Nose piercings: nostril, septum, high nostril, bridge
Nose piercings are the most-Googled facial piercing in the world. Here's what each one actually involves.
Nostril
Pain: 3/10. Healing: 2–4 months. The classic. Ask for a flat-back labret or an L-bend nose stud in implant-grade titanium — both stay put better than the old-school nose screw, which can poke the inside of your nose and snag on tissues.
Septum
Pain: 4/10 (the eye-water surprise). Healing: 6–8 weeks. Goes through the thin 'sweet spot' of soft tissue just behind the cartilage wall — not through the cartilage itself when done well. Hurts surprisingly little but makes your eyes water reflexively. Start with a 16g titanium clicker or circular barbell.
High nostril
Pain: 5/10. Healing: 6–9 months. Placed higher up the nostril, closer to the bridge. Harder to heal because the cartilage is thicker and there's no easy way to avoid sleeping on it.
Bridge
Pain: 4/10. Healing: 8–12 weeks (but often rejects). A surface piercing across the bridge of the nose between the eyes. Has a notoriously high rejection rate — your body sees it as a foreign object and slowly pushes it out. Lovely look, but go in knowing it may not stay.
FAQ
How long does a nose piercing take to heal?
A nostril piercing takes 2–4 months to heal on the outside and up to 6 months for the channel inside to fully settle. Septum is faster at 6–8 weeks; high nostril is the slowest at 6–9 months.
How much is a nose piercing?
Most reputable studios in the US charge $40–$80 for the piercing, plus $20–$60 for implant-grade titanium jewelry — so $60–$140 all in. Walk-in chain shops are cheaper but rarely use safe materials.
Does a nose piercing hurt?
Most people rate a nostril piercing 3/10 — a sharp pinch and an involuntary eye-water, but it's over in under two seconds. Septum is closer to 4/10 with a bigger reflex tear response.
What gauge is a nose piercing?
Standard nostril piercings are done at 18g or 20g. Septum piercings are typically 16g or 14g so the channel is strong enough to hold a clicker comfortably.
When can I change my nose piercing?
Wait at least 8–12 weeks for a nostril, and only swap jewelry after a piercer confirms it's healed. Changing it early is the #1 cause of nose piercing bumps.
How do you get rid of a nose piercing bump?
Most bumps are irritation, not infection. Switch to properly-fitted implant-grade titanium, stop sleeping on it, and do twice-daily sterile saline soaks. Bumps usually shrink in 2–4 weeks.
How do you clean a nose piercing?
Sterile saline spray (0.9% sodium chloride) twice a day, front and back. Skip rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and tea tree oil — they're too harsh and slow healing.
Can I hide a septum piercing for work?
Yes — ask your piercer for a 'septum retainer,' a small horseshoe that flips up inside the nose and is essentially invisible.
Will a nose piercing leave a scar?
Usually a tiny dot that fades over a year or two. Keloid risk is low but real if you're prone to them.
Browse vetted piercing studios in your city
Piercing-first studios only — no tattoo apprentices with a piercing gun.
Find a piercing studio