Bridge piercings are a type of nose piercing that is done in the area between the eyebrows.
Bridge piercings are also known as eyebrow piercings. These piercings are usually done with a needle and a thread. The procedure is not as painful as other types of piercings because it is done on the skin that has already been pierced before.
There are only two ways to get a bridge piercing: you can either go to an experienced professional or you can do it yourself at home.
Bridge piercings are another type of facial piercing also known as “Erl or Earl Piercing” after its first recipient, Erl van Aken. Pierced through the skin on the bridge of the nose, directly between the eyes. Piercing a nose bridge is riskier because it is surface piercing, which means that it is carried out on a flat surface and does not have the skin to hold a piercing, like an earlobe or the tongue would have.
Surface piercing is much more complicated as compared to normal piercing, and the chances of rejection are very high. A bridge piercing is quite complex, and a properly done piercing should last up to a few months to several years.
What is a bridge piercing?
Bridge piercing is the same as any other piercing except that it is placed through the skin on the bridge of your nose. Usually, a small rod shaped like a barbell is used as a pierce.
This type involves the skin on the bridge of the nose and is also known as the “Erl” piercing, named after its first recipient, Erl van Aken. The procedure is usually done with the help of straight barbells- a piece of jewelry consists of a straight bar with a small head on each head. There are also curved-shaped barbells, but the straight ones are most preferred for bridge piercing.
Can I get a bridge piercing?
To get your bridge piercing done, you need to make an appointment at a piercing parlor and make sure that you are getting the service of a trained professional.
Take some time to look at the photo albums in the shop so you will have a better idea of how you would look like after the procedure is finished.
The different types of jewelry that can be used for bridge piercings
The next thing to do is to choose a piece of jewelry to wear with your bridge piercing.
Barbells are the most common type used in this kind of piercing, and you can choose from both straight and curved shapes. Your piercer can give excellent advice on the right one for you as they will base their decision on the amount of skin you have on the bridge of your nose.
How is bridge piercing done?
If all is set, then you are ready to prepare yourself for the session. The piercer may use the forceps to accurately hold the flap of the skin, or he or she may simply use his or her fingers to hold the skin in place.
The procedure only takes a minute or two to complete and is generally not painful while being performed.
You need to have this procedure done by professionals. The piercer will use a hook or needle to pierce the skin to make a hole through which the jewelry is inserted.
While the piercing is being performed, the flap of the skin on the bridge of the nose is held with the help of either a forceps or skin clamp.
Not everyone who wishes to have a bridge piercing is compatible with the process since there are people who don’t have enough free skin on their bridges.
Piercers don’t recommend the procedure to that group since irritation is more likely to occur.
Pain and healing time
Healing time for bridge piercing may take 8-12 weeks, but you should stop feeling any pain and discomfort after one week.
Bridge piercing has become a phenomenon more and more people want to have this piece of earring somewhere between their nose and almost beside their eyes.
It’s cool, it’s hip, and it’s unique. Bridge piercing is basically a surface piercing, and since it is, the healing process usually takes more time compared with the other types of body or nose piercing.
How painful is a bridge piercing?
Given the circumstances, this procedure can become very painful and may not be compatible with anybody’s face as one needs to have enough loose skin on the bridge of your nose to get this type of piercing; otherwise, the bridge piercing may grow out. This can be very painful because of the scrapping that will happen against the bone and the cartilage in your nose.
This procedure is not advisable for people who are constantly wearing eyeglasses because the bridge of the glass may rubbed-up against the piercing, which will cause irritation or, worst, infection.
When you decide that it is time for the bridge piercing, make sure that your contact lens is ready and make sure to contact the right person to do the job.
Risks and side effects
Like with any other type of procedure, no matter how simple or complicated, risk factors are always involved. For bridge piercing, since this one is a minor piercing, it only carries fewer risks.
There is really nothing big about the risks except that when irritation happens, rejection and the likelihood of getting pierced migration are at stake.
There will be times when the skin will reject the jewelry, and there will also be times when the piercing needs to be removed from its original location.
Some skin types are allergic to jewelry that contains nickel, while some can have allergic reactions even to gold jewelry. The pressure exerted by the jewelry might increase the chance of migration, so it is recommended to use a D-ring piece sometimes (depending on the elasticity of the skin).
Where should a bridge piercing be placed?
The most common areas for this type of piercing are between the sides of the nose or on the side of the face, etc. Usually, surface piercing requires the person to have additional skin on the area to be pierced and can be quite painful when compared to other forms of piercing, ear, lip, etc.
If you’re wearing spectacles, you may want to avoid heading in for this form of piercing. As it is, the spectacles rub against the nose bridge, and any piercing on that particular area will only serve to irritate the skin further.
Make sure you do the required online research before opting for this form of piercing. And double-check with your physician to ensure that you’ve no infection to worry about.
Self-expression or deeper meaning to it?
Bridge piercing is considered an act of self-expression. To others, they want to have this done to join the bandwagon, but there are some deeper meanings to some of why they choose to put jewelry on that part of their face.
There are no serious complications recorded so far in relation to bridge piercing.
The most common misconception is that this will make you cross-eyed. However, until now, there are no reported involuntary eye-crossing caused by bridge piercing.
For some who have had this for quite some time now, they would say that you will almost forget that the piece is even there. It does not interfere with your day-to-day activities, and having it does not make you any less of a person.
Aftercare
Proper aftercare after a bridge piercing can minimize several risks associated with the process. The best thing to do after bridge piercing is to keep the area clean and avoid touching the piercing with your dirty and unwashed hands. Your friends might get intrigued, but don’t make them do the touching.
Use a saline solution to keep the area clean and to reduce the risk of infection. Others are using oil and cotton to clean the surface.
Refrain from rotating the jewelry while cleaning and take every precaution possible so as not to irritate the pierced area.
It is also important not to change the jewelry until the piercing has completely healed. In the event that an infection develops, do not remove the jewelry because it may seal the infection inside, which would lead to the development of an abscess. If the infection seems to be serious, consider taking professional help.
Bridge piercing rejection
The problems with bridge piercing are mainly related to the issues of rejection and migration. Since there is a sufficient amount of skin present in this area, the bridge piercing is typically understood as a surface piercing. Like all surface piercings, there is an approximate chance of 80% that the bridge piercing would get rejected or migrated.
In order to nullify these chances, you would have to ensure that the bridge piercing aftercare is proper and careful. Any kind of disturbance in this region should be avoided as it can lead to severe consequences. Further, the selection of bridge-piercing jewelry should be done carefully.
Although there are no problems with bridge piercings that are brought about due to the use of glasses, there are some base problems with bridge piercings that exist in all cases.
Since a bridge piercing is a surface piercing, the regular issues of rejection and migration apply to it. The tissues in the skin are not able to hold these bridge piercings in place, and they tend to migrate away or get rejected altogether. Therefore, in order to ensure that the bridge piercing aftercare is proper, you would have to take some precautionary steps.
Other than the steps during bridge piercing aftercare, you would have to ensure that the right bridge piercing jewelry is selected.
The right bridge piercing jewelry is usually in the form of a curved barbell. It is known to give the best results, is better than a straight barbell, and works fine with all bridge piercings.
Bridge piercing jewelry plays a big role in the healing and outcome of the piercing, and it is essential that these aspects are considered with care.
A small curved barbell is considered to be the best bridge piercing jewelry as it ensures that the tension in the region is minimized. With a straight barbell, the stress in the area can be too much, leading to rejection and migration.
While problems with bridge piercing and glasses are not related at all, people have unnecessarily linked these two conditions and sparked rumors that bridge piercings cannot work well with glasses.
Can u wear glasses with a bridge piercing?
As per the beliefs of people, bridge piercing and glasses cannot be used together. However, this is a great myth that is associated with bridge piercings. If the bridge piercing is done properly, there is absolutely no chance that it would hinder your glasses. In fact, you would not even notice that there is a bridge piercing that can create trouble for your glasses.
Types of bridge piercings
Corset Piercing
Corset piercing is done at the back in such a way that it would seem like the knots of a corset. Corset piercings are very difficult to carry out, as each set consists of two piercings, which have to be parallel and diagonally opposite each other. The corset piercings are generally thought to be temporary. Corset piercings cannot be worn for more than a few hours and may be one of the temporary types of piercings.
Madison Piercings
Madison piercings are almost always temporary; they are carried out at the base of the neck. When it comes to surface piercing, the type of accessory also used matters. For example, one can use captive beads as a piercing accessory, but that will usually be rejected. The type of accessory that has worked is the barbell piercing.
Nape Piercing
Nape piercing is another type of surface piercing that carries a large chance of rejection. Nape piercing is carried out at the back of the neck, and the accessories that are used are barbell-shaped accessories. Using any other type of accessory for nape piercing is quite rare. While nape piercing has a large chance of failing, there is no chance of nerve damage, as popularly said to be.
Neck Piercing
Neck Piercings are piercings at the side of the neck, and they are also called vampire piercings because of their proximity to the side of the neck. The best bet for neck piercings is surface bars, as the skin will reject straight barbells more than ninety percent of the time.
These are the four most famous types of bridge piercings and other surface piercings.