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Nostril Piercing FAQ

Nostril Piercing Illustration
How long until I can change my jewelry?

Wait at least six months. Nostril piercings are not very forgiving if you try to change the jewelry too soon. Not waiting long enough could result in irritation, a tear to the piercing channel, scarring, an increased risk of infection, or difficulty reinserting the jewelry. Make sure you get pierced with jewelry you like and wait until it's fully healed to change it.

How long until I can leave the piercing empty?

The inner wall of a nostril piercing is made up of a mucus membrane, so this part of the piercing tends to close up very quickly without jewelry—even for a few short minutes. If you like your piercing, keep jewelry in it; don’t remove your jewelry without first having another piece of jewelry to fill its place.

Are there jewelry options if I need to hide the piercing?

There are several options that make your piercing less visible but none that will make it invisible. We sell nostrils screws made of quartz glass that are incredibly discreet—and are a good option for surgery where metal is not allowed. We also carry ends for press-fit posts made of matte-finish titanium and anodized in several different shades of copper to approximate different skin tones. (This option is available for initial piercings, but then should not be changed for six months during healing.) While these do not make your piercing disappear, they are much less noticeable than other options—especially if someone is not looking for your piercing—and they work in situations where wearing jewelry is not acceptable, such as work, family events, school, surgery, etc.

How do I get the jewelry out?

We typically use press-fit jewelry for nostril piercings—though nostril screws or rings can be worn as well. Press-fit jewelry is just what it sounds like: jewelry where the end stays secured inside a post or labret by pressure (as opposed to threaded jewelry that screws together). Press-fit jewelry for nostril piercings has only one end that comes off: the end on the outside of your nose. To remove, grab the ball or disk on the inside of your nose and the decorative outside end, and pull the two pieces apart. When re-inserting, the post should be put in first from the inside of your nose.

Nostril screws are a long wire "post" with an attached stone, ball, or disc on one end. The long post is bent into a modified spiral, or screw, to fit each person's individual nostril. To remove, grasp the end and give a slight twist as the jewelry comes out.

Initially, the process of removing your nostril jewelry can be frustrating and troublesome. If you do have difficulty changing or removing your jewelry, come in and see us.

Can I get this piercing wherever I want?

The location of your nostril piercing will depend upon the size and shape of your nose as well as the location of the crease of your nostril—the thinnest part of your cartilage and traditional location for the piercing. To find your nostril crease, look in the mirror and flare your nostrils; the natural line that forms is your nostril crease. Almost anywhere along that line will work, though most people will have one particular spot that most flatters their facial features most.

Why can't I get a really tight-fitting ring?

Rings tend to be troublesome during healing, so we will almost always recommend healing with a post. (Even if you never see it, your nostril tissue will swell slightly after getting your piercing and during the healing process, so the initial jewelry will need to be large enough to accommodate for any swelling that may occur, and wearing a ring that is too tight will irritate the tissue and often results in difficulty healing or even scarring). Allow your piercer to recommend a fit and style for you, your nose, and your lifestyle; you can always switch to something more snug once the piercing has fully healed.

Why does my jewelry stick out?

Nostril screws are initially bent to fit your nose and your piercing during the healing process. This means that the jewelry, at first, will be slightly larger in order to accommodate for swelling. This may cause the screw to protrude from the base of the nose. Press-fit barbells must also be longer initially to account for swelling.

If you find your nostril screw sticking out, or the ends flip down after getting the piercing, give it a week; this will often resolve itself. If the jewelry is still loose and uncomfortable after that time, stop in and see your piercer. He or she can sometimes tighten the nostril screw without removing it so that it will better stay in place but will still allow for healthy healing. Once the piercing is completely healed, you can have it bent for the perfect close, custom fit you are looking for, or go for a shorter post altogether.

Why shouldn't I get my nose pierced with a gun? It's cheap!

It may be cheaper, but you do get what you pay for. Piercing a nostril with a gun is more painful and tends to result in nasty scarring, seldom producing a healthy, attractive piercing. What’s more, due to their plastic parts, piercing guns cannot be sterilized; this means that the blood and bodily fluids of others tend to accumulate in various cracks and crevices. Plus, employees of locations using ear-piercing guns are seldom effectively trained in bloodborne pathogens transmission, and there are several documented case in the United States of staph infections acquired from the improper use of piercing guns.

Furthermore, piercing gun studs were not designed to pierce nostrils. The post used is far too short to allow for swelling, often resulting in jewelry that becomes embedded in the skin. All of this means more discomfort, swelling, and scarring—and makes it unlikely the piercing will heal in the first place.

More information about the dangers of piercing guns can be found on the Association of Professional Piercers’ website, here.

Nostril piercing by John
Nostril piercings by Zach
Nostril piercing by John
Nostril piercing by Anna
Nostril piercing by Anna
Nostril piercing by John
Nostril piercing by John
Nostril piercings by Andru
Nostril piercing by John
Nostril piercing by John
High Nostril and Nostril piercing by Anna
Nostril piercing by Andru
Nostril piercings by Andru
High Nostril piercings by Andru
Nostril piercing by John
Nostril piercing by Zach

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Zach Fitzgerald
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Book a Piercing in Philadelphia

Book an Appointment to schedule a time to visit our studio. Check out Before Coming In for information on our new protocol for studio visits.

Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Retail space and piercing rooms are accessible.

Book Appointment

Jewelry for Nostril Piercings

  • Starburst Press-fit End in Gold from Quetzalli in yellow gold
    Starburst Press-fit End in Gold from Quetzalli in a group
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00

    Starburst Press-fit End in Gold from Quetzalli

    Quetzalli

    A twinkling eight-pointed star in classic high-polish solid gold. Measures approximately 5mm by 8mm. Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate piec...

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    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00
    $135.00 - $135.00
    $135.00
  • Sparkle Press-fit End in Gold from Quetzalli in yellow gold
    Sparkle Press-fit End in Gold from Quetzalli in a group
    $100.00 - $100.00
    $100.00
    $100.00 - $100.00
    $100.00

    Sparkle Press-fit End in Gold from Quetzalli

    Quetzalli

    Classic high-polished gold makes this four-pointed star an ethereal accent piece. Measures approximately 2mm by 5mm. Press-fit jewelry is sold as t...

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    $100.00 - $100.00
    $100.00
    $100.00 - $100.00
    $100.00
  • Diamond Shine Starburst Dangle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli size comparison
    Diamond Shine Starburst Dangle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli in various sizes
    $155.00 - $160.00
    $155.00 - $160.00
    $155.00 - $160.00
    $155.00

    Diamond Shine Starburst Dangle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli

    Quetzalli

    An eight-pointed star in solid gold, suspended from a length of box chain. Densely textured shine and sparkle in front and smooth high-polish on th...

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    $155.00 - $160.00
    $155.00 - $160.00
    $155.00 - $160.00
    $155.00
  • Diamond Shine Sparkle Dangle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli in yellow gold
    Diamond Shine Sparkle Dangle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli in a group
    $130.00 - $130.00
    $130.00
    $130.00 - $130.00
    $130.00

    Diamond Shine Sparkle Dangle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli

    Quetzalli

    A dainty four-pointed star fixed to a jump ring by a length box chain in solid gold. Tightly packed texture that refracts light like a gem in the f...

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    $130.00 - $130.00
    $130.00
    $130.00 - $130.00
    $130.00
  • Diamond Shine Sparkle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli in yellow gold
    Diamond Shine Sparkle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli in a group
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00

    Diamond Shine Sparkle Charm in Gold from Quetzalli

    Quetzalli

    Dense surface texture makes this solid-gold four-pointed star charm twinkle like its namesake. Wear backwards for a high-polish alternative. Measur...

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    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
  • Geometric Kenyan Sapphire Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver yellow gold medium
    Geometric Kenyan Sapphire Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver in various sizes
    $272.00 - $289.00
    $272.00 - $289.00
    $272.00 - $289.00
    $272.00

    Geometric Kenyan Sapphire Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    A geometric partial-bezel setting in solid gold accentuates the uniquely angular cuts of these genuine sapphires. Sourced primarily from the centra...

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    $272.00 - $289.00
    $272.00 - $289.00
    $272.00 - $289.00
    $272.00
  • Bezel-set Faceted Gem Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver side detail
    Bezel-set Faceted Gem Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with madagascar sapphire
    $304.00 - $304.00
    $304.00
    $304.00 - $304.00
    $304.00

    Bezel-set Faceted Gem Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    A solid gold bezel setting encircles a faceted genuine stone with a slightly asymmetric touch of unique charm. Measures approximately 5mm across. P...

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    $304.00 - $304.00
    $304.00
    $304.00 - $304.00
    $304.00
  • Geometric Partial Bezel Chain Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver detail
    Geometric Partial Bezel Chain Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with madagascar sapphire
    $318.00 - $318.00
    $318.00
    $318.00 - $318.00
    $318.00

    Geometric Partial Bezel Chain Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    Varying styles of solid gold chain hang behind a geometric-cut faceted genuine stone, its open-backed partial-bezel setting creating a uniquely dim...

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    $318.00 - $318.00
    $318.00
    $318.00 - $318.00
    $318.00
  • Oval Bead Fan Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with moonstone detail
    Oval Bead Fan Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with moonstone
    $272.00 - $272.00
    $272.00
    $272.00 - $272.00
    $272.00

    Oval Bead Fan Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    A fixed jump ring holds a 3mm by 5mm genuine stone cabochon in an open-backed bezel setting bordered below by beaded spikes of solid gold. Measures...

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    $272.00 - $272.00
    $272.00
    $272.00 - $272.00
    $272.00
  • Bead Fan Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with moonstone
    Bead Fan Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver in a group
    $166.00 - $166.00
    $166.00
    $166.00 - $166.00
    $166.00

    Bead Fan Charm in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    Beaded spokes of solid gold beam like rays of light from the base of a 3mm bezel-set genuine stone cabochon below a fixed jump ring. Measures appro...

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    $166.00 - $166.00
    $166.00
    $166.00 - $166.00
    $166.00
  • Guide Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with moonstone
    Guide Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver in various materials
    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00
    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00

    Guide Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    A textured shield of solid gold segmented by high-polished rays holds a 3mm bezel-set genuine stone cabochon. Measures approximately 6mm by 8mm. Pr...

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    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00
    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00
  • Bead Fan Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver in yellow gold with moonstone
    Bead Fan Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver in various materials
    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00
    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00

    Bead Fan Press-fit End in Gold from Mettle and Silver

    Mettle and Silver

    A 3mm genuine stone cabochon nestled in a solid gold bezel setting decorated with beaded rays. Measures approximately 6mm by 8mm. Press-fit jewelry...

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    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00
    $170.00 - $170.00
    $170.00
  • Stella Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry in a group 2mm stone
    Stella Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry in various materials large
    $125.00 - $390.00
    $125.00 - $390.00
    $125.00 - $390.00
    $125.00

    Stella Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry

    Tether Jewelry

    A prong-set genuine stone rests atop a second rotated square in this elegant design.  Small features a 2mm stone and measures approximately 3.5mm o...

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    $125.00 - $390.00
    $125.00 - $390.00
    $125.00 - $390.00
    $125.00
  • Alpha 01 Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry in white gold 2.5mm
    Alpha 01 Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry in various materials
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00

    Alpha 01 Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry

    Tether Jewelry

    A high-polished dome with a delicate millgrain border. Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decorative end is one piece, and the s...

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    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
  • Element 06 Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry in yellow gold
    Element 06 Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry in various materials
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00

    Element 06 Press-fit End in Gold from Tether Jewelry

    Tether Jewelry

    A solid gold hexagon with asymmetrical textured lines. Press-fit jewelry is sold as two separate pieces: the decorative end is one piece, and the s...

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    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
    $120.00 - $120.00
    $120.00
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