So, you’ve finally decided to pull the trigger on a nostril piercing. It’s a classic move. It changes your face just enough to feel fresh without being a total overhaul. But then the piercer looks at you and asks the one question you probably haven’t overthought yet: "Which side do you want it on?"
Suddenly, you're staring in the mirror, tilting your head, and realizing your face isn't actually symmetrical. Don't panic. Honestly, there is no "correct" answer, but there are definitely a few things that make one side a better choice than the other depending on your specific face.
Choosing which side of your nose should you pierce usually comes down to three things: your "good side," your hair part, and your existing piercings. People will tell you there are "rules" or gendered traditions, but let’s be real—those are mostly outdated myths. In 2026, the only real rule is making sure the placement doesn't mess with your glasses or your sleeping habits.
The Symmetry Myth and Your "Good Side"
We all have one. You know, that side of your face you prefer in selfies? That’s usually the side people pick for a piercing. Why? Because a nostril stud or hoop acts like a little highlighter. It draws the eye. If you love your left profile, putting a bit of sparkle there just emphasizes what you already like.
Some piercers, like the pros at Association of Professional Piercers (APP), often suggest looking at the natural curve of your nose. If your nose leans slightly to the right (which is incredibly common), piercing the left side can actually create a visual balance that makes everything look more centered. It’s a bit of an optical illusion.
But wait. Think about your hair. If you have a deep side part where your hair hangs over the right side of your face, a right-side piercing might get buried in your bangs. It gets caught. It snags. It’s a nightmare. If your hair covers the right, go left. If you’re a middle-part person, you’ve got a blank canvas.
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Cultural Traditions vs. Modern Trends
Historically, this wasn't just about "vibes." In Ayurvedic medicine, which originates from India, the left nostril is often the go-to spot for women. The belief is that the left side is linked to the female reproductive organs and that piercing it can ease menstrual pain or make childbirth easier. You'll see this tradition reflected beautifully across South Asian cultures.
In Western pop culture, the "rules" have shifted every decade. In the 90s, there were weird rumors about which side meant what for your sexuality—sort of like the "left is right, right is wrong" earring myth.
Let’s clear that up right now: it’s nonsense. Nobody looks at a nose piercing in a modern context and assumes anything about your identity based on the side it's on. It’s purely an aesthetic choice now.
The Practical Stuff: Sleeping, Glasses, and Phones
You have to live with this thing for six months while it heals. That means you need to think about your daily habits. Are you a side sleeper? If you strictly sleep on your right side, piercing your right nostril is going to be a painful lesson in regret. Every time your face hits the pillow, you’re irritating the fistula (the hole), which leads to those annoying red bumps—technically called hypertrophic scarring or irritation bumps.
Then there’s your phone.
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Seriously. Think about which ear you hold your phone to. If you’re constantly smashing a germ-covered smartphone against your right ear, the edge of that phone is going to rub against a right-side piercing. It sounds like a small detail until you’re dealing with a localized infection because your TikTok scrolling habit introduced bacteria to an open wound.
What About Your Other Piercings?
If you already have a "project" going on with one ear—maybe a complex curated ear with seven hoops—you might want to pierce the opposite nostril to balance the weight of your look. Or, you might want to lean into the asymmetry and put everything on one side.
If you have a septum piercing, the "which side" question becomes even more interesting. A centered septum with a nostril stud on one side creates a nice "triangle" of jewelry. If you plan on eventually getting both sides done (the double nostril look), it doesn't really matter where you start, but most people start with their non-dominant hand side so they don't bump it as often when washing their face.
Anatomy and the "Sweet Spot"
A professional piercer isn't just looking at what looks cool; they’re looking at your alar crease. That’s the little divot where your nostril meets your cheek. Most people look best when the piercing is placed right in that crease or just slightly above it.
If your anatomy is a bit unique—maybe you have a very narrow nose or a very flared one—the piercer might suggest one side over the other because the tissue is thinner or more supportive there. Trust them. They see thousands of noses. If they say the right side has a better "shelf" for a stud, listen.
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Making the Final Call
If you’re still stuck, try the "Fake It" test. Take a tiny bit of eyelash glue and a small rhinestone or even a tiny ball of silver foil. Stick it on the left. Wear it for an hour. Take a few photos. Then move it to the right.
Look at the photos the next day, not immediately. You’ll usually have an "oh, definitely that one" moment.
Also, consider your future goals. If you want a hoop eventually, some piercers prefer to start with a stud because they heal flatter and faster. If you want that snug, seamless hoop look, the side with the flatter nostril wall usually accommodates a smaller diameter ring better.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Piercing Day
- Check your "good side": Scroll through your camera roll. Which side do you naturally turn toward the lens? That’s your primary candidate.
- Audit your sleep: For the next two nights, pay attention to which side of your face is buried in the pillow. Choose the opposite side for the piercing.
- Consult the hair part: If you have a heavy fringe or a specific parting style, choose the side that provides the most visibility and the least "snag potential."
- Find an APP piercer: Go to the Association of Professional Piercers website and find a studio that uses implant-grade titanium. Avoid piercing guns at all costs; they cause unnecessary blunt force trauma to the cartilage.
- Prepare your aftercare: Buy a pressurized can of sterile saline (like NeilMed) beforehand. Do not use homemade salt water, tea tree oil, or harsh soaps.
Once the needle is through, keep your hands off it. The more you fiddle with which side of your nose should you pierce decisions after the fact, the more likely you are to cause a scar. Pick a side, commit, and let your body do the work.