Nose piercings may seem innovative, but the custom has been around for almost 4000 years. It is a process where a needle is punctured into the nasal septum, the nostril, or nasal bridge to create an opening for the placement of jewelry. This practice is performed as a representation or for beauty purposes. It originated in the Middle East, then moved to India in the 1500s and finally, reached the Western civilization by the 20th century. It is quite interesting to know that there are many types of nose piercings done today. Before I list the top 10 for you, let me give you an interesting introduction.
An Interesting History
According to the Book of Genesis, Isaac, the son of Abraham gave Rebekah, his bride-to-be a golden nose ring. In the later years, nose rings were used as a dowry and as collateral for divorce. Nose piercing was popular among the Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, Native Americans, Indians and, Alaskan tribes. According to Ayurveda, piercing the left nostril helps relieve pain associated with menstruation and childbirth.
Also read: 21 types of ear piercing
In the West, nose piercing first appeared among the hippies who traveled to India. In the 1970s, the Punk movement adopted the concept as a symbol of rebellion against conservative values. However, these days it is socially acceptable. You will see everyone having their nose pierced. It is more of a style statement.
Decorating the nose is equally important because ancients believed in the sixth sense that represented brainwave focus (located above the nose). It is also believed that the nose connects with romantic, sexual and emotional feelings of a person.
In Hindu religion, there are no strict restrictions on wearing a nose stud. Therefore, both married and unmarried woman can wear a nose stud. The significance differs from one region to another. The bride wears a nose stud on the day of her marriage.
10 Types Of Nose Piercings
Pondering to get your nose pierced? Well, think again. Though it looks cool, it has more pros than cons. However, if you are certain to have one, here are ten types of nose piercings for you to consider:
1. Nasallang piercing
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It is a tri-nasal piercing, a piercing of all three major points on the nose at the same time. It is performed as a single piercing through all three places at the same time with the same needle. The nasallang is usually done lower on the nose than the standard piercing. Most piercers do not recommend this method because of its difficulty.
A small amount of migration can happen during healing which causes separate piercings not to line up the way that it should. Also, this type of nose piercing takes a little longer to heal. It must be worn with a straight industrial style barbell. The chances are that you haven’t heard of this piercing because it is still on the upswing.
2. Bridge piercing
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It is commonly referred as the Erl. The area between the eyes and nose is pierced with a barbell. It is painful. It is a piercing with a horizontal barbell that is placed across the bridge of the nose. Bridge piercings are very popular among men and women, especially in younger generations.
Proper aftercare of your bridge piercing is very important. Make sure that there are no cleansers, makeup, or hair products, on your face on or before the procedure, as this causes an infection instantly. Healing time may vary depending on the size of the stud used to pierce your bridge. It usually takes 8-12 weeks but may vary depending on the person.
3. Double nostril piercing
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If you want something to make you stand out, try to have a double nostril piercing. It is an art that involves making two piercings on the nose into which jewellery is inserted. It is done either as a side by side piercing or as one side. A new piercing on the nose takes 2-3 months to heal completely.
4. Nostril piercing
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It is one of the most common types of nose piercings. It is a practice in Indian and Nepalese culture. Women from these countries follow an Ayurvedic belief that placing a nostril piercing on the left side of their nose helps in easing the pain during menstruation and giving birth. The jewellery is placed right above the crease of our nostrils’ natural curve.
5. Septril piercing
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It is a combination of gauge septum and half of a vertical tip. The piercing looks delicate from afar. The actual piercing procedure takes a lot of dedication due to how time-exhaustive the gauging of the septum is. It is pretty painful given how sensitive the septal cartilage is, especially when having to accommodate jewellery at any given size.
6. Septum piercing
It looks cool. The unique accessory adds beautiful look. It is a very adaptable piercing that can be easily hidden from anyone that you do not want to see it. The healing period lasts from six to eight weeks. If you are going this type of nose piercing, make sure that the person doing is trustworthy.
7. Vertical tip piercing
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It is also known as rhino piercing. The piercing goes along the tip of the nose. It is a very effective and unique piercing and will surely attract attentions. It goes through the nose cartilage which makes it more painful and difficult to do.
8. High nostril piercing
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It requires placing smaller jewellery through a nostril at a higher point, closer to the nasal bridge. It is tricky to change the high nostril piercing jewellery yourself. Ask your trusted piercer to help you.
9. Austin bar nose piercing
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It is a horizontal piercing through the point of the nose. It does not pass through the septum nor inside the nasal cavities. It is one of the rare types of piercings.
10. Triple nostril piercing
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It needs more precautions in creating patterns with three jewellery to ensure that the nerve structures are not affected. The most convenient used in this is a stud. Most commonly seen on top of the crease of the nostril with a triangular pattern.
Tools Used For Nose Piercing
Titanium: It is a very popular metal used in jewellery making.
Surgical steel: It is the most recommended metal to use in piercing. It is hypoallergenic and causes no skin irritation.
Gold: It is the next best choice to surgical steel as long as you are using a quality 14-18K gold piece.
Sterling silver: It is a good choice because the body fluids quickly cause the metal to oxidize, turning it black.
For the first three months after your piercing, you need to pay attention to it to ensure proper healing. Most piercers will give you instructions on how to care properly or suggest cleaning products for you at the time of the piercing. Do research for a quality piercer. Don’t look for a bargain. Word of mouth is the best way to find a trustworthy piercer. Go to the shop and get to know your piercer very well before you decide.
Your piercing will likely be done with a sterilized needle with the jewellery attached to the end of it. Make sure that they have a certificate posted on the wall that says they are registered. Make sure that the shop is clean and sanitary. You should wash your piercing twice a day. See to it that you wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap before touching your pierced nose. Throughout the day, resist the opportunity in playing your pierced nose.
Every nose piercing poses a risk of complications such as follows:
Allergic reactions – piercing jewellery such as pieces made of nickel can cause allergic reactions
Skin infections – might cause redness, swelling, pain, or a pus of discharge, is possible after piercing
Bloodborne diseases – if the equipment used in piercing is contaminated with infected blood, you can contract various diseases including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus.
Tearing or trauma – jewellery can get torn out accidentally, requiring stitches or repair.
Clean your pierced nose twice a day. Once in the morning and once before going to bed until they are fully healed. Cleaning it too little will make it dirty and infected while over cleaning can lead to irritation and delayed healing. The simplest way to clean your piercing is using a salt solution. Before you touch your piercing, wash your hands with anti-germicidal soap.
Bacteria from your hands can cause infection. Take a cotton ball and dip it into the salt solution. Gently press it against your pierced nose for about three to four minutes. Be careful when removing the cotton ball because it might get caught in the ring or stud. Use a tissue when drying the area.
Avoid using a towel in doing this cause it can harbor bacteria and snag it on the stud or ring. You should also clean the underside of the piercing to avoid irritation. Use clean cotton buds dipped in the salt solution and gently rub it on the back of the stud. Don’t rub too much. After cleaning, apply a little lavender oil to the piercing using a cotton bud.
Avoid using harsh antiseptic products as this can damage the skin and prolong the healing. Do not allow make up or any cosmetic products to come in contact with the piercing as it can clog it and may lead to infection.
Nose piercings will close up within a few hours if the stud is removed. Forcing the stud back into the piercing will cause pain, inflammation and infection. Avoid submerging your piercing in a pool, hot tub water because it can lead to infection. Dirty pillowcases are another potential cause of bacteria. Lastly, avoid touching or playing your pierced nose. You should only touch it when cleaning it after you washed your hands.
Bacteria and other pathogens cause nose infections. It might be a result of poor hygiene during the piercing process, poor aftercare, and poor personal hygiene during the healing process. It is maybe because you touched it with your dirty hands. You also suffer from infections if you used the wrong jewellery regarding size and the materials it is made of or granuloma due to overgrown tissues. It is recommended that you wear quality jewellery made from genuine materials.
Swelling, excessive pain and redness, excessive heat and production of pus, are signs of infection on a pierced nose. Persistent itchiness and bad smell coming from the piercing site are also signs and symptoms of infection. The dangers and risks will tend to affect the people who go to unprofessional piercers and do not take good care of the piercers as required.
A hot compress after a normal cleaning of your pierced nose and taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory medicine and antibiotics could be a great help. However, if you are taking any other medications or have any health conditions, you should talk to your doctor first before taking any over the counter drugs. You should also seek the attention of your doctor if the symptoms don’t seem to go away even in medication.
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