Last updated: 17 September 2026
Putting in a nose stud or nose ring is usually straightforward once you know how your particular fastening works. Clean your hands and jewellery first, line the jewellery up with the existing piercing and guide it through gently — if you have to force it, stop rather than pushing harder.
Quick answer: how to put a nose piercing in
- Wash and dry your hands, then clean the jewellery and piercing area.
- Check that the gauge of the new jewellery matches the thickness you normally wear.
- Find the piercing opening and gently insert the end of the stud or ring from the outside.
- Follow the natural angle of the piercing rather than pushing straight through against resistance.
- Secure the fastening, then check that the jewellery feels comfortable inside your nostril.
Jump to: Before you start | Putting in a nose stud | Putting in a nose ring | Getting it back in | Taking it out | Easiest nose stud | FAQs
Before you put your nose jewellery in
Start with clean hands. Clean the jewellery and the area around your piercing, using saline where needed. Our nose piercing cleaning guide explains the basics in more detail.
Check the gauge of your jewellery too. Gauge means the thickness of the pin or wire. A higher gauge number means a thinner pin: 18Ga is 1.02mm, 20Ga is 0.81mm, 22Ga is 0.64mm and 24Ga is 0.51mm. Every jewellerybox product page lists the gauge.
If the piercing is new, don't rush to change the jewellery your piercer fitted. We recommend leaving a nose piercing for at least 8–10 weeks before changing it, and longer is better because nose piercings can be slow to heal. See our guide to when you can change a piercing.
Once the piercing has healed, both sterling silver and 9ct gold are good choices. If you know your skin reacts to particular metals, our guide to jewellery, sensitive skin and piercings may also help.
How to put in a nose stud
The right technique depends on the fastening. A straight ball-end stud goes in differently from an L-shaped stud or nose screw, so first check which type you have.
How to put in an L-shaped nose stud
L-shaped nose studs have a straight section followed by a bend that sits inside your nostril. They're easy to handle and are our most popular fastening.
- Hold the decorative end and place the straight tip into the piercing from the outside.
- Gently push the straight section through.
- When you reach the bend, slightly change the angle of the stud so the bent section can follow the piercing.
- Continue gently until the decorative part sits against the outside of your nose and the L-shaped end rests inside your nostril.
Don't try to force the bend straight through. Following its shape is much easier and more comfortable.
How to put in a nose screw
Nose screws, sometimes called corkscrew nose studs, have a curved or spiral-shaped pin designed to sit securely inside the nostril.
- Insert the tip of the screw into the piercing from the outside.
- Push very gently until you reach the curved part.
- Turn the stud while following the curve of the pin through the piercing.
- Keep following the shape until the decorative end sits neatly against your nose.
Think of it as guiding the curve through rather than actually screwing it tightly into your nose.
How to put in a ball-end nose stud
Ball-end nose studs, sometimes called nose bones, are straight pins with a small ball at the inside end.
- Place the small ball against the piercing opening from the outside.
- Keep the stud aligned with the angle of your piercing.
- Apply gentle, steady pressure until the ball passes through.
- Push the straight pin through until the decorative top sits in position.
The small ball creates the friction fit that helps keep the stud in place. Because it has to pass through the piercing when you insert and remove it, this style is best suited to a well-established piercing. Some straight nose studs have a plain pin end with no ball; these push in and pull out the same way.
How to put in an Andralok nose stud
Andralok nose studs use a small locking lever rather than a bend, ball or screw.
- Make sure the lever is open.
- Slide the pin through the piercing from the outside.
- Once the pin is through, press the lever into place inside your nostril.
- Check that it has clicked shut and feels secure.
Andraloks are slightly thicker than the average nose stud, so they're designed for well-healed piercings. Take extra care if your piercing hole is on the smaller side. You can read more in our guide to how Andralok nose studs work.
How to put in a nose ring
With a nose ring, the important bit is identifying how the hoop opens. jewellerybox nose rings range from 16Ga to 24Ga and are mostly between 7mm and 12mm in diameter, so check both the gauge and diameter before changing yours.
Open nose hoops and ball-end open hoops
Open hoops have a small gap between the ends. To open one, twist the two ends sideways in opposite directions. Do not pull the hoop outwards into a wider circle, as that changes its shape.
- Twist the ends sideways just enough to create room for insertion.
- Feed one end through the piercing and gently rotate the hoop through.
- Once it is in place, twist the ends sideways back towards their original position.
Ball closure rings and captive bead rings
A ball closure ring, or BCR, uses a removable ball held between the two ends of the hoop. With the ball removed, guide one end of the ring through the piercing and rotate the hoop into position. Replace the ball between the ends to close it.
Segment hoops
A segment hoop has a removable section that completes the circle. Remove the segment, guide the open hoop through your piercing and then refit the segment once the ring is in position.
Hinged and clicker nose rings
A hinged or clicker ring has a section that swings open. Open the hinge, feed the thin part of the ring through your piercing, rotate it into place and press the hinged section closed until it clicks.
Spring coil nose rings
On a spring coil nose ring, the small coil is the fastening: the end of the wire tucks into it to close the hoop. Gently pull the wire end out of the coil, feed it through your piercing and rotate the ring into position, then pop the end back into the coil.
Septum cheaters and clip-on fake nose rings don't need a piercing at all: they sit on or clip around the nose instead. Our sterling silver septum cheater, for example, has two fixed balls that gently hug the septum.
How to get your nose stud or nose ring back in
If your nose stud has fallen out and now refuses to go back in, don't panic — we've all been there. The main thing is not to force it.
- Wash your hands and clean the jewellery and piercing area first.
- Relax the skin. Trying again after a warm shower can make the process easier.
- Find the piercing opening from the outside and insert the jewellery slowly.
- Follow the existing angle of the piercing rather than pushing directly inwards.
- If you're struggling with a thicker or more complicated fastening, a thinner gauge or an L-shaped stud can sometimes be easier to guide through.
Piercings can begin to close quickly, especially when they're newer. Sometimes the opening is still visible outside while the channel inside has already started to tighten.
If the jewellery hurts, causes bleeding or simply won't go through, stop. A professional piercer can check the piercing and, where appropriate, reopen the channel safely with a taper rather than you forcing jewellery through it yourself.
If you have signs of infection, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than repeatedly trying to change the jewellery.
How to take out a nose stud or nose ring
L-shaped stud: gently pull the straight section out until you reach the bend, then change the angle and follow the L-shape back through the piercing.
Nose screw: gently turn the stud while following the curve back out of the piercing.
Ball-end stud: pull the stud out gently and steadily so the small retaining ball passes back through the piercing.
Andralok: use a fingernail inside your nostril to press the lever down and release it, then push the stud back out through the piercing.
Open hoop: twist the ends apart sideways, then rotate the open end back through the piercing. Don't pull the hoop outwards.
Ball closure or segment ring: open or remove the closing section, then rotate the open part of the ring through the piercing.
Hinged or clicker ring: open the hinged section, then rotate the ring out through the piercing.
Spring coil ring: gently pull the wire end out of the coil, then rotate the ring out through the piercing.
Which nose stud is easiest to put in?
If this is your first time changing your own jewellery, simpler fastenings are usually easier to get the hang of. Here's the short version; our guide to nose stud styles explains each type in more detail.
| Type | How it stays in | Ease of putting in | Security | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball end | Small ball creates a friction fit | Easiest to push in and out | Less secure than locking or curved styles | Well-established piercings |
| L-shaped | Bent end hooks inside the nostril | Easy | Secure for everyday wear | First-timers |
| Nose screw | Curved pin sits inside the nostril | A little fiddlier | More secure | Anyone happy following a curved fastening |
| Andralok | Internal lever clicks shut | Easy once familiar, but thicker | Most secure | Well-healed piercings |
Frequently asked questions
What gauge nose stud do I need?
Use the same gauge as the jewellery your piercing currently accommodates. Nose stud gauge refers to the thickness of the pin, not the size of the decorative top. jewellerybox nose jewellery ranges from 16Ga to 25Ga, and every product page lists the measurement.
Why won't my nose stud go back in?
The angle may be slightly different from the direction you're pushing, or the piercing may have begun to tighten while the jewellery was out. Clean the area, go slowly and follow the existing piercing angle. If it hurts, bleeds or won't pass through, stop and see a piercer.
Why won't my nose ring go through?
Check that the ring is the same gauge as the jewellery you normally wear. You also need to rotate a curved hoop through the piercing rather than trying to push the whole ring straight through.
Do I put a nose stud in from the inside or outside?
The nose stud types covered here — L-shaped studs, nose screws, ball ends and Andraloks — are inserted from the outside of your nostril. With rings, you normally feed an open end through the piercing and rotate the hoop into place.
Which nostril should I put a nose stud in?
For changing jewellery, simply use whichever nostril is already pierced. The insertion method is the same on either side.
How do I know my nose stud is in properly?
The decorative part should sit comfortably on the outside of your nose, while the fastening sits inside the nostril without feeling awkward. If it feels uncomfortable, don't force it into position: take it out carefully and try again.
Ready for a change? Browse our nose studs and nose rings in sterling silver and 9ct gold.