Nose Piercing

Nose piercing may seem fairly avant garde, but the practice has been around for at least the last four thousand years.

Nose Piercing Procedure

A nose piercing is usually placed in the curve of the nostril; however, it can also be done through the septum, that piece of cartilage that divides the nostrils.

A piercing gun is not the tool of choice for this particular procedure since it is too cumbersome to get an exact placement for the hole and cannot be properly sterilized.

Rather, a small cork device is placed inside the nostril, and a sterilized surgical needle is used to pierce through the flesh until it hits the cork. This method is far more sanitary and accurate, and heals much quicker because it causes less trauma to the cartilage.

Once the hole is made, either a nose ring or stud is inserted into the piercing and must remain there for the entire healing time to assure the hole doesn't close up again.

Nose Jewelry

There are several styles of nose jewelry.

• Nose rings are hoops that come in various sizes and are self-clasping.
• Nose studs are similar to earring studs, using a small clasp on the back to hold the jewelry in place.
• Nose screws require no clasp to stay in place. There is a half-circle turn at the bottom of the very short post that is used to literally screw the jewelry into place. Many people prefer nose screws for their comfort, easy insertion, and easy cleaning.

Now that we've covered styles, let talk about materials.

• Surgical steel is the most recommended metal to use in a fresh piercing. It is hypo-allergenic and generally causes none of the skin irritation encountered when using cheaper metals such as nickel.
• Gold is the next best thing to surgical steel, as long as you are using a quality 14-18k gold piece. Gold plate quickly wears away with constant exposure to body fluids and is not a good choice to use in a piercing.
• Titanium is another popular metal used in jewelry making; however, it has been known to irritate an unhealed piercing. If you want to use Titanium, wait at least six months after your piercing to do so.

Sterling silver, although beautiful, is not a good choice to use in any fresh piercing, because the body fluids quickly cause the metal to oxidise, turning it black. This black oxidation can penetrate your tissues, leaving a permanent spot on the area. If you must wear silver, wait at least a year after your piercing to do so, and make sure you check the piece frequently for signs of oxidation.

Aftercare

Since nose piercing is done through cartilage, not flesh, it takes six to twelve weeks to heal. During this period, it is important to keep the site scrupulously clean.

• Always wash your hands before you touch your piercing or jewelry.
• Clean the piercing at least three times a day by drenching the area with a fresh cotton ball soaked with sterile saline solution. Slightly rotate your jewelry to make sure the saline gets into the hole as well.
• Use a fresh cotton swab drenched in saline to gently clean the clasp or screw inside of your nostril.
• Never scrub any part of your piercing or jewelry. This can damage the tissue, spark an infection, and possibly pull out your jewelry.
• Only use a fresh paper towel to gently pat the area dry after cleaning, or better yet, hold the paper towel there and just let it "wick up" the moisture.
• Avoid sleeping on your face at night.
• Replace your pillowcase every few days to cut down on germ exposure.
• Support your immune system with a good vitamin supplement containing vitamins C, B-12, and zinc. This will help head off respiratory illnesses that can cause mucus build up and interfere with your healing.
• Avoid fingering your jewelry and making frequent changes during the first six months. The cartilage can be damaged, causing an unattractive lump, called a granuloma, to form. Once you get one of these, they can be nearly impossible to get rid of.

Should You or Shouldn't You?

Any type of body modification is a personal choice, but this and other types of body art are sometimes prohibited in schools and the work place.

It's probably a good idea to run your piercing idea past your employer or school officials, just to make sure you understand their policies on this issue, but if you really want to go ahead with getting your nose pierced, there are a couple of options you can try to make it less noticeable.

• A nostril piercing can be maintained by wearing an "invisible stud" during the work or school day. This type of stud comes in different flesh tones and blends in with the rest of your nose. After your daily obligations are over, you can switch to your favorite jewelry.
• A septum piercing can be discreetly preserved with a septum retainer, a U-shaped device that can be inserted through the hole without showing on the outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Nose Piercing Hurt?

Everyone's threshold for pain is different, but generally all piercings cause momentary pain. Using a surgical needle to create the piercing is least painful of all because it passes so easily through the cartilage.

What Happens if You Get a Cold?

Colds happen, and it's more important than ever to keep the area free of mucus and crust, which can trap bacteria and cause infection. Increase the number of cleanings to keep the area crust free, and take an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce drainage. Avoid using nasal sprays that contain anything other than simple saline.

Can a Nose Ring Be Left Out Without Closing?

Your nose ring must be left in during the healing period, or it will close up in less than 24 hours. After the first year, you can leave your jewelry out for a few days, but test to make sure the hole doesn't close again.

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