The Complete Nose Piercing Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before, During, and After
A nose piercing is one of the most popular body modifications in the world—and for good reason. It's versatile, expressive, and looks incredible on virtually every face shape. But whether you're thinking about getting your first nose piercing or you're a piercing veteran ready for your next one, there's a lot more to it than just walking into a shop and pointing at your nostril.
From choosing the right piercing type to picking jewelry that heals well and looks amazing, this guide covers everything you need to know before, during, and after your nose piercing.
Types of Nose Piercings
Not all nose piercings are created equal. Each type has its own look, healing time, and jewelry options. Here's a breakdown of the most common types so you can decide which one fits your style.
Nostril Piercing
The nostril piercing is the most classic and widely recognized nose piercing. It's placed on either side of the nostril, right along the curve of the cartilage. You can get it on the left, the right, or both sides for a symmetrical look.
What makes nostril piercings so popular is the incredible variety of jewelry you can wear. Studs, L-bends, nose screws, hoops, and flat back labrets all work beautifully in a nostril piercing. It's also one of the more beginner-friendly piercings—healing is relatively straightforward as long as you follow proper aftercare.
Healing time: 3-4 months for initial healing, up to 6 months for full healing.
Septum Piercing
The septum piercing goes through the thin piece of skin between your nostrils, known as the "sweet spot" or columella. Despite what many people think, a properly done septum piercing does NOT go through the thick cartilage—it goes through that soft membrane toward the tip of the nose.
One of the biggest advantages of a septum piercing is that it can be hidden easily. With a circular barbell or horseshoe ring, you can simply flip the jewelry up inside your nose for work or formal events. This makes it a great option if you love piercings but need flexibility for professional settings.
Jewelry options: Circular barbells, clickers, hinged hoops, captive bead rings, and septum retainers.
Healing time: 2-3 months.
High Nostril Piercing
A high nostril piercing sits higher up on the nasal bridge than a standard nostril piercing. It creates a unique look that pairs beautifully with a regular nostril piercing below it. However, because of its placement, jewelry options are more limited—studs and L-bends work best, as hoops generally won't fit.
Healing time: 3-6 months.
Bridge Piercing
The bridge piercing crosses horizontally over the bridge of the nose between the eyes. It's a bold, attention-grabbing look that's considered a surface piercing, meaning it has a higher risk of rejection and migration than other nose piercings. Bridge piercings are typically done with a straight barbell.
Healing time: 2-3 months, though careful monitoring for rejection is important.
What to Know Before Getting Pierced
Choosing a Piercer
This might be the single most important decision in your entire piercing experience. A skilled, reputable piercer makes the difference between a piercing that heals beautifully and one that gives you months of problems.
Look for a piercer who uses single-use, sterilized needles (never a piercing gun), works in a clean studio with an autoclave, has a solid portfolio of healed piercings, and is willing to answer all your questions without rushing you. Checking for membership in the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is a good starting point, though many excellent piercers may not be members.
Never get a nose piercing with a piercing gun. Piercing guns force blunt studs through tissue, causing unnecessary trauma, and they cannot be properly sterilized between uses. Always insist on a hollow needle.
Choosing Your Initial Jewelry
Your piercer will help you choose your first piece of jewelry, but it helps to understand what you're looking for. For initial piercings, the material matters more than the style. Your piercer should be using one of the following:
Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136): This is the gold standard for initial piercing jewelry. It's biocompatible, virtually nickel-free, lightweight, and promotes the fastest healing. If you have any sensitivity to metals at all, titanium is the safest bet.
14K or 18K solid gold: Real gold (not gold-plated or gold-filled) is safe for initial piercings and offers a warm, luxurious look. Make sure it's solid gold, not just gold-colored.
Niobium: Similar to titanium in biocompatibility, though less commonly available.
Avoid surgical steel for initial piercings if you have any metal sensitivity, as it contains nickel. While many people heal fine with surgical steel, titanium eliminates the risk entirely.
Pain and What to Expect
Let's be honest—it's a needle going through your nose. You're going to feel it. But the good news is that nose piercings are generally quick. The actual piercing takes about one second.
For nostril piercings, most people describe it as a sharp pinch followed by watery eyes. Your eyes will water—it's an involuntary reflex, not because of pain. Septum piercings feel similar, though some people describe a brief, intense pressure.
On a pain scale of 1-10, most people rate nostril piercings around a 3-4 and septum piercings around a 4-5. The anticipation is almost always worse than the actual piercing.
Aftercare: How to Heal Your Nose Piercing
Proper aftercare is what separates a piercing that heals smoothly from one that develops bumps, infections, or complications. The good news is that modern aftercare is much simpler than what was recommended years ago.
The Only Aftercare You Need
Sterile saline solution. That's it. Spray your piercing with sterile saline wound wash (0.9% sodium chloride with no additives) twice a day. You can find this at any pharmacy—look for brands like NeilMed Piercing Aftercare or any sterile wound wash.
Gently spray the front and back of the piercing, let it sit for a moment, and then gently pat dry with clean gauze or paper towel. Do not use cotton balls or Q-tips, as the fibers can get caught in the jewelry.
What NOT to Do
This is just as important as what you should do. Many common "aftercare" practices actually slow healing or cause problems:
Don't use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These are too harsh and kill the healthy tissue your body is trying to build around the piercing.
Don't rotate or twist your jewelry. This is old-school advice that's been thoroughly debunked. Rotating jewelry disrupts the healing tissue forming around the post and introduces bacteria from your hands.
Don't touch your piercing with unwashed hands. In fact, try not to touch it at all unless you're cleaning it. Your hands carry bacteria that can easily cause infection in a healing piercing.
Don't change your jewelry too early. Wait until your piercing is fully healed before switching jewelry. For nostril piercings, that's at least 3-4 months. For septum piercings, 2-3 months. When in doubt, ask your piercer.
Don't sleep on your piercing. Pressure from sleeping on a fresh piercing can cause irritation bumps, migration, and uneven healing. Try to sleep on the opposite side.
Don't submerge it in water. Avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes, and baths during healing. Showers are fine—just avoid direct water pressure on the piercing.
Common Healing Issues
Even with perfect aftercare, you might encounter some normal healing symptoms:
Irritation bumps are the most common issue. These small, raised bumps near the piercing are usually caused by friction, pressure, or touching. They're NOT keloids (true keloids are genetic and much rarer). Irritation bumps almost always resolve on their own once you identify and remove the source of irritation—usually it's sleeping on it, touching it, or wearing poor-quality jewelry.
Crusties are completely normal. Those little dried deposits around your jewelry are your body's natural healing response—essentially dried lymph fluid. Don't pick at them. Let them soften during your saline spray and gently wipe them away.
Some swelling and redness in the first few days to weeks is totally normal. If swelling increases after the first week, becomes very painful, or is accompanied by green/yellow discharge and fever, see your piercer or a doctor.
Choosing Your Jewelry After Healing
Once your piercing is fully healed, the fun really begins. Now you can start exploring different styles, materials, and looks. Here's what you need to know.
Jewelry Styles for Nostril Piercings
L-Bend: A straight post with a 90-degree bend at the end. Easy to insert and remove, great for everyday wear. The bend sits inside your nostril to hold it in place.
Nose Screw: A post with a corkscrew-shaped end. More secure than an L-bend—these stay put even during sleep. Slightly trickier to insert, but many people prefer them for their security. Browse our nose ring collection for screws, L-bends, and more.
Nose Hoop: A ring that wraps around the nostril. Available in hinged segment rings and captive bead rings. Hoops give a classic, eye-catching look but are best reserved for fully healed piercings.
Nose Bone: A straight post with a small ball on the end. Easy to pop in and out, but the least secure option. Best for well-established piercings.
Flat Back Labret: A straight post with a flat disc on the inside and a decorative top on the outside. These sit flush against the inside of your nostril and are extremely comfortable. Browse our threadless jewelry collection for a wide variety of decorative tops. Many piercers now prefer these for initial jewelry too.
Jewelry Styles for Septum Piercings
Clickers: Hinged rings that "click" shut. These are the most popular septum jewelry because they're easy to use, come in endless designs, and are very secure. From simple plain rings to ornate designs with gems, clickers offer the most variety.
Circular Barbells: Horseshoe-shaped rings with balls on each end. Easy to flip up and hide. A classic choice that works for both subtle and bold looks depending on size and finish.
Hinged Hoops: Continuous hoops with a click-in closure for a clean, minimal look. Easy to insert and very secure.
Materials for Healed Piercings
Once healed, you have more flexibility with materials, but quality still matters:
Implant-grade titanium remains the best all-around choice. Safe for everyone, lightweight, durable, never tarnishes, and available in multiple colors through anodization or PVD coating—silver, gold, rose gold, black, and more.
Solid gold (14K+) is a beautiful upgrade option. Make sure it's solid gold, not plated. Gold-plated jewelry will eventually chip and expose the base metal underneath.
Surgical steel (316L) is fine for healed piercings in people without nickel sensitivity. It's affordable and durable, making it a good option for building a collection.
Getting the Right Size
Nose ring sizing can be confusing, but getting it right makes a huge difference in comfort and appearance. For a complete breakdown, check out our Nose Ring Size Guide.
Gauge refers to the thickness of the post or ring. Most nostril piercings are done at 20G (0.8mm) or 18G (1.0mm). Septum piercings are typically 16G (1.2mm) or 14G (1.6mm). Always match your jewelry gauge to your piercing size.
Length/Rise refers to how long the post is. This matters for studs and labrets—too long and the jewelry sticks out awkwardly, too short and it can embed in swollen tissue. Standard nose stud length is 6mm, but 5mm and 7mm are available for thinner or thicker nostrils.
Diameter matters for hoops and rings. Common nostril hoop diameters are 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm. A smaller diameter sits closer to the nose for a snug look, while larger diameters create more of a statement. Septum rings typically range from 8mm to 10mm in diameter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nose piercing cost?
A professional nose piercing typically costs $30-$80, depending on your location and the studio. This usually includes the piercing fee and basic starter jewelry. Higher-end studios may charge more, especially if they include premium implant-grade titanium jewelry. Never choose a piercer based on price alone—a cheap piercing that goes wrong will cost you much more in the long run.
Can I get a nose piercing with a cold or allergies?
It's best to wait. Frequent nose blowing, sneezing, and excess mucus can irritate a fresh piercing and introduce bacteria. Wait until your symptoms clear up before getting pierced. If you have chronic allergies, talk to your piercer—many people with allergies have successful nose piercings with extra care during flare-ups.
Which side should I get my nose pierced on?
There's no "correct" side—it's entirely personal preference. Some people choose based on which side they part their hair, which side they sleep on (pierce the opposite side), or which side they think looks better. Try holding a small rhinestone or fake stud on each side to see which you prefer before committing.
How long until I can change my nose ring?
For nostril piercings, wait at least 3-4 months minimum, though 6 months is ideal for a fully mature piercing channel. For septum piercings, 2-3 months is typical. Your piercer can assess your healing and let you know when it's safe. For a step-by-step guide on switching jewelry, read our How to Change Your Nose Ring guide.
Will my nose piercing leave a scar if I take it out?
Most nostril piercings leave a very small mark that's barely noticeable once it fully closes. The scar is typically just a tiny dot. Piercings that experienced complications like rejection, migration, or prolonged irritation may leave a slightly more visible mark. Septum piercings rarely leave any visible scar since they're hidden inside the nose.
Can I wear any metal in my nose piercing?
For healing piercings, stick to implant-grade titanium, solid gold, or niobium only. Once fully healed, you have more flexibility, but implant-grade titaniumremains the safest option for everyone, especially if you have sensitive skin. Avoid mystery metals, plated jewelry, and anything that doesn't list its material clearly.
Final Thoughts
A nose piercing is one of the most rewarding forms of self-expression. Whether you go for a subtle nostril stud or a bold septum clicker, the key to a great experience is choosing a reputable piercer, using quality jewelry from the start, following simple aftercare, and being patient with the healing process.
The most common mistake people make is rushing—rushing to change jewelry, rushing to switch to a hoop, or rushing to try cheaper materials. Give your piercing the time and quality it deserves, and you'll have a beautiful, healthy piercing that lasts a lifetime.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Nose Ring?
Browse our complete collection of nose rings and septum jewelry, all made from implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136). Every piece is hypoallergenic, lightweight, and built to last.
Not sure what size you need? Check out our Nose Ring Size Guide for help finding the perfect fit.
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This guide is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a professional piercer for personalized advice about your specific piercing.