nostril piercing

I got a message from a piercee who was concerned about the placement of her nostril piercing:

Hi Elayne, I just got my nostril pierced a week ago, but I'm experiencing the same problem P. had with nostril piercing placement. Although I had initially questioned the placement of my piercing, I went ahead with it anyway because I knew that my piercer was experienced and therefore trusted his judgment.

But since I've gotten my nostril pierced, I've been extremely self conscious about it, thinking I might look stupid because it may not be in the most flattering position for my face. I've even found myself looking at peoples' noses and imagining where a potential nostril piercing should be placed, and more often than not, it looks best along their crease. To my surprise, the placement of my nostril piercing, though unconventional and awkward at first glance, has kind of grown on me (it looks a bit weird straight on, but the profile view is not too bad). However, I know that a few millimeters can make a big difference, as you mentioned to P. I was hoping that with your experience, you could help me settle my indecisiveness.

I received this message from a girl who is interested in having her nostril pierced. She apparently hadn't been asking the right people this question:

When you first get your nose pierced can you get a ring in it or do you have to get a stud then let it heal and change it? Everybody tells me you can't get a ring first.

I'm just confused and wanted to know from the best. (: A

On my guestbook I just received this AMAZING post from a woman I pierced when I was at 23rd Street Body Piercing in OKC recently:

Thank you Elayne for making the trek to Oklahoma City! Thankfully I stumbled upon your "Piercing Bible" website when I began my research on female geintal piercings! Ordered my copy, read it cover to cover (more than once!) and estatically discovered you were making a stop in OKC, just 2 short hours from where I live!!

The 3 months I eagerly waited from the time I contacted you until the actual date of our fateful appointment were spent carefully combing thru your "bible" in preparation for my piercings.

Thank you so very much for putting me at such great ease! From the moment I met you, I felt as if I had known you forever and a day! Had it not been for the fleeting, split second pinch from each piercing, I wold dare say I had just made an appointment to hang out and visit with a dear friend! I was completely at ease through the entire process, thanks in part to knowing I was completely prepared and because of you!

One amazing experience, 45 minutes, 3 piercings and 1 hug later, I walked out of the 23rd Street shop feeling as if I could do anything! So very grateful for the opportunity to meet you and your husband and for the opportunity to be pierced by THE expert in female genital piercings! After all, you wrote the book on it!

I got this message from a woman who is unhappy with the placement of her nostril piercing:

Hi Elayne,
After reading your impressive profile I feel a little silly with my question. But due to my vanity :), here goes: I am a 45-year-old mother of three. My husband and I lived in Switzerland back in 2000 where piercing was huge (or at least seemed more acceptable). I had always wanted my nose pierced (nostril) but was a little fearful (pain/infection/scarring). So, for the past 10 or so years I have just worn stickers or magnets.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, my 8-year-old daughter and I had a date to get her ears pierced (and my nose!). Yay!

We went to a highly reputable piercing studio, but to my disappointment they weren't that great with placement. They did put a dot on my nose, and at the time I questioned the placement but since they were the "pros", I trusted their judgement.

Oh Elayne, I could kick myself. Who knows maybe I just need to get used to it, but every time I look in the mirror, the peircing looks like it needs to be picked off. It just seems too close to the tip of my nose.

It seems when I'm talking to people they can't take thier eyes off my nose. Whereas before, I was looked in the eye and maybe given a positive comment about my "peircing").

I'm now debating to just take the thing out (before it scars) and start over, or just forget about it all together. Sigh.

Questions: If I do decide to try a re-do, do I need to wait for this peircing to completely heal? Also, I have been cleaning it thoroughly in the morning with surgical soap, and saline in the evening. I'm wondering if it will scar and look funny with a new peircing beside it. I just want to move the peircing 1.5 - 2mm back.
Anyhow, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Thanks Elayne!
P.

This inquiry (like so many others I post) was also from a Facebook Friend:

Hi Elayne,i got a question for u. I've got my nose piercing long time ago,a year...until now didn't heal,i always have this bump on top,red sometimes bleeding. All i use is H2Ocean and emu oil,but....nothing.This is my second time i've it done,and i use14k white gold .I have read in your book all about aftercare...but i guess something is wrong with my piercing or i do something wrong. Maybe i should take it out?

My reply:

Hi Kristina,

Have you ever tried a different material or jewelry style? Are you wearing a nostril screw? If so, was it custom bent to fit your nose? If it wasn't bent for you, then it is possible you're wearing a "right-bend" piece of jewelry on the left side of your nose (or vice-versa). Also, if the post is too short, or too long, that can cause problems with healing.

I'd strongly suggest you try a jewelry change before abandoning your piercing. Here's a section from The Piercing Bible about nostril screws:

I received this question as a FaceBook Message:

I have a piercing question for you. Can you use a clear retainer to use instead of a nose stud?

Thanks,

Randall

I just got this message from a reader:

Hey,
I love your book! I got my nose pierced at 14...still love it, never a dull moment :) I'm getting my industrial in a few months for my 16th birthday, and your book helped me learn what to do to prepare for a more advanced piercing and gave me more info on the piercings I've already got. So just wanted to say thanks :)
Megan

I replied:

Hi Megan,
Wow! You've gotten an early start. Glad to hear that my book has proved helpful in preparing you for your next piercing. I'm delighted to help. Thanks for the positive feedback; I appreciate it.
Take care and be safe,
Elayne