Nose

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Collection: Nose | Gauge: 20g (0.8mm), 18g (1.0mm) | Recommended Length/Diameter: 6mm to 8mm labrets, 8mm hoops | Material: ASTM F136 Implant-Grade Titanium

The nostril piercing sits on the curve of the nose, usually in the crease where the nostril meets the cheek, and it is the most popular facial piercing in the UK by a long way. It suits almost every face and takes two very different styles of nose jewellery. Flat-back labret studs with a small gem or ball sit flush inside the nostril and are the most comfortable choice for a fresh piercing. Small hinged rings and seamless hoops give the classic nose-ring look once it has healed. The inside of the nose is warm and damp, which is the worst possible environment for plated or nickel-containing jewellery, so ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium is the standard here: it is nickel-free, hypoallergenic and will not corrode, tarnish or turn the skin dark.

What size is a standard nose piercing?

Most UK nostril piercings are 20g (0.8mm) or 18g (1.0mm). A labret stud for the nose is usually 8mm long for a fresh piercing and 6mm once the swelling has gone, with 5mm for a very thin nostril. Nose hoops are typically 8mm in diameter, which sits close to the nostril without gaping. If you are replacing jewellery, check the gauge and length of what you wear now, because a 20g stud in an 18g piercing will move around and irritate the channel.

Nose Jewellery: The Most Worn Facial Piercing in Implant-Grade Titanium

UK piercers pierce nostrils at 20g (0.8mm) or 18g (1.0mm), with 18g the more common choice for a piercing that will wear rings later. The initial labret is usually 8mm to allow for swelling and is downsized to 6mm after 4 to 8 weeks. Healing takes 3 to 6 months, though the nostril can feel settled at 6 weeks and still be fragile inside. Common mistakes include swapping to a hoop before it has healed, blowing the nose hard in the first fortnight, catching the stud on towels and using cheap L-shaped studs that irritate the inside of the nostril. A nostril stud pairs well with a septum ring for a two-piece look, and many people match the metal to their lobe studs or a helix hoop.

How long does a nose piercing take to heal?

A nostril piercing takes 3 to 6 months to heal. The outside often looks fine after a few weeks, but the inside of the piercing stays delicate for much longer, which is why changing jewellery too early is the most common cause of problems. Downsize the labret at 4 to 8 weeks, clean with sterile saline twice a day, avoid make-up around the piercing and leave rings until at least the 3 month mark, ideally longer.

Should I get a stud or a hoop for my nose piercing?

Start with a flat-back labret stud and switch to a hoop once the piercing has healed. A stud stays still in the channel, which keeps a fresh nostril calm, while a ring moves every time you touch your face or wipe your nose and can lengthen healing or cause a bump. Once healed, an 8mm titanium hinged ring is the easiest hoop to fit and remove at home, and you can swap between stud and hoop freely after that.

Why has my nose piercing got a bump?

A bump beside a nostril piercing is nearly always an irritation bump, caused by a ring worn too early, a stud that is too long or too short, knocks, or jewellery containing nickel. Fix the cause first: switch to a correctly sized implant-grade titanium labret, stop touching or twisting it, keep make-up and face wash away from the piercing and clean with saline only. Most bumps go down within a few weeks. If it is hot, very painful or leaking pus, see your piercer or a pharmacist.