Nose piercings
Nostril, septum, bridge and high nostril compared by pain, healing time and cost, and the jewelry mistakes that cause most nose piercing bumps.
| Piercing | Pain | Healing | Cost | Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nostril | 4/10 | 4–6 months | $30–70 | 18g (1.0 mm) |
| Septum | 5/10 | 2–3 months | $40–90 | 16g or 14g |
Nose piercings are among the most popular in the world and among the most commonly done badly. The piercing itself is usually fine; the jewelry that goes into it is where things go wrong.
The two main options
A nostril piercing passes through the soft tissue at the side of the nose, above the natural crease. It heals in four to six months and is the more visible of the two.
A septum piercing passes through the sweet spot, a thin strip of soft tissue in front of the cartilage wall between the nostrils. It heals in two to three months, faster than most people expect, and it can be hidden completely with a retainer.
Almost everyone believes a septum goes through cartilage. Done properly, it does not, and that single fact explains why it heals so much faster than a nostril.
The jewelry problem
Three types of jewelry are commonly put into fresh nostril piercings, and only one is appropriate.
- Flat-back labret stud. A straight post with a smooth flat disc inside the nostril. This is the right answer.
- Nose bone. A straight post with a ball fused on the end, which you have to force through the channel every time it goes in or out.
- L-shape or nose screw. A bent post that rotates inside the nostril as you move, so the piercing is never still.
If you have a nostril bump, the jewelry is the first thing to check. See piercing bumps.
Other nose placements
- High nostril: higher up the side of the nose. Slower to heal, and it needs a flat-back stud permanently because a hoop cannot sit correctly.
- Bridge: a surface piercing across the bridge of the nose between the eyes. Migration risk, and it needs a straight barbell.
- Nasallang: a single bar through both nostrils and the septum. Advanced, and not a first piercing.
- Septril: through the tip of the nose into a stretched septum. Advanced and uncommon.
The rules
- Flat-back labret to start, never a nose bone or L-shape.
- 18 gauge for a nostril, 16 or 14 for a septum. Decide before the needle.
- Implant-grade titanium, threadless or internally threaded. See materials.
- Do not change the jewelry early. Four to six months for a nostril. See when you can change it.
- Keep makeup and skincare out of it.
- Sterile saline twice a day, inside and outside the nostril.
Full routine in the nose cleaning guide.
Every nose piercings guide
Frequently asked questions
Which nose piercing hurts least?
A standard nostril, at about 4 out of 10. A septum is around 5 out of 10 but feels different: the sting is brief and your eyes water immediately, which is a reflex rather than a measure of pain.
Which nose piercing heals fastest?
The septum, at two to three months, because it passes through soft tissue rather than cartilage. A nostril takes four to six months despite looking healed much sooner.
Does a septum piercing go through cartilage?
No, not when placed correctly. It passes through the columella, a strip of soft tissue below the cartilage that piercers call the sweet spot.
What gauge is a nose piercing?
A nostril is usually pierced at 18 gauge, which is 1.0 mm. A septum is usually 16 gauge or 14 gauge. Decide the septum gauge before you are pierced, because changing later means stretching.
Why do nose piercings get bumps so often?
Mostly jewelry. Nose bones and L-shaped studs, which are what many cheap kits and some studios supply, either force a ball through the channel or rotate constantly inside the nostril. A flat-back labret avoids both problems.
Sources
- Association of Professional Piercers - Suggested aftercare for body piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Jewelry for initial piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Troubleshootinghttps://safepiercing.org/troubleshooting/