Nose piercings are one of the most popular forms of body modification, as they can enhance the beauty and personality of the wearer. There are many types of nose piercings, such as nostril, septum, bridge, and high nostril, but one of the most uncommon and daring ones is the nasallang piercing. This piercing involves passing a single bar through both nostrils and the septum, creating the illusion of three separate piercings. It is a striking and impressive piercing that requires skill, courage, and commitment. If you are curious about this piercing and want to know more about it, read on to find out its history, procedure, pain level, healing time, jewelry options, and risks.
The History of Nasallang Piercing
The nasallang piercing is not a new invention, but rather a traditional practice that has been around for centuries. It originated from India, where it is known as the “mookkuthi” or “nathori”, meaning “nose ring”. It is also common in some tribes in the Philippines, such as the Kalinga and the Bontoc, where it is called “sang-sang” or “sak-sak”. The nasallang piercing was a symbol of bravery, strength, and status for these cultures, and was usually worn by men. However, nowadays, anyone can get a nasallang piercing regardless of their gender or background.
The Procedure of Nasallang Piercing
The nasallang piercing is not a simple or easy procedure. It requires a lot of precision, experience, and patience from both the piercer and the client. The piercer will first mark the entry and exit points on both nostrils and the septum with a pen. Then, they will use a clamp to hold the nose in place and align the marks. Next, they will insert a long needle through all three points in one swift motion, followed by a straight barbell or a curved barbell. The jewelry should be long enough to accommodate any swelling and movement during the healing process.
The nasallang piercing can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on the skill of the piercer and the anatomy of the client. It is important to choose a reputable and professional piercer who has experience with this type of piercing, as it can be very risky if done incorrectly.
The Pain Level of Nasallang Piercing
The pain level of nasallang piercing is subjective and varies from person to person. However, most people agree that it is one of the most painful piercings you can get, as it involves piercing through three layers of cartilage and tissue at once. Some people describe it as a sharp and intense pain that lasts for a few seconds, while others say it feels like a burning or throbbing sensation that lingers for a while. The pain can also be affected by factors such as your pain tolerance, your mood, your health condition, and your expectations.
The pain level of nasallang piercing is usually rated as 8 out of 10 on average. However, some people may find it more or less painful depending on their personal experience. The good news is that the pain will subside gradually after the piercing is done, and you can use ice packs, painkillers, or anti-inflammatory drugs to ease it.
The Healing Time of Nasallang Piercing
The healing time of nasallang piercing is also subjective and varies from person to person. However, most people agree that it is one of the longest healing piercings you can get, as it involves three different areas that need to heal separately. The healing time can range from 6 months to 2 years or more, depending on factors such as your aftercare routine, your immune system, your lifestyle habits, and your jewelry choice.
The healing time of nasallang piercing can be divided into two stages: the initial healing stage and the full healing stage. The initial healing stage lasts for about 2 to 3 months, during which you will experience some swelling, redness, bleeding, crustiness, soreness, and discharge around the piercing site. You will need to clean the piercing twice a day with saline solution or antibacterial soap and water, avoid touching or twisting the jewelry, avoid swimming or submerging the piercing in water, avoid smoking or drinking alcohol, avoid spicy or acidic foods, avoid makeup or cosmetics around the nose, and sleep on your back or side with a clean pillowcase.
The full healing stage lasts for about 4 to 18 months or more, during which you will notice less swelling, redness, bleeding, crustiness, soreness, and discharge around the piercing site. You will still need to clean the piercing once a day with saline solution or antibacterial soap and water, avoid touching or twisting the jewelry, avoid swimming or submerging the piercing in water, avoid smoking or drinking alcohol, avoid spicy or acidic foods, avoid makeup or cosmetics around the nose, and sleep on your back or side with a clean pillowcase. You will also need to visit your piercer regularly to check the healing progress and adjust the jewelry size if needed.
The Jewelry Options for Nasallang Piercing
The jewelry options for nasallang piercing are limited, as you can only wear straight or curved barbells that can go through all three points. The jewelry should be made of high-quality materials, such as titanium, surgical steel, gold, or bioplast, to avoid infections, allergies, or rejections. The jewelry should also be long enough to accommodate any swelling and movement during the healing process, but not too long to cause irritation or snagging. The jewelry size should be 14 gauge or 16 gauge, depending on your preference and anatomy.
The jewelry options for nasallang piercing can be customized with different colors, designs, and decorations, such as balls, spikes, gems, or charms. You can also mix and match different jewelry styles for each point, such as a ball on one side, a spike on the other side, and a gem on the septum. However, you should always consult your piercer before changing your jewelry, as it can affect the healing process and cause complications.
The Risks of Nasallang Piercing
The risks of nasallang piercing are higher than other types of nose piercings, as it involves three different areas that can get infected, rejected, or damaged. Some of the common risks are:
- Infection: This is the most common risk of any piercing, especially if you don’t follow proper aftercare instructions or use poor-quality jewelry. Infection can cause symptoms such as pus, fever, swelling, pain, redness, and odor around the piercing site. If left untreated, infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious complications. To prevent infection, you should always keep the piercing clean and dry, use sterile equipment and jewelry, and seek medical attention if you notice any signs of infection.
- Rejection: This is when your body rejects the foreign object (the jewelry) and pushes it out of the skin. Rejection can cause symptoms such as itching, irritation, inflammation, migration, thinning of the skin, and scarring around the piercing site. Rejection can be caused by factors such as poor-quality jewelry, improper placement, trauma, allergy, or immune system response. To prevent rejection, you should always use high-quality jewelry that suits your anatomy and skin type, avoid touching or twisting the jewelry, avoid trauma or pressure on the piercing site, and remove the jewelry if you notice any signs of rejection.
- Damage: This is when your piercing causes damage to your nose structure or function. Damage can cause symptoms such as bleeding, bruising, numbness, loss of sensation, difficulty breathing, nasal deformity, or septal perforation (a hole in the septum). Damage can be caused by factors such as improper placement, excessive force, trauma, or infection. To prevent damage, you should always choose a reputable and professional piercer who has experience with this type of piercing, avoid excessive force or trauma on the piercing site, and seek medical attention if you notice any signs of damage.
Conclusion
Nasallang piercing is a unique and bold way to adorn your nose, but it is not for everyone. It is a complex and painful procedure that requires skill, courage, and commitment. It is also a long and difficult healing process that requires care, patience, and hygiene. It is also a risky piercing that can cause infection, rejection, or damage to your nose. However, if you are willing to take these challenges and risks, nasallang piercing can be a rewarding and impressive piercing that can enhance your beauty and personality. It can also be a way to express your individuality and creativity with different jewelry options. If you are interested in getting a nasallang piercing, you should do your research, find a reputable and professional piercer, and follow proper aftercare instructions. You should also be prepared for the pain, the healing time, and the potential complications that may arise. Nasallang piercing is not a simple or easy piercing, but it is definitely a unique and bold one.
