Nose piercing is one of the most common type of facial piercing. The practice, whose earliest association is to be found in India, has become popular through out the world, especially amongst the youth. Today, both men and women have nostril piercing. However, the practice is to be seen more commonly among women.

Placement can be anywhere along the nostril, depending on the preference of the wearer. The most common placement for piercing the nose is through the curve of one of the nostrils. Nostrils, septum and the bridge are the other placements for nose piercing. Some people have multiple nostril piercing, in either or both nostrils.

Nose piercing positions / sites:

1) Nostril piercing:

Nostril piercing is a body piercing practice often associated with Nepal and India. The outside of the left part of the nose is the preferred position for piercing. The Ayurveda, in India, maintains the position has association with female reproductive organs and piercing at the position makes childbirth easier. However, nostril piercing has emerged as one of the most hot and fashionable practice among the youth.

Piercing may be performed on either the left or right nostril. Both men and women may have nostril piercing, though the practice is prevalent among women.

Types of nostril rings:

The loop, the stud with an L-bar enclosure, the stud with a ball enclosure and the stud with a flat backing are a few common types. Popular choices of jewelry for nostril piercing are nose screws, nose bones and ball closure rings.

2) Septum piercing:

A nasal septum piercing or a bull ring is a less common practice than nostril piercing. The nasal septum, to define, is the cartilaginous dividing wall between the nostrils.

The piercing is performed not on the cartilage but on the small gap between the cartilage and the bottom of the nose.

A typical pierce measures 1.6mm or more. A piercing above 8mm may get uncomfortable as the cartilage gets forced towards the top of the nose.

Types of septum jewelery:

Captive bead rings (CBRs), rings, circular barbells, a circular bar, with a bead that screws on to either end, a tusk and pinchers are a few common jeweleries worn at the septum. Plugs go well with large gauge septum.

Concealing a septum pierce:

A septum retainer makes it easy to hide a septum pierce, when desired, by making it possible to turn the jewelry up into the vein. Black jewelry may be flipped up into the nostrils and this way the piercing can be made practically invisible.

If it is the septum, you can wear a circular barbells or captive bead rings that close with a bead held in the center by the tension of the ring or circular bar with a bead or pincher.

3) Bridge piercing:

Bridge piercing is performed through the small flap of skin at the top of the nose, between the eyes. The bone never gets involved.

This piercing has a large rate of rejection and therefore, it’s less common than any other piercing. Some people avoid bridge piercing as it leaves a scar, if not dealt with properly.

Some common jewelries:

Curved barbells, seamless rings and straight barbells are the most common jewelries worn.

Getting prepared:

1. Now that you have made up your mind to get a nose piercing done, you should start with looking for salons specialized in body piercing. Look around, talk to people who have got the piercing done, share their experiences and then finally fix up an appointment for yourself.
2. It is advisable to get a nose piercing done by a doctor in a clinic. Make sure the salon / clinic you have chosen is hygienic, the instruments used for piercing are sterilized and the salon / clinic itself is neat and clean.
3. You should not have your nose piercing done if you are suffering from cold.

4. Do not carry your own nose piercing barbell. The piercer will use surgical steel titanium to pierce the nose.

How is a nose piercing done:

Depending on the position you wish to have the piercing, the process may vary slightly. We will discuss how a nostril piercing is done.

1. The piercer will make a small mark on the placement site of the nose. Marking allows right placement of the jewelry.
2. He will then measure the nose thickness using a little tool. The measurement helps in choosing the jewelry of right length.
3. A cork is inserted into the nostril to grip and hold the needle end while a straight needle pushes its way through.
4. Finally, the jewelry is placed at the end of the piercing needle and gilded through the piercing.
5. Your nostril piercing is done.

Nose piercing infections / risks:

1. Nose piercing is a painful process and may vary in degrees from person to person. A piercing may heal within the time duration ranging from one to three months.
2. While getting your nose pierced, see to it that you go to a reputed piercer.
3. Avoid tools like ear piercing guns as most of the time they are left un- sterilized, making it a carrier of infections and diseases like hepatitis and HIV.
4. A pierce must be stretched by 1mm at a time. Let there be a gap of at least a month between two stretching.

Nose piercing aftercare:

1. Nostril and septum piercing can take between six to twelve weeks to heal.
2. It’s good to maintain sound health and eat well to support and speed up healing.
3. Get stainless surgical steel or a 14k to 18 k gold jewelry, for your freshly made piercings.
4. Avoid wearing nickel as they can cause allergic reactions, rashes or burning sensation around the area of the nose ring.
5. Wash your hands properly before touching the jewelry.
6. Clean the jewelry with a saline solution to remove any crusting
7. Avoid sleeping on the side you have got your nose pierced till the nose piercing heals.  Change your pillow cover very often, so as to ensure proper hygiene.