Nasallang Piercing: Pain, Healing Time, And Aftercare

Nose piercings never go out of fashion. While they are nothing new, one of its variants, the nasallang piercing, is officially having a moment! Nasallang piercing proves just how edgy one can look with just a single piece of jewelry that goes from one nostril to the other through the septum. Many have pointed out that it is quite similar to industrial piercing, but instead of ears, it is on the nose. it goes through the nose. In the following sections, we go into what it is, what the process of getting one entails, aftercare tips, and risks among other aspects of this piercing to hold your hand as you decide whether it is for you. Let us get started.

Piercing Guide: Nasallang Piercing

• Placement: Placed horizontally on the nose passing through the septum.
• Best Jewelry: Straight Barbell
• Cost: $50-$100
• Pain Level: High
• Healing Time: About 3-6 months

What Is A Nasallang Piercing?

Nasallang piercing is considered one of the most complicated nostril piercings of all. Typically, it entails piercing one’s nostril horizontally, passing through the septum, and exiting from the other nostril. It is often referred to as a threefold piercing, as it entails piercing three planes at once. At first glance, it may all look like two separate nostril piercings and a septum piercing when, in fact, they are all connected with the help of a single piece of jewelry, a straight shot with a barbell.

This body piercing has deep cultural roots among indigenous tribes. It has often been seen as a symbol of bravery, strength, and status. It was also associated with a rite of passage that celebrates the transition from adolescence to adulthood. On the contrary, these days it is more often associated with counterculture movements such as punk.

Trivia

The contemporary forms of nose piercings may have originated from those practiced by the Beja people of Africa, the Bedouin tribes in the Middle East, and the Australian Aboriginal tribes for ages.

This gives us a fair sense of what it is and where it comes from. Now, let us get to know the process at length in the following section.

How Is A Nasallang Piercing Done?

Unlike most nose piercings that entail a single-point entry, the nasallang piercing involves a three-point entry in which the needle passes through the septum and both the nostrils simultaneously. The tri-nasal piercing is commonly performed at once, but it can also be done one by one. The most crucial aspect of this horizontal piercing is that it requires a great amount of precision as the straight barbell should go through in a perfect 180-degree angle.

Azl, a blogger, shared her experience of getting a nasallang piercing on her blog: “As I pierced the nasallang, I literally felt each layer as the needle passed and could allow the tissue time to respond and accept the needle rather than force it through (i).”

Take a look at the steps involved in this piercing process below:

1. Precision Marking

A professional piercer makes a few dots on the nose to show you exactly where they are going to insert the needle. This helps ensure precision in symmetry and can save you a lot of discomfort, pain, irritation, and other potential complications that might arise due to improper alignment of the piercing.

2. Sterilization

It is important to sterilize piercing needles, forceps, as well as jewelry to ensure safety and maintain a hygienic environment. This prevents the risk of infection.

3. Topical Anesthesia

Some piercers apply a numbing cream before the beginning of the procedure which works as a topical anesthetic.

4. Clamping

Forceps are used to hold your nose and keep the area stabilized to aid precision during the procedure.

5. Needle Piercing

After clamping, a sterilized needle is used to pierce through the nostrils and septum along the intended trajectory.

6. Jewelry Insertion

Once the piercing is done, jewelry, usually a straight barbell, is inserted into it immediately to complete the process.

7. Cleaning

A cotton swab is soaked in saline solution to clean the area and keep it free from bacteria.

The whole process of nasallang piercing might just take a couple of minutes, but it is generally considered to be on the bolder end of the pain threshold. Let us learn about the pain involved in the process in more detail in the following section.

Is Getting A Nasallang Piercing Painful?

Generally, a nasallang piercing is considered to be very painful and requires a high threshold of pain tolerance. This is because a needle passes through the septum which is part of the nasal cartilage. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the pain level ranks at 8 on a scale of one to 10. Only after the piercing passes the initial inflammatory stage and begins to heal can one expect to experience a reduction in discomfort, swelling, and pain. It also means that this job needs to be done by a very experienced piercer.

Just as everyone has a different threshold for pain, everyone heals differently too. Let us discuss what that looks like in the next section.

How Long Does A Nasallang Piercing Take To Heal?

When compared to other nose piercings the healing process might take longer than usual as it involves piercing through three separate holes. On average, anecdotal evidence suggests that nasallang piercing may take around 3 to 6 months or even more to fully heal. However, the nasal area has germs and bacteria present in it which can in turn prolong the healing period. Getting a runny nose or infection can further slow down the healing process (1), (2). One can consider the piercing to have fully healed if there are no visible signs of tenderness, swelling, redness, or lymph discharge.

Healing time is an important factor to consider before deciding to get a nasallang piercing. Remember that the cleaner the piercing, the better the chances of healing. The next section shows you how to go about cleaning the area.

How To Clean A Nasallang Piercing

It is important to treat your nasallang nose piercing with utmost care and attention to avoid complications. We list step-by-step instructions below for keeping the piercing clean.

1. Clean your hands with soap and water.
2. Take a clean cotton pad and dip it in a saline solution.
3. Remove excess moisture by wiping it over a paper towel and make sure it is not dripping.
4. Gently clean the pierced area using the cotton pad without putting too much pressure or rubbing the area excessively.
5. Pat dry the area with a disposable paper towel.

Note: Avoid rotating, adjusting, or moving the jewelry while cleaning as it can cause microtears and increase the risk of infection and scarring. The best time to clean the piercing is while taking a shower.

Along with keeping the piercing clean, one also needs to follow an aftercare routine to ensure fast and complete healing. Let us discuss how to do that in the next section.

Nasallang Piercing: Aftercare Tips To Follow

Proper aftercare, as recommended by your piercer, is crucial to ensure a safe and successful piercing experience. Here are some key aftercare tips (3):

1. Maintain Hygiene

Always wash your hands with an unscented soap before touching the freshly pierced area. This will help prevent any transfer of dirt, sweat, and bacteria from your hands and thereby minimize the risk of infection.

2. Avoid Using Harsh Products

Use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to clean the piercing. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or even an antibacterial soap to cleanse the pierced area as it may be too harsh on a fresh wound.

3. Stay Away From Makeup

Avoid using makeup until the piercing heals. Makeup is laden with chemicals that can get into the hole and cause irritation.

4. Apply Petroleum Jelly

A thin layer of petroleum jelly can help you prevent dryness in the area, which may cause irritation. This is especially useful in an arid climate.

5. Watch Out For Signs Of Infection

Look out for redness, puffiness, soreness, and any pus-like discharge (4). Consult with a healthcare professional right away if any of these signs are persistent as they may be indicative of an infection.

6. Avoid Water Exposure

It is advisable to avoid swimming in pools or hot tubs to reduce the risk of exposing your nasallang piercing to contaminants in the water, such as chlorine and other chemicals, which may cause irritation and affect the healing process.

An efficient aftercare routine forms the bedrock of the healing and recovery process. However, some potential risks still remain, and one needs to be aware of them. Let us delve into it further in the following section.

Risks Of Getting A Nasallang Piercing

Any piercing comes with its own set of complexities. With a threefold piercing such as the nasallang piercing, the risk of complications is significantly higher. Let us go through some common risks of nasallang piercing below.

• Certain metals used for piercing jewelry such as nickel and copper may cause allergic reactions in the body (5). This may lead to piercing rejection.
• Although it is considered to be on the bolder side of the pain scale, it usually subsides after the initial procedure. If you experience persistent pain and bleeding, it is best to seek medical attention.
• It can also lead to the formation of keloid, which is a thick, permanent scar around the piercing (6). If the skin around it appears to be raised or bulging, it could indicate the formation of keloids.

If the idea of getting a nasallang piercing is too alluring for you to be deterred by these side effects, consider weighing its overall pros and cons one last time before taking the plunge. Let us take a look at them in the next session.

Pros And Cons Of Nasallang Piercings

Nasallang piercing makes for a unique aesthetic choice. However, as with every piercing, there are both pros and cons. It is important to ascertain whether it will be the right choice for you. Here are a few points stating the advantages and disadvantages of nasallang piercing to help you make a well-informed decision.

Pros

1. It is a form of self-expression that allows individuals to flaunt an edgy and unique look.
2. It only requires one piece of jewelry which makes it less expensive than other intricate nose piercings.

Cons

1. It involves piercing horizontally through the nose, which makes it one of the most painful nostril piercings.
2. It takes more time to heal than simpler types of piercing such as single or surface piercings.
3. It is a tricky process and requires a skilled piercer.

Hence, it is important to keep both aesthetic preferences and health considerations in mind before making a decision. Nasallang piercing is often confused with double nostril piercing owing to the similar placement of the two. The next section offers a quick comparison for you.

Nasallang Piercing Vs. Double Nostril Piercing

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The simplest way to tell the difference between the two is that nasallang piercing involves inserting one piece of jewelry, whereas double nostril piercing entails two separate nostril piercings and pieces of jewelry. The latter offers greater versatility when it comes to selecting jewelry as one can opt for nose hoops or surface piercing jewelry, which is not possible in a nasallang piercing. One can also change the jewelry on one side of the nostril without affecting the other in a double nostril piercing.

The bottomline is no matter the type of piercing, always pick the one that aligns with your personal sense of style and helps express your individuality.

Trivia

Nasallang piercing was made fashionable by Cliff Cadaver, an actor, in the 90s and further popularized by Bobby Brady.

There is also the matter of cost and what works for your pocket. Let us consider it in the next section.

How Much Does A Nasallang Piercing Cost?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that nasallang piercing can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 in reputable shops. However, another important variable that one has to keep in mind is the cost of jewelry one has used. High-quality materials and hypoallergenic pieces of jewelry are generally more expensive than the usual ones to ensure a smoother healing process and can add to the overall cost. Also, the reputation of the piercing shop and artist can influence the price of getting a nasallang nose piercing.

While thinking of the cost, you also need to account for the jewelry. The kind of jewelry you want will affect your budget. Let us discuss it in greater detail below.

Nasallang Piercing Jewelry Types And Materials

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Selecting the right kind of jewelry is an important step in the process of piercing. To help you with the same, let us look at the types of jewelry, materials, and styles you can choose from below.

Types Of Jewelry

Nasallang piercing jewelry demands all things extra as it has an all-eyes-on-me kind of vibe. Most commonly a straight piece of barbell jewelry is used for nasallang piercing. These barbells can be decked up with beads or have other embellishments attached to them. It is very important to ensure that the jewelry is long enough to accommodate the swelling of the nose. However, after the swelling subsides and the pierced area is healed one can start using a shorter barbell.

The Right Jewelry Material And Size

When it comes to selecting the right jewelry material for nasallang piercing, it is important to ensure that the material is safe as it has a direct impact on recovery time and the way the skin reacts to the piercing. It is best to stick to a hypoallergenic piece of jewelry for nasallang piercings as they make for the most safe and most effective pieces. Metals such as stainless steel, surgical steel, gold, platinum, niobium, and pure silver are in general considered durable and unlikely to irritate the skin (7).

While the size of the jewelry depends on the size, shape, and thickness of your nose. A piercer can help you determine the suitable size of the jewelry and ensure you end up getting a comfortable and happy piercing experience.

Another important factor that can ensure long-term success of nasallang piercing is knowing the right time to change the jewelry and how to go about it the correct way.

When And How To Change The Jewelry

Before deciding to change or remove the jewelry, always ensure that your piercing is completely healed. If you try to change your jewelry before the wound is healed, it can increase the risk of infection, delay healing, and cause scarring. Even if your nasallang piercing is fully healed, removing the jewelry incorrectly can affect the piercing. Hence, always wash your hands before removing the jewelry and clean the area with a saline solution. Before putting the new jewelry in, make sure to sterilize it. Learning how to change your nasallang piercing can feel empowering. If you are not confident about it, you can seek help from a professional piercer, especially if you are doing it for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a nasallang piercing suitable for everyone?

Nasallang piercing is a complex process that involves horizontal piercing of both the nostrils as well as the septum. This also makes it a relatively more painful process than a simple nose piercing. People who have a low pain threshold should avoid getting one.

Can I use regular nose rings in a nasallang piercing?

One cannot use regular nose rings in a nasallang piercing as it most commonly requires a straight barbell that can horizontally pass through both the septum and the nostrils.

While it might be tempting to go for a nasallang piercing, it is important that one should be aware of the process and risks associated with it. Watch the video to learn about the same.

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Rodrigo CascoProfessional Tattoo and Body Piercing Artist

   

Rodrigo Casco is an Argentine tattoo artist. He has 21 years of experience designing tattoos. He has done tattooing by hand as well as created his own tattoo machines. He has won multiple awards and stood first in national and international tattoo conventions, is a judge at events, and also gives many seminars.

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