The Complete Nose Piercing Guide: Everything to Know Before You Get Pierced

Thinking about getting your nose pierced, or helping a friend or daughter get ready for their first one? This guide walks through everything — piercing types, what the process actually feels like, healing time, and how to choose your first piece of jewelry.

Types of Nose Piercings

Nostril piercing The most common and traditional style, placed on the outer curve of one nostril. This is the classic look for nose pins and studs, and the one most of our designs are made for.

Septum piercing Placed through the thin strip of skin between the nostrils. Often worn with a small ring or horseshoe-style jewelry rather than a stud.

High nostril piercing Positioned slightly higher on the nostril than a standard piercing, giving a more delicate, subtle look.

Bridge piercing A less common style placed horizontally across the bridge of the nose, worn with a barbell rather than a stud.

For most first-time piercings — and for wearing a gold nose pin — a standard nostril piercing is the right choice.

What to Expect During the Piercing

A professional piercer will:

Clean the area and mark the exact placement for your approval
Use a sterile, single-use needle (avoid piercing guns for nose piercings — needles are gentler on cartilage and tissue)
Insert the initial jewelry immediately after piercing

Most people describe the sensation as a quick, sharp pinch rather than ongoing pain — it’s over in seconds.

Healing Time

Nostril piercing: typically 2 to 4 months to heal fully, though it can take up to 6 months for some
Septum piercing: often heals faster, around 6 to 8 weeks
Bridge piercing: can take 8 to 12 weeks

Healing time varies by person, so patience matters more than the calendar.

Aftercare Basics

Clean the area twice a day with a saline solution (avoid alcohol-based products, which can dry out and irritate the skin)
Avoid touching the piercing with unwashed hands
Don’t change the jewelry until the piercing is fully healed
Avoid swimming pools and open water until healed
If you notice unusual redness, swelling, or discharge that doesn’t improve, check with your piercer or a doctor

Choosing Your First Piece of Jewelry

For a fresh piercing, piercers typically recommend starting with a simple stud in a hypoallergenic metal like surgical steel or titanium, since the piercing needs room to heal without pressure from a heavier design.

Once fully healed, that’s when it’s time to move to a piece you’ll actually want to wear day to day — like a genuine 18K gold nose pin. Gold is naturally hypoallergenic for most people and, unlike lower-quality metals, won’t tarnish or irritate healed skin.

A quick note on sizing: once your piercing is healed and you’re ready for your first “real” nose pin, gauge and fit matter — see our nose pin sizing guide for how to get this right.

When You’re Ready

Browse our Diamond Nose Pins, Nose Rings, and 22K Gold Nose Pins collections for your first — or next — piece. If you’re not sure what will suit a freshly healed piercing, message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you choose.