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. Given the circumstances, this procedure can become very painful and may not be compatible with anybody’s face as one need 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.
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 on how you would look like after the procedure if finished. 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 have an 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. 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 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. Healing time for bridge piercing may take 8-12 weeks but you should stop feeling any pain and discomfort after one week.
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 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 any involuntary eye-crossing caused by bridge piercing. For some who have 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 as a person.
Bridge piercing has become a phenomenon that 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. This type involves the skin on the bridge of the nose and is also known as “Erl” piercing named after its first recipient, Erl van Aken. The procedure is done usually with the help of straight barbells- a 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.
How Bridge Piercing is done?
You need to have this procedure done by the 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 forcep or skin clamp. Not everyone who wishes to have 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.
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 pierce migration are at stake. There will be times when the skin will reject the jewelry and there will also be times when the pierce 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).
After care for Bridge Piercing
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, 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 pierce has completely healed. In the event that infection develops, do not remove the jewelry because it may seal the infection inside that would lead to the development of an abscess. If the infection seems to be serious, consider taking professional help.
