Guide to Nose Rings

Nose piercings, like tattoos and ear piercings, are among today’s most popular body modifications, and nose rings are great fashion accessories. It’s easy to see why: nose piercings are beautiful, versatile, eye-catching, and have deep cultural significance for many people.

If you’re thinking about having your nose pierced and want more information, or if you’re looking for your next nose ring, you’ll see everything you need right here. But before that, check out these things to keep in mind before getting a piercing!

Nose Ring Styles

Twist

This nose ring fits flush against the nostrils and stays securely in the nose. For these reasons, it is the most popular type of nose ring. There are many different styles to choose from, so there is something for everyone.

Nose Bones

Nose bones are composed of a post with embellishment on one side and a little ball with a slightly bigger diameter than the post on another. The small ball holds it in place when worn. They have a flush fit, similar to a twist nose stud.

These are best suited to healed piercings. While not for everyone, nose bones have a devoted following who swear by their comfort and appearance.

Pin

This is a straight post, but this nose stud style is not intended to be worn as is; a piercer will need to custom-bend the pin nose stud into an L-shape. These are ideal for those who do not fit into standard barbell lengths.

Hoop Nose Rings

a woman wearing a hoop nose ring looking left

Nose ring hoops are rapidly becoming the preferred nostril jewelry. They have a different appearance than stud nose rings and are more noticeable.

Captive bead rings are simple to insert, and the bead can be embellished for added flair. You can also use a faux hoop to achieve the hoop look in an easy-to-insert format.

L-Shape

The post of an L-shaped nose ring is bent at a 90-degree angle. Because the L-Shape is more stable than the nose bone and easier to introduce into the piercing than the screw, it is a popular nose ring backing for those who find the screw twist tricky to use.

Seamless Ring Hoop Nose Rings

In contrast to the hoop in the preceding image, seamless rings wrap all around the nostril. The piercing gauge will determine the thickness of the hoop; larger gauges will result in a bolder hoop look.

Never pull the ends of a seamless ring apart. Instead, to open, twist up and down in different directions, then twist back into position.

Faux Hoop Nose Rings

This nose ring has the appearance of a hoop but the comfort and ease of insertion of an L-shape backing.

Types of Nose Piercings

There are numerous nose piercings to pick from, some of which are more complex than others. Before having one, take the time to understand its benefits, drawbacks, and aftercare requirements.

Nostril Piercings

a close up of a woman with a nostril piercing and stickers on her face

These are the most common nose piercings placed in either the left or right nostril at or near the supra-alar crease (the tiny indent above where your nostrils first start to flare). A high nostril piercing is also possible, requiring inserting smaller jewelry (20g) through the nostril nearer to the nasal bridge. It can be difficult to switch high nostril piercing jewelry on your own, so don’t be afraid to ask your piercer for assistance.

Most people choose which nostril to pierce based solely on personal preference. In Indian culture, however, women frequently pierce their left nostrils, believing that it will make childbirth easier. It’s also a sign of beauty, a symbol of social standing, and a way to honor Parvati, the Hindu goddess of marriage.

Nasallang Piercings

The nasal version of an industrial ear piercing is this tricky 3-in-1 piercing. It is essentially a double nostril piercing with a septum piercing connected by a straight, long barbell. The piercer will go through a nostril from the outside, across the “sweet spot,” and out your opposite nostril for a nasallang piercing.

If you want a nasallang piercing, you must take the same preventive measures as you would for a standard septum piercing, as they both carry the same risk of piercing the septum cartilage incorrectly.

Bridge (Earl) Piercings

Bridge piercings are located directly between the eyes, across the bridge of your nose. This piercing is comparatively rare due to its high rejection rate and prominent location. As with other surface piercings, the body will try to push the hardware out of your skin instead of healing around it.

Piercers must use heavy-gauge jewelry and place it as deeply as possible for surface piercings to succeed. Bridge piercings are particularly difficult because there is very little extra tissue between the skin’s surface and the bone beneath. If your body rejects the bridge piercing, you might have a scar between your eyes.

Septum Piercings

a redhead with septum piercings lying on someone’s lap

Septum piercing is the second most common type of nose piercing. It is inserted through the nose’s “sweet spot,” the soft tissue between the Columella (the underside of the nose) and the bottom side of the septum separating the nostrils. If you want a septum piercing, pick a piercer who has done them before because they are fairly easy to get wrong.

If you have excruciating pain during the septum piercing and considerable discomfort afterward, your piercer has most likely punctured your septum cartilage. Remove your jewelry, let your piercing heal, and then find somebody who knows what they’re doing to re-pierce it.

Rhinoceros (Vertical Tip) Piercings

The “rhino” piercing positions the jewelry behind the tip of the nose (referred to as the Tip Defining Point) so that one end of the jewelry rests on the center tip of the nose and the other juts from the front-underside of your nose. The procedure entails piercing the underside of the nose in front of the Infratip Break (like the underside of the nose near the tip) and out between or a little behind the domes that form the Tip Defining Point.

How Much Does a Nose Ring Cost?

The cost of a nose piercing varies greatly depending on the type of jewelry you choose, the complexity of the piercing, and where you live. Prices in rural areas are frequently lower than in cities, where shops typically pay more to rent space.

In general, a nostril piercing will be less expensive than a septum or bridge piercing, which should be less expensive than a nasallang piercing because it is the most difficult. You can even save money by adhering to the basic starter jewelry provided by the shop as part of the piercing fee.

Purchasing more expensive jewelry before the piercing heals is pointless unless it fits you nicely before and after, which is highly improbable with anything other than a nose hoop. Most of the time, you’ll require a shorter barbell afterward, so be patient and wait until you’re fully healed before purchasing something spectacular!