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Eyebrow piercings, while a newer addition to the piercing world, have rapidly gained popularity as a stylish statement for both men and women. Emerging during the 1980s punk era with no significant cultural ties, this piercing has since become a go-to for those seeking a distinctive look. However, it’s not a decision to take lightly, given the potential for permanent scarring.
Dive into our comprehensive guide to discover if an eyebrow piercing is the right choice for you.
What is an Eyebrow Piercing?
An eyebrow piercing involves making a perforation in the skin along the eyebrow ridge. Typically, piercers place it at a 35-degree angle from the eye’s outside corner, allowing for either a single or double hole. One of the standout features of this piercing is its versatility.
With a variety of placement options and jewelry styles available, you can easily customize the look to your liking. Whether you’re aiming for subtle elegance or a bolder statement, the eyebrow piercing offers flexibility.
The healing process is generally straightforward, but you’ll need to follow aftercare instructions closely. If you’re considering this piercing, consult with a professional piercer to discuss the best placement and style for your facial structure and preferences.
Types of Eyebrow Piercings
There are several different types of eyebrow piercings you can choose from. Let’s take a look:
1. Vertical Eyebrow Piercing
This is the standard eyebrow piercing style and is a vertical piercing that can be done at any point along the ridge of the eyebrow. It’s one of the most commonly seen piercings and while some people prefer to have one piercing done, others choose to have multiples which can reach up to 10.
If you’d like to have just a single piece of jewelry looped through your eyebrow area, then this is the piercing to go for. This can also be done at a slight angle for a different look.
2. Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing
The horizontal eyebrow piercing runs horizontally above the eyebrow, rather than the typical vertical placement, which gives it a distinct and modern look. Unlike the standard eyebrow piercing, this one often appears closer to the edge of the brow bone. If you’re thinking of a fresh twist on the classic eyebrow piercing, the horizontal option might be right for you.
3. Multiple Eyebrow Piercing
Multiple eyebrow piercings are gaining popularity, with a mix of vertical and horizontal designs. The T eyebrow piercing, where a vertical meets a horizontal piercing, creates a standout ‘T’ shape on the brow.
You can choose from vertical pairs or a vertical-horizontal combo. These piercings let you express yourself in a fresh and modern way. If you’re thinking about a bold, current look, consider trying multiple eyebrow piercings.
4. Anti-Eyebrow Piercing
The anti-eyebrow piercing sits below the eye, directly across from a regular eyebrow piercing. It keeps the same distance from the eye, creating a balanced look. You can place it anywhere along or just under the eye’s ridge.
Unlike the usual eyebrow piercings, the anti-eyebrow offers a distinctive flair, highlighting the area below the eye. If you want a unique piercing, the anti-eyebrow is a great choice.
Best Eyebrow Piercing Jewelry
Eyebrow piercings are usually done using a 16G needle. When choosing jewelry for your eyebrow piercing, you need to take a few factors into consideration such as the shape, the size and the type of metal. There are a few types of jewelry that work best for this type of piercing:
1. Curved Barbell
The jewelry of choice for eyebrow piercings, the curved barbell is designed in a way that fits well on the eyebrow and is typically recommended and used for the initial piercing. Unlike hoops, it won’t pull at your piercing and cause other issues during the healing process.
2. Straight Barbell
This type of jewelry is also quite popular for eyebrow piercings. The barbell is a straight rod with beads on both ends. There are many unique and vintage straight barbell designs available on the market for you to choose from according to your preference.
3. Captive Bead Ring
This is also known as the ‘bead closure ring’ and is a universal piece of jewelry which can be worn with almost any type of piercing. These rings come with a ball or a small bead which fits into an opening in the circle of the ring. They are quite popular among the piercing community as they are convenient to use and for eyebrow piercings, they fit well without causing discomfort. It’s also used as initial piercing jewelry.
4. Twister Ring
Add an interesting twist to your piercing with a twister ring which comes in the shape of a spiral road. These come with playful and colourful end beads so you can have fun choosing what suits you.
5. Circular Barbell
The circular barbell stands out as a top choice for eyebrow piercings. It looks like a horseshoe and shares similarities with the curved barbell, but it almost makes a full circle. Its unique design sets it apart from typical eyebrow jewelry.
Crafted from materials such as surgical steel, titanium, niobium, or 14k gold, it’s hypoallergenic and lowers allergy risks. You can customize the ends, often featuring beads or decorative pieces, to fit your style. .
6. Segment Ring
The segment ring gives eyebrow piercings a clean, seamless appearance. Unlike circular barbells, this ring closes into a full circle with a piece that snugly fits into the rest of the ring, leaving no gaps.
It’s crafted from materials like surgical steel, titanium, niobium, or 14k gold, making it hypoallergenic and a good pick for people with sensitive skin. The ring’s straightforward design offers a continuous look, perfect for those wanting a subtle touch of elegance.
Eyebrow Piercing Pain – Can I Handle It?
An eyebrow piercing is a simple procedure that involves a single needle and is considered to be one of the less painful piercings, so it falls lower on the pain scale than other types of piercings.
Unlike ear, nasal or lip piercings, there are less nerves on the eyebrow so the experience should be relatively comfortable. However, pain is subjective and everyone’s pain threshold is different. Here’s what one piercee says about the eyebrow piercing:
Amanda – “I’ve had mine done for a year now and it has been by far the easiest piercing I’ve had. It didn’t hurt at all and the only drawback I’ve experienced is that you have to be very careful to not get clothing/towels caught in it. It becomes second nature after a while though.”
While some people may feel a lot of pain, others may not feel any at all. Therefore, we cannot say exactly how painful this piercing is likely to be but it’s safe to say that it won’t hurt too much.
Eyebrow Piercing Aftercare
Eyebrow piercings typically need 2 to 3 months for initial healing and can take up to 4 months to fully heal. Proper aftercare is crucial for successful healing, so follow care guidelines closely. Your piercing’s healing largely relies on how well you look after it.
- Be careful when getting haircuts: although this may seem like a strange tip, eyebrow jewelry can get caught easily in combs. Since the skin is so fragile, the risk of tearing your new piercing is very likely and can lead to many complications so watch out for this when going for a haircut. If possible, try to avoid getting a haircut until the piercing has healed.
- Avoid using makeup and face wash: using these during the healing period is not recommended as chemicals or foreign substances of any sort should not come into contact with your new piercing. While this can be a challenge, it is of vital importance in order to avoid skin irritation and other issues.
- Go for precious metals: jewelry rejection and migration (moving from their original position) are some of the biggest issues that come with eyebrow piercings. One of the main factors that contribute to this is the usage of cheaper metals which are more likely to be rejected by your body. Therefore, try to choose precious metals such as 14k gold for your piercing.
- Avoid waxing your eyebrows: like makeup and face wash, wax is a foreign substance that can cause complications if it comes into contact with your piercing. If needed, you can pluck the hairs around the piercing but remember to be extremely gentle to avoid the piercing getting irritated. Don’t forget that this is a very delicate piercing so try your best to keep it as safe as you can.
- Don’t touch or move the jewelry: although it can be tempting to keep touching and playing with your new eyebrow piercing, avoid doing so since it can cause complications such as infections. If you must touch the area, wash your hands thoroughly first. Otherwise, keep them away from your piercing. Every time you touch your jewelry and move it around, you’re interrupting the healing process and it could take a longer time to heal.
- Eat, sleep and rehydrate: make sure you get enough sleep, eat well and drink enough water since this will all contribute to a faster healing process.
How Much Does an Eyebrow Piercing Cost?
The typical cost of an eyebrow piercing can be anywhere from $20 to 70 depending on the piercer and the cost of the jewelry used. Horizontal and anti-eyebrow piercings general cost about $30 – $80 but this also depends on the cost of the jewelry that is used for the piercing.
If you’re going for an eyebrow piercing, make sure you find an established and reputed piercer since this is a piercing that permanently scars your face and you don’t want to leave room for mistakes. So it’s best not to let the price affect your decision and choice of piercer.
What are the Pros and Cons of an Eyebrow Piercing?
If you’re not sure whether or not the eyebrow piercing is right for you, weighing the pros and cons first could help you to decide.
Eyebrow Piercing Pros
- It is less painful than other piercings.
- It looks good on both men and women.
- It looks stylish and attractive.
Eyebrow Piercing Cons
- Jewelry can get trapped which makes it risky.
- It scars the face permanently.
- Jewelry migration and rejection is a high possibility.
- Facial piercings can affect employability.
Wrapping Up
Eyebrow piercings let you show off your unique style boldly. They have their benefits and drawbacks, but with the right care and choices, you can have a great experience. If you want to look edgy or elegant, always put safety and comfort first in your piercing adventure.
