Most people have a fear of needles to some degree. Its not surprising – they are assosiated with pain and sickness.

For most people, this fear will not lead to avoidance behaviour, but for around 10% of the population, the fear can be irrational and excessive.

When this happens, it becomes a phobia. The phobia is called Balonephobia – a specific fear of needles. Some may use the term Trypanophobia but this is incorrect. Trypanophobia is the fear of all types of injections.

Many more people would have their noses pierced were it not for this. So what can be done to get over this fear? The most popular technique used by those who suffer is set out in 3 stages. This article refers to Nose piercing but may be used in other settings.

STEP ONE – PREPERATION

Research. Find out what the piercing entails. Find information on piercing procedure. Read about the type of piercing available and piercing aftercare. The key here is knowledge. Balonephobia is partly fear of the unknown – be in the know – arm youself with knowledge.

STEP TWO – CONTROL

Stay in control. Make all your own decisions. Choose the piercing studio and time you want the piercing done. Choose your ideal nose piercing. Visit a few studios to find one you’re comfortable in. Some advice from friends may be helpful here but be sure to visit before you make an appointment.

STEP THREE – GRADUAL EXPOSURE

Your nose piercing doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow. Let your piercing studio know that you’re anxious and visit a couple of times. See the equipment, see the procedure. Ask questions!! No matter how silly the questions seem, always ask!! If you dont, you relapse back to the unknown so all your prep might be in vain. When you appointment comes round, bring someone with you. Parent, best friend, someone you trust.

Many people with fears believe the best way to conquer their fears is to face the fear. I have a great fear of heights.  I wouldn’t admit this to my better half when we first met. We were at a theme park and she wanted to ride on the highest roller-coaster in there. I still wouldn’t admit I was scared. By the time I got to the top, I thought my chest would burst! I got on anyway. It was the fastest way back down. I have never been afraid of heights since that day. True story. It really worked!! To face a fear and win makes the experience much sweeter. Its something you will never forget.

We get daily mails and requests for information on self-piercing. And there are reasons we dont provide information or respond to these requests!!

Most of the requests are from very young teenage girls who cannot get permission from their parents, or cant find someone to pose as a guardian at the piercing studio. We can not recommend piercing anywhere, but by a qualified piercing professional in a professional studio.

Once upon a time, all piercings were DIY piercings. Tattoo and piercing studio’s were a thing of imagination. There was no need for them. The Romans, Greeks and Egyptians had no need for them. Its only in the last 30 years that the law has become so strict. But there is good reason for this!!

Three things are vital when having a piercing done:

• Anatomy

• Placement

• Sterile-technique

Qualified piercing technicians have education and experience – they know what they’re doing!! You cannot learn the above or gain the necessary experience from the web.

If you decide to go ahead with a home piercing, you will most likely end up at the piercing studio because of infection. Worse still, it might turn out that you make a mess of it and ruin your chances of ever getting it done again!!

When you get pierced in a professional environment, you will also receive advice on piercing aftercare, and you can visit the studio any time you have a problem. So girls and boys, the advice I give is very simple – don’t try this at home!!

And Finally, we don’t give out DIY instructions because someone will sue us!!

When you decide to get a nose piercing, you must be getting information about nose ring types. You have various options to choose from. When you decide about the nose ring type, you will have even more of a selection to pick from thanks to the variety of materials, designs, styles, shapes, themes and so on.

Let us look at what you need to know about nose ring types. If you are wearing a nose ring, look for a captive bead ring or nostril screw, a nose bone or a horseshoe ring. It is a good idea to get your piercer to help you make the choice depending on what will look cool on your nose.

Captive bead rings are your first option. These became quite popular in the early 90’s. This nose jewelry is a small hoop whose ends are held together by a small bead that holds the ring in place. The bead has two dimples into which the ends fit. Many people wear captive bead rings on the side of their nose. These are great for nasal septum piercings, ear piercings, eyebrow piercings etc. Of course, you have a choice where you want to wear it.

Another nose ring type is the nose bone. Pretty much like a nose stud, it has a short stem with a bead at one end. Once it is inserted into the piercing, the skin tightens around it to hold the nose stud in.

The next nose ring type is the nostril screw. This is designed as a straight stem that turns at a right angle to form a C shaped curve. You literally screw it into your nose. When finding out about nose ring types, you want to take a good look at these as they don’t fall out as easily as the other types.

The horseshoe or circular barbell is another popular nose jewelry that is curved in the shape of a horseshoe with beads or balls at each end. One or both the balls can screw off to let you change these according to your preference, without even taking off the bar from your piercing. These are cool on septum piercings although some people also like to wear them on the nostril.

Remember, however, to get your nose pierced only by a professional body piercer to avoid infections!

Septum piercing healing takes about ten weeks. The piercing is done on the septum or the wall separating the nostrils. Also called bull nose piercing, you can enjoy a variety of septum body jewelry after the septum piercing healing is complete.

You can wear tusks, spikes, ball closure rings, curved and circular barbells etc. If you are not allowed to wear septum piercing jewelry at work, you can also wear a septum keeper which is a horseshoe shaped piece of jewelry which can be folden inside the nostrils!

To make sure the septum piercing healing goes well, your piercer must take care to see that it is done through the skin under the middle of your nose. This means you get your piercing between the alar or outer cartridge and the quadrangular cartilage that divides the nostrils. If you feel it you will touch a soft portion here, which is where the piercing will be done.

The first jewelry you will get into your septum piercing is the ball closure ring or a septum keeper. When your septum piercing healing is complete, this hole can be easily expanded to accommodate different types of jewelry. Expect the healing to take about two to three months. Don’t be surprised if the area feels a little sensitive, and don’t even consider changing the jewelry until the septum piercing healing is complete!

Any body piercing is prone to infection and this usually happens when you touch it or can’t leave it alone; a septum piercing is no different. So the first thing to understand is aftercare. The piercing must be kept clean with salt-water soaks as advised by your piercer. Take special care to remove the crust around the piercing every day, otherwise you will find that it collects around the piercing, causing infections and become painful. Worse still, it will slow down the septum piercing healing.

Another thing to remember is to pat your piercing dry after you clean it. Paper tissues are safer than towels. Your piercer might ask you to use a drop or two of pure essential lavender oil to help with the septum piercing healing process on alternate days. If you are wearing a septum keeper, have the ends facing down when you clean it. Naturally, you are not supposed to turn the jewelry during the septum piercing healing as it could delay healing.

Understanding the nostril piercing procedure prepares you by letting you know what to expect when you go for your nostril piercing.

Nostril piercings look pretty and you obviously want it to heal quickly so that you can wear those lovely nose piercing jewelry varieties you’ve been seeing online!

So here is what you can expect during your nostril piercing procedure:

1. The piercer will first clean your nose with an antiseptic solution.
2. A cork will be fitted in your nostril to ensure that when the needle pierces your nostril, it does not injure your septum.
3. The spot to be pierced will be marked with a dot on your nostril.
4. Once you are satisfied with the spot, your piercer will show you a sterilized needle in a sealed plastic package, which will then be opened.
5. Expect your eyes to water when the needle pierces your nostril. You may bleed a wee bit, but don’t worry.
6. Your piercer will deftly remove the needle and get your nose piercing jewelry in.
7. After the nostril piercing procedure you will be advised not to touch your piercing with your hands and be given cleaning instructions.
8. While cleaning your piercing, you will be instructed to wash your hands with antiseptic soap. Your piercing must be cleaned with antibiotic cream to prevent infection.

The nostril piercing procedure, as you can see, is quite simple and quick. You will go home with strict aftercare instructions that you must follow very diligently. Do not attempt to remove your piercing at least for three weeks, until it has healed well! Your piercer will help you choose the right kind of nose jewelry so that it does not get caught in your clothing when you dress.

You must keep in touch with your piercer to make sure that the healing is getting on properly. In case you go to work and have to remove your nose ring, don’t leave your piercing that way for too long as it will just close up and you will have to go through the nostril piercing procedure all over again! Just take care to see that you go to an experienced professional piercer who knows exactly what to do!

The first question that pops into your mind once you get your nose piercing done is how to put in a nose ring. Naturally, this is something you should think of only after your piercing heals totally. You have a choice in nose piercing jewelry and these are: nose studs, nose rings and nose screws.

Probably the most popular are nose studs and these are great for those who revel in variety. You can just freak out on the designs, colors and patterns available and keep changing your jewelry. Nose studs are also referred to as nose bones and are made of a shaft with a little ball at the other end – the one that goes into the nostril. So the shaft with the small ball is inserted from the outside of the nose piercing, and is getting held in place thanks to the small ball inside which prevents the nose stud from falling out. You can choose nose studs with dangles, logos, gemstones in different materials and sizes!

Nose screws on the other hand come without the stud like portion. The nose screw is designed with a straight portion that bends to form a curve like a ‘C’. This is also easy to insert. All you have to do is clean your piercing after removing your existing nose jewelry. Then, gently grip your nose piercing with your thumb in your nostril. You will find that the piercing expands a little. Just insert the end of the C curve into the piercing winding it like a screw as you let it enter the piercing. As soon as it is through the hole, remove your thumb and wind it all the way in so that only the decorative tip of your nose screw is visible outside. The C curve helps to hold the nose screw in place.

You also get L-shaped nose rings that are convenient. How do you put in a nose ring that is shaped like an L? This is similar to wearing the nose screw. The angled L keeps your nose ring in place. If you would rather watch a video that shows you how to put in a nose ring, you can do it below:

Have fun with all the three kinds of nose jewelry. It is just a matter of which one you like best!

Nose piercing is considered to be very attractive and is popular with men and women alike. It is fun to get a nose piercing because of the variety of jewelry that can be worn in it!

There are several types of nose piercing that you could go for and nose piercing healing time is roughly around two or three months, depending upon the individual and the piercing type.

It is very important to ensure that the piercing heals properly so that you do not have to face the risk of developing an infection!

Let us look at the different kinds of nose piercing and what to expect.

You can get a nostril piercing, septum piercing or a bridge piercing. While the healing time is similar for the nostril and septum piercings, bridge piercing healing can take longer. This is simply because bridge piercing is a  surface piercing. In addition, there is also a higher chance of rejection.

Nostrils usually take up to 3 months to heal. The surprising thing is that this is also the quickest piercing to close after healing, so make sure that you keep the jewelry on for at least six months. Do not leave the piercing empty even for a few days. Also, do not attempt to change the jewelry before it heals totally as it can cause unnecessary pain and possible infections.

To help with the healing process, follow the aftercare tips from your piercer. These tips might include cleaning it with an antibacterial soap. Keep it clean from stale makeup. In fact, take special care not to handle it with dirty hands. Do not apply any lotions. It is a good idea to minimize smoking during the nose piercing healing process since tar, resin and smoke residue can build up and slow down the healing process.

Generally, if the piercing happens to get infected, it would generally look like a yellowish boil or pimple. For those with oily skin, an antibacterial soap is the best option. Washing it with warm salt water soaks also helps in clearing up the infection. Do not make the mistake of removing the jewelry as you wouldn’t want the infection to be sealed inside. This is a common mistake made by those with new piercings. If you have an infection and remove your jewelry, the wound will close with the infection trapped inside. This can develop into an abscess and will need medical treatment. If you leave your jewelry in, it will leave a channel open to allow the fluid to drain from the infection.

Do not keep touching the piercing during the healing process as it can result in a scar tissue. If you have opted for a nostril screw at the time of piercing, take care not to get your towel or clothes caught in it. Do remember that nose piercing healing will go faster if you do not sleep on your face!

When talking about nose ring gauge, usually they mean the diameter of the nose ring.

Nose ring gauge varies from the smallest possible nose studs which have the size of 20 gauge which is only 0.8 mm, and ends… well, each person’s fantasy is the only limit setting the maximum nose ring gauge!

As we all know, the nose piercings can be stretched as well, and special plugs or tusks are inserted then.

But usually the nose rings come in either 20 or 18 gauge. In the chart below you can see the nose ring gauges and the respective size in millimeters and inches.

So you’ve decided to get your nostril pierced.  Nose piercing is one of the popular types of piercing these days and a tiny little nose ring can look very attractive!

But when you get the nose piercing  which side will you go for? Right side or left side? Can’t decide? OK, I’ll give you some nose piercing information about what the pierced nostrils meant historically.

Although you can find many girls and guys these days having both their nostrils pierced and even having multiple piercings in one nostril, it hasn’t been always so. Hindu girls, for example, would wear the nose rings in one nostril only – the left.

Indian women often pierced their left nostril  the night before their wedding and inserted a nose stud in the piercing. Indian women would wear also nose rings and sometimes would attach them to the earring using a nice, decorative chain.
But why the left nostril?

Well, the reason can be found in the Ayurvedic medicine. It is said that the left nostril of a woman coresponds to the reproductive organs and having it pierced can be actually helpful.
It allegedly may reduce the pain during childbirth and also have a positive effect on some medical conditions, for example, endomitriosis. Don’t believe it? Well, read this nose piercing story and see what the girl says!

So which side should you go for? Yes! I recommend the left nostril. But, of course, you may pierce the right one as well. Just like the girl in the piercing story.

Whatever you decide, please visit a piercing professional to get your nose pierced. Its more difficult than it seems. I’ve known people who have had bad infections and nerve damage (causing an eyelid twitch!) when they pierced at home.

You should certainly go to a piercing professional to avoid such situations!

No doubt – the nose piercing is very popular among girls as well as boys. Starting with a tiny little nose studs in nostril piercing and ending with crazy stretched septum piercings – people’s fantasy has no boundaries!

But now let’s look at how people actually came to an idea of piercing their nostrils, nose cartilages and all other areas around nose.

Historically nose piercing has been first mentioned even in the Bible and it supposedly dates back to around 4000 years ago. There’s a hint pointing to a nose piercing in an old Hebrew word “Shanf” which can be also interpreted as a “nose ring”.

But we don’t have to assume that this is the earliest occurrence of nose piercing, at least I don’t think so. As we all know the tribes all across the world starting from Indians in America and ending with Papuans had countless traditions involving body piercing and tattooing.

Therefore it shouldn’t be a surprise to find out that septum piercing, for instance, was very popular among Native Americans like Shawnees and in New Guinea and Australia as well.

Those guys from the warrior tribes usually would have huge stretched septum piercings carrying a wooden or bone-made nose shaft and therefore they’d look even fiercer in a battle. And when every day poses a possible threat to your life, you’d do everything that gives you an advantage, wouldn’t you? J

The Bedouin tribes of Middle East and Berber and Beja tribes in Africa also used to adorn women’s nostrils with jewelry and noticeably, the bigger the nose piercing was, the wealthier the respective family was.

However, if you were asked where the nose piercing most likely originates from, I bet you’d say it’s India. Well, it’s not far from truth! Nose piercing is indeed very popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh and I’d say that is exactly where the hippies back in the 60ies got the idea of their nose piercings!

But if you would like to find out about more sophisticated and weird nose piercing types – check out these kinds of nose piercing – bridge piercing, rhino (or nasal tip) piercing, Austin bar, nasallang and septril nose piercing.