Some piercings whisper. The bridge piercing? It speaks right between your eyes. One tiny bar on the bridge of your nose and your whole face gets a new balance. Bold, fierce and totally unforgettable. I was nervous, but my piercer first checked if my skin was suitable and talked me through everything. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What is a bridge piercing?
The bridge piercing, also called the Erl piercing after Earl van Aken, its first known wearer, is a horizontal piercing through the loose skin on the bridge of your nose, right between your eyes.
Good to know: it does not go through bone or cartilage. Skin only. That makes the bridge a surface piercing, with its own perks and points of attention.
Not every nose bridge is suitable, and that’s okay
A safe and pretty bridge needs enough loose skin. If the skin is too tight, the risk of rejection or migration is too high. That’s why every bridge at Piercings Works starts with an anatomical check. Your piercer looks at:
- how much loose tissue you have
- the symmetry of your face and the best placement
- whether glasses could affect healing
- which jewellery suits your anatomy
We have one golden rule: we always ask for your approval first. We mark the spot, you check it out, and only after your "yes!" do we pierce. Nothing happens without your consent. If the bridge doesn’t suit you, we’ll tell you honestly and help you find a cute alternative. Fancy more nose ideas? Read our guide to exotic nose piercings.
Does a bridge piercing hurt?
It hurts, but not really. Because the needle only goes through skin, most people find the bridge milder than a septum or helix. The funny part: you can see your jewellery! Your eyes need a few days to get used to that new dot in your view.
Jewellery and style
The classic choice is a straight or slightly curved barbell in implant-grade titanium, usually 1.6 mm thick. Once healed, play with coloured balls, premium zirconia ends or 18K gold accents. Pair it with a nostril stud or a septum for a full face moment. Browse our first jewellery in titanium and gold.
With a bridge, the right length isn’t a detail, it’s a safety thing. Our team helps you pick the right size.
What clients say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what others wrote. Click a name to see the original review:
"Super well helped with an industrial and an eyebrow piercing, the piercer was a real artist and the info at the front desk was really useful, definitely worth 5 stars!" (translated from Dutch)
– iza de gruijter, Google review
"She took her time meassuring the distance and making sure it was centered when I was getting pierced."
– Kaithlyn Liew, Google review
"Highly recommend this place if you’re thinking about getting pierced!"
– Mishal Trivedi, Google review
Healing and aftercare
A bridge heals in around 8 to 12 weeks, though full stabilisation can take longer. Healing is very personal and depends on many factors, so see these times as a guideline. As a surface piercing it asks for a little extra love:
- Don’t touch it. Every touch is a risk.
- No make-up, creams or sunscreen on the piercing.
- Make sure your glasses or sunglasses don’t touch the jewellery.
- Don’t sleep on your face.
- Helmet, ski goggles or diving mask? Ask your piercer first.
How to look after it
- Clean it twice a day with the AphraHeals wipe (our favourite: practical, sterile and safe). It fits in any bag, right next to your lip gloss.
- Prefer a spray? The AphraHeals aftercare spray works great too, for example at home.
- Wash your hands first, and no twisting or playing with your jewellery. Not even when it looks this good.
- Want to read it all again in peace? Download our aftercare instructions.
Is your piercing getting red, warm or swollen, more painful instead of calmer, or does it stay inflamed? Contact your piercer or a doctor. We’re always happy to take a look.
Please note: all healing times mentioned are an indication. Healing is very personal: for some people it goes faster, for others it takes a little longer.
Looking for AphraHeals products? Find them all here.
Migration and rejection
Any surface piercing can slowly be pushed out by the body. The right anatomy, the right jewellery, professional placement and good aftercare lower that risk. Notice the bar sitting flatter or the skin between the holes getting thinner? Come see us. Removing it in time helps keep any scar small.
Want the full story? Download our bridge piercing e-book. Prices are listed in our studio price list.
Why get your bridge piercing at Piercings Works?
- Experience: we’ve been piercing since 1998, and we’ve been at Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam since 2004. That’s a lot of happy clients walking out the door.
- Hygiene: we were the first studio with a GGD licence, and the GGD re-inspects us every 3 years.
- Know-how: we’ve trained more than 100 piercers.
- You decide: we always ask for your approval first. We never do anything without your consent.
- Safe jewellery: in the studio we use internally threaded jewellery, so no thread scrapes through your fresh hole.
- One step at a time: we do a maximum of 3 piercings per visit. Even if your bestie yells "one more!"
- Questions in your own language? Our team speaks several languages, usually 6.
- Age: check our minimum age page first.
Find us at Reguliersbreestraat 46, just around the corner from Rembrandtplein. We’re open every day of the year from 10:30 to 22:00.
Ready to stand out? Book your appointment here or just walk in. Bring your bestie for the selfie afterwards!
Curious about the history of piercings? Visit our free online Piercing Museum.
FAQ about the bridge piercing
Does a bridge piercing go through bone?
No. It only goes through the loose skin on the bridge of your nose.
Can I get a bridge if I wear glasses?
Often yes, depending on your frame and anatomy. Bring your glasses and we’ll check together.
How long does healing take?
Around 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer. That’s an indication: healing is very personal.
Will I get a scar if I remove it?
With timely, professional removal, any scar usually stays minimal. In doubt? Come by early.
My bridge is red and swollen, what should I do?
Contact your piercer or a doctor.
VIP with us is pure benefit, zero risk: join for €50, €100 or €200 a year and get the same amount back as a gift voucher, plus 10% off for as long as your membership runs and free piercing changes.
From Ira, with love
Ira Lutvica is co-owner of Piercings Works, which she runs together with her husband Mensur Lutvica: since 1998, and since 2004 at the same spot on Reguliersbreestraat 46. Ira writes the books herself and runs the piercing course (in Dutch), where she has trained 100+ piercers. Want to know more about this topic? Read her e-book (in Dutch) Sieraad laten verwisselen?. Also read Piercings Works in the media.