How to Get Your Nose Pierced

Co-authored by Karissa Sanford

Last Updated: September 1, 2023 References

You’ve officially decided to get your nose pierced, but you’re not sure how exactly to go about doing it or what you should be doing to prepare in advance. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! This article will walk you through everything you need to know, like how to find the best piercing studio, what to do to get ready for your piercing, and how to care for your piercing after you get it.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Finding a Good Piercing Studio and Piercer

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Friends and other people you know who have piercings are a great resource for knowing where to go. They have first hand experience and will be able to point you in the right direction.
Find out what other people have said about certain studios or piercers. Online reviewers can be helpful in deciding which place is right for you.

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Contact the studio and find out when the best time would be to stop by and see the studio and meet the piercer.
If you see used piercing needles lying around and the studio is not well kept, it’s probably not a good idea to have your piercing done there. Find a place that is well organized and kept clean.^{[1]
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Different states have different laws concerning body piercing licensing.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source

National Conference of State Legislatures
Bipartisan, nongovernment organization serving the members of state legislatures and their constituents

Go to source} Make sure the studio and the piercer both are licensed.^{[3]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for the Piercing

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While nostril piercings are the most common, septum piercings and high nostril piercings are often seen as well and can give you an unique look.^{[4]
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EXPERT TIP

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist
Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. Karissa has over 10 years of piercing experience and is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist

Did You Know? There isn't a right or wrong side of your nose to choose from. A lot of people choose their preferred selfie side, or the side their hair part is on. For example, you can also create visual balance by choosing the opposite side of moles on your face.
Nose pins, L bends and nose screws all have their pros and cons. Decide which one is right for you and your lifestyle before heading into the studio.^{[5]
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Nose jewelry can be made from a number of different metals. If you know you are sensitive to a particular type of metal, avoid getting that type of metal for your jewelry. Let your piercer know what you're sensitive to and they'll show you all your options.
There are plenty of videos online showing people getting their nose pierced. Try to watch a few to see what to expect during your visit. Notice all the tools that are used so you are not surprised and frightened when you see everything for the first time.^{[6]
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Everyone reacts differently to their piercing. Having food available immediately after the piercing might be very helpful, especially if you feel faint.
They should being wearing gloves and disinfect the area before beginning to do the piercing. If they don't, stop them and ask them to please properly disinfect and sanitize. Improper sanitation can greatly increase the possibility of infecting your piercing.
The piercer will give you a marker to mark exactly where you want the piercing to be. Take your time in marking the correct spot. This will be permanent and you don’t want it to be in the wrong place.
If you find yourself getting tense or nervous, try to concentrate on your breathing in order to take your mind off the piercing.
They have done many piercings before you and know what it takes for a piercing to go smoothly. Not listening to them can put yourself and the piercer at risk for an injury. Trust the piercer to take care of you.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Piercing

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1
Clean it twice a day. Keeping your new piercing clean for the first few months will be paramount.
- Use a sterile saline solution or make a saltwater mixture of ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon non-iodized sea salt with warm distilled water.
- Soak your nose in the solution for 5-10min, completely submerging the area. If it’s not possible to submerge the area, soak a clean gauze or paper towel and use that to clean your piercing.
A knot will form on the inside of your piercing but it should go away within a few weeks. Redness and some swelling is to be expected. If the area turns green and a begins to release a discharge that smells bad, contact your piercer immediately. These could be signs of an infection.
It will be tempting to touch your new piercing but LEAVE IT BE. Touching it will bring more bacteria to the area and increase your risk for infection.

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Question

What tools do they use for a nose piercing?

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They use a clamp and a needle. Once the needle is in, they push it out and slide in the jewelry.

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If I have a pimple on the exact spot where I want to have my nose pierced, should I wait until it is gone, or is it alright to do it now?

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Wait until it's gone. Piercing it now could irritate the skin and possibly infect it.

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Does it hurt more or less than getting my ears pierced?

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It hurts a little more, but it also depends on the person.

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Tips

Have fun the day you're going to get pierced. Or, if you're not into having fun and being happy, dwell on something much worse than getting your nose pierced.

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Although it sounds odd, I find that it's helpful to pinch yourself at random intervals throughout the day before you're going to get pierced. It helps prepare you for the pain.

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Follow the care instructions. You're going to want to wash it at least twice a day, and your piercer may instruct you to watch it more often depending on an array of factors.

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Warnings

Don't spray or apply excessive products on your face within the first few weeks.

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Don't neglect your piercing after it's there.

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Around the second month, check back in with the piercer who pierced it. If it's okay with them for you to change the jewelry, go ahead. DO NOT CHANGE THE JEWELRY BEFORE THAT.

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