High Nostril Jewellery: Flat-Back Studs
A high nostril piercing sits higher up the side of the nose than a standard nostril, and it has one firm rule about jewellery: it must be a flat-back stud. The usual nostril screws, L-bends, and bones cannot sit correctly that high on the nose, so the flat disc of a labret-style stud is what holds a high nostril in place. Here is how to choose high nostril jewellery.
Vanhess sells piercing jewellery in Coquitlam; we do not perform piercings. Get pierced at a professional studio, then use this guide to choose your high-nostril jewellery.
Why it has to be a flat-back stud
On a standard nostril, a curled screw or an L-bend hooks inside the nostril to hold the stud. A high nostril sits too far up the nose for that hook to reach or sit right, so it needs a flat-back (labret-style) stud: the flat disc anchors inside and the decorative top faces out. This is the single most important thing to know about high nostril jewellery. Hoops are not an option, so it is a flat-back-stud-only placement, worn as a small gem or plain top high on the nose.
Fresh high nostril care
A high nostril is soft tissue but awkwardly placed, and it commonly heals over about four to six months or a little longer, following Association of Professional Piercers guidance. Because it sits high and flat, a correctly fitted flat-back stud is essential, and your piercer will downsize the post once swelling settles. Like any nose piercing it can shrink if left empty, so keep it filled, and be careful with skincare and makeup around the healing site.
Gauge and size
| Detail | Common range for high-nostril |
|---|---|
| Gauge (thickness) | Often 18G |
| Required style | Flat-back labret stud (screws and L-bends do not work) |
| Post length | Fitted for swelling, then downsized |
| Best fresh-piercing material | Implant-grade titanium or solid gold |
Our sizing and gauge guide explains these numbers.
Styling
A high nostril is a delicate, elevated accent, often worn as a single small gem that catches the light higher on the face than a standard nostril stud. It pairs beautifully with a standard nostril stud below it for a double, or stands alone as a subtle, unexpected sparkle. Our styling guide helps you plan a coordinated look.
What to check when buying high-nostril jewellery
Before you buy, confirm a few things so the piece fits and heals well:
- Gauge match. Buy the same gauge as your piercing, usually 18G for a high-nostril. Too thin and it moves in the channel; too thick and it will not fit.
- Smooth through the piercing. Choose threadless or internally threaded jewellery so nothing rough passes through the channel. Externally threaded posts drag screw threads through and irritate it.
- Material. Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) or solid nickel-free gold only. Skip anything plated or unmarked.
- Post length. A high nostril needs a flat-back stud; a screw or L-bend cannot sit correctly that high, so the flat disc inside holds it.
- Finish. The piece should feel glass-smooth, with no rough edges or casting pits that can snag tissue.
Style and gemstone options
High nostril tops stay small: a tiny plain ball or disc, or a prong- or bezel-set stone, in cubic zirconia up to genuine diamond, in yellow, white, or rose solid gold. Because the placement is high and flat and the top swaps on a threadless or threaded post, you can restyle it without disturbing the anchored post. A small bezel-set diamond is a popular, refined high nostril choice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Changing too early. Swapping jewellery before the piercing is fully healed is the top cause of bumps and setbacks. Wait for your piercer's go-ahead.
- Cheap or plated metal. Nickel and worn plating cause most "my piercing is reacting" problems. Stay with implant-grade titanium or solid gold.
- The wrong size. A post or ring that is too long, too short, or the wrong gauge moves, snags, or presses. Match your gauge and get the length or diameter right.
- Over-cleaning. More than a twice-daily saline rinse, or using alcohol and ointments, slows healing rather than helping it.
- Sleeping on it or knocking it. Pressure and snags are a common cause of irritation, especially in the early weeks.
Aftercare in brief
Whatever you wear, a healing piercing needs the same simple routine: clean it once or twice a day with sterile saline, keep your hands off it, do not twist or remove the jewellery, and leave it in until a professional says it is healed. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, and lakes, and avoid knocks and sleeping on it in the early weeks. Most trouble comes from cheap metal or the wrong size rather than too little cleaning, so the jewellery you choose matters as much as the routine. Our aftercare guide has the full method, and our guide to bumps versus infection covers what to watch for.
Key Takeaways
- A high nostril must wear a flat-back stud; screws and L-bends cannot sit that high.
- It is a studs-only placement, worn as a small gem or plain top high on the nose.
- It is soft tissue but awkwardly placed, healing in about four to six months or a little longer.
- Commonly 18G; keep it filled, since like any nose piercing it can shrink when empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jewellery goes in a high nostril piercing?
A flat-back (labret-style) stud, and only that. The flat disc anchors inside while the top faces out. Nostril screws, L-bends, and bones cannot sit correctly that high on the nose, and hoops are not an option, so a high nostril is a flat-back-stud-only placement.
Why can't I use a nose screw in a high nostril?
Because a screw or L-bend relies on hooking inside the lower nostril, and a high nostril sits too far up the nose for that to reach or sit correctly. Only a flat-back stud, held by a disc inside, stays put in a high nostril.
What gauge is a high nostril?
Commonly 18G. Match replacement jewellery to the gauge your piercer used, and choose a flat-back stud with a post length fitted to your nose, downsized once swelling settles.
How long does a high nostril take to heal?
Commonly about four to six months or a little longer, since it is soft tissue in an awkward spot. Keep the flat-back stud in, follow saline aftercare, and have your piercer confirm healing before changing the top.
Can I wear a diamond in a high nostril?
Yes. Small genuine-diamond flat-back studs set in solid gold are a refined high nostril choice, alongside cubic zirconia. The post should be implant-grade titanium or solid nickel-free gold in the right gauge.
Sources
- Association of Professional Piercers — Jewelry for Initial Piercings
- Association of Professional Piercers — Aftercare
General information, not medical advice. See a professional piercer for the piercing itself. Reviewed 20 July 2026.
Visit Vanhess
We stock high nostril flat-back studs in implant-grade titanium and solid gold at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam. Browse our piercing jewellery, or call +1 (604) 653-6449. See the nostril and flat-back studs guides next.