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High Nostril Piercing

A high nostril piercing sits higher on the nose than a standard nostril piercing — above the crease where the nostril meets the face, in the thicker cartilage of the nasal bridge area. It is a subtle distinction with real implications for how the piercing is placed, how it heals, and what jewelry works on it.

Because it sits in cartilage rather than softer nasal tissue, placement has to be precise. The angle, the depth, and the jewelry all matter more here than people expect. And not every nose has the anatomy to support it comfortably.

At Stacked, we assess your anatomy before anything is marked. If a high nostril makes sense for your nose, we will design the placement around what your cartilage can actually support. If it does not, we will tell you honestly and talk through what will work better. The goal is always a piercing that heals well and lives comfortably on your face, not just one that looks right on day one.

Why Stacked Piercing?

Why a high nostril piercing at Stacked?

Because cartilage placement done well is not something you rush.

A high nostril is a precise piercing in an unforgiving location. We take time with the anatomy assessment, guide you through jewelry that is hypoallergenic and designed for healing, and place everything with long-term comfort in mind. The six-week check-in is built into the process because we stay with you through healing — not just through the appointment. That is what The Stacked Method™ is built around.

Why Placement Matters More Here

A high nostril piercing sits in a part of the face with less tissue to work with and more variables to account for — cartilage density, nasal shape, the position of any existing piercings, and how jewelry will sit against the skin over time. A placement that is off by a few millimeters, or jewelry that is not sized correctly, can make healing significantly harder.

This is not a piercing where close enough is good enough. Precision here is what separates a piercing that becomes part of you from one that never quite settles.

Cost + Age Requirements

High Nostril Piercing Fee: $70

Age Requirement: 18+

Appointment Length: 30 Minutes

Upon booking your appointment, the piercing fee is due in full.

The piercing fee does not include the cost of jewelry.

We have options across a range, from just getting started to more elevated pieces. You can browse a few options in our Lookbook.

We pierce high nostrils with 18g ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium. Initial jewelry is typically a flat back post with a threadless push-pin top, with initial post length falling around 5/16″ (8mm) depending on your tissue and any swelling.

Flat back posts are the standard for high nostril piercings because they sit flush against the skin, reducing irritation and movement during healing. Threadless push-pin tops are secure, low-profile, and easy to change once the piercing is fully healed.

As with all our piercings, initial jewelry is chosen for fit and healing first. Style comes into the conversation too — but a piece that looks beautiful and heals poorly is not a success.

High Nostril Piercing Process

High Nostril Piercing Process

We begin by looking closely at your nose — the shape of the cartilage, the placement of any existing piercings, and what the anatomy can comfortably support at that height. High nostril piercings require a more precise assessment than a standard nostril because the tissue is less forgiving and the margin for a well-placed result is narrower.

Once placement is marked and approved, the piercing is done with a needle. A receiving tube may be used to guide the needle and protect surrounding tissue. Jewelry is guided into place carefully. No rushed decisions. Just precise placement and a calm, supported experience from start to finish.

Standard Nostril vs. High Nostril

A standard nostril piercing sits lower on the nose, in the softer tissue at the curve of the nostril. A high nostril piercing sits above that — further up the nose, in the cartilage that makes up the bridge of the nasal wall.

That shift in location changes everything: the tissue is firmer, healing takes longer, and the jewelry options are different. High nostril piercings are most commonly worn with flat back posts or threadless push-pin tops, which sit flush against the skin and work with the anatomy of that area rather than against it.

They are often worn in pairs, with one on each side, but a single high nostril placement can be just as intentional. The right approach depends on your anatomy and the look you are building.

Spa-like environment

Expert, state-licensed piercing professionals

Support for proper healing

14k solid gold + implant grade titanium

Need to cancel?

We get it, life happens. If you cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment, your piercing fee will be refunded in full.

Questions? Give us a call or email us at 815-782-2533 support@stackedpiercing.com.

High Nostril Piercing

$70.00

High Nostril Piercing Information

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Pain Level 5–7/10

Cartilage piercings are generally felt more than soft tissue piercings. The higher position on the nose means the needle passes through thicker cartilage, and most clients notice a sharper initial sensation than with a standard nostril. That said, the moment itself is brief. What comes after is manageable.

 
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High Nostril Piercing Healing Timeline

Healing Time: 6-12 months

Because high nostril piercings sit in cartilage, they heal on a slower, less predictable timeline than softer tissue piercings. Six months is a reasonable minimum, but full healing — the kind where the tissue has truly settled and stabilized — can take closer to a year or beyond.

Cartilage healing is not linear. It can look and feel calm for weeks, then flare with irritation in response to pressure, jewelry movement, or something as simple as sleeping on that side. We build realistic expectations from the beginning so that when healing takes time, you know that is normal, not a sign that something is wrong.

 
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Downsizing

Downsizing is a standard part of healing a high nostril piercing. Initial jewelry is sized with extra length to accommodate swelling, but once that settles, excess post length creates unnecessary movement and can slow or disrupt the healing process.

A piercing begins in the studio, but the healing happens with you. We require a six-week check-up for every client, so we can take a look at how things are healing, talk through any questions, and offer guidance.

Because cartilage healing varies, the timing and need for any additional adjustments depends on how your body is responding. We will guide that with you rather than following a fixed schedule.

 

Piercing Aftercare

What to do, what to look out for, and when to contact us.

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Keep It Simple

  • Wash your hands before touching it
  • Clean with sterile saline while healing
  • Dry gently with clean disposable products
  • Do not twist, spin, or rotate the jewelry
  • Avoid sleeping on that side
  • Avoid pressure from headphones, helmets, hats, or phones when possible
  • Don’t change the jewelry early
  • Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or harsh cleansers
  • Our bodies heal the piercings; saline just keeps it clean. Anything else can be irritating since it’s an open wound

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Normal Healing Signs

During healing, it’s normal to have:

  • Mild swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Some crusting
  • Occasional redness after being bumped or cleaned
  • A piercing that feels fine one day and slightly irritated the next

APP guidance notes that some bleeding, swelling, tenderness, bruising, itching, and whitish-yellow discharge that dries into crust can all be part of normal healing.

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When to check in

Reach out if you have:

  • Increasing pain instead of gradual improvement
  • Significant swelling that doesn’t settle
  • Jewelry that feels too tight
  • Embedding concerns
  • Heat, spreading redness, or discharge that seems unusual
  • A bump that keeps getting worse

Cancellations

If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, your deposit will be kept and treated as the cancellation fee. If you cancel before the 24 hour window, your piercing fee will be refunded in full.

Rescheduling

Need to move your appointment? You can reschedule without a fee as long as it’s more than 24 hours in advance. There will be a link to reschedule in your appointment confirmation email.

Late Arrivals + Documentation

Arriving more than 5 minutes late or not having the required documentation will be treated as a cancellation, and your deposit will be retained. If you’re running late, call us 815-782-2533 — if availability allows, we may be able to move you to a later time.