Face piercings are a fun and simple way to express yourself through body art. Facial piercings typically cause less pain than ear piercings; however, you should still assess your pain tolerance before choosing where and when to get yours done.
Nostril Piercing
Piercings such as nostrils and septum piercings are straightforward processes that heal quickly; however, as with any body modification procedure, it’s always wise to seek professional advice before getting one done.
Brooks suggests starting your nostril piercing experience off right by choosing a press fit stud – “a hollow post with a gem or “top” that presses into it from above” — which is more durable and helps reduce inflammation as you heal.
Nostril rings are another popular option, typically pierced through the nostril opening with a straight needle and worn with various jewelry items. Bridge piercings on either side of your nose and between your eyes may also be done using hand piercing; captive bead rings, seamless hoops, or segment hoop earrings can also be worn here. Also available is a rhino piercing, which involves vertical piercings running from the bottom center of the septum up towards the tip of the nose that resembles a rhinoceros horn – trendy among men!
Eyebrow Piercing
Many beauty decisions can be made spontaneously: adding bangs or switching up hair color are decisions made on impulse, but getting a facial piercing should be treated as a big commitment and carefully considered before committing. Before making your final decision, explore all potential outcomes before making your choice.
Piercing will likely cause discomfort, but taking over-the-counter pain medications before your appointment can reduce discomfort. Numbing cream on-site or practicing relaxation techniques are also great ways to stay calm during this process.
Eyebrow piercings have become an increasingly popular fashion trend for both men and women, although some believe they can reveal certain aspects of one’s personality or lifestyle. Kirstin Maldonado from Pentatonix sports a double eyebrow piercing, while American singer Fergie had hers done using a curved barbell. When choosing your studio and jewelry for this process, it is vitally important that they are both reliable. You should also ensure regular cleaning to prevent infection of any potential diseases.
Nose Ring Piercing
Nose rings can be placed anywhere along the nose cartilage, though one popular location is near one nostril, commonly called a nasal crease.
Your expert piercer will use a clean piercing needle and tool, such as one provided by an FDA-compliant supplier, to prepare the area where they intend to pierce. They’ll mark the desired site before clamping it if needed.
You can select from various jewelry styles once your nose piercing has taken place. Studs tend to provide less immediate stress on the tissue. Others include twist or L-shaped prongs that sit flat against the inside of your nostril, providing less discomfort; however, this style may irritate allergies or catch on snotty tissues that come into contact with it. Avoid blowing your nose or playing with the piercing, which could disrupt its scab and introduce bacteria.
Lip Piercing
Lip piercings don’t usually hurt more than any other type of piercing. Since this counts as an open wound and may bleed or swell over time, an experienced professional piercer must perform it.
Piercers use needle and barbell combinations to perforate the vertical crest of your lower lip to achieve an aesthetically pleasing symmetrical appearance. Also referred to as medusa or philtrum piercings, this type of piercing works best when worn with minor jewelry such as captive bead rings or flat back labrets.
As part of your healing process, it’s recommended that you soak your piercing in a saline solution at least two times daily for the first week or so after healing begins. To create this mixture, dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in one cup (8 oz) of distilled or bottled water – any weaker solution may irritate its new hole. Use this mix to clean 30 seconds after meals and bedtime.
