There are plenty of ways to pierce a nose. The common options have seen many people opt for nostril piercings that are bedazzled with rings and encrusted studs, and then there's the septum piercing – the edgy piercing that's got (or at the very least has had) the backing of Florence Pugh, Gigi Hadid and Rihanna, to name a few. The latter has become the alternative piercing option that went mainstream thanks to its cool, easy to flaunt and equally easy to hide nature. But if you're looking for something entirely different, allow us to introduce you to the bridge piercing. If we've peaked your interest, read on to learn everything you need to know about this niche piercing.
What is a bridge piercing?
If there's one piercing that is still harder to come by than most, it's this. 'A bridge piercing is a facial piercing through the skin on the bridge of the nose, between the eyes,' says Jamie Kelly, manager of Underground Tattoos in Watford. Also known as an Erl (after Erl Van Aken, the first person to have a body modification in this location), it features a horizontal bar and, due to the low volume of flesh in the area, it is deemed a surface piercing. Located across the bridge of the nose, it is usually placed at the site of the narrowest part between the eyes.
How painful is a bridge piercing?
We all have different pain thresholds so no two people will ever truly feel the same way about a single piercing. Having said that, since the bridge piercing is pierced through tissue rather than cartilage or an area with many nerves, it's safe to claim it may not be as painful as other piercings like the snug piercingor nipple piercings. Kelly adds, 'This piercing tends to have a low to moderate pain level, similar to an eyebrow piercing but less painful than nasal septum piercings.'
How are bridge piercings performed?
After a thorough check of the area and your suitability with the piercing, Kelly points out, much like other piercings are performed, a professional piercer will clean and mark the area and use a sterilised needle to push through the fleshy tissue at the bridge of the nose, then curved barbell jewellery is fitted into place. While creating the puncture, the piercer will pinch the skin on the bridge of the nose to make sure they are inserting the needle deep enough to reduce the risk of rejection and migration.
Bridge piercing healing and aftercare
As for healing, you can expect bridge piercing to 'take around 8-12 months to fully heal', says Kelly, 'with some swelling expected in the initial days'. But the healing time vary from person to person. If your aftercare is top notch you'll have a far more speedy healing process. It is also worth noting that with any surface piercings like this one there is a higher chance of the piercing being rejected, so look out for telltale signs and if it does reject or mitigate contact your piercer as soon as possible.
Kelly adds, 'regular cleaning with saline solution or pre-made piercing aftercare is key, alongside minimal touching and avoiding sunglasses or prescription glasses that could irritate the piercing during healing.'
Knocking or putting excessive pressure on the area will slow the healing process and this includes the skincare and make-up products you use. The aim is to limit potential irritation and infections, and this can be done by gently cleaning the area twice a day. If you don't have a saline solution to hand, try salt water solution or tea tree oil and cotton wool.
Cost of bridge piercing
This will depend which studio you are visiting, but generally speaking a bridge piercing typically ranges from £20 to £50 depending on which region of the UK you are in. Some studios like Kelly's Underground Tattoos are able to keep prices down by buying jewellery in bulk and working off volume of piercings.
What type of jewellery is best for a bridge piercing?
Kelly recommends opting for a straight barbell made from hypoallergenic quality materials such as titanium, which will mitigate the risk of irritation and allergy.
Things to know before getting a bridge piercing
You should always think about your anatomical suitability before committing to a piercing. The bridge piercing is suitable for most people, says Kelly, 'but those with very tight or narrow bridge areas should avoid this piercing due to the risk of migration or rejection, which could result in scarring.' Other risks include infection and potential interference with vision if improperly placed.
Bridge piercings won't reject easily if they are carefully considered with your suitability in mind and well taken care of post-piercing. 'With the right placement and care, a bridge piercing can be a long-lasting adornment. Regular check-ups with your piercer are recommended to prevent issues,' adds Kelly.
As for who should perform your piercing, always opt for a qualified piercer with extensive experience in facial piercings. Kelly points out, 'they should have proper certification, be based in a clean working environment and be local authority registered and licensed.'
Main image: @camila_cabello and @patrickta
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).