but you should seek help if you have excessive discharge or pain.
3. Maturation or Seasoning Stage
This is the final recovery stage until your piercing is fully healed. After this stage, you can switch your jewelry or remove it completely without risking the piercing pulling itself back shut although this is not always the case. Some bodies prefer to remain flawless and will begin to close the gap as soon as a jewelry is removed. Again it lasts weeks to months depending on your body’s response. Here, the stula thickens on the inside and there is no.
Is My Nose Piercing Infected?
Signs of trouble during the healing process may include; See your piercer or a healthcare provider if you notice any of the following signs of improper nose piercing healing:
- Unusually bothersome itching
- Redness
- Blister development
- Thick or dry skin
- Greenish or yellowish discharge from the piercing
- Strangely colored skin
- Discomfort or burning feeling around the piercing
- The piercing is extremely sensitive to the touch.
How to Replace a Nostril Pierce
When your piercing appears to be healed, it could be alluring to replace it with something fresh, but be cautious! Leave it to your piercer. Many times, when people make the initial adjustment on their own, it is either too soon and results in damage or it is more difficult than it should be. When you’re in the salon for your initial piercing session, Brooks advises considering what nose ring you’d want to wear long-term to help curb the impulse to alter your new jewelry more quickly than is prudent.
If you decide to take on the task of altering your own piercing, wash your hands well before touching the jewelry or your piercing. An additional layer of defense is provided by wearing gloves over clean hands.
In summary…
While nose piercings play catch up with ears as fashion accessories there is no stopping the new wave of internet celebrities shuttering the social norms and redefining beauty. If you are a pain for pleasure enthusiast then you will not be put off by the idea of getting some ink or piercing done. Just be sure to check what you want to achieve and make sure you are okay with the results and any complications that it might add to your routine.
Septil, nostril, high nostril, third eye and nasallang, septum, austin and bridge are some of the options for nose piercings but only the basics, for a well curated nose, you will need to combine several piercings. Don’t worry though, usually this doesn’t mean that your nose will have to be a baked potato for the next couple of months, you can have them one after the other over years.
Important considerations to make when choosing the type of nose piercing to get include the gauge and type of jewelry to stick in them. As per the costs of nose piercings, jewelry is associated with the bulk but good quality care can also cost up to several hundred per session.
Once you get your piercing done, to keep it, you will need to follow a strict routine and the temptation to touch the affected area is one of the hindrances to complete healing.
Regardless of your placement and jewelry choices, Nose piercings are catchy and will set you apart from the crowd anywhere.
FAQs
What is the correct side to pierce your nose?
It is entirely up to you which side of your nose you pierce; there is no right or wrong side. Choose the side of your face that makes you seem your best in selfies, whether it be the left or right side.
How painful is a nose piercing?
Depending on the location that is being pierced, piercings might be painful. Fortunately, the actual piercing just takes a few minutes, and the majority of our clients tell us that they only feel a slight pinch or flick.
How long does a nose piercing take to heal?
Depending on the location where you are pierced, your body’s inflammatory responses and the quality of care that you receive post procedure, a nose piercing can heal as quickly as two to four months and as late as 9 months.
Why should I not get my nose pierced?
If so, you might want to refrain from getting your nose pierced because the scars there would be so obvious. Raised scars called keloids are the consequence of an excessive amount of scar tissue growth. They are unsightly and need surgery to be removed.
What does the nose ring on the left side mean?
Shower as usual; the last thing you’ll do in the shower is clean your body jewelry. Wash your piercing carefully after lathering up some mild, fragrance-free, non-antibacterial soap in your hands. The piercing should be cleaned with just enough friction, but not so much that it is damaged.
What does a nose piercing symbolize?
As usual, you wash your face, but you don’t wash your nose. Avoid touching it and refrain from putting any soap or face wash in it. As usual, use toner and moisturizer after cleansing, but be careful to avoid touching your nose.