Nose Piercings Are of All Times and Cultures

Nose piercings? Some people think for years about getting their nose pierced. Others just go out one day and do it!

Whether you want to explore historical customs related to facial piercings or if you just like the idea of decorating your face, this is where you'll learn everything you need to know before you take the big step.

The First Known Pierced Nose...

Have you heard of Lakshmi? She's the Hindu goddess of wisdom, fortune, prosperity, courage, generosity and fertility. She was beautiful and graceful, with four arms, almost always holding lotuses - and her nose is pierced.

Taking their cue from her, Indian women were the first to incorporate nose piercings within their culture. Because the left side of the nose was associated with the reproductive organs according to the teachings of Ayurvedic yogis, an Indian bride would often have her left nostril pierced on the night before her wedding.

For men, the practice began among Middle Eastern nomads and other tribes. It signified their manliness, wealth, and power.

What Kind of Piercing?

Now that you know some of the history of nose piercing, let's go over what you can find on our site: You will learn about having your nostril, your septum, or the bridge of your nose pierced. You will discover bridge piercing, nose rings, different types of jewelry, nose piercing prices and nose piercing aftercare tips.

Nose Piercing Cleaning & Care

Some specialists recommend removing the stud or ring each day and cleaning it. Others say to leave it in place but use cotton balls moistened in salt water on either side of the piercing, to cleanse the area and also to remove the hard, crusty stuff that accumulates on the healing part and on the jewelry. Which way is right for you?

You'll also learn about what to avoid when you heal from a new piercing and what you can do to avoid the piercing hole to close if you remove the jewelry.

Not only do we explain what chemicals you can and cannot use near a newly pierced area, we also talk about makeup, facial cleansers, lotions, and similar products.

Nose Piercings Dilemmas

If you're getting your nose pierced, you're going to face some hiccups along the way...

You're visiting grandma. Do you automatically remove the jewelry beforehand?
You see your aunt, who is not shy-just like you!-and she asks you to take out your nose ring. Should you?
Will you land a job if you wear your nose ring to the interview?
You're meeting your boyfriend's family, and you think there's crusty stuff on the bead. How do you-ahem, handle it?
Aaarrgh! Your jewelry is sinking into your piercing! What do you do?
What if you decide to remove your nose jewelry permanently?
How can you convince your parents that nose piercing is okay?

Nose Piercing frequently asked questions

Nose Piercing FAQ: I got my nose pierced with a piercing gun. I had no idea that only a piercing needle should be used! Have I done any damage? What should I watch for?

Read the answers

Nose piercing FAQ - Read the Answers

Do Nose Piercing Hurt

Each person has her own ability or inability to tolerate pain. Just about anybody who has had her nose pierced will tell you that there is some momentary pain from piercing.

Because so many people say that the pain passes quickly, then you should feel confident that it's true!

A professional piercer must undergo comprehensive training to qualify for his job. It is not like the mall employee with the piercing gun who learns in a matter of one to two weeks. Your qualified piercing professional learns about the vessels and nerves of the human body.

He/She knows where there are sensitive bundles of nerves to avoid on your nose. So the answer to the question "do nose piercings hurt" depends on knowing exactly where to pierce. Since most professionals can perform piercings just about anywhere on the body, they study the circulatory and nervous system for several years. We say, bring on the needle!

Nose Piercing Healing

A sea-salt solution is a good idea while your piercing heals even if there is no infection. It provides a good way to remove the crusts that accumulate around the piercing or on the jewelry. It will draw impurities from your skin. Many people also say it feels comfortable and relieves itching during their nose piercing healing process!

If you have chosen a nostril screw as your first jewelry at the time of the piercing, take extra care that it doesn't get caught in your clothing or on your towel.

Avoid swimming while your piercing heals, but if you must go then cover it with a water-proof wound bandage. Brands like Tegaderm and Nexcare offer small bandages that will protect your piercing from chlorinated pool water.

Nose Piercing Healing Tips

Nose Piercing Infection

Treatment and Care

Prevention is the best cure; that's a truism that applies to any part of your body. That being said, you can protect your piercing by taking the following simple precautions:

Never touch your piercing if you haven't washed your hands first.
Determine if you are having an allergic reaction to the jewelry. If the metal doesn't suit your skin, remove it.

To keep the piercing clean, apply a thin coat of antiseptic ointment to the area-before sleep and before you go out.
If you notice pus, wait until the drainage slows down. Then you can move the piercing just a little, once every week. If you move it more often then you will aggravate the nose piercing infection.
If you're washing or wiping your face, avoid tugging on your nose jewelry.

Nose Piercing Care and You

Watch for Bacterial Infections

Whenever a person has any incision into his skin -whether it's a pinprick or a surgical incision- the opening in his skin presents a doorway for bacteria to enter the body. How will you know if you develop an infection, despite of your nose piercing care? There are specific symptoms to watch for:

Increased pain is one of the earliest symptoms, even before you can observe other symptoms.
Erythema, or redness of the skin around the piercing, is a telltale sign.
Discharge beyond the ordinary oozing is symptomatic, especially if it increases or thickens.
Discharge of uninfected piercings might be clear with a very slight tinge of blood. Infection has probably set in if it becomes green, gray, or yellow. You might even notice a foul odor.
The pierced area might begin to feel warmer than the surrounding skin. If you develop a fever, that's a certain indication.

Nose Piercing Care - Don't Get It Wrong

Nose Piercing Problems and Solutions

Nose Piercing Problems Caused by Allergies or Alike

Certainly, the piercing professional should ask you if you're allergic to anything-food, drugs, or metals. But most people aren't aware of any existing allergy. If you've never before placed any type of metal against your exposed skin tissues, you would have no reason to know! And, as mentioned above, most people are unaware of just which metals serve as ingredients in the piece of jewelry that is being inserted.

Nose Piercing Problems and Solutions

Septum Piercing - What You Must Know

Also known as bull rings, many people think septum piercings are much more dramatic and daring. People choose them to express either cultural traditions or their own individuality. Getting one is a little more uncomfortable and they take a bit longer to heal.

Septum Piercing - Are septum piercings more dramatic?

Nose Piercing: How to Convince Your Parents!

They might be worried about infection!

Your parents might be worried about developing a nasal piercing infection. You want to give you some reassurance: First, what you believe is an infection might be nothing more than the normal healing process. And second, if you do get an infection, it will not necessarily be harmful to you.

Nose Piercing How to convince your parents

Pictures of Nose Piercings

There are different types of piercings... various types of nose rings... worries about pain and infection... and these are the things you consider once you've already convinced your family or social support network that a piercing is right for you!

Pictures of Nose Piercings

Nose Piercings Survey

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Select your region before taking our nose piercing survey.

	Asia Pacific
	Asia: Indian Sub-Continent
	Africa
	Britain
	Central America and the Carribean
	North America
	Europe
	East Europe & Russia
	Middle East & North Africa
	South America
	South East Asia
	Australia and Oceania
	Others

Have you pierced your nose? ( If no, skip polls below and go to result)

	Yes
	No

How Old Were You When You Got Your Nose Pierced?

	Below 9 years
	10 years ~ 15 years
	16 years ~ 20 years
	21 years ~ 25 years
	26 years ~ 30 years
	31 years ~ 35 years
	36 years ~ 40 years
	above 41 years

Nose Piercing: Which side you got pierced?

	Left
	Right
	Both

Nose Piercing: How much did it hurt?

	Very painful!
	Painful but bearable.
	Very little. Like a ant bite!
	Didn't feel any pain.

Nose Piercing: How long it took to heal?

	Less than 1 week
	2 weeks
	3 weeks
	4 weeks
	More than 5 weeks

Nose Piercing: How did you do it?

	Surgical Needle.
	Piercing Gun.
	Indian Pierce.
	Others.

Please enter the word that you see below.

Are you ready to pierce your nose? Good, because it's glam, cool and sexy, and it's a time-honored traditional way to adorn or accent your facial features. You can have your nostril or septum pierced, and there are those who go for piercing the bridge! You're going to find that your piercing gives you a mark of individuality and lets you express yourself.

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