Nostril piercing

Diagram: Nostril piercing Nostril jewellery — labrets, clickers and rings in titanium and 316L steel. 37 models in stock.

Which shape fits for the nostril

Each name opens exactly those.

Labret18 models in stock · in a nostril the flat back sits out of the way

Clicker15 models in stock · in a septum the lock holds and nothing gets lost

Ring2 models in stock · a ring with no lock — twist the halves apart, never bend them open

Micro labret2 models in stock · a shortened labret for a snug fit

Titanium or steel for the nostril

The material decides how the piercing heals.

Titanium24 models in stock · next to nasal mucosa titanium behaves better than ordinary steel

316L surgical steel13 models in stock · the usual steel for a healed nostril or septum, cheaper than titanium

Other nose zones

Septum piercing30 models in stock

Nose ring15 models in stock

High nostril piercing7 models in stock

Bridge piercing6 models in stock

What to expect

A nostril piercing sits in cartilage, so it heals slower than a lobe — commonly 4–6 months. During that time a flat-back labret is the easier choice: it does not move against the inside of the nostril the way a ring does.

Labret or ring

A labret is a flat disc inside and a decorative top outside; it sits still and hides in a mask or a scarf. A ring is the more visible option and the one people switch to once the piercing has healed.

Material and threading

Check the threading if the piercing is fresh. Internal means the thread is cut into the attachment and the bar itself is smooth, so nothing scrapes the channel on the way through. External threading is cheaper and less kind to a healing piercing.

Size and material

Material	Titanium — 24 models. Contains no nickel, so it causes no reaction even in a fresh piercing. Lighter than steel — less load on the tissue. The material of first choice. 316L steel — 13 models. Cheaper, corrosion-resistant, suitable for a healed piercing. For the first jewellery titanium is the better choice.
Thickness	1.2 mm — 25 models, 1 mm — 5 models, 0.8 mm — 3 models, 1.6 mm — 1 model. The thickness must match the one the piercing was made with.
Bar length	6 mm — 21 models, 8 mm — 18 models, 10 mm — 12 models, 12 mm — 8 models. A longer bar is needed while the swelling lasts, a shorter one — for a healed piercing.
Ring diameter	8 mm — 15 models, 10 mm — 11 models, 6 mm — 7 models, 9 mm — 5 models. A smaller diameter sits tighter, a bigger one — looser and more visible.
Thread	Internal — 17 models, Threadless — 16 models, External — 3 models. An internal thread is hidden inside the bar — it does not scratch the channel when changing.
Insert	Cubic zirconia — 15 models, None — 10 models, Synthetic opal — 2 models.

FAQ

Which size should I choose?

The typical size for this zone is 0.8–1 mm thick. Jewellery smaller than needed presses on the channel, bigger — catches on clothes and hair. The exact size of each model is given on its page.

How long does a nostril piercing take to heal?

A nostril heals in 3–6 months. The piercing goes through thin cartilage, so changing the jewellery in the first month is not worth it, even if everything looks fine.

Why is titanium better than steel?

Titanium is about half the weight and contains no nickel. 316L steel is also fit for wearing, but there is nickel in it, and people sensitive to nickel feel it. For a fresh piercing titanium is the safer choice.

Can titanium be worn all the time?

Yes. Titanium does not oxidise in contact with lymph and does not change colour, so it is not taken off at night or in the shower. The jewellery is worth removing only for cleaning — and only from a healed piercing: a fresh channel is not left empty.