What's the smallest gauge a nose piercing can be done with?

Question

I want a tiny nostril stud. I heard somewhere that usually they prefer to pierce with a loop at first because it's easier to clean. Is it typical at all to do a nostril piercing with a stud initially?

Answer 1

probably around an 18

Answer 2

when I got mine done it was with a loop piece. However, I my roomate got her's done with a stud with a ball on the end. I don't recommend it. It falls out easily, and then you will have a problem. Especially if it falls out within a couple weeks of you getting it pierced because it will close up fast.

I'd say, just get it done with the loop. Then you have the option of using that larger gauge or going down to the smaller one. One you have the smaller gauge, it def hurts to put in a larger one.

Answer 3

12g is the smallest they go for a nose piercings

Answer 4

Some shops will only pierce with a hoop. Others will pierce you with a nostril s***w instead. If a shop offers to pierce you with a gun or with a nostril pin/nosebone then it is NOT a shop you want to be pierced in.

You probably won't be able to get an absolutely tiny nostril piece right away. Most shops prefer to pierce you with an 18 or 16g piece of jewelry. This ensures that you'll have a piercing large enough to wear any jewelry you prefer. There are some cheap nostril pieces that are smaller than an 18g, but they're often a lower quality and can make putting your larger jewerly back in nearly impossible, thus limiting your jewelry options. A teeny tiny head on your initial piece of jewelry is also at risk of settling into the piercing itself. This would obviously aggravate your piercing and cause you trouble.

So if it were my nostril, I would (and did) have it pierced with a 16g piece of jewelry. No one will be able to tell that it's not itty bitty, and you will have the option of wearing any nostril jewelry you choose. How your piercing looks to other people is all about the end you choose for your stud, not what gauge it really is.

As for a hoop being easier to clean, it might be a tiny bit easier. But it's also more likely to get knocked around by accident. If you hate wearing your hoop, you're also MUCH more likely to try to change your jewelry early which  will aggravate your piercing, risks infection, and can lead to scarring. So putting a stud that you'll be happy with for a few months is going to be a whole lot easier on your piercing in the long run. You'll just have to take thorough care of it to keep it clean. A few q-tips and some patience can make a stud just as easy to clean as a hoop in a nostril.