Nostril Piercing

Nostril piercing has always been associated with India and Nepal where this type of body piercing is more to say than just a fashion statement. Pierced nose is a mark of tradition. According to ancient Indian custom, women pierce the left side of their noses so that they would have an easier time during childbirth and get relief from menstrual pain. The introduction of nose piercing took place during the 1960s and 1970s by the hippies in the west. As time went on, more youths found innovative ways to further popularize it.

Today, these piercings are adorned by not just women, but men as well. The disapproval from the society toward getting pierced has long gone. Although there are some who still look at it in a bad light. But they don't know that even Egyptian pharaohs used to pierce their navels as a rite of passage and the Roman soldiers used to pierce their nipples to indicate manhood. Well, no matter what your reasons are, body piercings of any kind are a way of life now. With all that in mind, let's take a look at the specifics of this piercing.

High Nose Piercing

When you say nostril or nose piercing, the indication is that the soft skin or cartilage which surrounds the outside our nasal passages is pierced. The decision to place the jewelry depends entirely on the wearer. You can choose to wear it in the dimple or anywhere on the nose. Just make sure to check the placement before the piercer can make it official. In spite of the jewelry being worn anywhere on the nose, the best spot is in the dimple of the nose. The wire of the jewelry doesn't hurt when it is inside the nose and the actual healing time will cut in short as no bone gets punctured.

The Actual Procedure

• If you're under 18, do ask for your parent's or guardian's permission before you make the decision.
• Using an antiseptic solution, the piercer first cleans the nose.
• He/she will then fit a cork into your nostril so that the needle doesn't puncture it and won't injure your septum.
• With a marker, the spot which you picked will be marked to make sure you like it.
• Once you give the piercer a green signal, he/she will open a sealed sterilized needle packed in a plastic package.
• Be aware that your eyes may get watery and there may be some blood when the needle pierces through the nostril.
• Slowly the piercer will take the needle out and pierce your nose with your choice of jewelry.
• The cork will be removed from inside the nose and the long wire of the jewelry gets cut according to the space available.
• As the final step, your piercer will bend the wire inside your nose.

Proper Aftercare

• For few days, your new piercing will seem swollen. But there's no need to worry, it's very normal. As piercing is technically a wound, such a wound will take some time to heal.
• Never touch your freshly pierced nostril or jewelry if your hands are dirty. Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before touching, cleaning, or moving the jewelry.
• If you want to stay away from any infection, remember to clean it at least 2 to 3 times daily. Read more on nose piercing infection.
• Use a saline solution found in any drugstores to cleanse the nostril. Or you can make one at home. Just mix 4 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt and 1 gallon of boiled water.
• After washing your hands, dip clean cotton buds in the solution and cleanse inside and outside your piercing. Wipe any excess solution left on your nose with a clean cotton wool bud.
• When you wish to apply makeup, don't cover the piercing. Used makeup brushes touching your piercing or jewelry can spread germs or infection.
• Last, but certainly not the least, don't insert a new nose jewelry till the piercing itself has had 2 to 4 weeks of time to heal.

There you have it, a detailed piercing information you will require before you make any decisions. Apart from the traditional piercing, there are some people with a more daring and adventurous attitude who go for a double nose piercing. This is when both sides are pierced with studs or hoop rings. No matter what you decide, always think twice before you make a conformed decision and do follow the piercing aftercare steps provided in the article.