Common Nose Piercing Myths Debunked

Nose piercings have been around for thousands of years, yet misinformation about them persists. From well-meaning but outdated advice passed down through generations to internet myths that spread faster than facts, separating truth from fiction is essential for anyone considering or caring for a nose piercing. Let's debunk the most common myths and set the record straight.

Myth #1: You Should Rotate Your Jewellery While Healing

The Truth: This is perhaps the most persistent and damaging myth. For decades, people were told to twist their jewellery to prevent it from "sticking" to the skin. In reality, rotating your jewellery does the opposite of helping.

When you rotate your jewellery, you:

• Tear the delicate new tissue (called a fistula) forming inside the piercing channel
• Introduce bacteria from the jewellery's surface into the wound
• Push crusty lymph fluid back into the piercing, causing irritation
• Delay healing by repeatedly damaging the same tissue

Modern piercing aftercare follows the LITHA principle: Leave It The Heck Alone. Clean your piercing with saline, then don't touch it.

Myth #2: Piercing Guns Are Just as Safe as Needles

The Truth: Piercing guns are categorically unsuitable for nose piercings—or any piercing, according to most professional piercers.

Problems with piercing guns include:

• They can't be sterilised: Guns have plastic components that can't withstand autoclave temperatures. They can only be wiped down, which doesn't eliminate all pathogens.
• They cause blunt force trauma: Guns force a blunt stud through tissue, creating more damage than a sharp, hollow needle that removes a small core of tissue cleanly.
• The jewellery is problematic: Gun studs have butterfly backs that trap bacteria and are often made from low-quality materials.
• No room for swelling: Gun studs are typically too short to accommodate the normal swelling that occurs after piercing.

Always choose a professional piercer who uses single-use, hollow needles and implant-grade jewellery.

Myth #3: Nose Piercings Hurt More Than Other Piercings

The Truth: Pain is subjective, but nose piercings aren't inherently more painful than most other common piercings. In fact, many people find them quite manageable.

What people often experience:

• A sharp pinch lasting about one second
• Watery eyes (an involuntary reflex, not an indicator of severe pain)
• Mild tenderness for a few days afterward

The anticipation often feels worse than the actual piercing. Most people describe the pain as a 3-5 on a scale of 10—noticeable but brief and very tolerable. If you've had vaccines, blood draws, or other piercings, you can absolutely handle a nose piercing.

Myth #4: If It's Not Sore, It's Healed

The Truth: The absence of pain does not equal complete healing. This myth leads many people to change jewellery too early or stop their aftercare routine prematurely.

Here's what actually happens:

• Surface healing: The outside of the piercing may look and feel healed within weeks.
• Internal healing: The tissue inside the piercing channel takes much longer to mature and strengthen—typically 4-6 months for nostrils, 6-8 months for septums.

Changing jewellery or stopping aftercare too early can damage this immature tissue, leading to irritation bumps, prolonged healing, or even infection. Stick to your aftercare routine for the full healing period, even when your piercing "feels fine."

Myth #5: Surgical Steel Is Always Safe

The Truth: While surgical steel is widely used and works well for many people, it's not universally safe—particularly for those with nickel sensitivities.

Surgical stainless steel (316L) contains 8-12% nickel. While a protective oxide layer is supposed to prevent nickel from leaching into the skin, this doesn't work for everyone. If you have:

• Reacted to costume jewellery before
• Sensitivity to belt buckles, watch backs, or jean buttons
• A diagnosed nickel allergy

You should opt for implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) or niobium instead. These materials are 100% nickel-free and suitable for even the most sensitive individuals.

Myth #6: You Need to Remove Jewellery If You Get an Infection

The Truth: This well-intentioned advice can actually make things worse. Removing jewellery from an infected piercing allows the hole to close, potentially trapping the infection inside your skin. This can lead to an abscess, which is far more serious than an open, draining infection.

If you suspect an infection:

• Leave the jewellery in place
• Continue cleaning with saline
• Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or include fever

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics while leaving the piercing open to drain. Only remove jewellery if specifically instructed by a healthcare professional.

Myth #7: You Can't Get an MRI with a Nose Piercing

The Truth: In most cases, you can safely have an MRI with nose jewellery in place—but it depends on the material and the specific scan being performed.

Here's the breakdown:

• Titanium and niobium: Generally MRI-safe as they're not ferromagnetic.
• Surgical steel: Usually safe but may cause slight warming or artifact (blur) on the image near the jewellery.
• Gold: Pure gold is safe; some gold alloys may contain magnetic metals.

Always inform the MRI technician about any piercings before the scan. They'll assess whether the jewellery needs to be removed based on the scan location and jewellery material. If you must remove jewellery, use a plastic retainer to keep the piercing open.

Myth #8: Salt Water from the Ocean Will Help Your Piercing Heal

The Truth: Ocean water is not sterile saline. While the idea of "natural salt water" sounds healing, ocean water contains bacteria, algae, and pollutants that can infect a healing piercing.

The same applies to:

• Swimming pools (chlorine irritates piercings and doesn't fully eliminate bacteria)
• Hot tubs and spas (warm water breeds bacteria)
• Lakes and rivers (contain various microorganisms)

Stick to sterile saline wound wash (0.9% sodium chloride with no additives) for cleaning. Wait until your piercing is fully healed before swimming.

Myth #9: Nose Piercings Close Immediately If You Remove the Jewellery

The Truth: How quickly a piercing closes depends on several factors, including how long you've had it and individual healing differences.

General guidelines:

• New piercings (under 6 months): Can begin closing within hours and may fully close within days.
• Healed piercings (6 months - 2 years): May stay open for days to weeks without jewellery.
• Well-established piercings (2+ years): Often stay open for extended periods, though they may shrink.

Even well-established piercings can shrink over time, making it difficult to reinsert jewellery. If you need to remove your nose ring temporarily, consider a clear retainer to keep the hole open.

Myth #10: Tea Tree Oil Cures Piercing Bumps

The Truth: Tea tree oil is frequently recommended in online forums, but piercing professionals generally advise against it. While tea tree oil has antibacterial properties, it's also:

• Very harsh on delicate healing tissue
• A known skin sensitiser that can cause reactions
• Potentially drying, leading to cracking and further irritation

Most piercing bumps aren't infections—they're irritation bumps caused by pressure, snagging, or poor jewellery quality. The solution is identifying and eliminating the source of irritation, not applying harsh essential oils.

Final Thoughts

Myths persist because they often contain a grain of logic or come from people we trust. But following outdated or incorrect advice can prolong healing, cause complications, and lead to unnecessary frustration.

When in doubt, consult a professional piercer. They stay current with best practices and can provide personalised advice for your specific situation. Don't rely on internet forums, well-meaning friends, or advice that sounds too simple to be true.

Your piercing deserves proper care based on facts, not myths.