If you are thinking of getting your nose pierced, searching online for “nose piercings near me” can point you toward a center in your location. Since a nose piercing is a permanent body modification, it is advisable that you think carefully before going ahead with it and find out as much as possible about what is involved in piercing your nose. You should also only get the procedure done by a professional, experienced nose piercer.

History of nose piercing

Nose piercing is a body modification commonly seen in women in many traditional societies and has gained popularity with both women and men in some modern communities. This type of body modification has been around for at least 6000 years. There were various reasons for piercing one or both nostrils in women, such as an emblem of status and wealth, a wedding gift from a husband to a wife to signify protection, and a procedure to ease future childbirth.

Types of nose piercings

When you research “nose piercings near me,” you may come across information about the following three types of nose piercings:

Nostril piercing

Nostril piercing is the type of nose piercing that is most prevalent in traditional societies in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. While people may pierce one or both nostrils, the preference in India is for piercing the left nostril in women. There is a cultural belief that the left nostril is associated with the reproductive organs, and so a woman who gets her left nostril pierced will have an easier time during childbirth. It is common for many young girls to get a nose piercing in their early teens.

The piercing is also for the sake of beauty adornment. The woman might wear a ring, a stud, or a pin in different styles and sizes in the pierced nostril and, at weddings or festive occasions, might even connect a nose ring with a decorative chain to the left earring. Gold and silver nose ornaments are the most popular ones and some come studded with pearls and precious gems.

Nasal septum piercing

In nasal septum piercing, the practitioner will pierce the thin skin close to the septum separating the two nostrils. This type of nose piercing is frequent in traditional and some modern societies. In traditional communities, women mostly have a nasal septum piercing and generally wear gold and silver septum rings. Modern fashionistas may wear circular barbells and bead rings.

Bridge piercing

Bridge piercing is a modern invention and not a very common nose piercing choice. As the name indicates, it involves making a piercing in the bridge of the nose and wearing a barbell in it. This type of nose piercing can be risky as you are piercing close to your eyes, and you could get a scar or an infection in the area. It is also likely to be a painful procedure and may take longer to heal. Do not undertake it until you understand all the risks and only get it done by a professional experienced in bridge piercing.

How to care for a nose piercing

Whichever piercing you decide to get after researching “nose piercings near me,” it will be necessary to care for it for at least two months until it heals. The following tips may be helpful:

• While the piercing is healing, avoid getting it wet or touching it frequently with your hand.

• Wash your hands beforehand when you do need to touch the piercing.

• Keep the piercing clean by wiping it with a saline solution at least twice a day.

• Use an ice compress to soothe the piercing if it is swollen and painful.

• Try not to use a towel to wipe the piercing until it has healed.

• Do not blow your nose energetically while the piercing is healing.

• Do not adjust or remove the nose ring while the piercing is healing.

• Avoid smoking, taking drugs, or wearing make-up while the nose piercing is healing.

• If the piercing does not seem to heal fast and remains painful, consult your doctor and check if the area has become infected.

After the nose piercing heals, you can wear the nose jewelry of your choice in gold, silver, or other materials.