Nose piercing 101: everything you need to know

“The most important part of aftercare is to soak the nose instead of physically cleaning it with a cotton bud,” explains Yeadon. “This is where I see a lot of clients go wrong as it over-cleans it whilst prodding the delicate skin and creating a lump,” she explains. To help with the healing process, Yeadon offers a fortnightly service at her studio where clients can check in online with photos and can see how the healing is going step by step. 

“You also need to avoid swimming in pools, lakes or using hot tubs for the first couple of months as all of these harbour bacteria, which could cause infection,” Bond explains.

Don’t be tempted to change your jewellery too soon (another downfall of my experience) as this can cause injury and irritation. It’s advised to visit your piercer to get your jewellery changed; this way you know it’s been done correctly.

How long does a nose piercing take to heal and how can you avoid the the dreaded nose bump?

A nose piercing with good aftercare should take around 3-4 months to heal. Many people (myself included) have had to deal with a bump, which appears like a blister or pimple, beside their nostril piercing that can be both sore and unsightly. But why does this happen? Well, there are a few reasons. The most common, as Bond explains, is the body trying to fight the foreign object. Any irritation is often caused by accidental knocking and touching. 

In addition to that, you might be allergic to the jewellery, which can cause more severe irritation. If this is the case, you can visit your piercer for advice. Finally, you could be experiencing a keloid, which is a form of scarring and may require treatment.

All of the above is why aftercare is so important to initiate healing. And whatever you do, never try and pop the spot or bump! Bond’s advice is to be proactive with cleaning from day one and to choose a reputable piercer who uses “implant grade titanium, or even better, solid gold”.

She also recommends not sleeping on your nose piercing or touching it. Basically: be smart about aftercare and you should heal up with minimal nose bumps. Having said that, if you do get a bump, visit your piercer for further advice, or if it’s really severe, seek medical advice.

What’s the average cost?

The cost of a piercing depends on your location and who you visit. It’s always worth spending the extra few pounds to save time and money in the long run should your piercing become inflamed or infected due to an improper piercing technique.

Expert to pay between £25 and £40 for a nose piercing, with jewellery costs on top of that. Typically, jewellery costs more than the piercing itself. Well-made jewellery will always give better results and less chance of irritation, plus it’ll last much longer.

Can I wash my face with a nose piercing?

You can absolutely wash your face with a nose piercing. In fact, it’s encouraged, as you definitely don’t want bacteria building up around the area. But there are a few rules. The first is to take extra care when washing; avoid rough scrubbing and knocking the area.  Bond also recommends steering clear of “heavily scented or alcohol-heavy face products for the first couple of months, as these things can irritate piercings,” she says.