by 30 people |
Nose piercing has been a part of various world cultures for hundreds of years
It's only been in the last two decades that nose piercing has gained a mainstream popularity in Western culture. Presently, it is the second most-popular body piercing desired by teens and young adults.
This lens will tell you about nose piercings, give some history, offer advice on healing and aftercare, and makes some recommendations for nose rings and jewelry.
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table of contents
- Take the Piercing Poll!
- Information About Piercing Your Nose
- Nostril Piercing
- The Nose Knows
- Nose Rings - body jewelry
- Which "Side" Should You Get Pierced?
- Septum Piercing
- Nostril Screws - body jewelry
- Piercing "Guns" Are BAD! - Learn Why
- Aftercare and Piercing FAQs
- Nose Pins and L-Bars - body jewelry
- The Earl or Bridge Piercing
- Nose Piercing Prejudice
- Nose Piercing and Personal Rights
- Nose Piercing Videos
- Ask the Nose Piercing Lensmaster!
Take the Piercing Poll!
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Information About Piercing Your Nose
Friction from a too-tight or too-large nose stud or ring, an accidental yank or snag, or even some people's genetic predispositions can cause a type of scar tissue, called a keloid, to form on healing nose piercings. This is that "bump" that everyone always talks about. Reading up on piercing care and knowing how to take care of your healing nose can really help avoid things like infections and keloids (aka "the bump).
Remember to ask your body piercer how to take care of your new nose piercing BEFORE you get your nose pierced. This is important because some people get sort of dizzy or feel a head rush from piercing, and it can make it harder to remember the aftercare info if you talk afterwards. (really!)
Also, many states have rules and regulations about ages and nose piercings. Be prepared to have legal ID, a legal guardian and their legal ID on hand to get your nose pierced in some states.
Nose PiercingsBy Rae Schwarz
Many people decide get their nose pierced and then have a lot of questions afterwards. Educate yourself before you get pierced and have a better experience. Learn why piercing guns are bad and get tips for getting rid of keloids.
Price: $4.95
The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modification
Amazon Price: $11.90 (as of 07/10/2009) 
List Price: $14.00
Used Price: $2.89
Body Piercing - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References
Amazon Price: $26.05 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $28.95
Used Price: $26.04
Nostril Piercing
the common nose ring
The most commonly pierced place on the nose is somewhere along the rim of the nostril. Placement is most often at the peak of the curved edge.Jewelry is most often a small stud or ring. For healing a nose piercing, wearing a ring allows the piercing to be cleaned more easily. Whatever is worn, it's best to wear gold or steel during the 3 month healing period. Do NOT wear sterling silver as it has the unfortunate side effect of leave a permanent black mark on your nose.
The most common complaint about nose piercings is that, like many other cartilage piercings, these can form a keloid, a bump-like type of scar tissue. This is most often due to friction or continuous irritation of the piercing.
As common as this piercing has become, they aren't as easy to heal as most young people assume. Many people do not truly anticipate what it's going to be like to have what is really a healing wound on their face for two to three months.
It often helps to try not to sleep facedown and to change your pillowcase more often while healing a nose piercing. Do not put rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a healing nose piercing as both can burn the raw tissues inside the piercing and increase irritation.
The Nose Knows
links to more nose piercing info
- Nose Piercings
- Details of the nostril and septum piercing, types of jewelry, healing and aftercare, keloids
- Nose Piercings - Ebook
- Nose piercing has been practiced by many cultures both ancient and modern. Learning about this popular body piercing before you get pierced often makes for a more enjoyable and succesful piercing experience.
- All About Nose Piercings
- Learn more about the types of nose piercings (nostril, septum and bridge), jewelry (rings, bones, studs, screws), see how nose piercings are done and get healing and aftercare advice.
- Adorning the nose
- Nose speaks for the face. If Mother Nature has carefully shaped it, then everything else is put in its proper place. A well-chiseled nose adds beauty to a woman's face. A tiny nose stud makes it more beautiful.
- Piercings - Sepia Mutiny
- I had recently gone to a Bengali family party, and was sitting on the floor talking to an older auntie type, when I noticed she had something gold in her nose. I asked her what it was, and with a little pull here and there, she pulled out a punk-rock style gold septum ring.
- Nostril Piercing - BME Encyclopedia
- The nostril piercing is, on a global and historical level, the most common piercing next to the earlobe piercing.
- nose rings
- Although nose rings are very common in India, they actually originated in the Middle East. It was only during the 16th century that the practice of piercing the nose filtered into India....
- Nose piercing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Nose piercing is the piercing of the skin or cartilage which forms any part of the nose, normally for the purpose of wearing jewelry; among the different varieties of nose piercings, the nostril piercing is the most common. Nose piercing is one of the most common varieties of piercing after earlobe piercing.
- get a nose ring on 43 Things
- Chat, message and meet over 150 people who want to get a nose ring
- Piercings, Body Piercing
- Body piercing has become very popular, trendy and fashionable. Body piercing greatly varies with multiple hoops up, around, and inside the ear, or studs and rings sticking out of the tongue, eyebrow, nostril, belly-button and lips.
Nose Rings - body jewelry
Single 18K Yellow Gold Fixed Bead Ring: 20g, 1/4"
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Single Stainless Steel Fixed Bead Ring: 20g, 1/4"
Amazon Price: $9.90 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Single 18K Yellow Gold Fixed Bead Ring: 20g, 5/16"
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Single Stainless Steel Fixed Bead Ring: 20g, 5/16"
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Which "Side" Should You Get Pierced?
It's an URBAN MYTH that somehow getting one side of your nose pieced or the other has some sort of special meaning. Whichever side you decide to get pierced is just your personal preference, nothing more. Any of your friends who tell you differently are just spreading internet rumors.
Septum Piercing
Sometimes nicknamed the "bull ring" piercing, the nose is also sometimes pierced through the cartilage that separates the chambers of the nose, the septum. This piercing is more common in tribal peoples. Reasons for this peircing were to imitate totem animals, to bring luck and to keep evil spirits from entering the body by coming in through the nose.This piercing can be made invisible by wearing a U-shaped piece of jewelry with the ends flipped up into the nose.
Nostril Screws - body jewelry
a type of jewelry that was tradionally worn in India for pierced noses
You want to avoid sterling silver for any fresh or still-healing nose piercings because the silver tarnishing not only can cause or increase irritation in the healing piercing, it can also trigger a condition where the healing skin is permanently stained with a dark color.
You should not start out with anything nylon or plastic in a fresh piercing, as those surfaces tend to cause adverse skin reactions and interfere with healing. They are fine for piercings that have fully-healed. So, don't think about getting a new nose piercing and then hiding it on the job. It really doesn't work well.
How to Wear a Nostril Screw - This jewelry starts out by twisting into place. Rotate the nostril screw so that the curled part of the wire pokes through your nose. Once you get the curl turned through the piercing, rotate the jewelry so that the straight part pops into place inside your nose. The curl should now be parallel to your nostril, hidden on the inside of your nose and should hold the jewelry in place securely but without digging into your nose too tightly.
14 karat NICKEL FREE white gold nose ring with OPAL
Amazon Price: $45.00 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Solid 14KT White Gold 2mm Cubic Zirconia SOLITAIRE Nose Ring
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Solid 14KT Yellow Gold BALL Nose Ring
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Solid 14KT White Gold STAR Nose Ring
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Piercing "Guns" Are BAD! - Learn Why
Piercing guns are very bad for noses because they were not made to pierce noses, they pierce using a very blunt stud (increases chances of scarring), the jewelry fits too tightly (increases chances of infection) and, most importantly, they are NOT sterilized properly in between customers so as to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C!
Do yourself a favor and do NOT get your nose pierced this way!
Aftercare and Piercing FAQs
- All About Nose Piercings
- Learn more about the types of nose piercings (nostril, septum and bridge), jewelry (rings, bones, studs, screws), see how nose piercings are done and get healing and aftercare advice.
- Nose Piercing FAQ
- Frequently asked nose piercing questions. Should you be worried if you got your nose pierced with an earring gun? Is there anything you can do for a pierced nose that just won't heal? Can you pierce your nose at home?
- How To Remove A Nose Ring
- Remove a Nose Ring or Stud Whether you've outgrown your nose pierce, or simply feel the need for a change, the removal process is pretty straightforward. Expect the hole to leave its mark, though - a legacy to the period you're leaving behind.
- Go Ask Alice!: Nose piercing
- Dear Alice, I am a first-year student and I want to get my nose pierced. This isn't just a whim; I've wanted one for a long time. However, I know that there will come a time when the ring will look juvenile on me. My question: will such a hole close up fairly quickly, without leaving an ugly scar?
- NOSE PIERCING AFTERCARE
- History, Jewelry, Gun vs Needle and more
Nose Pins and L-Bars - body jewelry
more nose piercing jewelry
L-bars however have a tiny bend, often smaller than a nostril screw and this holds the stud in place. Nose pins are a straight post with no form of backing, and those either stay in place for you, or they don't. I think both styles are much more viable for nose jewelry options. The best is a tiny ring or the nostril screws listed above.
14 karat gold nose pin with clear gem end
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Crystalline Gem MICRO Nose Ring L-Shaped
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Solid 14KT White Gold Star L-Shaped Nose Ring - 20 Gauge
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Solid 14KT Yellow Gold 2mm Genuine Amethyst L-Shaped Nose Ring - 20 Gauge
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Silver nose pin with clear gem end
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
The Earl or Bridge Piercing
A modern nose piercing that's been invented is sometimes called the "earl" or bridge piercing and involves a barbell being pierced through the skin over the bridge of the nose. The only part of the body jewelry visible are the two balls on the ends of the bar, which rest on either side of the nose.Facial movement and surface tension makes this a difficult piercing to heal for some people. Others abandon the piercing as having the balls just inside their field of vision becomes annoying.
This piercing got the name "earl" from one of the first people who ever got this piercing. Earl played the tattooed and pierced elder on the vampire high council in the first Blade movie, wearing his own body art, not makeup, for the role.
Nose Piercing Prejudice
If you aren't up to withstanding any of these prejudgments, don't get your nose pierced.
Some people switch out metal jewelry for retainers when they have to deal with certain work or family situations. This type of jewelry is made out of clear acrylic, so as to be of a lower visual profile than metal. These are only appropriate for piercings that are completely finished healing, as the plastics sometimes interact badly with still-healing skin surfaces.
Take Out Your Nose Ring, Honey, We're Going To Grandma's!: Hanging In, Holding On And Letting Go Of Your Teen
Release Date: 04/01/2003
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $13.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
Leave Your Nose Ring at Home
Release Date: 08/08/2008
Amazon Price: $13.25 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $16.99
Usually ships in 24 hours
18 Gauge CLEAR ACRYLIC CONE Nose Screw Retainer
Understand that acrylic retainers are NOT really invisible, they just have a lower visible profile than metal jewelry. You can still see that you have a nose piercing when you wear them.
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Nose Piercing and Personal Rights
Where do you stand on the issue?
Welcome to the debate on nose piercings! Let us know whether you think nose piercings have an effect on how someone does their job. (when you start to type an answer, the buttons that let you pick the pro or con option will appear)
Do you think it's discrimination when people are forced to take out their nose rings for work?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, it's unfair. Piercings are unrelated to job performance and professionalism.
Bailey says:
Taking out you nose ring at work is just totally rediculus. Its not gonna turn away customers away. nose piercing express who you are. they even make you cover it up when your in school. thats just stupid.
-bailey white lasvegas,nv
Posted June 19, 2009
Leslie says:
its unfair..which is why i quit my job.i dont think someone who gets paid minimum wage should have to remove a piercing.
Posted June 18, 2009
lisa says:
nose-rings are awesome looking. people these days are just over critical.
Posted June 17, 2009
nik says:
its totally unfair. i mean its not like its gonna slow down business or anything n it makes the employees happy they dont have 2 take it out every day!
Posted June 11, 2009
~ says:
It is unfair. Just today I was told to remove my nose stud which I got pierced because my husband is Indian and it is part of being married to him. If I had been another race i.e. indian, then I wonder if I would have been told to remove it....
Posted June 02, 2009
cass says:
people shouldn't be judged on how they look, it's a personal choice to get a piercing and has nothing to do to with job performance. You wouldn't accept discrimination of certain races for a job what makes piercing any different? People have the right to express themselves in a way they see fit. Discrimination is discrimination
Posted May 27, 2009
No, the employer/biz has the right to set a dress code, even if it violates your religion or personal beliefs.
Leah says:
if employees are good at their job, why should it matter if they have piercings or not? So many people are in need of employees, so people are going to have to start getting used to people having piercings, or its bye bye work place.
Posted May 26, 2009
Candace says:
No. A business has an image to keep, and by choosing to work foa a particular business you also choose to uphold that image. I work for Chuck E. Cheese, and we are required to take out most piercings. This business likes for the employees to look youthful, friendly, and clean cut. Whether the stereotype that people with piercings are rebels and law-breakers is true or not, many parents feel more comfortable in a place where the workers look mainstream.
Posted May 16, 2009
Crystal says:
It depends on the job. I think many places are too strict about such things, I can see how for some jobs it's better to have a certain look that a piercing doesn't work with.
Posted May 07, 2009
charles says:
yes, nose precing is very much interested and sexy to look...i
like that very much....
Posted April 05, 2009
AlienAlien117 says:
Pierced ears are acceptable in most any business,other facial piercings tend not to impress customers.Unfortunately society is changing and what was once unnaceptable is becoming the norm,myself I wouldn't hire someone unable to pass through a metal detector Discrimination not at all....you choose to pierce I choose not to hire
Posted March 25, 2009
Tanya says:
nope. At a place of business, we are professionals. We need to abide by the rules of the establishment - or find another place to work. At a tattoo parlor job, that is acceptable. At an executive meeting, it isn't. Besides, having a secret other people don't know about is pretty cool. My students never found out that I have my eyebrows and nose pierced. Its awesome.
Posted March 14, 2009
Nose Piercing Videos
See what getting your nose pierced is like
Ask the Nose Piercing Lensmaster!
questions and answers about nose piercings
Got a nose piercing question? If it's a brief one, you can ask it here. Questions that are addressed by something written in the lens already will get deleted to cut down on repetition.
It's also a good idea to read through past questions to see if someone has already asked what you wish to ask about, as that might get you your answer right away!
Please note, I can NOT answer the following questions:
- how much will it hurt? (no clue, that all depends on your own perceptions and physical tolerance)
- how much do piercings cost? (go ask a piercer)
- how will something heal? (your own body's healing process and how diligent you are taking care of your nose can't be predicted)
- is this infected? (go see a doctor for a medical diagnosis)
relache wrote...
in reply to Koucna E If you read this lens, you'd see that the #1 cause of scar tissue or bumps is friction, so the answer is "yes."
Posted June 13, 2009
Koucna E wrote
I was wondering if the nose ring is not long enough can that cause a nose bump ? I have both and i dont think my nose ring is long enough for my nose ..
Posted June 13, 2009
relache wrote...
in reply to Samantha With something that sounds so bad, you need to go see a doctor or go back to your body piercer for a follow-up. The non-stop bleeding sounds very abnormal.
Posted June 06, 2009
relache wrote...
in reply to Brittney Things sound fine but you'll want to find a reputable piercer to take an actual look-see if anything comes up.
Posted June 06, 2009
relache wrote...
in reply to nesssa4711 Since you did this to yourself and I don't want to incur any legal liability, I can't help you Nessa. If you need advice, I suggest you go see a body piercer in your area.
Posted June 06, 2009
WhitneyWells wrote...
My wife is 40, she looks great with her nose pierced.[in reply to Kerry]
Posted June 03, 2009
Samantha wrote
Hey, so I just got my nose pierced a couple of days ago and I cant even move my nose or touch the stud. Also the place where i got my nose pierced won't stop bleeding....... is it infected??
Posted June 01, 2009
Brittney wrote
I got my nose pierced at the beginning of April. The piercer used a regular stud earring in my nose, a tiny one. Its pretty uncomfortable, and I don't think they were supposed to use it. It was always either too tight, or too loose, or too hard to clean properly.. So I bought a l shaped nose ring, and switched it out. I know it was probably too soon to, but it was just too uncomfortable with the earring stud. I put a bit of neosporin on the nose ring after I had cleaned it, mostly to make it slide through easier, and it didn't hurt much but it did bleed a bit. After I had switched it out, one of my friends told me I shouldn't have and it was a bad idea. I know it was too soon, because switching out jewelry can irritate it or it could close up. But it did not close up obviously, and the earring stud was irritating it enough. Its been a few days and my nose seems completely fine. I just want to double check, did I do something wrong, should I be worried about something in particular now?
Posted June 01, 2009
nesssa4711 wrote
Hi, I got my nose pierced a week ago and I feel like the ring is going thru my nose. I have a nose screw with a little ball on top. This morning when I woke up I could barely see the ball. I had to use a tweezer (which I sterilized) to pull the ball back out. The piercing does not hurt and I make sure to clean it with soap and water, and to also apply the H2Ocean aftercare spray at least 3 times a day. I am really nervous that one morning I will wake up to find the ring inside my skin. Should I remove the ring? Could it be too small for the piercing?
Thank You
Posted May 31, 2009
relache wrote...
in reply to Tracy All my reading indicates that the black stain is there to stay forever. You might wish to consult with a dermatologist to see if there are any medical methods which might help.
Posted May 26, 2009
Tracy wrote
I had my nostril pierced years ago. First thing I did, like and idiot, was go home and put in a pretty little silver nose stud. Low and behold it is healed but i now have the oxidised black stain inside the skin. Any way to get rid of the stain?
Posted May 25, 2009
hempnecklace wrote...
You are cordially invited to join my Jewelry group if you havn't done so already.
My Squidoo Jewelry Group
Click here To join the Jewelry group.
thank you
David Depape
Posted April 21, 2009
relache wrote...
in reply to chelsea The metal in safety pins is unregulated, which means there's probably a lot of metals that aren't suited for body piercing present, named nickel or brass. Both can tarnish (like sterling silver), leaving a permanent coloring around the piercing and tarnishing can lead to further inflammation or interaction with your nose. And that's not even going into the uncleanliness or lack of proper medical technique involved with home piercing.
Posted April 06, 2009
chelsea wrote
i pierced my nose myself a few weeks ago (i don't know the exact time) and i only wear a thick safty pin in it(i cut the point and the majority of the pin to leave a short bar about "--------------" that big) ha i know that sounds horrible but i have to keep it low key at school and i havent been able to make my way to a body jewlery shop. i take the bar out frequently to get the ickies off because it sticks in my nostril within an hour and the buildup can get so large that it can be quite painful to remove. i also have issues putting it back it, it seems to scab over in minutes. no infection is present and the hard tissue surrounding the hole is softening up. my question is, is it particularly harmful to be using this safty pin fragment as a retainer? so far, i dont see how it could be.
Posted April 06, 2009
by relache
Rae is a long-time body art enthusiast and tattoo collector, who's held Bellaonline's Body Art Editorship for seven years and facilitates Squidoo's In...
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