Nose piercing is a custom which was prevalent in the Middle East and then taken to India by the Mughals in the 16th century. In the 1960s when the hippies made their way back from India, they brought back with them the custom of nose piercing more as a sign of rebellion against society than anything else.

There are three types of nose piercings: nostril piercing, nasal septum piercing and bridge piercing. In India, the nostril is usually pierced on the left side because, according to ayurveda, this helps eith easy childbirth and relieves pains during menstruation. Now, more and more people in the West want to experiment with piercing and nose piercing has become very trendy.

Nostril piercing is done by passing a needle through the tissue and replacing it with a piece of jewelry -- either a stud or a nose ring. Studs usually have a screw behind then to keep them in place. Septum piercing, though not as common, can be performed by puncturing the tissue inside of the nose, on the septum. Common jewelry for this sort of piercing includes rings, barbells, tusks or spikes. Most rare of all kinds of nose piercing is the bridge piercing, where the jewelry worn is usually barbells.

While selecting the jewelry for nose piercing, it is always better to keep the location of the piercing in mind and to select the jewelry which will fit well. Jewelry made of 14 or 18 carat gold, surgical steel, niobium or titanium is the best in the beginning while sterling silver jewelry is only advisable after the piercing has healed.

Nose piercing should never be performed by a piercing gun as it traumatizes the tissue and can cause infections like HIV. Utmost care has to be taken while the piercing is healing, which could take up to12 months. Never touch the piercing with dirty hands, keep it clean it with an antibacterial soap, and do not try to remove your jewelry before the piercing is healed unless absolutely necessary. These steps will help to safeguard a nose piercing from any dangers.