A Complete Guide To Knowing When To Change Your Nose Piercing

Changing your nose piercing for the first time is exciting, but it also requires patience, proper timing, and correct aftercare. Whether you have a nostril piercing, septum piercing, or high nostril piercing, understanding the healing stages and choosing the right jewelry helps ensure a smooth, irritation-free experience.

This complete guide breaks everything down in simple, beginner-friendly language so you feel confident before making the switch.

Understanding Nose Piercing Healing Times

Different types of nose piercings heal at different speeds. This is the #1 factor in deciding when you can safely change your jewelry.

1. Nostril Piercing

• Healing time: 2 to 4 months

• The nostril is made of soft cartilage and delicate skin, so it takes time for the inner tunnel (fistula) to fully form.

• Even when it looks healed from the outside, the inside may still be sensitive.
  

2. High Nostril Piercing

• Healing time: 4 to 6 months (or longer)

• High nostril piercings go through thicker cartilage, so they naturally take longer to heal.

• They are also trickier to change on your own because of the angle and depth.
  

3. Septum Piercing

• Healing time: 6 to 8 weeks

• Septum piercings typically heal faster because they go through the “sweet spot” — the soft tissue between cartilage.

• This is usually the easiest piercing to change early, but only if healed properly.
  

So, When Is It Safe to Change Your Nose Piercing?

Here’s the simple rule every beginner should follow:

Change your nose piercing only after it’s fully healed.

For most people, this means:

• Nostril: Wait at least 8–12 weeks, sometimes up to 4 months

• High Nostril: Wait at least 4–6 months

• Septum: Wait at least 6–8 weeks
  

Signs Your Piercing Is Ready:

• No pain or tenderness

• No redness or swelling

• No crust, discharge, or bleeding

• Jewelry feels loose and moves comfortably

• You can touch it gently without irritation
  

If any of these signs are still present, DO NOT change the jewelry yet.

Even if your piercing looks healed, the inside may still be fragile. Always wait longer if you’re unsure.

Risks of Changing Your Nose Piercing Too Early

Changing the jewelry too soon can cause multiple problems, some of which take months to fix.

1. Infection

Early changing can introduce bacteria into a partially healed fistula, leading to:

• Swelling

• Redness

• Warmth

• Pus

• Pain

Infections require immediate care and sometimes antibiotics.

2. Piercing Bumps (Hypertrophic Scarring)

This is very common when jewelry is changed early because it disrupts healing. Bumps may appear after:

• Switching to low-quality metals

• Using wrong sizes

• Twisting or forcing jewelry in

• Pulling on the piercing during the change
  

3. Migration or Rejection

Cartilage piercings can shift easily if irritated. Changing too early may cause:

• Jewelry moving from its original position

• Uneven placement

• Hole thinning or enlarging
  

4. Piercing Closing

If you remove the jewelry before the fistula is stable, the hole may:

• Shrink rapidly

• Close partially

• Close completely—sometimes within hours

This is especially common with new nostril and high nostril piercings.

Preparing to Change Your Nose Piercing Safely

Before you change your jewelry at home, follow these steps to reduce irritation and complications.

• Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Always begin with clean hands to avoid bacteria entering the piercing.

• Soften the Piercing: Use a warm saline compress for 3–5 minutes to soften any crust.

• Clean the Area: Use a sterile saline spray to clean around the piercing.

• Have the New Jewelry Ready: Avoid leaving the piercing empty for more than a few seconds, especially if it’s new.

• Choose the Right Jewelry Style:

Beginners should use:

• Nostril screw

• L-bend stud

• Threadless push-pin jewelry

• Captive bead ring (for healed piercings only)

Avoid extremely small or thin pieces—they can cause irritation.

Which Jewelry Is Best for the First Change?

Choosing the right jewelry is a key part of keeping your piercing healthy.

Hypoallergenic, High-Quality Metals

Use:

• 14k or 18k gold

• Implant-grade titanium

• Implant-grade stainless steel

• Niobium

Avoid:

• Low-grade stainless steel

• Nickel-heavy jewelry

• Plated jewelry

• Cheap rings from unknown sources

Cheap materials can cause allergies, bumps, and infections.

Correct Sizes

Standard nostril size:

• Gauge: 18g or 20g

• Length: 6–7mm

Septum size:

• Gauge: 16g or 14g

• Diameter: depends on your anatomy (8–10mm is common)
  

Best for First Change

• Smooth studs

• Simple rings for fully healed piercings

• Threadless push-pin styles

• Flat-back labrets (comfortable for sleeping)
  

Aftercare Tips for Your First Jewelry Change

After switching to your new jewelry, treat your piercing like it’s still healing for about a week.

Do:

• Use saline spray 1–2 times daily

• Avoid touching the piercing unnecessarily

• Sleep on the opposite side

• Keep hair away from the area

• Be gentle when washing your face Avoid:

• Swimming pools for 48 hours

• Using makeup directly on the piercing

• Playing with the jewelry

• Changing the jewelry repeatedly
  

If you notice swelling or redness after the change, switch back to high-quality metal or consult a piercer.

Example Timeline: What Most People Experience

Here’s what a typical beginner might go through:

Weeks 1–2

• Tenderness, swelling, crust

• Do NOT change jewelry

Weeks 3–6

• Less crust, reduced swelling

• Still not ready for changing

Weeks 8–12 (nostril)

• Feels normal

• Can usually change jewelry safely

Months 4–6 (high nostril)

• Fully healed

• Safe to change on your own

Weeks 6–8 (septum)

• Ready much quicker

• Easy to change but still be gentle
  

Final Tips for Stress-Free Jewelry Changing

• Be patient, rushing causes most piercing problems

• Use high-quality hypoallergenic jewelry

• If you’re unsure, always let a professional piercer do the first switch

• A healed piercing should never hurt when changing the jewelry

• If something feels wrong, stop and seek help
  

FAQs

1. What’s the earliest safe time to change a nose piercing?

Only after it has fully healed—typically 8–12 weeks for nostril, 4–6 months for high nostril, and 6–8 weeks for septum.

2. Why does my nose piercing hurt when I try to change it?

It’s likely not fully healed. Remove the new jewelry immediately and go back to your original piece.

3. Can I use low-cost jewelry for my first change?

Avoid it. Always use high-quality metals to prevent irritation, bumps, and allergies.

4. How do I know if my piercing is infected?

Symptoms include swelling, heat, pus, redness, and throbbing pain. Seek medical or piercing-professional help.

5. How long will the hole take to close if I remove the jewelry?

A new piercing may start closing within hours. A healed piercing closes more slowly but still varies by person.

Final Note

Choosing the right moment to change your nose piercing is all about timing, patience, and proper care. With the right jewelry, careful preparation, and a gentle approach, your first switch can be smooth and stress-free.

Looking for high-quality nose rings? Visit Fresh Trends for beautifully crafted options.