Nose piercing: thoughts?

kittenwolf

I've been considering getting a nose piercing for a while. I thought I'd set the idea out there and see if people think one would look any good on me?
I'm terrible at working out if something will suit me!

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7 years ago

Inspiration

19 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

Joy

Veteran

Why would you want to do this?
Do you get colds, have allergies? What is your work environment? Do you aspire to any position in which you would deal with the public? You would be limiting your job opportunities in many areas because of the way you may be perceived. How about getting a radical hair style or color instead?

7 years ago

minimalist

Veteran

It could look really good. Could you try magnetic or adhesive nose jewelry while you experiment with style and placement?

If your workplace welcomes gender fluidity, it will probably be fine with mainstream, non-culture-appropriative facial piercings.

7 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I agree that I'd ask yourself why you want a nose piercing. I have my left nostril pierced, and it does not affect having a cold or allergies,. However, it DOES affect how people and employers see you, which is completely fair, IMO. I was Hindu for many years, and had my nose pierced in deference to the culture (I am now atheistic). I no longer wear jewelry, but my body never closes a piercing, so if I would ever choose to wear jewelry again I could.

I am not big on body modification for aesthetic reasons, so perhaps I should not reply. But if you are doing it to appear "alternative" or unusual... don't. There are so many better ways of expressing your individuality, IMO.

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I think a side piercing is very pretty. I find the ox ring very distracting unless a person has a funky maxed out style when it comes to clothing. Like just a Stevie Nicks skirt is not really equal to an ox ring...

7 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

How would you do it? My dear friend, a physician, had a pierced nose, and it fit her personality well and it didn't have a negative impact. She wore a single small stud. What are you thinking to do? I think you have a lovely nose, and a beautiful face why would you want to marr it in this way? It will create a distraction.

7 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I had my nose pierced. I really like nostril piercings, and there are one of the most socially acceptable facial piercings. Its not like it used to be with piercing or tattoos anymore- you see them everywhere. I no longer have mine. I lost the ring and the hole closed up before I could get a new one. I decided not to get it re-pierced because it never healed well anyway. You can't even see the scar. My body doesn't seem to like piercings. Funny, since it takes ink well.

7 years ago

April

Veteran

My view is don't do it. What looks smashing and hip in extreme youth tends to look much less so as you age.

There is also something about things like piercings and other body alterations. There is a "moment" (a few years) when they effectively signal a certain "otherness" and make a statement. After that, they signal, "I am signalling my otherness by doing what everyone else does," and the impact is lost. Right now, that shift is occurring with earlobe-stretchers, and it will soon occur with the body-scarring that some kids have turned to instead of tattoos because tattoos have become too mainstream. (Guess what, kids, your scar patterns will too, or they will never go mainstream at all, and you will have permanent results of a minor fad. Either way, the permanence is a problem.) A permanent alteration to the body that will turn out to have been a trend is, in my view, never a great idea.

Unless the alteration is part of a cultural tradition that is your own, it *will* turn out to have been a trend. A trend that lasts a generation is still a trend.

The fun of fashion is that it doesn't last, right?

7 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I really like the small stud type nose piercings and have considered it myself. I like milkshake's idea of a non-permanent version to test out.

7 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I wouldn't do it. I don't really understand what makes people want to do piercings or tattoos. And it's not very hygienic.

7 years ago

Marina

Active Member

I think piercings are no different than regular earrings or any other piece of jewelry: they are a matter of personality/personal style, not proportions, shapes or colors. If they suit your personality/personal style, there is a model that will work well for you. I do have a navel piercing myself.

Before choosing to get a piercing, it is important thinking very well about possible inconveniences. Healing process, special care, possible problems, cicatrization, concerns about work environment... If you already considered all this and still want a piercing, I think a small stud of surgical steel will work well for your - and it would be a good option for the first one since a single small piercing in surgical steel will minimize chances of infection, make adaptation easier and will be easy to hide if needed (it is a really small hole, not as noticeable as expected - one of my best friends in college had one). Another possibility to consider if you are felling uncertain about how it would looks like is a ear piercing instead. Almost any ear piercing will work well for most people as long as it matches the overall style (and from what I saw on your photo I think they will work quite well with your style and they are also quite easy to hide if you need to).
Send photos if you decide to get one

7 years ago

kerlyn

Veteran

I agree with Rachy. I think a small stud or delicate hoop in the side is really pretty, but the ox piercing can be a bit much.

7 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

I am old school when it comes to piercings, so not a good person to ask, but I did want to comment that the color you are wearing in photo #3 is great on you

7 years ago

kittenwolf

Active Member

Wow! Lot of differing opinions here

I was looking at a small silver or clear crystal stun, not a big chunky thing or a hoop or such.
I already have my ears double pierced and my navel, and no issues. I work in IT so it's a pretty forward environment.

7 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Just as an aside- I noticed a bank teller yesterday with plugs in her ears. Times they are a changin!

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a really personal decision that is best made by the individual. My husband and his youngest son have tattoos because the idea appeals to them; his older son and I are inkless because it's just never appealed to us.

If you believe the desire will outlive the trend, go for it. I have a friend who used to have a labret but has since let it close up because it no longer suited her style or aspirations. I feel like piercings and tats have become so mainstream I almost don't want any out of a weird sense of rebellion, which is why I think this is a decision best made without trendiness in mind.

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Lots of good comments here. I am of the camp that if you want to do this, I would try it with a magnetic version first--I think that there are magnetic nose studs. You may find that, after a few months of wearing the nonpermanent version, the novelty of it has worn off and you don't feel the need to do it anymore. Then you will have saved yourself the money as well as some of the issues that can come with a nose piercing, as others have noted (difference in how you are perceived, being ostracized from other fields/jobs, etc.).

7 years ago

AndiB

Veteran

I got a nostril pierce maybe three years ago and wear a tiny diamond stud. I still love love love it. I'm In my mid 50's, a non-profit executive and work in a professional environment. I wanted to do it for years but held off because I am also a lobbyist and work regularly with state legislators. I finally just said: you want it get it. I think times are really different now, and nose piercings are pretty common. Not a ring, just s tiny stud. I think they are adorable on pretty much anyone. My college age daughters think it is cool and that it does not look like I'm trying too hard. Whew!

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

Personally, I love piercings and tattoos. Love them so much. I had to remove all of mine, even earrings, because it didn't matter what I used for jewelry, they stayed infected (or at least very irritated). My tongue piercing was the last to go. A plastic barbell was all I could wear in it, and I had it stretched up to a six gauge (almost a 4), but I went back to university majoring in Spanish and could not roll my 'r' like I needed to. So out it came. I've never tried to out one back in, it might still be there not closed up. So, yeah, I love tattoos and I love piercings.

However, I also understand that they can limit job options because not everyone is so open and accepting of "alt" looks. So as much as I would love to unequivocally say "you do you", I would add the caveat that you should consider all of those possible consequences before actually doing it.

7 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

I come from a culture where they are common and I think they look great. I experimented with the stick on type and decided it didn't suit me. So I would advice going that route if you are hesitant.

7 years ago

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