What to Expect During a Piercing Appointment
One of the best things about the piercing process? The actual piercing is insanely quick. The average appointment may run 30 minutes — 15 of which usually involves filling out consent forms, selecting jewelry, and answering questions. The rest is used for actual piercing time, plus sanitizing the area, placing the jewelry, etc. "Once the piercing is complete, the area might feel a little bit warm," Hayler says. "This is normal and can last a while; the initial pinch and sting is usually over after a few minutes."
Do Nose Piercings Hurt?
The pain level of your nose piercing will depend on a number of factors, including how sensitive you are and what your pain tolerance is. Most nose piercings are not known to cause too much discomfort, and the actual piercing process only takes a few minutes to complete. Your nose may bruise after the piercing, but the pain should subside quickly. However, be careful not to snag your piercing on clothing, towels, etc., as that can be quite painful.
How Much Does a Nose Piercing Cost?
As for cost, Hayler says it varies by the jewelry and placement. In most cases, you'll pay for the jewelry as part of your total appointment fee, which can be more expensive than the piercing itself. "We have 14kt options from $170 or titanium options from $65 including jewelry and service," she says. With this in mind, it's important to consider a studio's jewelry selection before you book an appointment: "Make sure you are happy with the options and studio as you'll most likely be wearing the jewelry for quite some time."
Nose Piercing Jewelry Options
Remember what we said about safety? That applies to the type of jewelry that'll be used in your new piercing, too. Certain metals are more likely to cause a reaction than others (and vice versa), so it's extra important to be mindful during the selection process. "Solid 14kt gold or higher and implant-grade titanium or niobium are the recommended metals to be used within a fresh piercing," Hayler says. "These are the most biocompatible materials out there and have a very low risk of reaction." As for what to avoid? "Sterling silver or anything lower as these are mixed with nickel, which is what most people are allergic to."
On the aesthetic front, options will vary based on the type of piercing you're getting. For nostril piercings, you can opt for a ring or stud, though Hayler prefers the latter: "The piercing will heal more smoothly." For septum piercings, you can choose anything from simple rings to straight or curved barbells to arched "horseshoe"-style rings that have an opening at one end — Hayler's favorite. "It's easier to heal as these can be flipped up to hide if you need to for work or school."
