The eyebrow piercing, with its rebellious charm, burst onto the scene during the 1970s punk wave. Since those punk rock beginnings, it has won over everyone from rock stars like Amy Lee of Evanescence to the enchanting actress Keke Palmer.
In this guide we'll cover everything you need to know about this piercing and answer questions like: "how long after an eyebrow piercing can you change it?", "how painful is an eyebrow piercing?" and "should I get an eyebrow piercing on the left or right?".
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As the name implies, this surface piercing goes through or sits along the eyebrow. You might be thinking there's only one style of this piercing, but there are actually multiple ways to rock this look! Let's go over your options for eyebrow piercing locations!
This is your classic eyebrow piercing. It usually sports a curved barbell, appearing at the top and bottom of the brow.
The most common placement for the piercing is on the outer third of the eyebrow. However, you have the option to choose where you would like it. You can have it placed closer to the bridge of your nose or towards the end of your eyebrow. Ultimately, the decision of which eyebrow piercing style to get is yours to make!
Feeling bold? Why not have multiple eyebrow piercings side by side?
Lying flat atop the eyebrow, this piercing typically uses a surface barbell. The exact spot and angle all depend on what works best with your anatomy and personal preference.
A bit of a misnomer, this piercing isn't on the eyebrow at all. Instead, it graces the area below the eye, following the cheekbone's curve. It's a more unique choice but comes with its own set of considerations due to its position.
Which style should you pick or which side should you get it on? Well, that's up to you! Whether you want your eyebrow piercing on the right or left side is completely your choice and depends on your personal style and preference! You can even get pierced on both sides for a symmetrical look!
The price for this piercing can vary depending on shop and location, but generally they cost around $30-$70. Keep in mind that this price does not include the cost of your initial jewelry. It's important to invest in high-quality materials, such as implant-grade titanium, which can significantly improve the healing process and reduce the risk of irritation.
How do you know if you can get an eyebrow piercing? A professional piercer will check if your eyebrow anatomy is suitable for the type of eyebrow piercing you want. You will be pierced with a hollow point needle and your starter jewelry will be a curved barbell. This barbell will be extra long to account for potential swelling
The process for an anti-eyebrow piercing is similar. However, the jewelry used is usually a flat surface barbell instead of a curved one.
So, is an eyebrow piercing painful? While all piercings hurt, most report this piercing has a lower pain level than other piercings.
Eyebrow piercing pain scale: Most agree only around a 2-4
That said, this type of piercing is known to swell. And because there are so many capillaries around the eye, black eyes after this piercing are also not unheard of. Your piercer should let you know what to expect, and be able to address any concerns you may have.
So, how long is it to heal an eyebrow piercing? The healing time for this piercing can range from six to 12 months. Of course, like any piercing, that healing period could be longer if you have any complications.
Caring for your fresh piercing is a must. Since it's a surface piercing, there's a higher chance of migration or rejection. Good piercing aftercare is the number one way to help prevent that and to best heal it.
First, keep your piercing clean and dry. Clean your piercing twice a day with a saline spray or saline solution, and gently pat or let air dry.
Avoid touching it, and avoid applying makeup, sunscreen, or moisturizer too close to the piercing. Be careful when you wash your face or change your clothes. You may also need to avoid sleeping on your side for awhile, so as not to put pressure on your piercing.
Don’t play with or pick at your piercing, as it can cause irritation and delay healing. Little crusties are normal and part of the healing process. Just like a scab, it's best to leave them alone and let your body take care of them.
Wait until you fully heal before changing your jewelry. If you need to change it sooner, ask your piercer for help.
Finally, stay away from pools, lakes, and beaches because they have bacteria that can harm your new eyebrow piercing.
If you notice any signs of infection or other troubling complications, see your piercer or medical professional immediately.
There are only a couple eyebrow piercing jewelry types, but those can be easily customized with different threaded or threadless ends.
For your vertical and horizontal piercings, a curved barbell will be the standard. However, you can also wear various types of rings in your vertical eyebrow piercing. These include clickers, circular barbells, captive bead rings, and seamless rings.
Anti-eyebrow piercings can also use curved barbells sometimes, but a straight surface barbell is more common.
Regardless of the type of piercing you choose, ask your piercer for the gauge and length of your jewelry. Knowing this information will help you shop for jewelry. And for an eyebrow ring, ask your piercer for the diameter.
Whether you're looking for a more subtle eyebrow piercing look or something more edgy, we carry many jewelry options.
SHOP OUR EYEBROW JEWELRY COLLECTION HERE
Before you start, make sure your hands are clean. Wearing gloves is a good idea for added hygiene. Use clean cotton swabs (on a fully healed piercing) and Neil Med saline spray to gently clean the area around the piercing. This ensures a safe and clean process.
The curved barbell usually has threaded balls on both sides. Unscrew the top ball of your current piercing. This will allow you to remove the old piercing and insert the new one from the top.
Hold the new curved barbell with one hand and remove the current piercing with the other hand. Carefully insert the new curved barbell through the piercing hole, ensuring it comes out on the other side smoothly. Make sure it pops out right at the end.
Now, take the threaded ball and twist it onto the bottom end of the barbell. This secures the piercing in place. Adjust the position if needed to make it comfortable and stylish.
Congratulations! You've successfully changed your eyebrow piercing!
Pro Tip: If you experience any pain, discomfort, or resistance during the process, stop immediately and consult a professional piercer.
As with any facial piercing, it's important to consider your place of work and their policies. A vertical eyebrow piercing can be made more subtle with use of a retainer, but hiding a horizontal or anti-eyebrow piercing may be harder.
You may want to reconsider getting this piercing if you play any high-contact or rough sports, where contact with your face is likely.
And, as with any piercing, scarring is always a possibility, and should be taken into consideration when piercing your face. This is especially true for anti-eyebrow piercings, which have a higher rate of rejection, and are on a very prominent part of the face.
Always reach out if have any other questions. And hey, don’t forget to follow us on all our socials @Bodyartforms.
