Nostril Piercing Jewellery: Studs, Screws and Hoops
A nostril piercing is the classic side-of-the-nose piercing, and it wears the widest range of nose jewellery: studs held by an L-bend, a nostril screw, a straight bone, or a flat-back, plus small hoops once healed. It is soft tissue, so it heals faster than cartilage, but it has one quirk: it can close quickly if left empty. Here is how to choose 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 nostril jewellery.
Studs and hoops, held in different ways
Nostril studs all do the same job, sitting a small top on the outside of the nose, but they are held in place differently. An L-bend (or L-shaped pin) hooks inside the nostril; a nostril screw curls to sit securely; a nose bone has a tiny ball on the end that pops through; and a flat-back labret stud is held by a flat disc inside, the most secure and comfortable of all. Once fully healed, a small seamless or hinged hoop is a popular alternative. Which stud style you prefer is personal, and we stock all of them.
Fresh nostril care and the closing problem
A nostril is soft tissue but sits in a busy, frequently touched spot, so it commonly heals over about four to six months, following Association of Professional Piercers guidance. The important quirk is that a nostril can shrink or close within hours if left empty, even after it heals, so never take the jewellery out to give it a rest during healing, and replace it promptly when you swap. A flat-back stud in implant-grade titanium or solid gold is an excellent, comfortable fresh-nostril choice; keep a spare in the right size on hand.
Gauge and size
| Detail | Common range for nostril |
|---|---|
| Gauge (thickness) | Often 20G or 18G |
| Stud styles | L-bend, nostril screw, nose bone, flat-back labret |
| Hoop diameter (healed) | About 7 to 9 mm, fitted to your nostril |
| Best fresh-piercing style | Flat-back stud, implant-grade titanium or solid gold |
Our sizing and gauge guide explains these numbers.
Styling
A nostril stud is a small, everyday sparkle that suits almost everyone, from a tiny plain ball to a bezel-set gem. A hoop reads a little bolder and more boho. Because the nostril is so visible, a well-made solid-gold or titanium piece looks far better than a cheap one, and coordinating the metal with your earrings ties your whole look together.
What to check when buying 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 20G or 18G for a 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 shape and length. Nostril studs come as L-bends, screws, bones, and flat-backs; the shape holds the stud in place, and a hoop needs a diameter fitted to your nostril.
- Finish. The piece should feel glass-smooth, with no rough edges or casting pits that can snag tissue.
Style and gemstone options
Nostril tops range from a tiny plain ball or disc to prong- and bezel-set stones, in cubic zirconia up to genuine diamond, in yellow, white, or rose solid gold. Hoops come plain, beaded, or gem-lined. Many people keep a discreet stud for work and a hoop for weekends. Because studs and hoops are easy to swap on a healed nostril, you can build a small collection and change the look to suit the day.
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
- The nostril wears studs held by an L-bend, screw, bone, or flat-back, plus hoops once healed.
- It is soft tissue and commonly heals in about four to six months.
- It can close within hours when empty, so keep it filled and carry a spare.
- Commonly 20G or 18G; a flat-back stud is the most secure, comfortable fresh choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jewellery goes in a nostril piercing?
Nose studs held by an L-bend, a nostril screw, a nose bone, or a flat-back labret, plus small hoops once healed. A flat-back stud is the most secure and comfortable, especially for a fresh piercing. Which stud style you prefer is personal.
What gauge is a nostril piercing?
Commonly 20G or 18G. Match replacement jewellery to the gauge your piercer used. A piece that is too thin will move and one that is too thick will not fit, so gauge matters when you buy a new stud or hoop.
Will my nostril close if I take the jewellery out?
Possibly, and fast. Nostrils can start to shrink or close within hours when empty, even after healing, and a fresh one closes even faster. Keep jewellery in during healing, replace it promptly when you swap, and use a retainer if you ever need it to look empty.
How long does a nostril piercing take to heal?
Commonly about four to six months, because it sits in a busy, often-touched spot even though it is soft tissue. It looks healed on the surface before it is done inside, so keep the initial jewellery in and follow saline aftercare.
Can I wear a hoop in my nostril?
Once fully healed, yes, a small hoop is a popular nostril look. While healing, a flat-back stud is more secure and easier to heal, so start with a stud and switch to a hoop later if you like.
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 nostril jewellery in implant-grade titanium and solid gold, studs in every style and hoops, at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam. Browse our piercing jewellery, or call +1 (604) 653-6449. See the septum and high nostril guides next.