Nose Piercing Healing Tips

January 21, 2009 by  
Filed under Nose Piercing Information

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! :-)