Hoop Nose Piercing: Everything You Need to Know

A hoop nose piercing is a type of nose piercing that involves inserting a circular ring through the nostril, the septum, or other parts of the nose. Hoop nose piercings are popular because they offer a lot of versatility and creativity in terms of placement and jewelry. However, they also require proper care and attention to avoid infection and complications. Here are some things you need to know before getting a hoop nose piercing.

Types of Hoop Nose Piercings

There are different types of hoop nose piercings depending on where the ring is inserted. Some of the most common ones are:

Nostril piercing: This is the most common type of nose piercing, where the ring goes through the cartilage that covers the nostril. You can choose to pierce either one or both nostrils, and you can wear different sizes and styles of rings.

Septum piercing: This is where the ring goes through the columella, the skin that covers the nasal septum, which separates the right and left sides of the nose. This piercing can be hidden by flipping the ring up inside the nose, or shown off by wearing a large or ornate ring.

Third eye piercing: This is where the ring goes through the bridge of the nose, between the eyebrows. This piercing is also known as a vertical bridge piercing or an Erl piercing. It can create a unique and striking look, but it can also be prone to migration and rejection.

Bridge piercing: This is where the ring goes through the skin on the top of the nose, near the eyes. This piercing is also known as a horizontal bridge piercing or a nasal tip piercing. It can enhance the shape of the nose, but it can also interfere with glasses or sunglasses.

How to Put a Hoop Nose Ring in

The procedure for putting a hoop nose ring in will vary depending on the type of ring you choose. There are three main types of hoop nose rings: captive rings, seamless rings, and segment rings.

Captive rings: These are rings that have a bead or ball that holds them in place using pressure. To put them in, you need to pull the ring open with pliers or your hands, remove the bead, twist the ring into a semi-spiral shape, feed one end into your piercing hole, fit the bead back onto the ring, and twist the ends back together.

Seamless rings: These are rings that have no visible opening or closure. To put them in, you need to twist the ends of the ring with your hands, creating a small gap, feed one end into your piercing hole, rotate the ring until it sits comfortably in your nose, and twist the ends back together.

Segment rings: These are rings that have a removable segment that acts as a closure. To put them in, you need to unscrew or unclip the segment from one end of the ring, feed one end into your piercing hole, rotate the ring until it aligns with your nose shape, reattach the segment to close the ring.

How to Care for a Hoop Nose Piercing

A hoop nose piercing typically takes four to six months to heal completely¹, but this can vary depending on your individual healing process and how well you take care of it. Here are some tips for caring for your hoop nose piercing:

Wash your hands before touching your piercing or jewelry.
Clean your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution or a mild soap and water.
Avoid twisting or playing with your jewelry, as this can irritate your piercing and delay healing.
Avoid changing your jewelry until your piercing is fully healed, unless advised by your piercer.
Avoid swimming, hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms until your piercing is fully healed, as they can harbor bacteria and cause infection.
Avoid applying makeup, creams, oils, or perfumes near your piercing, as they can clog your piercing and cause irritation.
- Avoid sleeping on your pierced side, as this can put pressure on your piercing and cause swelling or migration.

How Much Does a Hoop Nose Piercing Cost

The cost of a hoop nose piercing will depend on several factors, such as:

- The type and location of your piercing
- The experience and reputation of your piercer
- The quality and material of your jewelry
- The aftercare products and services you need

How Painful Is a Hoop Nose Piercing

The pain level of a hoop nose piercing will depend on your individual pain tolerance and the location of your piercing. However, most people find that a hoop nose piercing is not very painful, and the pain is over quickly. According to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), piercers often compare the pain to having an eyebrow wax procedure done or getting a shot². The pain is a combination of mild sharpness and pressure, but it lasts for less than a second.

Some types of hoop nose piercings may be more painful than others. For example, a high nostril piercing may be more uncomfortable and tend to swell more than a traditional nostril or septum piercing. A bridge piercing may also be more sensitive and prone to migration or rejection.

To minimize the pain of a hoop nose piercing, you can follow these tips:

Avoid showing up on an empty stomach or after drinking a lot of caffeine or alcohol.
Be calm, breathe, and listen to your piercer's instructions.
Avoid using numbing agents, as they are not very effective and may cause allergic reactions.
Choose a reputable and experienced piercer who uses sterile equipment and jewelry.
After the piercing, apply ice or cold compresses to reduce swelling and inflammation.

What Are the Risks and Complications of a Hoop Nose Piercing

A hoop nose piercing is generally safe and easy to heal, but like any other piercing, it can also have some risks and complications. Some of the possible problems that can arise from a hoop nose piercing are:

- Infection: This is the most common complication of any piercing, and it can happen if you don't clean your piercing properly or if you touch it with dirty hands. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pus, pain, fever, or foul odor¹. If you suspect an infection, see your doctor or piercer as soon as possible for treatment.

Allergic reaction: You could be allergic to the metal in your nose jewelry, especially if it contains nickel or other metals that can cause irritation. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, rash, blisters, swelling, or difficulty breathing. If you have an allergic reaction, remove your jewelry immediately and seek medical attention.

Nerve damage: Nose piercing may damage a nerve and cause numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your nose or face. This is rare but possible, especially if the piercing is done incorrectly or too deep. Nerve damage may be temporary or permanent.

Scarring: Any piercing can leave a scar after it heals or if it is removed. However, some people may develop keloids or hypertrophic scars, which are raised and thickened scars that can grow beyond the original wound. These scars are more common in people with darker skin tones or a family history of keloids. Scarring can be treated with creams, injections, surgery, or laser therapy.

-Jewelry problems: Your jewelry can get loose, fall out, or get stuck in your nose's lining. This can cause discomfort, infection, or injury. To prevent this, make sure you choose the right size and type of jewelry for your piercing and avoid changing it too often or too soon. If your jewelry gets stuck or embedded in your nose, see your piercer or doctor for removal.

Source:

(1) Nose Piercings Explained: Cost, Pain Level, and Placement Options - Byrdie.
(2) Do Nose Piercings Hurt? 18 FAQs on What to Expect - Healthline.
(3) Nose Piercing: Risks, Aftercare, and Safety - WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/nose-piercing-safety.

Source:
(1) Nose Piercings Explained: Cost, Pain Level, and Placement Options - Byrdie. https://www.byrdie.com/nose-piercing-5077104.
(2) 3 Ways to Put a Hoop Nose Ring in - wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Put-a-Hoop-Nose-Ring-in.
(3) 3 Simple Ways to Wear a Nose Ring - wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Wear-a-Nose-Ring.