Nose Piercings Guide

Nose piercings are a hugely popular type of piercing, offering a great way to bring that extra flare to your latest look. No matter whether you’re after a subtle change or want a new statement look, a nose piercing could be the perfect answer. As with any piercing, there’s often many questions you’ll want answers to before getting it done.

With that in mind, we’ve put this handy nose piercing guide together to help you find all the answers to the most common questions. Of course, if you’re still unsure about anything please drop us a message!

How long does a nose piercing take to heal?

A nose piercing will take around 2-6 months for a nose piercing to heal.  This varies quite considerably based on what type of piercing it is and individual factors which can interfere with the healing process.

We’ve summarised the main types of nose piercing and the approximate healing time for each.  

• Nostril piercing around 3-6 months to heal

• Septum piercing around 2-3 months to heal

• Bridge piercing around 2-4 months to heal

• Rhino piercing around 5-8 months to heal

As noted above, it can differ considerably from person to person.  This is because there are a number of factors which can impact healing time, for example, if the piercing is frequently irritated or not cared for then this will extend the healing process.

As with any piercing, there's a good chance it will look fully healed before the healing process is complete so always ensure you’ve allowed sufficient time before changing the piercing.

Which side should I get my nose piercing done?

When it comes to deciding which side of your nose you should get pierced there's absolutely no hard and fast rules!  However, here's a few points which may help in making the decision.

• Personal preference - do you have a side which you most prefer in photos?  If so, this could be your answer.  If you always sway towards photos from a particular angle than enhancing that with a nose piercing could be a great idea.  

• Hairstyle - if you have your hair styled over one side of your face then it could be worth getting the nose piercing on the opposite side to complement the look.  No point in covering a beautiful piercing! 

• Other piercings - a great point to consider is what other piercings you may have - particularly any lip piercings but also ear piercings too.  For example, if you have a Monroe or Madonna lip piercing then you could have your nose pierced on the same side to retain the symmetry. 

Still can't decide? Don't worry there's a couple more options for you.  Firstly, you could try a fake nose piercing and apply to both sides - take a few photos to experiment.  If still undecided then a septum piercing could be worth considering - there's no decision on left or right then, just what style of septum ring you want! 

How old do you have to be to get a nose piercing in the UK?

There is currently no legal age restrictions in England and Wales as long as full consent is given by the individual having the piercing done.  This differs for Scotland where parental consent must be given up to the age of 16.

With this being said some piercing studios do enforce their own rules whereby you must be 16 or over so don't be surprised if you do get asked to bring ID.  

There's some further information and discussion on the legal piercing age on the yougov website here if you would like to know more.

How do I clean my nose piercing?

Caring for your nose piercing properly is particularly important straight after having it done as you need to ensure it heals properly and infection is avoided.

A simple saline solution (essentially just salt water) is best for cleaning the piercing, you can either purchase this from a store or make your own. To make at home simply mix 250ml of water along with ½ teaspoon of salt. It’s always best to boil the water to kill off any nasty bacteria. You’ll also need some cotton balls which you’ll use to apply the saline solution. Once you have these simply follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap - this will help ensure you don’t transfer any germs from your hands to the piercing during the process!
2. Douse the cotton ball in the saline solution.
3. Gently apply the cotton ball to the piercing for around 2 minutes, occasionally applying a tiny bit more pressure and releasing again.
4. Finally use a disposable tissue to dry the piercing - again, be very careful to avoid disturbing the piercing.

It’s also worth noting you should avoid covering the piercing with make-up - this increases the chance of infection and irritating the piercing.

How do I hide my nose piercing?

There's a couple of different options you have if you would like to hide your nose piercing or if you just want to make it a little less visible for a particular occasion. Below is a quick overview of each:

• Nose piercing retainer - these are just simple studs with a small notched end.  They are often sold in both skin tone colours and clear.
• Make-up - probably the cheapest option (if you already wear make-up!).  Simply use a concealer which matches your skin-tone 
• Plaster / bandage - this approach will require a liquid plaster to cutting a skin tone plastic to size.  Once you've placed that over the piercing you can simply apply your normal make-up to further conceal the piercing.

How painful is a nose piercing?

This is always a difficult question to answer as we each experience pain a little differently - for some individuals they may hardly experience any pain at all, for others it could be a little more sensitive.  

Generally speaking, you could compare the pain with the initial pinch you get when having an injection.  Of course, if you've had other piercings than that's a great way to compare the pain level too - particuarly cartilage piercings.  Unless you have any other medical concerns, then the pain of the piercing shouldn't be enough to deter the vast majority of people.

What are the different types of nose piercing?

There are numerous styles of nose piercing available but you'll commonly see the following 4 types:

• Nose Ring - as you may have guessed, these are simple rings which generally have a segment missing and one end is slightly larger to prevent the piercing falling out.  You may also see other piercing types such as segment rings and hinged segment rings in nose piercings.
• Nose Screw - these have the straight bar with the corkscrew style end - this sits inside the nose keeping the piercing securely in place.  The top, which is the visible part, sits on the outer surface of the nose, often with a set gem or some other type of decorative design.
• Nose Stud - these have the "L" shaped bar which helps keep the piercing safely in place.  There is no real difference between these and the nose screws, it's more just a matter of individual preference.
• Nose Bones - just a simple straight bar, the diameter of the top and bottom will both be wider than the bar itself which prevents the piercing from falling out.