:: The Bridge or "Erl" ::

Relatively rare five years ago, piercing the bridge of the nose has recently been gaining in popularity, both on the street and on screen. You may have seen Erl, the man for whom it is named, as vampire elder Von Esper in Blade. Or perhaps you are aspiring to the savage triple bridge look sported by Stewart Wilson in No Escape. Or maybe you are looking to an older aesthetic tradition. Regardless, the bridge is without a doubt a striking way to accessorize. Drawing attention and intensity to the eyes and brow line, the bridge is not for the dainty.

If you are among the daring, the bridge piercing will take you about 8 - 10 weeks to heal, and is cared for much the same as an eyebrow piercing. Like the eyebrow, it is often prone to shifting or growing out, particularly if it becomes irritated or infected. Contrary to appearances, the piercing does not go through any bone or cartilage, but simply through the loose skin at the bridge of the nose. Not everyone has a soft, pinchable spot for the piercing, and those who don't might reconsider getting it done. If you do not have an appropriate spot for the jewelry to sit, it may grow out more quickly. Some people have reported that wearing glasses also encourages the piercing to reject more quickly, but this will depend on the individual anatomy. If the glasses don't hit the piercing, it shouldn't make a difference.

Procedure-wise, the piercing can be done with forceps or freehand, depending on both the piercer and the piercee, and it tends not to be a very painful one. Most piercees say they just felt pressure during the piercing, and tenderness afterward. Jewelry is generally a 14g or 12g straight barbell, usually between 9/16" and 7/8" in length to allow room for cleaning. People often choose to put smaller balls on the barbells, although spikes or gemstones are also an option, especially after healing. Again, not a difficult piercing to get, but not for those wishing to blend in.