Nose Piercing 101: Pain, Pricing, Aftercare and More, Explained

Publish date: 2024-05-08

No matter your age, the thrill of walking out of the piercing studio with brand new bling — especially if it’s something as fun as a nose piercing — is unmatched. But sometimes we let that excitement get the better of us, not knowing exactly what we’re letting ourselves in for and not caring for our new piercing properly at home.

One of the most common piercings is the nostril or septum nose piercing, both of which require a little extra TLC when it comes to aftercare. So if you’ve been considering getting a nose piercing or have one and need tips fast, here’s everything you need to know, according to a professional piercer.

The fundamentals, explained

A nose piercing can feature in various places, most popular is either in your nostril (a stud or ring on either your left or right side) or your septum (typically a ring that’s located, as the name suggests, at your septum) and there are plenty of variations of jewellery to choose from — including L-shaped studs, closed hoops, ball-closures, labrets, barbells, and captive bead hoop, to name a few — depending on your style and what the piercer recommends.

First your piercer will discuss the process with you, help you to choose your jewellery and mark up where you’d like it. Once you’re happy with it, they’ll perform the piercing with a needle. This is a very important note, “run a mile if anyone suggests a gun,” warns Laura Bond, founder of Laura Bond Jewellery. “The needle is then pushed through the nostril or septum and the jewellery is threaded through. The whole process should only take a couple of minutes.”

Are nose piercings popular?

Nose piercings are definitely still popular and even on the rise, according to Bond, especially when it comes to septum piercings. She notes that slim gold hoops are often popular for nostrils, whereas sparkly styles are favoured for septums.

Types of nose piercings

When we say nose piercings, a single stud or ring in one side of the nostril probably comes to mind, but there are actually 11 (!) different ways to wear a nose piercing. Niki Yeadon, expert piercer and founder of Crystal Point Piercing explains each type below:

Types of jewellery used for nose piercings

There are various types of jewellery you can have, probably more than you think.

The grade of jewellery used is also really important. In short: “The cleaner the jewellery the more the body likes it,” explains Yeadon. “Jewellery made from low quality materials often have low grade polishing on the jewellery surface,” she explains. “If the jewellery is cheap the chances are you will find there is lead, cadmium, and nickel in it; the surface will have small irregularities where body fluid collects and creates problems in the healing area.”

Because of this, “the best style of jewellery for healing is an implant grade titanium threadless labret stud with a smooth surface top from companies approved by the APP (association of professional piercers). These companies have had rigorous checks in the manufacturing of the jewellery and their mill certification is up to date,” Yeadon explains.

How painful is a nose piercing?

While everyone tolerates pain differently, it’s worth pointing out that a nose piercing isn't the most painful piercing out there, but that doesn't mean it's entirely painless — sorry!

“As someone who has had a nose piercing, I would say the most intense part is simply where it’s located on your face,” says Yeadon. “Having a needle through your nose can feel more intimidating than your ears where you can look away. Your eyes will water a little but it’s triggered by a response not the pain,” she says. “Make sure you let your piercer know any concerns or worries you have – and close your eyes while it’s being done. In good capable hands — a piercer who is confident and skilled — with good quality blade needles and a freehand technique, it is fast and minimal,” Yeadon adds.

What’s aftercare like?

Aftercare for any piercing is important, but nose piercings need particular attention if you want to avoid the dreaded nose piercing bump. These bumps are called hypertrophic scars (or irritation bumps), not keloids, Yeadon explains. “These irritation bumps are localised to the piercing and often occur due to excessive cleaning or not enough, low quality jewellery, or trauma from the needle technique, your environment or, in some cases, just plain fluke.”

The good news is that they can be avoided with correct aftercare (don't worry, we're getting onto that) and regular check ups with a professional where possible.

Cleansing the area twice daily is a must; use a method that is easy to do otherwise you won’t stick to the routine. You can either make your own salt water solution or use a pre-made saline solution, like NeilMed Piercing Mist. A product like this can be incredibly helpful as nose piercings are often difficult to clean entirely without knocking them and causing micro-injuries. This mist means you can get into all the nooks and crannies without any irritation. Bond advises not to touch the piercing unless you absolutely have to, and be really diligent about hand-washing first.

“The most important part of aftercare is to soak the nose instead of physically cleaning it with a cotton bud,” explains Yeadon. “This is where I see a lot of clients go wrong as it over-cleans it whilst prodding the delicate skin and creating a lump," she explains. To help with the healing process, Yeadon offers a fortnightly service at her studio where clients can check in online with photos and can see how the healing is going step by step.

“You also need to avoid swimming in pools, lakes or using hot tubs for the first couple of months as all of these harbour bacteria, which could cause infection,” Bond explains.

Don’t be tempted to change your jewellery too soon (another downfall of my experience) as this can cause injury and irritation. It’s advised to visit your piercer to get your jewellery changed; this way you know it’s been done correctly.

How long does it take to heal and how can you avoid the the dreaded nose bump?

A nose piercing with good aftercare should take around 3-4 months to heal. Many people (myself included) have had to deal with a bump, which appears like a blister or pimple, beside their nostril piercing that can be both sore and unsightly. But why does this happen? Well, there are a few reasons. The most common, as Bond explains, is the body trying to fight the foreign object. Any irritation is often caused by accidental knocking and touching.

In addition to that, you might be allergic to the jewellery, which can cause more severe irritation. If this is the case, you can visit your piercer for advice. Finally, you could be experiencing a keloid, which is a form of scarring and may require treatment.

All of the above is why aftercare is so important to initiate healing. And whatever you do, never try and pop the spot or bump! Bond’s advice is to be proactive with cleaning from day one and to choose a reputable piercer who uses “implant grade titanium, or even better, solid gold”.

She also recommends not sleeping on your nose piercing or touching it. Basically: be smart about aftercare and you should heal up with minimal nose bumps. Having said that, if you do get a bump, visit your piercer for further advice, or if it’s really severe, seek medical advice.

What’s the average cost?

The cost of a piercing depends on your location and who you visit. It’s always worth spending the extra few pounds to save time and money in the long run should your piercing become inflamed or infected due to an improper piercing technique.

Expert to pay between £25 and £40 for a nose piercing, with jewellery costs on top of that. Typically, jewellery costs more than the piercing itself. Well-made jewellery will always give better results and less chance of irritation, plus it’ll last much longer.

Can I wash my face with a nose piercing?

You can absolutely wash your face with a nose piercing. In fact, it's encouraged, as you definitely don't want bacteria building up around the area. But there are a few rules. The first is to take extra care when washing; avoid rough scrubbing and knocking the area. Bond also recommends steering clear of “heavily scented or alcohol-heavy face products for the first couple of months, as these things can irritate piercings,” she says.

How to sleep with a new nose piercing

Front sleepers, we’ve sadly got bad news for you. Bond advises you sleep on your side or use a travel pillow to avoid knocking or squishing your fresh piercing. “It’s also important to change your pillowcase regularly to avoid germs and bacteria spreading to the piercing site,” she adds.

What can you not eat after a nose piercing?

No foods are off bounds after you get a piercing. However, “some people advise avoiding spicy foods as it can irritate the nose,” says Bond, who additionally recommends avoiding alcohol for the first few weeks as this all helps your body to heal as quickly as possible.

Pros and cons

As with all piercings, there are both pros and cons. Here are just a few, according to Yeadon.

Pros:

  • It’s beautiful!
  • It can be decorated in so many unique ways.
  • It can be subtle or bold depending on your style
  • It suits everyone.

    • Cons:

  • If removed, it can scar permanently even when done well and healed you can almost always see a mark.
  • It can take a while to heal and requires gentle care to avoid irritation
  • Some places of employment won’t allow nose piercings
  • Scarfs and clothing can get caught in it

    • Final words of advice

    Never, ever perform a piercing at home if you aren’t a professionally trained piercer. It’s not worth the risk of infection.

    Choose your piercer carefully to make sure that your nose piercing is carried out correctly and that you feel comfortable asking any aftercare questions. Take aftercare seriously — your future self will thank you. And, finally, enjoy your new piercing!

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8r7vSnmSpoZWnsKq6xg%3D%3D