Nose Piercing FAQ - Info by APP Certified Piercers in NYC

Clementine Piercing offers Nose Piercings in NYC. Johnny Pearce, one of the worlds top rated and most trusted piercing professionals, holds tenure at Clementine Piercing in NYC—making it an excellent option for trusted piercing services.

  • Look for professional, APP-certified piercing studios with:
    • Experienced piercers familiar with technical piercings
    • Strict hygiene and sterilization protocols
    • Positive client reviews and portfolio examples
  • Please feel free to use trusted resources like the “Find a Professional Piercer” search function on the Association of Professional Piercers website.
  • For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Pain is minimal and temporary, but your nose piercing will be cute AF foreverrr!

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    These unsightly bumps are caused by irritation. Anything ranging from touching with your hands, sleeping on your piercing, wearing a mask, or simply even too many puppy-dog kisses. No matter the event, it’s the irritation that causes the bump. Irritation bumps can be very stubborn and tricky to mitigate, but fortunately they are usually temporary when addressed correctly. It’s important to know that this bump will remain or even grow larger if your piercing is experiencing prolonged irritation or repetitive trauma. The goal is to identify moments in your day to day life where irritation could be occurring and then make the necessary changes to eliminate the irritation events in question. This helps create a sense of extra mindfulness in protecting your piercing, giving the area time to catch back up without trauma reoccurring as frequently. While this process may not be immediate, and the dissolution of the irritation bump may not seem linear, it is a tried and true approach for helping irritation bumps disappear. Feel free to ask your dermatologist about cortisone treatment to help speed up the process if you need immediate results or for stubborn irritation bumps. Keep in mind, Keloid disease is rare, but it does happen. However, if you’ve never had keloid scarring develop on any previous cuts or injuries, then it would not be likely that you are suddenly experiencing your first keloid as an adult on your helix piercing. It’s more common that people misidentify the common irritation bump as a keloid due to it being so similar in visual appearance.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    The cost of a nose piercing ranges from $40-$100 for the piercing service fees before adding on the cost of your jewelry. All of which will vary, depending on the studio, jewelry material (e.g. solid gold, implant-grade titanium) as well as piercer expertise.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Healing time varies, but most nose piercings take around 6-9 months to fully heal. Some may take up to a year depending on individual healing factors.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    The cost of a nose piercing ranges from $40-$100 for the piercing service fees before adding on the cost of your jewelry. All of which will vary, depending on the studio, jewelry material (e.g. solid gold, implant-grade titanium) as well as piercer expertise.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    It is recommended to wait at least 6 months before changing jewelry to ensure proper healing, however 9 months is often suggested for transitioning to small huge hoops.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

  • Avoid any touching, twisting, or playing with the piercing site or jewelry.
  • Gently rinse with water while you shower. Use sterile saline solution/wound wash spray as needed.
  • Avoid harsh soaps, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptics.
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Most nose piercings are done at 18g though some may be pierced at 20g or 16g, depending on personal jewelry preference.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    If your nose jewelry falls out, visit a professional piercer as soon as possible to have your jewelry cleaned and re-installed safely. Nose piercings begin to close by shrinking. Nose piercings without jewelry tend to shrink very quickly, even when it’s completely healed. Your piercer may need to perform a recovery service to return your piercing to the appropriate size for your jewelry.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Pain varies for every individual but is generally mild to moderate, with a quick, sharp sensation during the procedure with soreness in the first days that follow.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    How is the piercing performed:
  • The area is prepped thoroughly via alcohol or povidone iodine.
  • A professional piercer marks the appropriate entry and exit points with a single-use sterile surgical marker.
  • The area is pierced using a sterile, single-use, disposable needle, sometimes braced by a NRT or other various instruments.
  • The piercer will then install sterile, implant-certified titanium or solid gold jewelry through the newly created piercing channel and thread on the bead.
  • Extreme precision is required.
  • For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Most people describe it as a quick pinch followed by mild soreness.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Pain is different for every individual. Some say it's minimal compared to cartilage piercings, while others find the pinch and eye-watery sensation associated with a nose piercing to be more uncomfortable than a cartilage piercing.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    There are many different styles of jewelry. Visit a local piercer to determine what jewelry type you are wearing and the easiest way to remove it. For nostril screws (corkscrew style): Pull outwards until you feel resistance and then rotate the jewelry 90 degrees and continue to remove. For threaded jewelry: Gently unscrew the top by bracing both ends and twisting. For thread-less jewelry: Disengage the jewelry by pulling the flat-back in the opposite direction from the top. For seam rings and captive beads, it's often better to seek assistance from your local APP Piercer by checking the “Find a Professional Piercer” search function on the Association of Professional Piercers website.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    The cost of a nose piercing ranges from $40-$100 for the piercing service fees before adding on the cost of your jewelry. All of which will vary, depending on the studio, jewelry material (e.g. solid gold, implant-grade titanium) as well as piercer expertise.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    The cost of a nose piercing ranges from $40-$100 for the piercing service fees before adding on the cost of your jewelry. All of which will vary, depending on the studio, jewelry material (e.g. solid gold, implant-grade titanium) as well as piercer expertise.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    The cost of a nose piercing ranges from $40-$100 for the piercing service fees before adding on the cost of your jewelry. All of which will vary, depending on the studio, jewelry material (e.g. solid gold, implant-grade titanium) as well as piercer expertise.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    While overnight solutions are unlikely, rest assured your piercing bump is temporary. These irritation bumps, sometimes called ‘piercing bump’ or ‘Hypertrophic scar tissue,’ are caused by irritation from various sources such as touching, sleeping on your piercing, wearing a helmet, or even excessive puppy-dog kisses. Irritation bumps can be stubborn and tricky to mitigate, but they are usually temporary when addressed correctly. Identify and eliminate the sources of irritation in your daily routine to help the area heal. If necessary, consult your dermatologist about cortisone treatment for faster results. Note that keloid disease is rare, and if you've never experienced keloid scarring before, it's unlikely to occur suddenly.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    There are many different styles of jewelry. Visit a local piercer to determine what jewelry type you are wearing and the easiest way to remove it. For nostril screws (corkscrew style): Pull outwards until you feel resistance and then rotate the jewelry 90 degrees and continue to remove. For threaded jewelry: Gently unscrew the top by bracing both ends and twisting. For thread-less jewelry: Disengage the jewelry by pulling the flat-back in the opposite direction from the top. For seam rings and captive beads, it's often better to seek assistance from your local APP Piercer by checking the “Find a Professional Piercer” search function on the Association of Professional Piercers website.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    At least 6 months is recommended before changing jewelry, however 9 months provides added stability for smaller hoop nose rings.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Natural buildup of skin oils and bacteria can cause odor. Regular hygiene and rinsing in the shower can help.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Yes, very quickly—especially if removed before being fully healed. Even healed piercings can shrink extremely quickly.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Companies like Claire’s, Studs, Rowan, and Piercing Pagoda may offer nose piercings, but it is NEVER advised or considered a safe choice for piercing. Professional studios with experienced, properly trained piercers using aseptic technique and a sterile field are always recommended over boutique store employees who only train for a few weeks and/or use piercing guns. Beware of companies that claim their piercers are all RNs.
  • Please feel free to use trusted resources like the “Find a Professional Piercer” search function on the Association of Professional Piercers website.
  • For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    If your nose piercing is fresh, it can close within hours. Fully healed piercings may take slightly longer but will still close quickly compared to other popular piercings.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Clear retainers made of quartz-glass help conceal a nose piercing.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Yes, especially if removed before being completely healed or if your jewelry is left out for an extended period of time.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    If your nose is fresh, it can close within hours. Fully healed piercings may take slightly longer but will still close quickly compared to other popular piercings.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    The cost of a nose piercing ranges from $40-$100 for the piercing service fees before adding on the cost of your jewelry. All of which will vary, depending on the studio, jewelry material (e.g. solid gold, implant-grade titanium) as well as piercer expertise.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Age requirements vary by state law and studio preference. Many studios require clients to be at least 18 years of age for nose piercings with no exceptions. However, some states allow for parental consent for minors under 18 with a birth certificate and matching ID.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

  • Avoid any touching, twisting, or playing with the piercing site or jewelry.
  • Gently rinse with water while you shower. Use sterile saline solution/wound wash spray as needed.
  • Avoid harsh soaps, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptics.
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Clean with saline, avoid unnecessary handling, and seek professional help if symptoms persist.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Increased redness, over-swelling, pus, fever, nausea, flu-like symptoms and worsening pain (especially in areas that were not directly pierced) may indicate infection. Please don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical assistance. Visiting your piercer does not substitute for medical advice.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Leave your jewelry in and seek immediate medical assistance for antibiotics if you think your piercing is infected. Visiting your piercer does not substitute for medical advice.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Increased redness, over-swelling, pus, fever, nausea, flu-like symptoms and worsening pain (especially in areas that were not directly pierced) may indicate infection. Visiting your piercer does not substitute for medical advice.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare

    Any untreated infection can lead to further, more severe complications, such as sepsis, which can be lethal. Seeking medical assistance for antibiotics to treat a piercing infection is always advised. Please leave your jewelry in until receiving medical treatment to avoid added complications. Visiting your piercer does not substitute for medical advice.

    For more information on piercing aftercare, please refer to: https://www.clementinepiercing.com/earpiercingaftercare