Nose Piercing 101: What you need to know

You have made an important decision and are ready to get your nose pierced. But if this is your first time, you may have questions, and rightly so.

Nose piercings (like any other type of piercing) should be carefully considered and studied to ensure that you end up with a combination of piercing and jewelry that you can be proud of. 

Don't get us wrong, a nose piercing is very fun and expressive, it represents your personal style, personality and highlights your face, but it's always wise to make sure you understand the basics before you sit in the piercing chair.

When it comes to nose piercings, your options are virtually limitless, from a myriad of styles of nose rings to studs and everything in between. This is partly why homework is so important. You don't know what you don't know and there may be a certain type of nose piercing or jewelry that really stands out as something unique to you.

This guide will tell you about the most common questions we get from those who are interested in learning about nose piercings. If you have more questions or are ready to take the next step, give us a call or stop by one of our highly rated piercing parlors in Newmarket or Mississauga. Our team is talented, professional and friendly. Not to mention, we have an extensive line of great jewelry that is safe and will last a long time.

Common questions about nose piercing

Will it hurt?

Perhaps the most common question we hear concerns anxiety about pain. This question is a bit subjective, since everyone has a different level of pain tolerance. Keep in mind that any piercing will be painful, but usually feels like a quick pinch and is over before you even notice it. It only takes a few seconds to complete the actual piercing, or even less once everything is set up. So the initial pain from the actual piercing comes and goes in the blink of an eye. However, the area will be sore and tender after and during healing.

Invest in safe metal

Some people are sensitive to certain jewelry metals, causing increased irritation and even a mild allergic reaction at the piercing site. 

Below we have listed two generally safe metals for any nose piercing:

• Surgical stainless steel is a cheaper metal that most people have no problem with. Those with sensitive skin may want to invest in titanium instead.

• Titanium - Titanium for implants, to be precise. Of all the metal options, this one is the safest. It is a common metal used in jewelry and even people with sensitive skin can use it.

There is also a list of metals to avoid or at least approach with caution:

• Gold. Gold for initial piercings is suitable if the item is 14 karat or higher, contains no nickel, and is alloyed for biocompatibility. Gold above 18 carats is too soft for body jewelry. Gold-plated, gold-filled, or gold-plated/vermel jewelry is unacceptable for a fresh piercing. All of them include coating the base metal with a layer of gold. The gold surface (which is very thin - measured in millionths of an inch) can wear off or chip off and get stuck in wounds. 

• Nickel. Nickel exposure may cause a rash. Any metals/jewelry containing nickel such as surgical steel and stainless steel. 

• Silver. Silver is allergic and tarnishes easily. Black marks at the puncture site are the result of staining the skin with silver jewelry. 

Find out all your options

Nose piercings come in many shapes and sizes. Piercing options include:

• Nostril piercing is the most common type of piercing. You can put in a subtle rivet, or you can go for a statement piece. Rings should be avoided for initial piercings and only worn after healing is complete. 

• Bridge piercing - For this piercing, the barbell is placed on the bridge of the nose between the eyes. The disadvantage of a bridge piercing is that it can only be at surface level. With the right anatomy and aftercare, a bridge piercing can look amazing!

• Septum piercing - between the lower part of the nose and the cartilage is a place called the "sweet spot". Hoops are the most common choice of rings for this area. These piercings are easy to hide and can't be discarded by the body, but they can be a nuisance when you have a runny nose.
• Nose piercing. Passing through the nostril and septum, this piercing may look like two separate ones, but it's actually three nose piercings using one piece.

• High nostril piercing - These are taller than traditional nostril piercings and it's best to just use studs in that area.

• Vertical nose tip piercing - also known as "rhinoceros piercing", this method uses a curved barbell where both ends of the bar are visible. 

• A septril piercing is another type of piercing that uses a curved barbell. This intricate, painful piercing is inserted half vertically into the bottom of the nose at the tip. The process can take some time and this piercing is best for those with large piercings and a healed septum.

Which nostril to pierce

Should I pierce the right or left nostril? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

1. Which side are you parting on? If you have a piercing, you don't want to cover it up!
2. Which side do you prefer to sleep on?
3. Where are your other piercings?
4. If you can’t decide at all, you can always pierce both nostrils!

Unlike other body modifications, nose piercings don't have to be permanent, so if you don't like your piercing, try something new!

Piercing

When it comes to nose piercings, they need to be properly cared for to minimize the risk of irritation or infection.

How to care for a new piercing

The first step is cleaning.

We define cleaning as the physical act of cleaning our piercing, our jewelry, and the surrounding skin. We do this after we cleanse the rest of ourselves, in the shower!

Make sure your hands are freshly washed before proceeding with the aftercare!

Take a pea-sized amount of soap and lather your freshly washed hands. You can then gently wash the area of ​​your new piercing being careful not to move or twist the jewelry. Soap should not be pushed into the wound itself.

This will be the last step in your soul to remove all residue from your hair and body.

Be sure to rinse thoroughly and dry well with gauze or paper towels, do not use cloth towels as they contain bacteria. By keeping the puncture site moist, the wound absorbs additional moisture and prolongs healing.

We recommend using Pursan soap (available from the studio). If you've lost soap, use any glycerin-based medical soap without dyes, fragrances, or triclosan, as these can damage cells and prolong healing.

NOTE. Do not use bar soap.

The next step in our post-care sleep routine is irrigation.

Flushing is the way we wash off the daily crusts that form on the back and front of our new piercings. This is a normal by-product of our bodies, but we want to avoid any buildup that could slow healing and/or cause complications.

We recommend using Neilmed Salt Spray as our masters trust it after care. Another option is to use prepackaged saline without additives. Avoid using homemade salt mixes as too much salt in your mix can damage your new piercing.

Just rinse the piercing for a few minutes and then wipe off any crusts and debris with gauze or paper towel. This includes the back of the jewelry and any frames or prongs.

Irrigation should be done at the opposite end of the day from your shower. Do not remove scabs, which can be identified by the fact that they are attached to the site of the wound and their removal is painful.

Healing time

The healing process is highly dependent on the type of piercing. Here are some healing periods:

• Nostril: 4-6 months
• Septum: 3-4 months
• Rhino/Upright: 9-12 months
• Nasallang: 9-12 months
• Bridge: 4-6 months

While your piercing is healing:

• Do not use moisturizer or makeup
• Don't go swimming
• Don't play with it
• Don't take it out
• Do not overdo it
• Do not change until complete healing

Issues to pay attention to

Please check for any issues, your trusted local piercer will be able to help you if you have any issues with your piercing. Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Migration or embedding - don't think this means decorations will be pushed out. Your body may also try to absorb the metal, so keep an eye on how your piercing looks.
• Infection. Swelling, bleeding, or pus may be a sign of an infection. Rashes are not infections and are caused by irritants, which is the first sign of a healing disorder.

These are just a few potential issues to look out for. If you have any discomfort, bleeding, or unusual symptoms, please contact your piercer, as they are trained to know everything that can and does go with a piercing. From there, they can refer you to a doctor in the rare event that you have an infection.

Enjoy your new look

Nose piercing is an interesting accessory. Make sure you take good care of your new piercing and you'll be able to brag about it for years to come.

Ready to take the next step? Give us a call today or visit one of our Newmarket or Mississauga piercing parlors today.