How to Pierce Your Nose at Home

Piercing your nose at a professional studio can be costly. However, you can perform the piercing yourself at home if you're well-prepared. It's crucial to pay close attention to hygiene and brace yourself for some discomfort. Remember, while you can certainly pierce your nose on your own, it’s safer, cleaner, and more reputable to go to a professional piercing studio.

Visualize the type of nose ring you want. Research different nose ring styles and choose the one that suits your taste. For your first home nose piercing, consider a simple round stud or a hoop. Picture how you'll look with the chosen style, ensuring you know exactly what you want.

• Consider a professional piercing studio. A professional establishment is safer, cleaner, and will help reduce pain. If you decide to pierce your nose at home, you risk bleeding, infection, or feeling overwhelmed as a first-timer. However, doing it yourself might give you more satisfaction.

Purchase Jewelry for Piercing. You can find round studs, hoops, or bar-shaped piercings at jewelry shops, tattoo parlors, and accessory stores. If you know exactly what you want, try searching online. Make sure you buy jewelry that has never been used, and consider starting with a small size. Pay attention to selecting the right size, length, and thickness. Avoid using rings, earrings, or anything that has been previously worn.

• Keep in mind that some people may have allergies to certain metals. Nickel allergy is the most common metal allergy, and it can cause itching or rashes. Gold, cobalt, and chromium are other metals that might cause allergic reactions. If you notice blisters or cracks on your skin after piercing, remove the jewelry and see a doctor as soon as possible.
• Consider jewelry made from titanium or stainless steel – anything that is resistant to corrosion. Look for nickel-free jewelry such as 10K-24K gold, 925 silver, copper, or platinum. Polycarbonate plastic is also very safe to use.

Wait for the Skin to Fully Heal. Trying to pierce in or near inflamed acne-prone areas increases the risk of infection. If you have any pimples or blackheads, wait a few days or weeks until the acne starts to subside. Regularly wash your face and consider using exfoliating products to cleanse your pores.

Prepare the Needle. Always use a new needle; if it is not packaged in a box, it's hard to tell whether it has been used. Choose a needle with a piercing hole, as it will be more effective. Use a needle size ranging from 20G (.81mm) to 18G (1.0mm), ensuring that the needle's diameter is not smaller than the piercing. Once ready, remove the needle from its packaging and make sure to disinfect it before piercing.

• Safety pins, staple pins, earrings, or sewing needles can increase the risk of infection during the piercing process, and disinfecting them properly is not an easy task. The needle tip may also not be sharp enough for nose piercings, causing damage to tissue and creating excessive pressure on the piercing hole.
• Never leave the needle in any unsanitized place if you don't want it to become contaminated. If you need to set it down, use clean paper towels or a sterilized tray.

Sterilize Everything. This includes the needle, nose jewelry, and any tools you will use during the piercing process. Soak the needle in isopropyl alcohol and then boil it in hot water. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and wear rubber gloves. Do not touch anything that has not been sterilized.

• Change gloves frequently whenever you touch your nose. Put on a fresh pair of gloves before starting the piercing.

Mark the Nose. Use a Sharpie pen to make a small mark on your nose where you want the piercing to go. Look in the mirror and make sure it’s placed correctly. If the marking is too low or too high, erase and adjust it. Keep adjusting until you are completely satisfied with the placement.

Clean the Piercing Area Before You Begin. Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe around the area where you plan to pierce. Be careful as the alcohol can sting your eyes.

• Consider using an ice cube to numb the area where you want to pierce. Hold the ice against your nose for about 3 minutes until the tissue feels numb. Keep in mind that this might stretch the skin, which could make piercing a bit harder.

Use Forceps. If you have forceps available, use them to clamp the area where you want to pierce. If you don’t have forceps, consider purchasing a pair. They help to keep the nasal cavity open and ensure you don’t push too deep into your nose or hand.

Stay Calm If You’re Nervous. Take a deep breath before starting. If you feel shaky, take a moment to relax and regain your composure. Remind yourself that piercing your nose is as normal as any other body piercing process. It only takes a little skin or fat when piercing through the nose, so the procedure is quite simple, and the pain is minimal.

Perform the Nose Piercing. Look into the mirror and adjust the needle so it aligns with the mark you made. Take a deep breath, and quickly proceed with this step. Apply firm pressure on the needle at a right angle to the skin, making sure to go through the nasal tissue. You will feel some pain, but it will pass quickly.

• Remember: The faster you push the needle through your nose, the quicker the process will be over.
• Try not to push the needle too deep into your nostril. If you are piercing one side of your nose, avoid pressing too deep to reduce the discomfort.

Immediately insert a hoop or stud into your nose. It’s better to act quickly. The wound will begin healing once you remove the needle, meaning the hole is starting to close up. Allow the hole to naturally fit the jewelry. If left too long, you won’t be able to insert the jewelry anymore!

Clean your nose ring twice a day. Use saline solution, a 50/50 mix of water and soap, or hydrogen peroxide. Twice daily, dip a cotton swab into the cleaning solution, then let the swab absorb into the piercing area for a few minutes. Gently wipe the inside and outside of the piercing. If you choose a hoop, gently rotate it while cleaning it.

• If you are particularly concerned about infection, don’t hesitate to clean the nose ring more frequently, every few hours. However, avoid overcleaning if you’re using harsh cleansers.
• Repeat this cleaning routine daily until the piercing hole is healed. Your nose may swell and hurt for a few days after the piercing, but it should return to normal within a week. Note that the hole may take about 3-4 months to fully "heal".
• Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can disrupt the healing process, potentially preventing scarring. Many professional piercers recommend using this chemical as a cleaning solution, but you should also be aware of its potential risks.

Avoid infection! Always wash your hands before handling your piercing and clean it regularly. If you’re meticulous about cleaning the piercing and have sterilized all your tools, there’s nothing to worry about. However, if the hole remains red and painful about a week after piercing, there’s a risk that it has become infected. Seek medical attention quickly to prevent the wound from worsening.

• Consider using antibiotics like Neosporin and antibacterial soap to protect the wound. These products are especially effective at reducing the risk of infection. If you’re not cleaning the piercing regularly, you may need a stronger prescription antibiotic – this could be costly and impact your health.

Don’t remove the nose ring for too long. If you take out the nose ring and leave it for several hours, there’s a high chance that the hole will close up. The skin inside the nostrils tends to heal quickly, and you can re-pierce if the stud no longer fits. Use the stud for 3 months before switching to a different type.

Seek Advice. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional piercing shop nearby. Even if you don't plan to get your piercing done there, they're likely to offer advice if you ask politely. For any medical concerns, make sure to visit a doctor.