If you want to switch up your look without spending a fortune, a nose piercing is still a great option. That said, the nose piercing price can vary quite a bit for a number of reasons.
This complete guide will help you understand which factors come into play and what kind of discounts you might be able to find. You will also see why the cheapest rates are not always the best.
Table of Contents
The factors involved in nose piercing price
Many factors can affect the cost. The points below will help you understand why the price of a nose piercing can vary so much.
The piercer's skill
Some people are simply better at their craft than others, so skill levels can vary a lot. An experienced piercer will have happy clients who are eager to tell their friends about the great experience they had. That means a bigger client base, and a higher price to match.
The piercing method
A very important point is to choose a piercer who uses a needle and not a gun. It may not sound like a big difference, but trust us, it is huge.
When you get your nose pierced, a gun is too bulky to use safely on that part of the face. Guns are also notoriously hard to sterilize and cause a lot of tissue damage. To avoid complications, never let a piercer who uses a gun near your nose. Needles, on the other hand, are gentler on the tissue, which is why they are the tool of choice for any professional piercer.
Before you agree to get pierced at a studio, ask your piercer which method they use and why. It gives you a much better sense of how clean the procedure will be. If you do not like the answer, walk out and find a better piercer.
Your piercer's popularity
Another thing that can influence the cost is popularity. Some studios are the place everyone wants to go for their nose piercing, and that demand pushes the price up.
You will have to decide whether it is worth paying more just to say you got pierced at the trendiest spot in town. If they are true artists known for excellent work, it can absolutely be worth it.
It is all about location
Your piercer's location can drive the price. A studio in a trendy part of a big city can charge more than one out in a quieter area. It is up to you which you prefer, but keep in mind that a rural studio may give you a better price while adding travel costs, so in the end the difference may be small.
Which metal do you want for your nose jewelry?
The type of jewelry you pick for your nose piercing plays a big part in the final price. If you want gems, diamonds and all sorts of extras, be ready to pay more. Gold jewelry costs a lot more than stainless steel or titanium, so if you have gold fever, you will need to be ready to spend more.
We offer a wide range of nose jewelry at very reasonable prices, including pieces with genuine Swarovski® crystals.
If you tend to have allergic reactions, titanium is a good alternative to stainless steel. Cheaper stainless steel jewelry often contains a lot of nickel, and nickel is an irritant. Luckily, titanium pieces sit in the same price range.
Watch out for extra items
If you leave the studio with a single nose piece, you will obviously pay less than if you buy several extra pieces. There is no rush, you have plenty of time to buy more jewelry later. The aftercare products the studio sells you can also add up. To save time and a few dollars, buy your aftercare products online or at another store. For the full timeline, see our guide on how long a nose piercing takes to heal.
Why the cheapest price is not always the best idea
When you are on a tight budget, every dollar counts. When it comes to a nose piercing, though, saving a few dollars can come back to bite you.
- Paying a little more can mean you are paying for quality. You want someone who knows what they are doing and has a better eye for placement. Shifting a piercing by a few millimeters can change the whole look and result.
- If you are not happy with the placement, you may have to get it redone, which costs more than paying for quality work from the start.
- Another key reason to spend a bit more is to choose a piercer who uses the best hygiene practices. A less experienced person might not understand how to properly sterilize their equipment.
Infected nose piercings can not only lengthen normal healing times, they can also cause permanent damage to the area if you do not treat them quickly. Scarring from an infection is not rare, so it is worth knowing how to prevent a nose piercing infection.
- Another reason to avoid a bargain piercer is that their low prices may come from low-quality jewelry. Poor jewelry can bend or break, and it may trigger an allergic reaction to the materials used.
- Higher-quality metals like titanium and gold cost more up front, but they last longer and are less likely to cause rejection or allergic reactions. Paying a little extra is worth it.
What is the price of a nose piercing?
In general, we have found that prices fall in a range of about $30 to $90.
That is a fairly wide range, and there is a reason for it. Not all nose piercings are equal. There are many options, and prices vary because of that.
- A nostril piercing is the most affordable. You can expect a price of about $30 to $70 for this service.
- Other types cost more, such as the bridge piercing, where you can expect to pay $50 to $95.
- The septum also costs more than a nostril, ranging from about $45 to $90.
Common discounts and deals
Piercing shops regularly offer discounts or deals that can save you money. If you do not see any offers, do not be shy, just ask. That simple question can save you money.
Buy one, get one free
If you have a friend who also wants a nose piercing, you might get a free offer. It is always worth asking whether your piercer runs this kind of deal.
A second piercing discount
Many piercers do not do their work purely for the money. They see themselves as real artists, and it can pain them to see a botched job that has closed up. This discount helps people who really want a nose piercing but had bad luck in the past.
Discounts for multiple piercings
If you want several piercings, ask your piercer about multiple-piercing discounts. You could land significant savings just by asking. If you want another piercing in the near future but have not saved enough yet, this could give you enough of a discount to do both.
Student discounts
Nose piercings are really popular with students, but full price can be hard for them to afford. Many studios in college towns offer a student discount, so it is always worth asking.
In summary: the price of a nose piercing
If you are saving up for a nose piercing and want to make sure you have enough, you can plan to spend around one hundred dollars. That should be the high end, but it is always better to overestimate than to underestimate the cost of something.
When you look for a studio, remember that you want quality over low prices. Getting too thrifty can leave you with real regrets. Start looking for a great piercer and get the piercing of your dreams.
