3 to 4 months for nostril and bridge, 1.5 to 2 for septum
Nose piercing is the piercing of the skin or cartilage which forms any part of the nose, normally for the purpose of wearing jewelry, called a nose-jewel. Among the different varieties of nose piercings, the nostril piercing is the most common.
Carthaginian female figure with gold nose piercing, 400-201 BC.
Nose piercing is recorded in various parts of the world, including in some indigenous societies of Americas and Australia.[1][2]
Earliest written evidence of nose piercing appears in the Book of Genesis.[3][4] According to Barry Ladizinski et al. 2013 "The practice, which is performed for symbolic or beautification purposes, originated more than 4000 years ago in the Middle East, migrating to India in the 1500s and reaching Western civilization by the 20th century."[3]
In Americas, nose piercing can be dated through pre-Columbian and colonial times throughout North and South America. Numerous status ceremonies are carved into the North Temple of the Great Ballcourt at Chichin Itza.[5] One of these processions is a nose piercing ceremony that is depicted on the North Temple vault.[5] Rather than depicting sacrifice, the common theme of the temple's carvings, the central figure is shown aiming what most likely is a bone awl to pierce the figure's nose.[5] The ritual of the nostril piercing signified the elevated status of this figure. His place in society is symbolized by his nose piercing. Similarly, nose piercing signified elevated status in Colonial Highland Maya. The two prominent lords, Ajpop and the Ajpop K'ama, of the K'iche were pierced through the nose at the pinnacle of an elaborate ceremony.[5] Similar to a crowning of a king, the nose piercing was to show their newfound leadership of the K'iche.
In Yucatán, explorers Oviedo y Valdes, Herrera y Tordesillas, Diego de Landa, and Jeronimo de Aguilar all noted different nose piercings that they observed in Mayans and other cultures in Yucatán in general.[5] They reported that different stones could have different meaning within each civilization. In addition, they believed the different placement and size and shape of beads could denote the specific society the person came from. The Toltecs were believed to have piercings through the ala of the nose that was adorned with a bead. While the Mayans pierced through the septum and consisted of an oblong bead rather than a spherical.[5]
Since the introduction and diffusion in western culture in the 1960s, punks and subsequent youth cultures of the 1980s and 1990s adopted nostril piercing.[6] Today, nostril piercing is popular in the wider world including South America, United States of America, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, Africa, Japan and Europe, with piercings being performed on either the left or right nostril. For some cultures, this practice is simply for ornament, while for others it is for religious practices. Initially in America, this practice was for subcultures and was seen to be associated with minority youth.[7][failed verification]
In the United States, nose piercings may have negative connotations. For example, in a 2006 survey done in the hospitality industry, 81% of hiring managers stated that piercings and tattoos affect their perception of the candidate negatively.[8]
Nostril piercing
Drawing of an Egyptian woman wearing an engraved nose ring, as drawn by Edward Lane in his book An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern EgyptiansWoman with nose ornament, Palestine, c.1920s
Nostril piercing is a body piercing practice that allows the insertion of jewelry into the nostrils. The historical record in Egypt only indicates nose piercings being worn by women. The specifics of jewelry in Egypt are regional, though some form of nose piercing has been known throughout Egypt, by urban and desert dwelling women. An exception is Siwa- while other women in Marsa Matruh wore nose rings, Siwi women do not. In Upper Egypt the nose ring is commonly called a khuzam, a name used since the 1830s. According to Lane, the nose rings of his time were an inch to an inch and a half diameter of brass, strung with beads, and worn on the right side of the nose.[9]
In Bahariya, the nose piercing is called the gatar or qatrah, made from 12 carat gold, with filigree and granulation. Commonly, the design is a ring with decoration around the lower half (on some nose rings, this extends to decorating inside the circle, creating a circle where half is empty and half is filled in with filigree), and a flat circle of gold applied to hide the end of the wire that goes through the nose. It is never made of silver, and women believe that the area of nose they pierce has fine blood vessels that would be harmed by silver. It is only worn by married women, and is worn on the left. Traditionally the women of the region believe the nose ring, while worn, will prevent pains and headaches.[10]
In Sinai, the nose piercing is called the shenaf, and like much of the region's jewelry, bears a resemblance to Palestinian examples. It is typically made of gold and sometimes will have colored beads worked into the design. Pieces that dangle from the main ring are common.[11]
Sudanese woman with zimamNose ornament called Nath, 19th century, India.
In Nubian Egypt and Sudan, the nose ring is called a zimam. The Rashayda call it by the same name, and make it from 21 carat gold.[12] The Bishariya also wear a nose ring- there is some overlap between the three groups jewelry, as they live in proximity and would buy jewelry from the same cities.[13] The nose rings of the Rashayda have a similar shape to the small nose rings of Bahariya with a thickened decoration around the lower half, but do not employ filigree. Some nose rings in the region are similar to Lane's drawing from 1836, being just a wire with some beads strung on it.[14]
In Central Asia, nose piercings are called Arawak or Arabek and were introduced to the region during Arab conquests.[15] Uzbek women traditionally wore nose piercing called Arawak as part of traditional attire.[16] In Eastern Europe, some Nogai and Tatar women were also known to wear similar nose rings.[17]
In South Asia, nose piercings were introduced as early as 10th century and by 15th century they were common across South Asia.[18] Historian A.S Altekar suggests nose piercings does not find mention in Indian literature before 8th century and was likely introduced after this period.[19] According to historian Benoytosh Bhattacharya the 12th century text Manasollasa mentions various ornaments worn by women but does not mention nose ring, and was likely introduced by Mohammadans after the 12th century.[20] Jewelry historian Oppi Untracht suggests nose piercings were introduced during 13th century by Muslims and was quickly established over the years.[21]
Septum piercing
Large-gauge septum piercingFulani woman with traditional nose ring and mouth tattoo
The nasal septum is the cartilaginous dividing wall between the nostrils. Generally, the cartilage itself is not pierced, but rather the small gap between the cartilage and the bottom of the nose (sometimes called the "sweet spot" by piercers), typically at 14ga (1.6mm) although it is often stretched to a larger gauge (size). This piercing heals within a month and a half to three months also depending on the individual. It should only be stretched by 1mm at a time, and waiting at least a month between stretches is advisable.[citation needed] If a certain point is exceeded, usually about 8mm, the cartilage gets forced towards the top of the nose, which can be uncomfortable.
Many types of jewelry generally are worn in a septum piercing, such as: Captive bead rings (CBRs), rings that close with a bead held in the center by the tension of the ring, circular barbells (as shown in the picture), a circular bar with a bead that screws onto either end, a "tusk" that is a straight or shaped piece of material generally tapered on either end, or pinchers. For large gauge septums, many individuals choose to wear plugs, as the plugs do not weigh their noses down, which is helpful in healing. This measure allows the piercing not to be damaged by the sudden movement of the jewelry.
Another option is a septum retainer, which is staple-shaped. This type of nose piercing is particularly easy to hide when desired, for example to comply with a dress code. A septum retainer makes possible turning the jewelry up into the nose, thus concealing it. With black jewelry flipped up into the nostrils, this piercing can be made practically invisible. A circular barbell can also be hidden by pushing it to the back into the nose, but it may be uncomfortable.
Nose ornament made of shell, North America, ca. 1910
In ancient Carthage, septum piercings were worn by both Carthaginian men and women. These were commonly made of gold, some examples in silver are also known.[22][23]
Spetum piercing is noted in several Native American peoples in history; the Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa, for example, had such piercings.[24]
A woman in eastern Nepal wearing Jhamke Bulaki (a septum ring with ornamental designs)
The septum piercing is popular in countryside of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In India such piercing is called the 'Nathori' and Bulak. Septum piercing is also worn by Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancers. Bengali women traditionally would wear the Nathori as a sign of being a married woman. The Nathori would be gold with a tear drop that would move along the ring. Many lower-class women in rural Bengal still keep this tradition. This practice is now declining as many women prefer the nose studs.[25]
In hilly region of Nepal, the septum piercing is known as Bulaki and is worn by women of multiple ethnic groups.[26] In Southern region of Nepal the septum piercing is still common. Many older women still adorn their noses with both the septum and left nostril rings. Many women have gold nose piercings to show their social, tribal, and religious status in society.
In Central Australia, nose piercing was central to the development of a boy to a man. The Arunta, an aboriginal tribe in Central Australia, rite of passage for a boy. The rite of passage began with dancing ceremonies and developed into the boy moving to the men's camp and learning to hunt.[27] The boys are usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen.[27] The women at first throw the boy into the air and then is handed the men to throw him into the air to symbolize the boy belonging to the men from then on after.[27] The boy learns to hunt larger animals that requires a tactful skill set that was not needed for smaller game. After some time, the boy's nasal septum was pierced and inserted with a bone by his father or grandfather to flatten his nose according to aesthetics.[27]
Likewise, girls' symbol of coming of age was a nose piercing, but was done by her husband after marriage.[27] Culturally, the piercings signified the social status of the individual and their right to access other ceremonies. For women, it displayed their ability to acquire a husband. For the husband, it displayed his ownership and right to his wife. For men, it presented the boy now as a man and his place is society with men. He no longer belonged to the children and the women who raised him. In addition, he now had the right to ceremonies such as circumcision, subincision and an elevated position in society.[27]
The septum or nasal septum is the cartilaginous wall that separates the two nostrils. The ligament is, be that as it may, generally not penetrated. It is the slim segment of extremely delicate and adaptable skin, just between the ligament and the lower part of the nose, where septum puncturing is for the most part finished. Puncturing the skin rather than the ligament can extraordinarily limit the aggravation, as well as different inconveniences related with this sort of body penetrating. This penetrating ought to be done exclusively with a needle. Taking everything into account, hostage dot rings, round hand weights, plugs, tusks, twists, and septum retainers can be utilized. A few metals utilized in nose rings are protected, however may cause sensitivities or responsiveness. Hazard of bacterial contamination is additionally present in pools, waterways and showers.
All types of body piercings, including septum piercing, are associated with the risk of contracting certain blood borne diseases, like hepatitis, from the needles and piercing guns used in the procedure. This risk can be reduced by getting the piercing done by a reputed piercer and making sure that the piercer uses only sterile single-use needles. The next common risk associated with almost all types of piercing is the risk of infection and pain. These issues can be minimized greatly if piercing is done on the soft and flexible skin that lies between the cartilage and bottom of the nose. As far as infection risks are concerned, they can be managed with proper piercing aftercare.
This piercing can sometimes lead to 'septal hematoma' – an injury to the soft tissue within the septum that can disrupt the blood vessels to cause the accumulation of blood and fluid under the lining. Nasal septum hematoma can eventually cause nasal congestion and interfere with breathing along with causing pain and inflammation. If not treated immediately, the condition can ultimately cause formation of a hole in the septum, leading to nasal congestion. Sometimes, that part of the nose may collapse, resulting in a cosmetic deformity, known as 'saddle nose'.
Bridge piercings are inserted through the skin at the top of the nose, between the eyes. Curved barbells and straight barbells are the most commonly used in this piercing, while seamless and captive rings are not recommended. Getting a bridge piercing done is somewhat riskier than other nose piercings. Like other surface piercings, the jewelry may migrate or cause scarring if not taken care of correctly. Bridge piercings require very specific anatomy, careful maintenance, and often many jewelry changes. A bridge piercing is pierced through the loose skin at the bridge of the nose. It is often pierced with a 14 gauge needle, depending on the preference of the piercer and the client's anatomy.[citation needed]
↑ Zylali, Mirushe (24 May 2021). "I Put a Ring in Your Nose". New Voices."I put a ring in your nose, and earrings in your ears, and a splendid crown on your head. (Yeḥezḳel 16:12)"
1 2 3 4 5 6 Villela, Khristaan; Koontz, Rex (February 1993). "A Nose Piercing Ceremony in the North Temple of the Great Ballcourt at Chichén Itzá". Texas Notes on Precolumbian Art, Writing, and Culture. No.41. hdl:2152/15895. OCLC1073558164.
↑ Martel, Steven; Anderson, Jane E (August 2002). "Decorating the 'human canvas': Body art and your patients". Contemporary Pediatrics. 19 (8): 86. ProQuest206121838.
↑ Zhou, Min; Bankston Iii, Carl L. (2022). "Delinquency and Acculturation in the Twenty-first Century: A Decade's Change in a Vietnamese American Community". Immigration and Crime. pp.117–139. doi:10.18574/nyu/9780814759530.003.0009. ISBN978-0-8147-5953-0.
↑ Swanger, Nancy (March 2006). "Visible body modification (VBM): evidence from human resource managers and recruiters and the effects on employment". International Journal of Hospitality Management. 25 (1): 154–158. doi:10.1016/j.ijhm.2004.12.004.
↑ Lane, Edward (1908). An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians. American University in Cairo Press. p.576. ISBN9781617972447.
↑ "Qaraqalpaq Jewellery". www.qaraqalpaq.com."The Qaraqalpaq term for a nose-ring is a'rebek. A'rebek were one of the few items of Qaraqalpaq jewellery that were usually made of gold."
↑ "Qaraqalpaq Jewellery". www.qaraqalpaq.com."Besides rings and earrings, some of the Nogay women wear a golden ring in the cartilage of the nose so large that it reaches to the lips; and even some of the Tatar women in the city of Astrakhan follow this custom. The women of Kundorov wear this ring in one of their nostrils."
↑ Ladizinski, Barry; Nutan, F. N. U.; Lee, Kachiu C. (February 2013). "Nose Piercing: Historical Significance and Potential Consequences". JAMA Dermatology. 149 (2): 142. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.1568. PMID23426468.
↑ Altekar, Anant Sadashiv (1999). The position of women in Hindu civilization: from prehistoric times to the present day (Reprinted.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. p.303. ISBN9788120803251.
↑ Bhattacharya, Benoytosh (1939). Manasollasa By King Somesvara. Baroda: Baroda Oriental Institute. page 12 - "It is, however, noteworthy that there is no mention of any ornament for the nose which very probably was introduced after the advent of the Mohammadans".
↑ Traditional jewelry of India. New York: Abrams. 1997. p.188. ISBN9780810938861.
↑ "Carthage". unesdoc.unesco.org. UNESCO. pages 2-4
↑ Carthage of the Phoenicians in the Light of Modern Excavation By Mabel Moore (1905), page 142
↑ Johnson, Michael; Smith, Jonathan (2011). North American Indian tribes of the Great Lakes. Botley, Oxford; Long Island City, NY: Osprey Pub. p.18. ISBN9781849084604.
↑ Ganguly, Waltraud (2015). Nose rings of India. Delhi: B.R. Publishing Corporation. p.12. ISBN9789350502198.
The Prince Albert (PA) is a penis piercing which extends from the urethra to the underside of the glans. It is one of the most common male genital piercings. The related reverse Prince Albert piercing enters through the urethra and exits through a hole pierced in the top of the glans.
These nose piercing ornaments are attached through a piercing in the nostril or septum.
A bridge piercing is a facial piercing through the skin on the bridge of the nose, usually directly between the eyes of the wearer. A variation on this piercing, the vertical bridge piercing is a surface piercing, with all of the risks or potential complications related to surface piercings.
A navel piercing is a type of piercing that penetrates the skin of the navel. It is most commonly located on the upper fold of skin but can also be affected underneath or around the edges of the navel. Healing usually takes around 6–12 months but varies person-to-person due to differences in physiology.
A clitoral hood piercing is a female genital piercing through the clitoral hood surrounding the clitoris. In addition to being an adornment, a clitoral hood piercing can enhance sexual pleasure during masturbation, foreplay and intercourse. In an empirical study at the University of South Alabama, the authors reported a positive relationship between vertical clitoral hood piercings and desire, frequency of intercourse, and sexual arousal. There are two main types of clitoral hood piercing: the vertical clitoral hood (VCH) piercing and the horizontal clitoral hood (HCH) piercing. As the names indicate, the difference is in the direction the piercing is oriented in the skin above the clitoris. Neither of these piercings penetrates the clitoris itself, although in common parlance they are sometimes called "clit" piercings. The deep hood piercing is a variation of the clitoral hood piercing that passes deeper through the clitoral hood.
An earring is a piece of jewelry attached to the ear via a piercing in the earlobe or another external part of the ear, or, less often, by some other means. Earrings have been worn in diverse civilizations and historic periods, often carrying a cultural significance.
An eyebrow piercing is a vertical surface piercing, wherein a twelve to eighteen gauge cannula needle is inserted through the bottom of the eyebrow and exits through the top of the eyebrow to permit insertion of jewelry. Those performing the piercing may use a pennington clamp to better guide the needle through the skin. A curved barbell is the most common jewelry inserted post-piercing.
A tongue piercing is a body piercing usually done directly through the center of the tongue. Since its decline in popularity around 2011, it has seen a recent upsurge making it now the second most popular piercing amongst young women aged 18-25 in 2019. It has become quite unpopular amongst men, although in the 1990s and early 2000s, it was more popular for men than women to get and associated with punk culture. Midline tongue piercings, or one hole through the center of the tongue is the most common way to have the tongue pierced.
A tragus piercing is the perforation of the tragus, which projects immediately in front of the ear canal, for the purpose of inserting and wearing a piece of jewelry. The piercing itself is usually made with a small gauge hollow piercing needle, and typical jewelry would be a small diameter captive bead ring or small gauge post style piercing jewelry. A related piercing is known as the antitragus piercing.
Body piercing jewelry is jewelry manufactured specifically for use in body piercing. The jewelry involved in the art of body piercing comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes in order to best fit the pierced site. Jewelry may be worn for fashion, cultural tradition, religious beliefs, personal symbolism, and many other reasons.
Barbell style piercing jewelry is composed of a straight bar with a bead on each end, one or both beads unscrewable for removal and/or changing of the beads. Often one of the beads is fixed, either via epoxy or welding, so that only one bead is used to install or remove the jewelry. Barbell threads are usually right-handed.
An industrial piercing, also known as a scaffold piercing (UK/Ireland) or construction piercing, is any ear piercing that consists of two pierced holes connected with a single piece of jewelry. These piercings typically consist of a double perforation of the upper ear cartilage specifically. Two piercings must be made: one is fairly close to the head, while the second one is further down the helix on the opposite side of the ear. Industrial piercings that are vertical are also known as a suicide industrial.
Stretching, in the context of body piercing, is the deliberate expansion of a healed piercing for the purpose of wearing certain types of jewelry. Ear piercings are the most commonly stretched piercings, with nasal septum piercings, tongue piercings and lip piercings/lip plates following close behind. While all piercings can be stretched to some degree, cartilage piercings are usually more difficult to stretch and more likely to form hypertrophic scars if stretched quickly. Dermal punching is generally the preferred method for accommodating larger jewelry in cartilage piercings.
A clitoris piercing is a genital piercing placed directly through the head (glans) of the clitoris itself. It is a relatively uncommon piercing by choice because of the potential for nerve damage, and because many may find it too stimulating to allow the constant wearing of a small ring or barbell. Most piercing studios will refuse to do a clitoral piercing. It is often confused with the more common clitoral hood piercing, which pierces only the hood covering the clitoral glans, allowing the jewelry to make only occasional contact with the most sensitive area.
A rook piercing is a perforation of the antihelix of the ear for the purpose of wearing jewelry. It is located just above the tragus on the ridge between the inner and outer conch with the piercing passing from the underside to the top of this ridge, differing from many ear piercings that essentially span between a "front" and "back" surface. Erik Dakota, a well known professional piercer and the individual responsible for originating and popularizing the rook piercing, is said to have named this modification after a shortened version of his first name. The piercing was first named in issue #4 of the magazine Body Play and Modern Primitives Quarterly around 1992 alongside the first printed reference to the industrial piercing, then termed "industrial ear project".
A corset piercing is a body piercing that consists of multiple piercings in rows, usually on the back, with ribbon or string laced through to mimic the appearance of a corset. Two rows of bilaterally symmetrical piercings are performed and can be composed of as few as four piercings or as many as the length of the area being pierced and the vertical space between piercings will allow space for. Due to the difficulty and risks associated with permanently healing single surface piercings, most corset piercings are intended to be temporary.
A hip piercing is a piercing in the pelvic area through the skin near the hip bone. Hip piercings are often done in couplets with one on each hip, but it is not unusual to see only one. Hips piercing are a type of surface piercing. Microdermals or skin divers can be implanted in the hip area to give a similar appearance.
A cartilage piercing can refer to any area of cartilage on the body with a perforation created for the purpose of wearing jewelry. The two most common areas with cartilage piercings are the ear and the nose. Outside of the body modification community, many people commonly refer to a helix piercing as a "cartilage piercing." The cartilage ear piercing is known to be more sore than the lobe as in the cartilage there is less blood so it takes longer to heal.
A plug, in the context of body modification, is a short, cylindrical piece of jewelry commonly worn in larger-gauge body piercings. Modern western plugs are also called flesh tunnels. Because of their size—which is often substantially thicker than a standard metal earring—plugs can be made out of almost any material. Acrylic glass, metal, wood, bone, stone, horn, glass, silicone or porcelain are all potential plug materials.
Body piercing, which is a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewellery may be worn, or where an implant could be inserted. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice. It can also, by metonymy, refer to the resulting decoration, or to the decorative jewelry used. Piercing implants alter the body and/or skin profile and appearance. Although the history of body piercing is obscured by popular misinformation and by a lack of scholarly reference, ample evidence exists to document that it has been practiced in various forms by both sexes since ancient times throughout the world. Body piercing can be performed on people of all ages, although most minors are only permitted to have earlobe piercings.
References
Fahmy, Azza (2015). The Traditional Jewelry of Egypt. American University in Cairo Press. ISBN978-977-416-720-1.
Rush, John A. (2005). Spiritual Tattoo: A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Branding, and Implants. Frog Books. ISBN978-1-58394-117-1.
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