A beginners guide to nose piercings (Nose piercings)

Member Name: karalouk

Product:	Nose piercings
Date:	08/09/09 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can look fabulous

Disadvantages: Some employers wont allow it, can be painful, possible complications

Nose piercings are becoming increasingly common. The most popular nose piercing is the nostril piercing which can be situated on either side of the nose.

Other nose piercings include the septum (the wall that seperates the nostrils) and bridge (situated at the top of the nose, between the eyes).

I had my nostril pierced many years ago with a gun - luckily I didn't have any problems, but I would not advise anybody to have a nostril piercing with a gun and I wouldn't ever pierce my nostril with a gun again.

Piercing guns should not be used on any part of the body except the earlobes. If you go to a piercing parlour that attempts to pierce your nose with a gun, get out of there fast! Guns crush the cartilage, rather than remove it like needles do - they are also unsanitary.

A nostril piercing usually takes 2 to 4 months to fully heal, a septum piercing can take 6 to 8 months and a bridge can take 3 to 4 months to fully heal.

A quick and successful healing process will only happen if you take care of your piercing and follow the following rules:

- Do not touch or play with the piercing (other than when you are cleaning it)

- Use a salt solution and cotton bud (one teaspoon of sea salt and a cup of warm water) to remove any crust and discharge. Use the other end of the cotton bud to dab the piercing dry

- Clean the piercing twice a day

- Don't sleep on the piercing and make sure your bed linen is clean

- Do not remove jewellery during healing

- Do not switch jewellery during healing.

Do not drink or take any form of pain killers before a piercing as this will thin your blood and could make you bleed excessively. Pain killers after the piercing are fine.

Nostrils are the cheapest out of the three nose piercings - you can look at paying around £10-20 for a nostril piercing and £25-35 for a septum and bridge piercing. Nostril piercings are also a little less intense than the septum and bridge in terms of pain - I would describe the nostril as uncomfortable, slightly stingy and an eye waterer, but not painful. However the thing that you have to remember about all piercings is that they are usually over in a matter of seconds and after that you'll have a piercing that you'll (hopefully) love for life!

Getting my septum pierced was an awful experience. There was a problem and it took about 10 minutes of chiseling through my nose to get the needle through. I wouldn't have wished it on anybody but afterwards I had this fab piercing which I really liked so it didn't matter to me.

If you work in a profession where you have to deal with the public then many employers won't allow bridge and septum piercings. The beauty of septum piercings is that you can buy jewellery and retainers that can be hidden out of sight. Nostril piercings are usually allowed if a small stud is worn but all employers are different - some allow all piercings, some allow none.

Remember that the main key to getting a successful piercing is to go to a clean professional piercing parlour that has a good reputation, that you trust and that you feel comfortable with. Under no circumstances should you ever attempt to pierce your nose yourself or let anybody pierce your nose who is not a professional as you could pick up many sorts of infections, aswell as ending up with a dodgy piercing.

Like all piercings there are always risks associated which can include infection, nerve damage, excessive bleeding and cross-contamination. Though if you choose a trusted, professional piercer and look after your piercing correctly these can all be avoided. If you are allergic to certain types of jewellery make sure you tell the piercer beforehand and also be aware that you cannot give blood for up to a year after getting pierced.

Happy piercing!

Summary: A beginners guide to nose piercings by yours truly!