Bridge Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Bridge piercings are performed using a gauge needle which is pushed through the bridge of the nose, followed by the piercing jewellery. The piercer will pinch the skin on the bridge of the nose to ensure they are pushing the needle deep enough to reduce the risk of rejection and migration during the healing process.

Bridge piercing involves a bar which is placed horizontally through the bridge of the nose. Nose bridge piercing comes under the surface piercing category. The bridge piercing is sometimes called the Erl piercing after Erl Van Aken, the first person to have a body modification in this location. If you want to know more about this alternative body modification see our FAQs below.

Is bridge piercing painful?

Bridge piercings look painful because they appear to go through the cartilage of the nose. In reality, the bridge piercing goes through the skin of the nose which is easy to pass a needle through and therefore does not hurt very much. Most describe bridge piercing pain as a 2 out of 10 on the pain scale.

Do bridge piercings reject?

There is a risk that your bridge piercing will reject because it is pierced through a thin part of the skin which means it can sometimes break through. The bridge piercing is a surface piercing which is a category which has a high risk of rejection or migration.

How long does it take for a bridge piercing to heal?

It usually takes 3-4 months for a bridge piercing to heal. Bridge piercing healing is usually problem-free because the piercing is only through skin however you will need to check your piercing is not rejecting or migrating which can happen in surface piercings. Don’t change your piercing jewellery until the bridge piercing is fully healed. Once it has finished healing you can usually change to a shorter bar as there will be no more swelling.

Can you wear glasses with a bridge piercing?

If you do regularly wear glasses then a bridge piercing may not be the one for you. Having a bridge piercing glasses can be uncomfortable and can make the healing process difficult. If you would like to wear glasses with a bridge piercing we recommend bringing your glasses with you so your piercer can help you choose a placement that won’t interfere with them.

If you would like a bridge piercing but are worried about it catching on your glasses you can opt for a vertical bridge piercing which is placed slightly above the bridge position. You may find this piercing more comfortable and may also find that it compliments your glasses better than the classic bridge.

Alternatively, you can choose the third eye piercing. This piercing is usually performed with a microdermal anchor rather than a barbell. The position of the third eye (also known as Unicorn or Bindi piercing) piercing tends to vary as your piercer will usually recommend placing it on the thickest part of flesh on the forehead. This piercing features a single stud.

Sometimes people worry that they will be able to see their piercing in their glasses or peripheral vision. Most people say that they have not found this to be a problem and that they forget their bridge piercing is there. A common misconception is that it could make you go cross-eyed. Which is not founded in either scientific research or anecdotal evidence. Just one of those bizarre piercing myths!

Are bridge piercings dangerous?

Bridge piercings are not dangerous unless they are not properly cared for. There are risks with any piercing, so bridge piercing is not completely risk-free. With the correct aftercare, you should not be in any danger of infection but it is important to look out for signs of infection as this will need to be treated by your doctor.

How much does a bridge piercing cost?

How much a bridge piercing will cost varies for each piercer. At Blue Banana UK piercing studios the price is £35 - £40 depending on the type of piercing jewellery you choose. The bridge piercing is a surface piercing so should only be performed by a qualified and experienced piercer to minimise the chance of the piercing rejecting. Prices often reflect the experience needed to perform each piercing.

Can anyone get a bridge piercing?

Most people can get a bridge piercing however some people won’t have enough soft tissue at the top of their nose to accommodate a bridge piercing. There are some other factors to consider because this is a serious body modification. Anyone thinking about getting a bridge piercing should be aware that they are prone to rejection so may not be a permanent addition to your look. Another factor to think about is that there is no hiding this surface piercing so make sure you are ready to make this bold statement.

Do bridge piercings grow out?

The bridge piercing is a surface piercing so it is important to watch for signs of bridge piercing rejection or migration. If you think this is happening talk to your piercer straight away and they will be able to assess the piercing and discuss the best course of action. Often you will need to take the piercing out. If you leave a bridge piercing that has started to grow out then this may result in a bridge piercing scar if it does break through the skin. Unless the piercing is rejecting, you should not remove the piercing until it is fully healed at 3-4 months.

As you can see, you definitely need to carefully consider whether bridge piercings are suitable for you. However, if you are ready to get this seriously alternative body modification then make sure to read our other Piercing Guides for more information about surface piercings and general piercings FAQs.

Already got a healed bridge piercing? Be sure to check out our range of bridge piercing jewellery to switch up your look.

Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a bridge piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Make sure to check the bridge piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the bridge piercing age restriction is 18 (ID may be required) or 16 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the bridge piercing location.

The bridge piercing typically involves a sterilised gauge needle which your piercer will pass through the skin, inserting the jewellery in the process. Your piercer will pinch the top of your nose to ensure they can put the needle as deep as possible into the skin to reduce the chance of rejection. The piercing site is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location.

Aftercare Advice

A bridge piercing can take 3-4 months to fully heal. The healing time varies from person to person and will need top aftercare to ensure speedy healing. It is important to be aware that with any surface piercing, such as a bridge piercing, there is a higher chance the piercing will reject so make sure to keep a watch for any signs of this. If you think your piercing is starting to reject or migrate then please talk to your piercer who can help you decide the best course of action.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will slow down healing and can even cause unnecessary problems. For example, be careful when wearing glasses or sunglasses, don’t touch the piercing unless absolutely necessary, and avoid contact with any kind of cosmetics including moisturisers. The location of the bridge piercing means it may not be suitable for glasses wearers as they sit on the bridge of the nose.

Like any piercing, it is important to maintain top hygiene when caring for your bridge piercing. Sticking to your aftercare routine for your bridge piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Gently clean your bridge piercing twice a day with salt water solution or Tea Tree Oil by gently bathing it using cotton wool.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to bridge piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Bridge Piercing Jewellery
Bridge Piercing Barbell
Bridge Piercing Surface Bar

Your piercer may choose a barbell or surface bar that is slightly longer to allow room for swelling. It is vital for the healing process that you remain patient and don’t change your jewellery until your piercer has advised you to do so. Once your piercing is healed you can switch to a shorter barbell.

There are a range of colours and designs to choose from in our barbell and surface jewellery ranges. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – Make sure to find out from your piercer the size your bridge piercing jewellery should be. The length may vary depending on the amount of skin you have at the top of your nose.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that may be prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

If you regularly participate in sports, you may want to discuss the best piercings for you with your piercer.

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose longer jewellery. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.

Bridge Piercing Jewellery

Bridge Piercing Jewellery

Piercing Procedure

Aftercare Advice

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

Other Guides & Ranges