Bridge Piercing: Cost, Pain and Healing
It’s well known that bridge piercings are very edgy, but they have some issues. In other words, how painful is it, and what is the healing process like? Even though they’re pierced in an unusual place, Erl Piercing can be subtle. They’re always noticeable, though. If you want a Erl Piercing but aren’t sure if you’d be good at caring for it or even getting one, read on. Continue reading to learn all about bridge piercings. A piercer and a doctor also give expert advice.
What’s a Bridge Piercing?
A bridge piercing, or “Erl,” is a straight bar that goes across the bridge of the nose. It’s considered a surface piercing because most people don’t have much skin in this area for the jewelry to grip, so it’s very likely to move or be rejected.
Is a Bridge Piercing Painful?
The answer in short is: “Pain tolerance varies from person to person, so it’s hard to say exactly how much pain someone is in. But because the Erl Piercing goes through tissue rather than cartilage or an area with many nerves, people say it isn’t excruciating,” says piercer Tess Dipple. “More like you feel a little pain.
A New York Adorned worker agrees and tells Byrdie, “Bridge piercings can be a little higher on the ‘pinch and pressure’ scale, but if you’ve gotten any cartilage piercings on your ear you should be able to handle a Erl Piercing.”
Time to Heal
Dr. Paul B. Dean, a dermatologist, says, “It can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks for the soft tissue to heal after a Erl Piercing.” After this, you can switch to a shorter bent barbell if needed, but the inside will need to heal for several more weeks. Dean adds, “Replacing jewelry could hurt for up to eight months until the healing process is over.”
Price of Piercings
The salon’s representative says, “New York Adorned does all piercings, Erl Piercings included, for $40.” Salons that charge a lot less than others may not be trustworthy, so be careful.
Dipple says it costs $50 for the Erl Piercing and titanium jewelry. The “hospital-grade autoclave sterilizes it and is included in the price.”
Piercings will cost different amounts at each shop, but if you pay between $30 and $60 after looking into it, you should be safe. The price of the items will change the most.
AfterCare
Keeping things clean is the most crucial way to take care of a Erl Piercing. Dean says, “Clean a bridge piercing every day with a mild soap and a warm saltwater rinse twice a day to get rid of bacteria.”
New York Adorned piercers tell their customers to use NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Fine Mist Wound Wash. It’s a light spray that we tell our customers to use twice a day.”
A lot of people think you should rotate your new piercing and touch it a lot, but you really shouldn’t. Before, twisting and turning were standard parts of treatment. Now, the new rules say you should leave the jewelry where it is while you heal and not play with it. The only things that should touch that area are saline spray and warm water. Ultimately, you want to keep that area from being hurt while your body heals,” says the NY Adorned rep.
Side Effects
Swelling and tenderness: You will probably feel some pain after the piercing at first, which Dean says may “last a few months.” As long as you take care of it, the pain and swelling should go away on their own.
Allergic reaction: This side effect can happen if you use the wrong kind of metal. Nickel, gold, and silver can cause allergic reactions in many people, so it’s best to choose jewelry made from safe materials like titanium or stainless steel.
Potential scarring: If your body doesn’t accept the piercing, you could get scars or keloids. 1 If this happens to you, talk to your doctor.
What kind of Jewelry is used for Piercings?
Your piercer needs to choose the starting size for your piercing because it depends on how much skin you have in that area. It’s better to wear a larger gauge, since that might help prevent your body from rejecting it.
Curved Barbell: A small curved barbell is the best thing to wear in a Erl Piercing. A straight barbell can put excessive stress on the fistula’s ends, increasing the risk of migration.
What Kind of Jewelry is used for Piercings?
Titanium: This metal, without nickel, works well for most people, but it is usually more expensive. The New York Adorned representative says, “For first piercings, we always suggest making sure your piercer uses jewelry made of implant-grade titanium or solid gold.” Dipple agrees and says, “I use titanium jewelry for all piercings because it is hypoallergenic.” Surgical steel contains nickel, which most people tend to react to. Titanium is a higher-quality metal than surgical steel.
Stainless Steel: Most people can use it without any problems, so it’s a good choice.
Gold: If you don’t know that you are allergic to gold, it is another good choice as long as it is 14k or higher. Do not cut corners on quality here; gold that is cheap or just plated can cause infections. “These metals are best for piercings because they are less likely to tarnish, and plated jewelry can be harmful while the piercing heals and when worn for a long time.” Gold is more often an allergen than titanium and stainless steel, so if you don’t know how sensitive you are, always do a patch test first.
What to Expect with Bridge Piercing
Some people say that Erl Piercings make your eyes cross, but no one with an Erl piercing has reported any spontaneous eye-crossing. Most people forget that it’s there. The bar is likely too long if you can see the jewelry only out of the corner of your eye. It should be just as hard for you to see as your own nose.
Erl Piercings won’t get in the way of wearing glasses or sunglasses, either. You should be okay as long as you cut it high enough.
Faqs
Final Verdict
The Bridge Piercing is a bold, edgy facial piercing that combines style and subtlety. With proper placement, safe jewelry, and diligent aftercare, it’s a manageable and striking look for men and women seeking a unique statement. While initial healing may require patience, the payoff is a confident, modern style that doesn’t interfere with daily life or accessories like glasses. Ideal for those who want a standout, low-maintenance piercing that balances daring aesthetics with safe practices.
