A high nostril piercing sits higher on your nose than a standard nostril piercing—sometimes called a high bridge or upper nostril placement. Instead of going in the natural crease where the nostril flares, it lives on the side of the nose bridge itself. The result is bold, sculptural, and photographs like nothing else. It works across different face shapes too. At Cleopatra Ink in Downtown Seattle, our piercer Seray specializes in facial placements that actually fit your anatomy and match what you're picturing.
Why High Nostril Placement Demands Precision
High nostril piercings pull off something tricky: they're subtle and striking at the same time. The jewelry sits higher and further back than a standard nostril piercing, which gives you visual interest without being immediately obvious. The placement changes depending on your nose shape too. Some people want it centered right above the crease, others angled toward the tip or bridge. That's the beauty of it—you get a personal statement piece that actually fits your face. But here's the catch: you need an artist who knows nasal anatomy inside and out. Speed means nothing. Accuracy is everything.
5 Things to Check Before Booking Your High Nostril Piercing
- Confirm your artist has high nostril-specific experience. Not every piercer does high nostrils regularly. Ask to see portfolio photos of their high nostril work. Look for consistency in placement depth, angle, and how the jewelry sits relative to the nose bridge. At Cleopatra Ink, Seray keeps a gallery of high nostril piercings across different nose shapes, so you can see how the placement actually adapts.
- Verify sterility protocols for nasal cavity contact. High nostril piercings involve working closer to your actual nasal passages. Your artist must use single-use sterile needles and never touch the inside of your nose with non-sterile tools. Ask if your piercer uses fresh gloves, sterile saline rinses, and has a clear protocol for keeping the nasal interior clean during the procedure.
- Discuss initial jewelry material and gauge. High nostril piercings heal best with implant-grade titanium or surgical steel, typically 16g or 18g. Some artists default to smaller gauges. Make sure your piercer offers 16g titanium studs or curved barbells, since these tend to heal faster and handle minor movement better than thinner jewelry.
- Ask about pain tolerance and breathing during the piercing. High nostril piercings sit closer to the septum and nasal passages, so some clients feel pressure or brief breathing changes during the procedure. A good piercer will explain this upfront and help you manage it. It's completely fair to ask whether they can work quickly and whether they offer oxygen or calming techniques.
- Understand the healing timeline for your specific placement. Standard nostril piercings heal in 4–6 weeks. High nostril piercings usually take 6–8 weeks because they're technically deeper and involve more scar tissue formation. Confirm your piercer gives you a realistic healing window and won't push you to change jewelry early.
Sterility, Skill, and Seray's High Nostril Approach at Cleopatra Ink
Seray performs high nostril piercings using hospital-grade sterile protocols for every single piercing. Your jewelry gets autoclaved. All equipment is single-use or sterilized. The workspace is disinfected between clients. Before anything happens, she marks the exact placement on your nose, shows you in a mirror, and gets your approval on the angle and depth. That step alone stops mistakes from happening and guarantees the high nostril lands exactly where you want it. A client told us recently, "Seray knew exactly where to go, and the jewelry settled perfectly the first time." That kind of precision comes from hundreds of high nostril piercings and a real focus on how anatomy works.
We stock high-quality initial jewelry made specifically for high nostril piercings: implant-grade titanium studs and curved barbells in 16g and 18g, with opals, diamonds, and minimalist designs that suit the elegant geometry of a high nostril piercing. If you lean toward a minimalist or fine-line aesthetic, a high nostril piercing fits perfectly—and Seray can recommend jewelry that matches other piercings you already have.
High Nostril Piercing Healing and Aftercare Questions
How long does a high nostril piercing actually take to heal?
Most high nostril piercings fully heal in 6–8 weeks, though some clients don't get complete internal healing until 10–12 weeks. The first 2–3 weeks bring swelling, mild drainage, and some tenderness. Leave your jewelry alone during this time. Use saline rinses twice daily—morning and evening—and try not to touch the piercing. By week 4, swelling drops off, but the piercing is still fragile. Stick it out the full 6–8 weeks before switching to different jewelry.
Can I sleep normally with a high nostril piercing?
Yeah, but avoid pressing your pierced side directly into your pillow for the first 2–3 weeks. If you sleep on your side, try your back initially or grab a travel pillow to keep your head elevated and pressure off the piercing. After the first month, gentle side-sleeping is usually fine. High nostril piercings won't mess with your breathing the way some people worry—the placement is external enough that your sleep position won't affect your airway.
What if I develop a bump or infection?
A small bump near a high nostril piercing is usually irritation, not infection. It happens from touching the piercing, using cheap jewelry, or skipping saline rinses. Bump? Increase saline soaks to 2–3 times daily and quit twisting the jewelry. If you get fever, yellow or green discharge, or serious swelling inside your nostril, contact your piercer or a doctor right away. It's rare with proper aftercare, but you should know the warning signs. Seray hands out detailed aftercare sheets with every piercing and takes follow-up questions via phone or email during healing.
When can I change my high nostril jewelry?
Wait at least 6–8 weeks before swapping jewelry, and when you do, stick with implant-grade titanium or high-karat gold to skip irritation. High nostril piercings don't play well with cheap metals, so grab quality pieces even if you change often. Want to explore designs while healing? Ask your piercer about jewelry swaps or come in for a professional change. Sometimes professional help makes the difference between smooth healing and weeks of aggravation.
Ready to get a high nostril piercing that actually fits your face and style? Seray at Cleopatra Ink will place it with precision and care. Book a consultation today, or check out our piercing gallery to see high nostril work in real life. You can also read more about traditional nostril piercing options to compare placement styles.
Check out more guides from the team on the Cleopatra Ink Seattle blog.