information to know about this piercing

From the risks to the proper care, we tell you everything you need to know about drilling bridges before you go through them.

This piercing is located at the root of the nose, more precisely at the upper end of the bridge of the nose in the crease between the eyebrows. The bridge piercing can be done in horizontal and vertical version. In this second case, it is then called a “third eye piercing”. The horizontal version is however the most common piercing. Bridge Piercing is also known as “Erl piercing”. “Erl” is the name of body modification pioneer Erl Van Aken, who was one of the first to wear this piercing. However, to carry out this piercing there is certain information which is important and which must be taken into account. Find out everything you need to know about Bridge Piercing and the risks involved.

One of the important things to remember about all piercings in general, whether you do it on the face or the body, is to get it done in a professional piercing studio. If you do it at home, at a friend’s or even in a jewelry store, you risk serious complications. When it comes to Bridge Piercing, professionalism is required. On the one hand, the piercing is not suitable for all face morphologies. If it is asymmetrical, it will give the impression that it is not straight. On the other hand, there are many important nerves in this area of ​​the face, which could be damaged during the piercing.

Bridge Piercing: how is the date going?

Before the actual piercing, the area is first thoroughly disinfected and the entry and exit point on the bridge of the nose is marked with a pen. Once this is done, the fold of skin at the root of the nose is pierced with a special cannula. In order to keep the pressure on the nasal bone as low as possible and not to damage the nerve pathways, the skin fold is lifted as far as possible from the bone during the piercing.

Usually a slightly longer, curved shank with titanium beads at the ends is used as the initial piece of jewelry. The thickness of the rod should be 1.2 millimeters. If its thickness is greater than 1.6 millimeters, the hole may exert too much pressure.

As soon as your piercing is completely healed, you can exchange the initial jewel for another jewel. You absolutely have to do it with your piercer. The Bridge Piercing lends itself particularly well to the use of a dumbbell or a bananabel, that is to say a small, slightly curved rod with two balls on the left and on the right. Straight dumbbells, on the other hand, should be avoided for this piercing.

The highest quality body piercing jewelry is made of titanium. In contrast, surgical stainless steel piercings contain nickel and often cause allergies or inflammation.

Bridge piercing: is it painful?

Bridge Piercing only pierces the skin and not the cartilage tissue as is the case with many ear piercings (eg tragus or conch). So the pain is relatively minimal. Some compare it to the pain experienced during a blood test or a vaccine. In some cases, the area may be slightly anesthetized, so that only a very small sting is felt. The extent of the pain of course always depends on how you perceive the pain.

Bridge Piercing: what are the risks?

A Bridge piercing is considered relatively dangerous because it involves certain risks. If your piercing gets stuck, which can happen with your clothes when dressing or undressing or with your hair, then it can be accompanied by severe pain. When drilling in the professional studio, you may have a headache a few hours after the appointment.

The greatest danger, however, is that too much pressure is applied to the nasal bone and the piercing will ignite. The superficial inflammation can then spread and become inflammation of the nerves, which could damage important cranial nerves. This is why it is extremely important that you turn to a professional who is not doing this for the first time and who has sufficient knowledge of facial anatomy. In addition, it is better that you already have a little experience with piercing so that you know how to take care of it properly to avoid infection.

Bridge Piercing: what care should be performed?

The bridge piercing should be completely healed three to eight months after piercing. So that the piercing does not ignite, you must ensure that the care given is correct, as well as your hygiene. Here are the most important tips for a fast and effective recovery:

  • Do not touch, move or play with the piercing. If you must touch it for a valid reason, sanitize your hands properly beforehand.
  • Spray the area three times a day with a disinfectant spray.
  • For the first few days, avoid blood thinning medications like aspirin and protect the piercing from soap and cosmetics by using adhesive plaster.
  • During the first two weeks: avoid swimming, certain sports (ball sports, gymnastics …) and go to the sauna.
  • Any crusts should be carefully removed with hot water and chamomile hydrosol.
  • The piercing should never be removed by you. If you feel any discomfort, go back to where you had your Bridge Piercing pierced.

How much does Bridge Piercing cost?

As with all piercings, the price of Bridge Piercing varies mainly according to the studio and the region. In addition, not all piercing studios offer this type of piercing, as it requires special experience.

In general, the price of this piercing varies between 40 and 80 euros. The price includes not only the piercing itself, but also the second piece of jewelry and the initial care products. It is preferable to inform yourself in advance with the piercing studio of your choice before making the final appointment. So you can also go and compare with other studios to find the one that suits you best.

Bridge Piercing and glasses: is it compatible?

One downside to the piercing on the top of the nose is that it can be embarrassing if you wear glasses. It mainly depends on the type of glasses you are wearing. Glasses with thick plastic frames and models that have a fairly tight bridge can cause unpleasant friction and therefore inflammation of the piercing again.

The most suitable glasses are those with a frame that is as filigree as possible and the top edge is curved downwards in the middle. Today, there are a lot of models of glasses, so you will easily find the model that is suited to both your face morphology and your piercing. Your optician is there to advise you.

Important note: the information in this article is provided for information only and does not replace a doctor’s diagnosis. If you have any doubts, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your doctor.

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