Nostril Piercing

I received a message from a woman who was considering a nostril piercing:

Hi. I really like your site and you seem to be really good at what you do. I would really appreciate it if you could mark the location of a nostril piercing that would look the best on me. Thanks a lot.

My response:

Hi,

I've marked a dot for the "traditional" spot in what I call the "pleasing triangle" placement. And I have also included a second image with the triangle sketched in for you, too.

This is from my book, The Piercing Bible--The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing:

Nostril Piercing: Placement

The traditional placement for a nostril piercing is at the crease line on the side of the nose. A big smile accentuates this feature to help pinpoint the spot. This area is often thinner than the rest of the nose, so it may heal faster and feel less tender when pierced. The jewelry will rest in a natural niche, where it nestles most gracefully. I find it aesthetically pleasing when the placement of the piercing forms a relatively equilateral triangular shape with the opening of your nostril, from end to end.

Here's a recent consultation I performed for a woman who needed assistance with determining the best placement for a nostril piercing:

Dear Elayne:

I have a placement dilemma.  For years, I’ve secretly admired nose piercings but was too afraid to get a piercing of my own until about 4 months ago.  I was initially apprehensive due to being employed in a white collar work setting and being over 40 years old.  I did tons of research and decided to go for it-especially after learning that there is a variety of “discreet” jewelry, to avoid having to remove my piercing while at work.

Upon arriving at the tattoo/piercing studio, I had already envisioned where I wanted the placement on my left nostril to be.  I assumed that by requesting that the placement be madenear the lower part of my nostril & back-it would be an ideal way for the placement to be discreet.  

Well, after looking at my placement over and over again.  I feel that I did not choose an ideal or flattering spot for the piercing.  I have since taken out my nose jewelry to let the piercing close, so that I can have it re-pierced.  

Elayne, I have enclosed some pictures for you to assess the “best” placement location.

My reply:

Hi.

I've indicated what I believe would be the best placement for your nostril piercing on the photos you provided. One shows just a small circle for the placement I would describe as an ideal aesthetic for your anatomy. Let me know if you have additional questions.

I received a message from a woman whose nostril I pierced. Unfortunately, they started to give her a hard time about wearing the jewelry at work. So she got in a clear quartz crystal retainer and concealed it:

Hope your well and your travels are treating you good.  Well, today is one day shy of three months from the initial nostril puncture piercing.  Yay!  I have pulled it off.  I still have the clear retainer being covered with a hole punched micro pore skin tone bandage, but is it safe to remove now without risking the piercing site from closing?  If I can remove it when having to be here at work Wed, Thurs and Fri and replace it Friday evenings upon arriving home?
 
Please advise when time permits.

My reply:

I'm glad to hear that it is still in and that the tape has been working for you with the retainer.

Unfortunately, 3 months is the minimum time that can be expected for the piercing to epithelialize and no longer be an open wound--though it can certainly take longer for initial healing to take place. Some find the piercing takes 6-9 months or so to heal!

I received a message from a woman who had a nostril piercing problem:

I have been having difficulty accepting the placement of my nose piercing lately. When I first got it pierced back in march it was placed perfectly and I was completely happy with it. About a month ago I woke up with no piercing and a tiny bump covering my piercing hole. I just used another nose stud to push through the bump to save the piercing, and although it worked I think I "re-pierced" it tiny bit off from the original opening of the hole. Now to me my piercing sits back a little too much and also tilts back a little. I just would really appreciate your opinion on whether I should take out the piercing and let it close to get it re-pierced again by a professional. Thanks so much!

My reply:

If you hate it every time you look at it, then that would be a reason to take it out. If you go back and forth sometimes feeling fine about it, then it might be best just to let it stay.