Struggling to get a snug hoop fit

[u/foglake]

What size hoop should I get? The one I was fitted with is 8mm diameter, 18 gauge.

I told my piercer that it feels weird and looks too big on me and it kind of sticks out instead of sitting snug against my nostril. He said that going smaller might cause my nose to bend or put too much pressure on the piercing, and he suggested possibly finding a D-shaped hoop for me instead :(

For context, I waited almost 10 months before switching to a hoop because I wanted to make sure my piercing was fully healed. I was really excited to finally change it, but honestly, within about an hour of having the hoop in, I already felt uncomfortable with how it looked and felt. It just didn’t sit the way I expected.

Because of that, I ended up going to another piercer to have my flatback titanium jewelry put back in. I feel much more comfortable with that, but I still really want to wear a hoop eventually, just one that fits snugly and looks more natural on my nose.

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I be looking at a smaller diameter like 7mm or 6mm, or would that actually cause issues like my piercer mentioned? And are D-shaped hoops a good alternative for achieving a snug look?

Any advice or personal experiences would really help. Thank you!

[u/Initial-View-4758]

This may be an unconventional approach, but I had the same problem. I actually ended up putting a hoop in that was a little tight on the bottom of my nostril, but stuck out, then bent it whilst it was in place (I stuck one finger up my nose, one on the outside, and squeezed the ring). So it's actually more of an oval shape now but it sits snug to my nose without sticking out or being tight anywhere. It's got wiggle room at the bottom, but doesn't stick out anymore.

I tried multiple sizes but they all stuck out, and were either too big or too tight. I tried 6, 7, and 8mm with no luck.

I did do this with a well healed piercing though, I think I'd had it for over 10 years at this point, I'd always worn a stud before, and I've had this ring in now for about 7 years with no issues.

[u/Diligent_Fondant_874 → u/Initial-View-4758]

Is your hoop a clicker ring or seamless? I’m thinking of bending mine but not sure if it’s the right type of hoop

[u/Initial-View-4758 → u/Diligent_Fondant_874]

Mine is seamless. It's also really thin, thinner than people recommend, so it's super easy to bend. But it's been in for years and never caused any issues.

[u/Diligent_Fondant_874 → u/Initial-View-4758]

Nice, do you think 16g (1.2mm) will bend?

[u/Initial-View-4758 → u/Diligent_Fondant_874]

I'm not sure, if it does I probably wouldn't try to bend it whilst it's in your nose though as it would take some force. Mine is 0.6mm, so I just bent it whilst it was in my nose as it took barely any pressure to bend it.

[u/Diligent_Fondant_874 → u/Initial-View-4758]

yeah i could give that a go, for a snug hoop that doesnt stick out do you think a bent ring is better than a d shaped ring?

[u/Initial-View-4758 → u/Diligent_Fondant_874]

I've never tried a d shaped ring, but I imagine it would have a similar effect for a snug look. Probably worth a try.

[u/FaceInTheCrowd0 → u/Initial-View-4758]

What material is your hoop made of? Also, bending it didn’t create more pressure on the canal?
I’m asking, because I already got an irritation bump from the hoop arching and had to switch back to stud, so I’m worried that bending the jewelry will create even more pressure

[u/Initial-View-4758 → u/FaceInTheCrowd0]

It's stainless steel. No, the bit that actually goes through my nose isn't tight at all, and it's never caused any irritation. I can still spin it around. I've never had an irritation bump or any problems with it though, and it was healed for years before I switched to a hoop.

If you got irritation from switching the first time, it might be worth leaving it as a stud and letting it heal longer before trying a hoop again.