Do nose piercings hurt?

Like all piercings and permanent body modifications, nose piercings do hurt. A nose piercing hurts somewhat more than a belly or ear piercing due to location, but the piercing professional may be able to apply topical anaesthetic to help with discomfort.

Nose piercings hurt more than belly or ear piercings because the needle and jewelry pass through cartilage rather than fatty or fleshy tissues. It is also common for the eyes to water reflexively in response to the sensation of the needle. Ongoing pain can be minimized by proper cleaning throughout the healing process. A ring causes less pain than a stud, but plating on jewelry can rub off and cause irritation.