Nose Piercings

Nose piercings and other sorts of body piercings were considered to be even more taboo than tattoos in the United States at one time because most people would associate it with sadomasochism and other such practices. With the awakening of the 21st century, society’s attraction towards nose piercing is more than just a mere avant-garde fascination with stardom.

One of the most deep-rooted body piercing types would have to be the nose piercing. Rings and studs, worn through the septum at the base of the nose between the two nostrils, or in the curve of the nostril, are found in most cultures all over the world. For many years now, brides in India have adorned their noses with ornate gold rings that are connected to heavy earrings with equally ornate chains. Even the tribesmen in the deep Amazon jungles were seen to wear bird feathers or bones through enlarged septum rings.

However, it has only been in the last few decades that the nose piercing has gained popularity in mainstream society in the West. Today, apart from the ear piercing, it ranks as the most popular body piercing modification that is desired by young adults and teens all over the world.

The most common place for most women and even some men to get their noses pierced is through the curve of either the left or the night nostril. The placement of the ring or stud could be anywhere on the nostril, and is entirely dependent on the wearer’s preference. Usually, a cork is pushed in through the nostril so as to catch the needle and a straight, sharp and sanitized needle will simply be inserted through the nostril. As painful as it may sound, getting a nose piercing done is not as bad as most other piercings. However, it is very important to find a reputable and clean piercer to get the job done. And, secondly, it is very important to make sure that your piercer does not use a toll like a piercing gun for your nose. In fact, piercing guns should not be allowed for any form of piercing because in most cases, the needles are generally not sterilized, making you more susceptible to transmitting many kinds of body-fluid borne infections and diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

The Different Types of Nose Piercings out there
The two most common types of nose piercings worn by people all over the world today are the ring and the stud. Studs on one hand are kept together or held in place by a small back ring or a nostril screw. The ring on the other hand is screwed in through the nose and the end is twisted from inside the nostril in a sort of a half circle turn. The ring has made a huge comeback over the last few years because of its security and comfort, and simple because it can look so appealing.

The second most common type of piercing you will see are the ones that are placed through the septum. The septum is the piece of cartilaginous tissue that separated the two nostrils. However, when getting such a piercing done, it is very important to avoid the biggest piece of cartilage that is present at the tip of the nose and instead to insert the ring or needle through the softer tissue.

Placement of the piercing should always be considered even before you choose the jewelry so that the end result is never too low or too high. In most septum piercings, a small ring is usually worn. For those of you who are healing new nose piercings, an U-shaped septum retainer is available these days, which also serves other purposes like hiding the septum for familial or work reasons.

The ends of the piercing are flipped back into the nose and the tiny wire will be hidden, but the piercing will still be open. Tusks, spikes and barbells are all crafted for this type of piercing, but it is wiser to keep these types of jewelry pieces for occasional wear and for established piercings.

Septum piercings and nostril piercings can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks to heal. Maintaining the general well being and health during this period can speedup the healing process as well as support it. All fresh piercing should be made up of stainless surgical steel or 18k or 14k gold jewelry, whereas sterling silver should serve the purpose for established piercings. During this healing period, it is advisable to change pillowcases regularly and to avoid sleeping on the piercing.

However, as apposed to most common assumptions, nose piercings don’t always heal as fast and easily. The blood flow in the cartilage, which is the hard yet flexible tissue in our nose, is not as plentiful as it is in the soft tissue areas like the ones that form the lower ear lobes.

Friction caused due to a too large or too-tight nose ring or stud, a snag or accidental yank or even the genetic predisposition of the person can cause a certain type of scar tissue, which is known as the keloid to form when the piercings are healing. This is that peculiar ‘bump’ that you’ll find most people with piercings talking about. Before getting your nose pierced, it is advisable to first read up on piercing care and to know how to take care of your nose so as to avoid getting keloids and infections.

Always ask your piercer about the different ways in which you can care for your nose prior to getting your piercing done. This is a very important step because there have been many cases wherein people have felt a head rush or even feel dizzy, making it very hard for you to remember the tips and advice your piercer is giving you.

Lastly, many states have certain rules and regulations with regards to the age limit for nose piercings. So, always come prepared with a legal ID or a legal guardian in order to get your nose pierced in these states.