When getting a nose piercing, the most important goal is to take care of the piercing properly while it is healing. Following proper nose piercing aftercare can mean the difference between a healthy, attractive new piercing and a painful, infected one which will likely lead to scarring on the nose or the surrounding skin. The primary aim in aftercare of any piercing, including nose piercings, is to keep the area clean and germ-free.
Do not touch the piercing until it is healed for anything except the aftercare cleaning routine. Touching the fresh piercing with dirty hands or objects throughout the day, even just to adjust the jewelry, can greatly increase the likelihood of transferring dirt and germs to the piercing site and can cause irritation and infection. Before beginning the aftercare cleaning routine, make sure to wash hands and all objects that will come in contact with the piercing in hot water with antibacterial soap.
Clean the fresh piercing at least twice a day, but be careful not to wash it too often, as this can be detrimental to the healing process. In most cases, a good piercing shop should provide detailed aftercare instructions. Follow these to the letter, because they will explain how often to clean the piercing, what cleaning solutions to use, and how long after the the piercing is performed that the aftercare instructions should be followed. It is important to use the cleanser recommended by the piercer, because many types of cleanser will be too harsh for the piercing to heal properly, and the piercer will have experience with which ones work best.
If in doubt, stick to a warm sea salt and water solution and gently flush the piercing area, soaking the area for at least 30 seconds at a time if possible. The salt has antibacterial properties that will help the wound heal, and the warm water will dilute the salt and make rinsing more comfortable and less harsh. Cleaning the area should not cause additional pain. If the nose piercing aftercare is very uncomfortable, return to the piercer and ask him or her to examine the piercing to make sure it is healthy, and ask for help with proper cleaning techniques.
Do not apply makeup or other products such as facial cleansers or moisturizers to the pierced area until it has fully healed. Also, it is very important to not change the jewelry too soon without the help of a professional piercer who can determine if the piercing is healed and healthy enough to handle a change of jewelry. Plan on keeping up the nose piercing aftercare and leaving in the same jewelry for at least several weeks but up to several months or a year depending on the area of the nose that has been pierced.
