Nose piercing is the process of making a hole in the nose to wear certain rings, etc. So, if you want to get your wound to heal faster, then the metal you choose to wear in the nose also plays a critical role, as it basically comes in direct contact with it. Thus, to find the best metal for nose piercing, you have to consider different factors in mind. 

Thus, the purpose of writing this blog is to make you aware of the different safest metal options available for nose piercing jewelry. So, keep reading!

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Types of nose piercings

You can get a piercing on different parts of your nose and wear elegant jewlery to express your personality or fashion sense.Let’s dive deeper and understand the different types of nose piercing that people usually do!

Nostril Piercing

Nostril piercing is actually the most common or classic type of piercing done on either right or left soft cartilage of the nose. Usually if you do this from any professional pericer, then they for the first time insert a small stud or loop into the spot. Also keep in mind that this kind of nose peircing usually gets healed in 2-4 months.

Moreover, the best thing is that nostril piercing can suit every kind of facecut people like bold, slim, etc. So, if you are doing it for the first time then you don’t have to worry, as it’s simple, elegant and will definitely suit your personality.

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Septum Piercing

On the other hand, septum piercing is basically done through the thin walls of tissues between the nostrils called septum. Do remember! Professional piercers make tgis piercing in the soft soft spot just below the cartilage,thus making it less painful than it seems. Moreover, the amazing thing is that it even gets healed within just 6-8 weeks.

Also, this piercing is famous for its bold style, so you can make it elegant by wearing circular barbells, clickers, or bead rings.

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High Nostril Piercing

Highl nostril piercing is actually different from standard nostril peiring as it is usually done on top of nose bridge liek closer to the eye. Since the tissues here are not flexible, so its healing time is usually longer like 3-6 months. Alsthough this kind of piercing demands extra care or caution, it may add the modern look for your facial features.

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Bridge Piercing

Brighe piercing as the name suggests is usually done horizontally on the skin like between your eyes at the top of your nose. Don;t get feared by hearing this as it is usually done through the soft cartilage, so it’s not painful. Just like septum piercing it’s healing time is also just 6-8 weeks. 

You can make it look elegant by wearing a straight barbell. Thus, it’s perfect for nontraditonal people who just want a bold look.

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Septum Microdermal or Vertical Tip Piercing

Vertical tip piercing is actually done at the tip of your nose either vertically or right embedded gem. Keep in mind that it’s best to make it done by experts for comfort or symmetry. Its healing time is longer like 3-6 months and also you should do regulat cleaning to avoid germs. 

Moreover, you can pair it up with other peicings giving you a modern yet creative look.

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What are the best metals for nose piercing?

When it comes to nose piercing, the point to note here is that compared to the ear, the process of wound healing in the case of the nose is slower. 

This is because here piercing basically occurs through cartilage ( a harder tissue with less blood flow, thus reduced supply of oxygen, nutrients that slow the healing). Moreover, as we breathe through the nose, it is constantly exposed to bacteria present in the air, thus infection chances are naturally higher. 

So, in this case, if you wear the wrong metal, like having a skin allergen, then it would further delay the healing and may cause severe problems. That’s why here I’ve compiled a list of the safest or skin-friendly metals for nose piercing.

Surgical Stainless Steel

Surgical stainless steel, especially 316L/316LVM, is an iron-based alloy that in combination with other metals, gives it high durability and corrosion resistance. For instance, it has added chromium (≈16–20%) for corrosion resistance by forming a Cr2O3 protective layer, nickel ( 8-12% ) for giving shine and strength, and also has molybdenum ( 2-3%) for extra durability. 

You might be wondering: Is surgical steel hypoallergenic? If so, then keep in mind that though it contains nickel but it becomes locked in the structure because of the Cr2O3 layer, hence not able to leach out to cause skin irritation. Thus, this type of stainless steel jewelry is best for body piercing.

Pros	Cons
Affordable and widely available. Strong and durable. Corrosion-resistant	Not ideal for very sensitive skin. Can feel heavier than titanium

Titanium

Next, talking about titanium, it’s considered the best and safest option for piercing as it’s 100% pure, having no nickel or other skin allergens. Also, it is 45% lighter compared to stainless steel, having a density of about 4.5 g/cm³. 

Moreover, it’s highly durable because it has a hexagonal closed-packed crystal structure that gives it hardness, so it doesn’t get dents. The amazing thing about it is that it naturally forms a TiO2 layer when exposed to air, thus protecting it from corrosion, rust, etc.

Pros	Cons
Safe for initial piercingsLightweight but extremely strongResistant to corrosion and tarnish100% nickel-free and hypoallergenic	More expensive than steelLimited designs compared to steel or gold

Niobium

It’s also similar to Titanium in the sense that it’s also 100% pure metal, hence it is considered safe for body piercing. However, the amazing thing about niobium is that it can undergo anodizing to produce bright colours.

Let me explain this. Anodizing is basically an electrochemical process used to add a thicker oxide layer. As a result, niobium can refract light in different ways, thus you get different colours without adding coatings or dyes.

Pros	Cons
Non-corrosiveCan be anodized into multiple colors, Affordable compared to platinum or hypoallergenic, and safe for sensitive skin	Non-corrosiveCan be anodized into multiple colorsAffordable compared to platinum or hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin

14k or 18k Gold

14K or 18K Gold is an alloy of gold metal in combination with other metals like silver, copper, zinc, and palladium. For your information, kertats usually show the purity of Gold. 

For instance, 14K gold contains just 58.5% gold; similarly, 18K gold contains 75% Gold. However, because it’s a nickel-free metal, it’s considered good for fresh piercing.

Pros	Cons
Nickel-free optionsAttractive, elegant, and long-lasting Variety of designs available	Expensive compared to steel or titaniumPlated gold may flake, causing irritation

Platinum

In addition to the above, if you wish for a luxurious option, then for your goodness, platinum is a highly rare and precious metal that is 95% pure. However, it contains other metals like iridium, ruthenium in small quantities to give hardness.

Pros	Cons
Safe for long-term wearElegant and timeless lookExtremely durable and strongHypoallergenic and non-reactive	Safe for long-term wearElegant and timeless lookExtremely durable and strong. Hypoallergenic and non-reactive

How to choose the best metal for nose piercing? 

Now, you know which metals are safest for nose piercing. However, before choosing any of the above metals, you have to consider some factors in mind, so you can get the best according to your needs.

Skin Sensitivity: First of all, you have to pause and think whether you have had allergic reactions to wearing metallic jewelry. If so, then before choosing any metal for piercing, you have to check its composition. It must be free of nickel.

Piercing Stage: Moreover, you also have to consider whether you want metal jewelry for a fresh piercing or a healed one. This is because fresh piercings are more prone to infections, so smooth and hypoallergenic metals are best. On the other hand, if your piercing heals, then you will get more flexibility in choosing.

Budget and Availability: Next, your budget matters the most. This is because although titanium, niobium are 100% pure metals, due to their limited availability, they are very expensive. So, if you want a budget-friendly option and don’t have extremely sensitive skin, then the surgical stainless steel jewelry is the best.

Conclusion 

In short, if you want the best metal for nose piercing, then you have to be a little bit careful. This is because not all metals available in the market are safe for piercing,  as they may contain skin allergens that may irritate your wounds. 

We have discussed the safest metals for nose piercing with their pros and cons through the blog, so now the choice is totally up to you. However, if you consider your budget, then you can look for surgical stainless steel as it’s also a highly durable nd skin-safe option. At Feebee jewelry, we offer custom stainless steel body piercing options free of nickel, lead, etc, at affordable prices. So, get in touch with us today!

FAQs

Is titanium or surgical steel better for nose piercings?

Both titanium and surgical steel are good for nose piercings. However, if we go in-depth, then I ould say that titanium is best for fresh piercings as its 100% hypoallergenic, so there is no fear of allergic reactions with it. On the other hand, it would be best to go for the surgical steel if your piercing gets healed as it may trigger reactions to a very sensiitve skin.

What is the safest type of nose piercing?

Nostril piercing is the safest or say the most common type of nose piercing  This is because it’s done via soft cartilage thus healing time is also quick and requires less care. However, you have to make sure that your piercer uses sterile piering tools or high grade metal liek titanium to quicker the healing process. 

How long do nose piercings take to heal?

Do remember! Healing time depends on the type of piercing you have done. For instance, the Nostril piercings usually heal in 2–4 months, similarly septum piercings in 6–8 weeks. On the other hand, high nostril or bridge piercings can take up to 5 months. 

However, you ahve to make sure to use proper aftercare like  cleaning with saline solution and also avoiding touching or twisting. 

How much are nose piercings?

The charges of noise piercing actually vary from $30 to $100, depending on the type of piercing jewelry, studio or even the piercing style. However, it’s common that basic piercings like the nostril one usually have less charges compared to the comlex ones. But you have to make sure to go to the licensed or hygienic peircer for your own safety.