A nose piercing is one of the most popular piercings in the
world. This type of piercing is a great way to showcase your personality and
upgrade your overall look.
When it comes to placement and jewelry, nose piercings offer
tons of options. You can choose from nostril piercings with dainty jewelry to
exotic septum hoop piercings, and everything in between, whatever fits your
style, personality, and preferences.
However, like with any type of body modification, the
decision to pierce your nose should be made after careful consideration.
Consider the risks, type of piercing, nose anatomy, facial structure, and
choice of jewelry.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about
proper nose piercing care.
Does nose piercing hurt?
Let’s start this off by addressing the biggest question
everyone has before getting a nose piercing - does it hurt to get your nose
pierced?
It takes only a second to get your nose pierced. When done
by a professional, the pain should be minimal. However, the pain can vary
depending on the placement of the piercing, your pain tolerance, and your
piercer.
For instance, according to people, the most painful nose
piercings are non-traditional piercings such as septum which involves piercing
through the cartilage.
But if you choose the right professional to do the piercing
for you, and if you follow some advice, the pain should be mild and minimal.
They will also offer you piercing plans.
Avoid getting a nose piercing on an empty stomach or after
consuming a lot of caffeine. It's also wise to steer clear of alcohol
beforehand. The best approach is to stay calm, take deep breaths, and manage
any stress or anxiety you might feel during the process.
How to clean a nose piercing?
Nose piercing aftercare is crucial following the piercing.
If you don’t take the aftercare seriously, you risk pain, bleeding, scarring,
and even a painful infection.
It's essential to diligently follow the aftercare routine
provided by your licensed nose piercer to minimize the risk of infection.
A major part of nose piercing aftercare involves proper
cleaning. Start by thoroughly washing your hands before touching the piercing
or jewelry. Avoid submerging the piercing in water, except for saline solution,
until it’s fully healed.
It would be great if you could rinse your nose piercing
twice a day with cotton balls. If the pierced area is red, swollen, or tender,
use tea tree oil to clean it.
Additionally, make sure you don’t change nose jewelry until
it heals properly.
How long does it take for the nose piercing to heal?
Generally, nose piercings take from 4 to 6 months to heal.
However, the healing process will mostly depend on the location of the nose
piercing, the jewelry material, and the aftercare.
According to the piercing location, the fastest one to heal
is the bridge piercing. They heal in about 2 to 3 months. This is because this
piercing only passes through a very small section of skin at the top of your
nose.
Rhino piercing, on the other hand, takes between 6 to 9
months to heal. This piercing is positioned on the tip of the nose where the
tissue is thicker, so it takes longer to fully heal compared to other types of
nose piercings.
Other types of nose piercings take around 4 to 6 months to
heal.
When can you change your nose piercing jewelry?
After getting your nose pierced, you’re probably itching to
change your jewelry. Typically, the jewelry that you got when you first pierced
your nose is a simple and a bit oversized piece of nose jewelry made of quality
metal to help you heal faster and avoid allergies and infection.
As mentioned, you shouldn't replace the original jewelry
until it's fully healed. The final healing phase can take a significant amount
of time, usually around 6 to 8 months, or even longer.
After about six months, you'll likely notice that the
piercing has fully healed, with no signs of swelling, redness, bruising,
scarring, pain, or inflammation. During this time, there should be no
discomfort or discharge from the piercing, indicating it's a good time to
change your nose jewelry.
However, if you’re still unsure about whether it's safe to
replace the original jewelry, consult your piercer. They can examine the
piercing and advise if it's the right time for a change. Additionally, your
piercer can help insert the new jewelry properly, avoiding any injury or
discomfort.
It's crucial to remember that replacing your nose jewelry
too soon can lead to infection, swelling, and possibly even cause the piercing
to close.
Conclusion
The nose piercing procedure is relatively simple, as is the
aftercare. The aftercare of nose piercing is essential, and if you take it
seriously, your piercing will heal fast and you’ll be able to change your
jewelry.