Nose piercing

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This article is about nose piercings of humans. For nose piercings of other animals, see Nose ring (animal).
Nose piercing
Nicknames Nose ring
Location Nose (nostril, nasal septum, nose bridge)
Jewelry nose stud, nose bone, Circular barbell, curved barbell, captive bead ring
Healing 12 weeks to 6 months

Nose piercing is the piercing of the skin or cartilage which forms any part of the nose, normally for the purpose of wearing jewelry; among the different varieties of nose piercings, the nostril piercing is the most common. Nose piercing is one of the most common varieties of piercing after earlobe piercing.

Nostril piercing

Early 20th century Indian nose ring

Nostril piercing is a body piercing practice often associated with India, Nepal and throughout South Asia. Nostril piercing is also part of traditional Australian Aboriginal culture (Stirn 2003). Nostril piercing has in recent decades become popular in the industrialized nations, as have other forms of body piercing, after punks and subsequent youth cultures in the '80s and '90s adopted this sort of piercing. Today, nostril piercing is popular in the United States of America, the UK, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia and Europe, with piercings being performed on either the left or right nostril.

Both men and women have nostril piercings, though they are much more common on women. There are several different types of nostril rings. Among the most popular are the loop, the stud with an L-bar closure, the stud with a ball closure, and the stud with a flat backing.

In India the outside of the left is the preferred position of the piercing as this is supposed to make childbirth easier. This is because Ayurvedic medicine associates this location with the female reproductive organs.[1] In India piercings were regarded as a mark of beauty and social standing as well as a Hindu's honor to Parvati, the goddess of marriage. Nose piercing is still popular in India. They are often part of Indian wedding jewellery. In Maharastra women wear very large nose pieces that often cover the mouth or the side of the face.

It is common for Pashtun and Pahari women to have both nostrils pierced. Many South Indian Tamil also follow this old tradition. The tradition follows that the woman has her nose rings to pay for her funeral if she has all the gold taken from her. Nose rings or gold studs cannot be easily removed from the woman. Many women from the Asian subcontinent are cremated with just their nose studs as jewellery is removed before the funeral. Indian widows usually remove their nose studs as a sign of respect.

Nose piercing in society

Western woman with septum piercing (in Copenhagen)

Although occasionally seen earlier — the French actress Polaire arrived for her 1913 tour of America wearing a seed-pearl ring in her left nostril[2] — it's only been in the last two decades that nose piercing has gained a mainstream popularity in Western culture. Presently, it is the second most-popular body piercing desired by teens and young adults.

A 2007 study[citation needed] by career publisher Vault.com surveyed nearly 500 employees from across the United States and 87 percent believed having piercings or tattoos would not reduce their chance of being hired. Respondents explained, "Regardless of who the real person may be, the stereotypes associated with piercings and tattoos are changing. In general, individuals with tattoos and body piercings are not being looked down upon as did in previous generations;" "I see more and more people with piercings in business and everyday work settings. It's just a different generation," Says another employer.[citation needed]

Another study was held by a group of 20 sociology majors at Columbia University in 2001.[citation needed] They surveyed 100 New Yorkers looking for a job, 50 with nostril/cartilage piercings and 50 with eyebrow/tongue piercings. It was said that the 50 with nostril and cartilage piercings received jobs that those with eyebrow and tongue could not. "Many people are used to the nose piercings, it is seen as a cultural icon in the Indian and African communities," says student Jaleel Sanchez. "Many people with facial piercings are seen as 'rougher' or 'less educated' and these stereotypes are hurting many people looking for work," said professor F. Holloway.[citation needed]

Nose piercing are considered more acceptable than eyebrow or tongue. Eyebrow piercings were created during the 1980s during what most teens considered the punk-rock era and are since associated with emotional behavior and heavy metal music. When nose rings are more seen with Indians, and more professional people such as doctors, teachers, lawyers and many political figures. "I personally do not judge my students or colleagues depending on their facial piercings. I would say 25 percent of the faculty here have nose or cartilage piercings. But there are probably more at NYU or other liberal arts universities," says Holloway.[citation needed]

Septum piercing

Large-gauge septum piercing
Fulani woman with traditional nose ring and mouth tattoo

Nasal septum piercings are less common than nostril piercings. The nasal septum is the cartilaginous dividing wall between the nostrils. Generally, the cartilage itself is not pierced, but rather the small gap between the cartilage and the bottom of the nose (sometimes called the "sweet spot"), typically at 14ga (1.6mm) although it is often stretched to a larger gauge (size). The nose has many nerves running through it and as a result, nose piercings can be painful, although it varies by individual. This piercing heals within a month and a half to three months also depending on the individual. It should only be stretched by 1mm at a time and it is advised to wait at least a month between stretches. If you go past a certain point, usually about 8mm, the cartilage gets forced towards the top of the nose, which can be uncomfortable.

There are many types of jewelry generally worn in a septum piercing including: Captive bead rings (CBRs), rings that close with a bead held in the center by the tension of the ring, circular barbells (as shown in the picture), a circular bar with a bead that screws onto either end, a "tusk" which is a straight or shaped piece of material which is generally tapered on either end, or pinchers. For large gauge septums many choose to wear plugs, as they do not weigh their noses down, which is helpful in the healing process. This allows for the piercing to not be damaged by the sudden movement of the jewelry.

Another option is a septum retainer, which is staple shaped. This type of nose piercing is particularly easy to hide when desired, for example to comply with a dress code. A septum retainer makes it possible to turn the jewelry up into the nose, thus concealing it. With black jewelry flipped up into the nostrils, this piercing can be made practically invisible. A circular barbell can also be hidden by pushing it to the back in to your nose, but it may be uncomfortable.

Septum piercing was a popular trend among South Indian dancers (Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam) and among certain Native American peoples in history; the Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa, for example, had such piercings. The septum piercing is popular in rural areas of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. In India it is called the 'Nathori' and popular with the Banjara ethnic groups and Adivasi tribes. Lord Krishna and his consort Radharani are often depicted wearing the 'Nathori' style jewel nose pieces.[3]

Bengali women traditionally would wear the nathori as a sign of being a married woman. The nathori would be gold with a tear drop that would move along the ring. Many lower class women in rural Bengal still keep this tradition. This is now declining as many women prefer the nose studs.

In southern Nepal the septum piercing is still common. Many older women still adorn their noses with both the septum and left nostril rings. Many women have gold nose piercings as this show their social, tribal and religious status in society.

Risks of Septum Piercings

The septum or nasal septum is the cartilaginous wall that divides the two nostrils. The cartilage is however, usually not pierced. It is the thin strip of very soft and flexible skin, just between the cartilage and the bottom of the nose, where septum piercing is mostly done. Piercing the skin instead of the cartilage can greatly minimize the pain, as well as other discomforts associated with this type of body piercing. This piercing should only be done with a needle. As far as jewellery is concerned, you can use captive bead rings, circular barbells, plugs, tusks, curls and septum retainer.

All types of body piercings, including septum piercing, are associated with the risk of contracting certain blood borne diseases like hepatitis, from the needles and piercing guns used in the procedure. This risk can be avoided by getting the piercing done by a reputed piercer, and making sure that the piercer uses only sterile single-use needles. The next common risk associated with almost all types of piercing is the risk of infection and pain. This can be minimized greatly, if piercing is done on the soft and flexible skin that lies between the cartilage and bottom of the nose. As far as infection risks are concerned, it can be managed with proper piercing aftercare.

This piercing can sometimes lead to 'septal hematoma'. An injury to the soft tissue within the septum can disrupt the blood vessels to cause the accumulation of blood and fluid under the lining. Nasal septum hematoma can eventually cause nasal congestion, and interfere with breathing along with causing pain and inflammation. If not treated immediately, the condition can ultimately cause formation of a hole in the septum, leading to nasal congestion. Sometimes, that part of the nose may collapse, resulting in a cosmetic deformity, known as 'saddle nose'.

Bridge piercing

Bridge piercing
Main article: Bridge piercing

Contrary to popular belief, Bridge piercings are inserted through the small flap of skin at the top of the nose, between the eyes, not through the bone. Curved barbells and straight barbells are the most commonly used in this piercing, while seamless rings are less common. However, bridge piercings generally have a high rate of rejection and thus are less common than any other nose piercing.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nose piercings.
  1. ↑ Morris, Desmond (2004). "The Nose". The Naked Woman. p. 69. ISBN 9780099453581. 
  2. ↑ New York Times, September 21, 1913
  3. ↑ "Septum Piercing Dangers". Retrieved 17 November 2012. 

Stirn, A. (2003). Body Piercing: Medical Consequences and Psychological Motivations. The Lancet 361: 1205–1215.

External links

General piercing topics
Jewelry (materials)
Ear piercings
Facial and oral piercings
Body piercings
Unisex genital or anal piercings
Female genital piercings
Male genital piercings
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