September 29, 2024

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing: Placement, Duration, Pain, Cost, Healing, Jewelry, Aftercare

Horizontal eyebrow piercings are an edgy alternative to the traditional vertical eyebrow piercing. They have a variety of jewelry options and tend to be low on the pain scale. However, there are some risks you should be aware of. Keep reading for everything you need to know about horizontal eyebrow piercings.

What Is a Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing?

A horizontal eyebrow piercing is a surface piercing that goes from side to side at your eyebrow. It’s often positioned just above or below your eyebrow but some people opt to place it right within the eyebrow.

Depending on the shape of your brow and the amount of tissue, your piercer may recommend the piercing go toward the edge of your brow or more toward the center.

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Are Horizontal Eyebrow Piercings Dermal Piercings?

No, a horizontal eyebrow piercing is not a dermal piercing. On the contrary, it is a surface piercing because there are two piercing holes and the jewelry goes in and back out of your skin. A dermal piercing has just one hole for a single-point piercing.

Horizontal vs. Vertical Eyebrow Piercings

A horizontal eyebrow piercing is positioned horizontally so the jewelry is flat or at a slight angle from left to right.

A vertical eyebrow piercing is positioned vertically so the jewelry is straight up and down or at a slight angle. Vertical eyebrow piercings are usually considered “traditional” eyebrow piercings.

How Long Do Horizontal Eyebrow Piercings Last?

While it depends on your body, horizontal eyebrow piercings are likely to last from a few months to several years. This is because they are surface piercings and will typically migrate slowly to the surface of your skin.

Do Horizontal Eyebrow Piercings Hurt?

Eyebrows don’t have a lot of nerves, so horizontal eyebrow piercings typically don’t hurt too badly. Many people place eyebrow piercings at a 2 or 3 on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being very little pain and 10 being the highest level of pain.

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Healing

Typically, they can heal within 6-8 weeks but may take as long as several months. The healing time will depend on your body's reaction to the piercing and how well you take care of it. Infection, injury at the piercing site, or poor aftercare may lengthen this process.

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Cost

How much is a horizontal eyebrow piercing? Horizontal eyebrow piercings often cost around $30-$40 at a trustworthy piercing salon. However, this price is just for the service and doesn’t include the cost of your jewelry.

Jewelry costs will depend on the quality and type of material. For example, you could pay $7-$10 for a simple surgical steel eyebrow barbell or over $400 for a 14K gold barbell with diamond accents.

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Jewelry Types

There are two main types of jewelry piercers will suggest for horizontal eyebrow piercings: surface barbells and curved barbells.

The curved or staple-line design can help slow or prevent the migration of surface piercings by creating less tension against your skin.

1. Surface Barbell

Surface barbell with opal white blue purple green opal titanium surface bar piercings 16G $22.9, SHOP NOW.

Shaped like a staple, there is a horizontal bar with two 90-degree angles on each end that are secured with threaded accents.

Note: Choose a flat surface bar instead of a round one to avoid seeing the bar under your skin.

2. Curved Barbells (Banana Barbells)

Curved barbell eyebrow piercing 16G 6mm 8mm 10mm titanium diamond eyebrow barbell gold silver $22.9, SHOP NOW.

A barbell with a slight curve, no sharp angles, and typically two accents that secure each end. These designs come in different metal types like surgical steel, silver, and gold. They also have varying accents like metal balls, spikes, diamonds, shaped gemstones, flat disks, and more.

Curved barbells are NOT recommended fo horizontal eyebrow piercings as they are more likely to reject. But some choose this style as there are a larger variety of design options.

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Jewelry Sizes

The right eyebrow jewelry size for you will depend on your anatomy and skin. However, here are some common sizing choices:

1. Gauge

16G (1.2mm) piercings and jewelry are the most common. But 14G (1.6mm), 16G (1.2mm), and 20G (0.8mm) are also available. The larger the gauge used in the piercing, the less likely the piercing is to be rejected or accidentally torn out.

That being said, using jewelry that is too large or too small can increase your chances of complications like migration, rejection, or infection. Consult with your piercer for professional sizing advice and follow up with them after your piercing if it’s uncomfortable or feels ill-fitting.

2. Length

You can choose 6mm, 8mm, 10mm or 1/4", 5/16”, 3/8” based on your preference.

When Can I Change My Eyebrow Piercing?

It takes about 6-8 weeks for initial healing. However, at 6-8 weeks the piercing might still close up if you leave it open for too long. After about 6 months to a year, you will be able to take off your eyebrow jewelry without worrying the piercing might close up.

Recommended Materials for Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Jewelry

When choosing your jewelry material, picking the correct type of metal is important. Some metals are more allergy-prone or easier to care for than others. Nickel and gold can cause contact dermatitis in some people, so it's best to stay away from these two metals for your initial piercing.

1. Titanium: About $20-$40

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Staple bar piercing with balls internally threaded surface bar 14G $18.9, SHOP NOW.

Titanium has a reputation for being the best metal for piercings for many reasons. It is lightweight, hypoallergenic, durable, nickel-free, non-corrosive, and won’t tarnish.

Its non-porous nature reduces places bacteria can hide, promoting healing.

Titanium is also hypoallergenic, meaning it is less likely to cause allergic reactions. Titanium is nickel-free.

Its high density-to-strength ratio means your jewelry is very durable.

A lower density also makes titanium lightweight, a big plus for many users. Finally, the metal comes in many colors because you can anodize it.

The only real downside to titanium jewelry is that you will pay more for all those positive traits. Shop for implant-grade titanium with designations like ASTM F-136, ASTM F-67, or ISO 5832-3.

2. Surgical Steel: About $5-$30

Even surgical-grade steel contains small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions in those with skin sensitivities. Choose a different option if you are concerned about irritation or a nickel allergy.

Steel combines iron and carbon, improving its strength and ability to resist fracturing.

However, this silver alloy can contain other elements, including nickel. Make sure to buy surgical-grade steel jewelry. These will have ratings: ASTM F-138, ISO 5832-1, ISO 10993-6, ISO 10993-10, or ISO 10993-11.

One of the pros most people cite for steel jewelry pieces is the lower price point. Steel is also a durable option. These pieces are low maintenance because the steel does not corrode, rust, or tarnish.

Weight is the top complaint for those using steel jewelry pieces. Steel can be less comfortable if worn in piercings for long periods.

3. Solid Gold: About $40-$200

This metal will not rust or tarnish. It is also easy to decorate and shape. The added alloys in 18k, and especially 14k, make them more durable than 24k gold pieces.

One downside to gold jewelry is the price tag, which is expensive. Another concern will be that the metal is soft, making it susceptible to bends, breaks, and gouges. Gold can also be heavy, especially with more pure karat ratings.

4. Niobium: About $20-$60

Niobium is a light grey metal known for its hardness that is like titanium. The metal resists corrosion and tarnishing like others on the list, creating minimal maintenance for you.

It might be the best metal for a piercing if you want titanium-like durability with more malleability. That extra pliability makes it easier for jewelers to shape pieces. Niobium can come in various colors as it is something that you can anodize.

The only real downsides are that it weighs a bit more than titanium and you will likely pay a bit more due to the process involved in manufacturing this metal.

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Risks

1. Infection

Like any piercing, horizontal eyebrow piercings present the risk of infection.

It’s crucial to follow your piercer’s instructions for aftercare to keep the piercing site clean and free of germs and bacteria. You should also avoid playing with the jewelry, sleeping on it, or snagging it on things like clothing or towels.

2. Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Migration

Since horizontal eyebrow piercings are surface piercings, they also present the risks of migration. With migration, the piercing can slowly change location or move further toward the surface of your skin.

There’s not much you can do to prevent or stop it other than go to a reputable piercer and choose the right size jewelry.

3. Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Rejection

Surface piercings are closer to the surface of the skin, so the tendency to reject is higher, as it is easier for the body to force the jewelry out.

With rejection, your body identifies the jewelry as a foreign object and threat to your health, pushing it out. You can help prevent rejection by choosing the right size jewelry and taking care of your piercing. If you notice rejection happening, you may need larger jewelry.

How to Clean Horizontal Eyebrow Piercings (Step by Step)?

It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing.

Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.

If you prefer homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.

If you see signs of infection, you can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.

Then proceed with the following steps to clean your piercing:

Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel, or a non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spay it while healing.
Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.

Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.

Horizontal Eyebrow Piercing Aftercare

Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
Avoid touching it or applying makeup very close to it.
Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
Clean your piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions.
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.

In Summary

In summary, horizontal eyebrow piercings can be a fun type of facial piercing that’s sure to make you stand out. They are positioned horizontally above, below, or within your brow and are a variation of the traditional vertical eyebrow piercing.

With a variety of jewelry designs to choose from, you can express yourself with various types of curved and surface barbells. Plus, this type of piercing is relatively low on the pain scale. Consider if a horizontal eyebrow piercing is right for you and schedule your appointment today.