A nostril piercing passes through the side of your nose, sitting in the cartilage just above the nostril rim. Most people are pierced at 18 or 20 gauge with a flat-back labret stud, and full healing runs about 4 to 6 months. It’s one of the most popular facial piercings, and one of the more patient ones to look after.
⚡ Quick answer
A nostril piercing goes through the cartilage on the side of your nose, above the rim. Most people are pierced at 18 or 20 gauge with a flat-back labret stud, with 4–6 months of healing.
What Exactly Is a Nostril Piercing?
A nostril piercing punctures the cartilage on the side of your nose, usually set above the curve of the rim. A septum piercing sits hidden between the nostrils, but the nostril reads from the side and draws the eye toward the middle of your face.
Placement is worth getting right. Set it too high and it can look off; set it too low and it lands on the soft tissue of the rim, which doesn’t hold a piercing well. A good piercer marks the spot while you watch in a mirror, positioning it to suit your nose shape and to leave room for different jewelry styles down the line.
Most people pierce a single nostril, though a double nostril on one side, or matched piercings on both sides, are common enough. A high nostril, placed further up toward the bridge, is really its own piercing with a longer, fussier heal.
Does a Nostril Piercing Hurt?
Most people put it at 4 to 5 out of 10: a sharp pinch and some pressure over a second or two. Your eyes will water, which is a reflex from the nerves around the nose (the nasociliary/lacrimal reflex) rather than a sign the pain is unbearable.
For a fair comparison, it stings more than a septum, which passes through soft tissue, and less than most cartilage ear piercings. The nostril carries more nerve endings than the septum’s sweet spot, and the needle is going through actual cartilage rather than thin membrane.
One thing people rarely brace for is the jewelry insertion, which can feel odder than the needle itself. A flat-back labret has to be threaded through from inside the nose, so the piercer is working in a tight space. There’s pressure, it feels strange, and it’s over quickly.
Pain Comparison Table
| Piercing | Pain (1–10) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Earlobe | 2–3 | Soft tissue, minimal nerves |
| Septum | 3–4 | Soft tissue sweet spot |
| Nostril | 4–5 | Cartilage with nerve endings |
| Helix | 4–6 | Thicker cartilage |
| High nostril | 5–6 | Denser cartilage, longer healing |
Healing Timeline: The Long Road
| Phase | Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Initial swelling | Days 1–7 | Tenderness, redness, possible light bleeding |
| Early healing | Weeks 2–4 | Swelling down, crusting forms, lymph fluid |
| Mid healing | Months 2–3 | Looks healed externally, internal tissue still healing |
| Full healing | 4–6 months | Complete tissue remodeling, can change jewelry |
Nostril piercings often look healed well before they actually are. The outer skin closes over first while the internal fistula, the tunnel of healed tissue, is still fragile. That’s why swapping jewelry at four weeks because it “looks fine” so often ends in an irritation bump or a small tear.
Through the first month you’ll get crusting, a whitish or yellowish buildup around the jewelry. That’s lymph fluid and dead skin cells, not pus, so don’t pick at it. Spray it with saline, let it soften, then wipe it away gently with clean gauze. Australia’s healthdirect service gives similar general guidance on keeping a fresh piercing clean while it settles.
The Piercing Procedure
⚠️ Watch out
Crusting in the first month is lymph fluid and dead skin cells, not pus — don’t pick at it. Spray with saline to soften it, then gently wipe away with clean gauze.
A typical appointment runs in five stages:
- Consultation. The piercer examines your nose shape, discusses placement, and answers questions. They’ll mark the spot with a surgical pen and have you check it in the mirror.
- Prep. The area is cleaned with antiseptic. You’ll be positioned either lying down or sitting, and either way your head is stabilized.
- The piercing. A sterile hollow needle (usually 18g or 16g) passes through the marked spot. This takes under a second.
- Jewelry insertion. The piercer guides the jewelry through from the inside of your nose. This is the part that feels like pressure.
- Aftercare briefing. You get written and verbal instructions, plus often a sample of saline spray.
The whole visit takes around 10 to 15 minutes. The piercing itself is over in roughly a second.
A few red flags are worth walking out over: a piercing gun, which can’t be properly sterilized and works by blunt force; a piercer who skips the marking step; or one who bristles at your questions. Reputable studios use a single-use needle, and our needle vs gun comparison explains why professionals won’t touch a gun. The Association of Professional Piercers keeps a directory of members who work to that standard.
Jewelry Types, Gauges, and Sizes
💡 Pro tip
Some piercers prefer 16 gauge (1.2mm) for the initial piercing — the slightly thicker gauge can promote better healing and makes future jewelry changes easier.
Standard Sizes
Most nostril piercings are done at 18 gauge (1.0mm) or 20 gauge (0.8mm). Some piercers start with 16 gauge (1.2mm), reasoning that the slightly thicker post can heal more cleanly and makes later jewelry changes easier.
Post length matters too. Starter jewelry usually runs 5/16 inch (8mm) or 3/8 inch (10mm) to leave room for swelling. Once healed, most people downsize to 1/4 inch (6mm) or 5/16 inch (8mm) for a closer fit.
Jewelry Styles
Labret Stud (Flat Back)
Best for: Initial healing, sleeping comfort
Gauge: 18–20g
Post length: 6–10mm
Notes: Flat disc sits inside the nose, decorative end shows externally. Most comfortable for healing because the flat back doesn’t protrude into the nostril.
L-Shaped Stud
Best for: Healed piercings
Gauge: 20g common
Notes: Easy to insert and remove yourself. The L-shape can spin and show the bend at the nostril opening, which some people find annoying.
Nose Screw
Best for: Healed piercings, security
Gauge: 18–20g
Notes: A twist shape that stays in place better than L-shapes. Harder to insert yourself, so many people have their piercer change to these.
Hoop / Ring
Best for: Fully healed piercings (after the full 4–6 months)
Diameter: 5/16″ to 3/8″ (8–10mm)
Notes: Seamless rings, segment rings, or clickers. The curvature can put pressure on a healing piercing, so wait until fully healed.
Materials That Matter
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For initial healing, implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) is the safe default. It’s the same material used in medical implants: inert, hypoallergenic, and light on the piercing. Our titanium vs surgical steel breakdown explains why it beats cheaper steel.
Other options for healed piercings:
- Solid 14k or 18k gold: won’t tarnish, but check the alloy. Many gold pieces, especially white gold, contain nickel, so confirm it’s nickel-free if you’re sensitive.
- Implant-grade stainless steel (316LVM): budget-friendly, but verify the nickel content.
- Niobium: hypoallergenic, and it can be anodized for color.
Steer clear of sterling silver, which tarnishes and can stain the tissue, along with so-called surgical steel, which isn’t the same as implant-grade, and anything coated or plated.
Aftercare: The APP-Approved Method
The Association of Professional Piercers now points people toward pre-made sterile saline wound wash rather than homemade salt soaks. The problem with the DIY route is that most people mix it too strong, and an over-salty solution dries the tissue out and slows healing. The same basics apply to any piercing, so for the full routine see our piercing aftercare guide.
Daily Cleaning Routine
- Wash your hands. Every time. No exceptions.
- Spray with sterile saline. Use 0.9% sodium chloride wound wash with no additives. Spray directly on the piercing.
- Let it dry. Or pat gently with clean paper towel. No cotton balls, since fibers snag on jewelry.
- Leave it alone. Don’t twist, turn, or check if it’s healing. Motion means irritation.
Do this twice a day, morning and night. More isn’t better, since over-cleaning strips the natural oils and irritates the tissue.
What to Avoid During Healing
- Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, or ointments: these damage healing cells
- Makeup, lotions, or sunscreen on or near the piercing
- Swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes (bacteria exposure)
- Changing jewelry too early
- Sleeping face-down or on the piercing side
- Blowing your nose aggressively; be gentle, or use saline spray to loosen mucus first
Piercing Bumps: Causes and Solutions
ℹ️ Good to know
Bumps are the most common nostril complication, but most are irritation bumps — not infections or keloids. The catch is they take patience to resolve.
Bumps are the most common nostril complication. The reassuring part is that most are irritation bumps rather than infections or keloids. The frustrating part is that they take patience to clear. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, our guide to a nose piercing bump walks through how to tell a granuloma from a keloid.
Types of Piercing Bumps
| Type | Appearance | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irritation bump | Red, raised, fluid-filled | Touching, sleeping on it, wrong jewelry size | Remove irritant, saline compresses, patience |
| Granuloma | Red, fleshy, bleeds easily | Trauma, jewelry movement | See piercer for jewelry adjustment, possible medical treatment |
| Keloid | Raised, firm, extends beyond piercing | Genetic scarring response | See dermatologist — cortisone shots, removal |
| Pustule | Pimple-like, contains pus | Infection or blockage | Warm compresses, may need medical treatment |
Common Irritants to Eliminate
Most bumps resolve once you identify and stop the irritant:
- Touching or twisting. Your hands carry bacteria. Leave it alone.
- Sleeping on it. Pressure from your pillowcase causes irritation. Try a travel pillow to keep pressure off.
- Wrong jewelry size. Too long and it moves too much. Too short and it embeds. See your piercer for a proper fit.
- Metal sensitivity. Nickel in low-quality jewelry triggers reactions. Switch to implant-grade titanium.
- Makeup or skincare products. Chemicals clog and irritate the piercing site.
Treatment Protocol for Irritation Bumps
- Stop the irritant. Whatever you’re doing that’s causing it, stop.
- Warm saline compresses. Soak clean gauze in warm saline and hold against the bump 5–10 minutes, twice daily. The warmth draws out fluid and increases circulation.
- Check your jewelry. If the post is too long (moving excessively) or too short (pressing into tissue), see your piercer for a resize.
- Be patient. Bumps don’t disappear overnight. Give it 2–3 weeks of proper care.
A few things that don’t help, despite the advice floating around online: tea tree oil, which is harsh on thin nostril skin and can burn it, especially undiluted; crushed aspirin paste, which irritates the tissue; and taking the jewelry out, which can trap infection and let the bump harden into a permanent scar.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely popular and socially accepted | Long healing time (4–6 months) |
| Huge variety of jewelry styles | Visible location — hard to hide |
| Can be subtle or statement-making | Prone to irritation bumps |
| Relatively quick piercing procedure | Blowing nose is awkward during healing |
| Less painful than many ear cartilage piercings | Makeup application requires care |
Cost: What You’ll Pay
A nostril piercing usually runs $30 to $70 for the service, with jewelry on top. Quality titanium starter pieces are about $15 to $40, and gold or gem-set jewelry costs more.
Skip the $15 mall special. Proper sterilization gear, decent jewelry, and a trained piercer all cost money, and an infection or a badly placed hole costs far more to fix than doing it right the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a nostril piercing hurt?
Most people rate it 4–5 out of 10. It’s a sharp pinch lasting 1–2 seconds. Your eyes will water reflexively. It hurts slightly more than a septum piercing but less than many ear cartilage piercings.
How long does a nostril piercing take to heal?
Full healing takes 4–6 months. The piercing may look healed on the outside after 4–8 weeks, but internal tissue is still remodeling. Wait at least 2–3 months before changing jewelry.
What gauge is a nostril piercing?
Standard is 18 gauge (1.0mm) or 20 gauge (0.8mm). Some piercers use 16 gauge (1.2mm) for initial piercing. Always confirm your gauge before buying jewelry.
When can I change my nostril piercing?
Minimum 2–3 months, but 4–6 months is safer. Have your piercer change it the first time. Changing too early can cause tears, irritation bumps, or prolong healing.
How do I get rid of a nose piercing bump?
Most bumps are irritation, not infection. Identify and remove the cause (touching, sleeping on it, wrong jewelry size). Use warm saline compresses twice daily. Be patient — bumps take weeks to resolve. See your piercer if it persists beyond 2–3 weeks.
Can I hide a nostril piercing?
Sort of. Clear glass retainers or flesh-colored discs make the piercing less visible, but there’s no way to completely hide a nostril piercing like you can with a septum. Consider your workplace dress code before getting pierced.
Can I wear makeup with a healing nostril piercing?
Avoid makeup on or near the piercing during healing. Powders and creams clog the piercing and introduce bacteria. If you must wear foundation, apply carefully around the area and clean the piercing thoroughly afterward.
What side should I get my nostril pierced?
There’s no right answer. Some cultures traditionally pierce the left side. Some people choose based on which side they sleep on (pierce the opposite side). Others decide based on photos — hold a fake stud to each side and see what you prefer.
Final Thoughts
The nostril is popular for good reason: it’s versatile, the pain is manageable, and once it’s healed the jewelry options are endless. It isn’t a low-maintenance piercing, though. That 4-to-6-month timeline asks for patience, and because the spot is on show, you’re committed to careful aftercare in full view.
Most of it comes down to respecting the heal. Leave the jewelry alone for the first few months, don’t panic at the first bump, and keep pressure off it while you sleep. Given time and consistent aftercare, a nostril piercing settles well and lasts for years.
When you’re ready to book, look for an APP-member piercer or read reviews closely. On a piercing people call “simple,” the piercer’s eye for placement matters more than you’d expect.