Bridge Piercing: Procedure, Healing and Aftercare

What is a bridge piercing?

A bridge piercing takes its name from the top of the bridge of the nose, the “bridge” area where glasses sit. In Turkish it is mostly searched for as burun kökü piercing . The piercing passes horizontally through the skin between the eyes; the two ends of the jewellery show symmetrically near the inner corners of the eyes.

An important detail: this piercing does not pass through the nasal bone or cartilage. Because it only passes through the surface layer of the skin, it belongs to the “surface piercing” group. So its healing behaviour is not the same as a nostril piercing , which passes through cartilage, or a septum piercing , which passes through the thin tissue of the nasal septum. It should not be confused with a single-point dermal piercing either, where a base is placed under the skin; a bridge piercing has two holes, an entry and an exit.

Who is it suitable for?

The main factor deciding whether a bridge piercing is suitable is anatomy. Your piercer needs to gently pinch up the skin at the bridge of your nose to check it; for the jewellery to hold securely, there must be enough loose, easily pinched skin in this area. If the skin is very tight or thin, the jewellery can be pushed towards the surface over time and the result may not be permanent.

Other factors that can affect suitability include:

• Wearing glasses: If the nose pads or frame of your glasses press on the piercing area, healing can be harder. If you wear glasses, coming to the consultation with them makes it easier to assess where the jewellery will sit.
• Facial structure: The distance between the eyes and the height of the nose bridge determine where the jewellery will look good and sit comfortably.
• Lifestyle: Contact sports and frequent use of helmets or masks increase the risk of knocks and friction in the area.

If your anatomy is not suitable for this piercing, your piercer will tell you clearly and suggest a different style if needed. You can explore the options on our piercing styles page.

How is the piercing done?

At our studio, cartilage, nose and facial piercings are done with a sterile, single-use needle. The gun is used for lobes only; a bridge piercing is never done with a gun. The procedure generally consists of these steps:

1. Pre-assessment: The skin at the bridge of the nose is checked, and your expectations and glasses use are discussed.
2. Cleaning and marking: The area is cleaned; the entry and exit points are marked with attention to symmetry. You see the marking in the mirror and approve it.
3. Piercing: The skin is gently lifted and the sterile needle is passed horizontally in one movement. The piercing takes a few seconds.
4. Inserting the jewellery: The first jewellery is usually a straight barbell or a slightly curved barbell. The piercer decides the thickness and length of the jewellery based on your anatomy; the starter jewellery is chosen a little long to allow for swelling in the first days.
5. Aftercare briefing: We explain the aftercare you need to do at home and the symptoms to watch for.

The pain felt varies from person to person. Most people describe a brief pinch or sting; afterwards there may be mild tenderness and swelling for a few days.

Bridge piercing healing time and process

Bridge piercing healing time is often given as 2–3 months; but with surface piercings it can stretch by a few more months depending on the person, aftercare and pressure on the area. Looking healed from the outside doesn’t mean the tissue has fully settled inside.

In the first weeks it is normal to see mild redness, swelling, tenderness and a light-coloured discharge drying around the holes. This discharge can crust; rather than picking it off, soften it during aftercare and gently remove it.

So, does a bridge piercing migrate? It can. With surface piercings, the body can see the jewellery as a foreign object and slowly push it towards the surface; this is called migration, and pushing it out completely is called rejection. The skin between the holes getting thinner, the jewellery becoming more visible or the holes moving closer together can be signs of this. We explain this in detail in our article what is piercing rejection and migration . The right anatomy, correctly sized jewellery and avoiding pressure on the area help reduce this possibility, but cannot eliminate it completely.

Aftercare

The goal of aftercare is to keep the piercing clean and not disturb the tissue unnecessarily. In line with the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) aftercare guidelines, we recommend:

• Sterile saline: Once or twice a day, apply sterile saline solution to the area and gently pat dry with clean gauze or a paper towel. To choose the right product, see how to choose a saline solution article.
• Don’t touch: Don’t twist or move the jewellery, and don’t touch it except when cleaning. If you have to touch it, wash your hands first.
• Glasses: If possible, wear contact lenses during healing, or make sure the frame doesn’t touch the area. Clean your glasses regularly.
• Make-up and skincare: Keep foundation, concealer, eye make-up and creams away from the piercing. Take care not to press on the area when removing make-up.
• Sleep and clothing: Try not to sleep face down, and take care the jewellery doesn’t catch when putting on or taking off jumpers and T-shirts.

For a step-by-step cleaning routine, read our how to clean a new piercing guide.

Possible problems and when to see a doctor

As with any piercing, a bridge piercing can have problems such as irritation, swelling, pressure from the jewellery, migration and infection. Jewellery that is too short can feel like it is sinking into the skin; jewellery that is too long increases catching and friction. In that case, seeing your piercer allows the jewellery to be adjusted.

See a doctor without delay if you have any of these symptoms:

• Increasing redness, warmth, swelling or throbbing pain
• Dark yellow, green or foul-smelling discharge
• Redness spreading around the eyes or across the face
• Fever, fatigue or swelling of the eyelids

If you suspect an infection, don’t remove the jewellery yourself; the hole could close and trap the problem inside. Your doctor should decide when and how the jewellery is removed.

Jewellery choice and downsizing

At our studio, the standard starter jewellery is surgical steel. Titanium jewellery is 350 TL; if you prefer titanium, +350 TL is added to the piercing price. Titanium is a material many people prefer for its lightness; we can assess the options together at the consultation. For the general list of jewellery and piercing prices, see our prices page; because the bridge piercing is not on this list, please ask about its price on WhatsApp. Gold-look jewellery can also be considered once healing is complete.

The barbell fitted long at the start to allow for swelling should be replaced with shorter jewellery once the initial swelling has passed. This is called downsizing. The timing varies from person to person; it is usually done within the first few weeks with a piercer’s check. Skipping downsizing can make overly long jewellery move and cause irritation, which can increase the chance of migration. We recommend having jewellery changes done at the studio rather than doing them yourself.

Bridge piercing at our studio

Cadde Piercing Studio is at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı, Istanbul. Procedures at our studio are done by female piercers.

• Opening hours: We are open every day. Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:30, Sunday 11:00–20:00.
• Booking: You can book an appointment or walk in.
• Payment: Payments at the studio are cash only.
• Consultation and price: For suitability and price for a bridge piercing, ask us on WhatsApp (0533 250 01 77).

This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Ask your piercer or doctor about your personal situation.

Official and reliable sources

• APP: Minimum standards for initial jewellery
• APP: Piercing aftercare brochure (PDF)

FAQ

Does a bridge piercing migrate?

It can. Because it is a surface piercing, the body can push the jewellery towards the surface over time. Suitable anatomy, correctly sized jewellery, timely downsizing and avoiding pressure on the area reduce this possibility.

How long does a bridge piercing take to heal?

It is generally given as 2–3 months; but with surface piercings the time varies from person to person and can stretch by a few more months. Looking fine from the outside doesn’t mean healing inside is complete.

I wear glasses. Can I get a bridge piercing?

In most cases yes, but the glasses must not press on the piercing area. If you come to the consultation with your glasses, we can assess the position of the jewellery accordingly.

Does a bridge piercing hurt a lot?

Pain perception varies from person to person. The piercing takes a few seconds; most people describe a brief pinch. There may be mild tenderness and swelling for a few days afterwards.

How much is a bridge piercing?

The bridge piercing is not on our price list. Ask about suitability and price on WhatsApp or come in for a consultation. Standard jewellery is surgical steel; titanium jewellery is 350 TL, so choosing titanium adds +350 TL to the piercing price. Payment at the studio is cash only.

Is a bridge piercing done with a gun?

No. At our studio, cartilage, nose and facial piercings are done with a sterile, single-use needle. The gun is used for lobes only.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.