Piercings are becoming increasingly common in the workplace but are still controversial in some professions. Teachers are role models, expected to present themselves in a certain way. If you are a teacher and wondering if a nose piercing is acceptable at work, keep reading to find out.
Elementary school teachers can have nose piercings as there is no specific law banning them from doing so. However, each school has its own rules in terms of dress code. Some elementary schools have no issues with nose piercings, while others forbid facial piercings of all kinds.
Piercings are a symbol of personal style — we use our clothing, hair, and makeup to show a part of who we are. They can also be used as a means of self-expression, and a teacher sporting one can normalize the style for students, encouraging more freedom of choice. Read on to learn more about nose piercings in a school environment and how to hide a nose piercing when necessary.
How To Find Out if Your School Allows Piercings
Some schools have more traditional environments. The faculty or parents may view certain types of dress, tattoos, and piercings as a distraction. If the students aren’t allowed to have a nose piercing, it may seem hypocritical for a teacher to wear one.
Before sporting a nose piercing, it is advisable to do your due diligence and look into your school’s regulations. Most schools are fine with ear piercings and covered tattoos. However, exposed tattoos or facial piercings on the eyebrows, lips, or nose are slightly more controversial.
School superiors might not tell you their policies on piercings when getting hired. However, there are ways to find out if your specific school allows them such as:
- Reading the handbook
- Asking a superior
- Observing other staff choices
Let’s explore each of these strategies further.
Read the School Handbook
It is standard for educational institutes to have a school handbook. These handbooks outline the rules for that particular school, including its dress code. Regulations regarding tattoos and piercings should be stated within the dress code section.
Some handbooks may directly state which types of piercings are allowed or not allowed. Others tend to use vague language discouraging facial piercings without outright banning them.
If something is discouraged, it may be seen as rebellious or unprofessional to go ahead and wear it. Everyone has different opinions, so this is a factor to weigh in when deciding if a nose piercing is worth it to you.
Ask a School Official
When in doubt, asking a school official is an excellent way to go. A trusted superior or school official should know whether or not nose piercings are allowed at your school.
Many people take the route of ‘asking for forgiveness rather than permission.’ If you do not know the rules and decide to get a nose piercing, you might be okay as there may be no repercussions. However, if it is, in fact, against the regulations, you may be required to remove it.
Observe Whether Other Teachers Sport Piercings
Some people are a bit nervous or shy to ask their colleagues or superiors if nose piercings are allowed. They might feel judged or worry about the response.
If you do not feel comfortable asking, look around to see whether other staff members have piercings. Chances are, if others have one, then it shouldn’t be an issue for you to get one as well.
How To Hide a Nose Piercing
There are several reasons why a teacher might want to hide a nose piercing at school. It might not be allowed, or they may not want to draw attention to themselves. Also, you may already have a nose piercing or decide to get one regardless of your school’s rules.
Regardless of the reason, there are a few ways to hide a nose piercing:
- If the nose piercing is a stud, you can cover it up with the right colored tape and makeup.
- For nose or septum rings, flip the ring up or opt for clear jewelry to minimize its appearance.
Cover It Up With Skin-Colored Tape and Makeup
One way to hide a nose piercing is with skin-colored tape and makeup. This is best done when the piercing is a stud. To hide your nose piercing, take the following steps:
- Try to find tape or a sticky bandage as close as possible to your skin color.
- Cut a small piece of the tape or bandage material — just large enough to cover the jewelry.
- Place the tape directly over the stud, then use makeup such as concealer or foundation of the same tone.
- Brush over the bandage area, to help blend and conceal the nose piercing further.
This YouTube video provides step-by-step instructions on how to hide your nose stud with this method.
Wear Clear Jewelry or a Retainer To Minimize Noticeability
Clear jewelry, often referred to as a retainer can minimize the appearance of a piercing. While clear jewelry may not hide a nose piercing completely, it will draw less attention than metal. From a certain distance, it might not be noticeable at all.
A retainer is typically made of bioplast, a durable, flexible plastic made from renewable sources. It is also highly compatible with human tissue and heals pretty well, especially if it is a new piercing or you have a minor infection.
Retainers can be an excellent way to keep your nose or septum ring without going to the extra trouble of covering it up or hiding it daily.
Flip Your Septum Ring Up Into Your Nose
Septum rings are piercings that go through the bottom of the center portion of your nose. They usually hang between your nostrils with an open part of the ring exposed on the bottom.
If your nose piercing is a septum ring, it can be easy to keep out of sight. Simply flip up the ring and it will remain hidden in the interior nose cavity.
Conclusion
The law does not forbid elementary school teachers from having nose piercings. This issue depends on individual school policies. The only way to find out is to do your research by looking up the school’s dress code and regulations. When necessary, it is possible to hide or minimize the appearance of a nose piercing with tape or a piercing retainer.
Sources
- American Civil Liberties Union: 5 Things Public Schools Can and Can’t Do When It Comes to Dress Codes
- BodyCandy: Understanding Bioplast & Piercing Retainers
- Wikipedia: Bioplastic
- Education Resources Information Center: Teacher Candidate Fashion, Tattoos, and Piercings: Finding Balance and Common Sense
- FreshTrends: 4 Ways To Hide Your Nose Piercings at Work
