October 13, 2024

Eyebrow Piercing: Healing, Cost, Pain, Types, Jewelry, Risks, Gauge Sizes, Aftercare

The eyebrow piercing is frequently considered a bold fashion statement and one can occasionally notice the piercing on super models in the Vogue magazine.

Although it was initially popular with women, the eyebrow piercing has proved that it is not only a bold fashion statement but also a unisex fashion for both men and women. Nowadays, you can spot a guy rocking the eyebrow piercing and looking good with it.

Eyebrow Piercing Types

Different types of eyebrow piercings mainly include the vertical eyebrow piercing, the Anti Eyebrow piercing, the horizontal eyebrow piercing, and the spiral eyebrow piercing. Other types of eyebrow piercings are less popular.

1. Vertical Eyebrow Piercing

The vertical eyebrow piercing is a common form of eyebrow piercing and is carried out on any part of the eyebrow's ridge. Most people prefer to have a single vertical piercing on their eyebrow.

However, there are others that prefer multiple vertical piercings, up to 10. This type of piercing is determined by the kind of jewelry you desire to wear on your eyebrow.

If you desire to have a piece of jewelry looped through your eyebrow, then vertical eyebrow piercing may be the style you're looking for. The best type of eyebrow piercing for the vertical eyebrow piercing is the curved barbell jewelry.

Since the piercing takes place on the surface of the skin the wound may take about 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Vertical piercings are prone to migration, whereby the piercing may shift from its original position over time as the skin adjusts.

2. 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.

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.

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.

There are two main types of jewelry piercers will suggest for horizontal eyebrow piercings: surface barbells (flat) 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.

3. Anti Eyebrow Piercing

An Anti Eyebrow piercing is a horizontal facial piercing placed just below the eye on the cheekbone. It is also known as a Butterfly Kiss piercing or a Teardrop piercing. Although it is gaining popularity, it is one of the more unique facial piercing options.

Anti-Eyebrow piercings are usually done with a surface bar. They have an entry and exit point and can be vertical or diagonal.

On average, Anti-Eyebrow piercings can last anywhere from a few months to several years. It's rare to maintain this type of piercing for a lifetime because the piercing travels through the skin directly under its surface rather than going from one side to the other, such as an earlobe piercing.

4. Double Eyebrow Piercing

The double eyebrow piercing technique involves getting two piercings on each eyebrow instead of one. Depending on your fashion sense, you can go for two consecutive vertical piercings or horizontal piercings. The most preferred location for double eyebrow piercings is the outer end of the eyebrow near the arch.

If you prefer double vertical eyebrow piercings, you can use straight or curved barbells. In case you would rather go for double horizontal piercings you can use surface bar jewelry. The double eyebrow piercing takes about 7 weeks to heal.

Eyebrow Piercing Healing Time

How Long do eyebrow piercings take to heal? Eyebrow piercings take between 6 to 8 weeks to heal. This time allows the wound to close and adjust itself around the jewelry. However, it may take longer depending on how well you follow aftercare instructions and if any complications arise.

Also, it may take between 6 to 12 months to be able to remove the jewelry for a while without the pierced area completely closing off.

Eyebrow Piercing Cost

How much is an eyebrow piercing? Eyebrow piercings are quite affordable to most people. The average cost of an eyebrow piercing is usually between $40 and $60, depending on the piercing studio.

The cost of eyebrow jewelry on the other hand depends on how much you are willing to invest in them.

Eyebrow Piercing Pain Scale 1-10

Do eyebrow piercings hurt? Eyebrow piercings are not painful compared to other types of piercings, with a score of 2-3 out of 10 on a pain scale. You might feel a mild pinch and a little bit of pressure during the procedure. However, the discomfort you feel also depends on your piercer's experience.

How Long Do Eyebrow Piercings Last?

Are eyebrow piercings permanent? Not really. On average, eyebrow piercings can last anywhere from a few months to several years.

Eyebrow piercings aren't always rejected. The vertical eyebrow piercing lasts longer while the Anti Eyebrow piercing and the horizontal eyebrow piercing pose a higher risk of rejection because they are surface piercings.

It's rare to maintain this type of piercing for a lifetime because the piercing travels through the skin directly under its surface rather than going from one side to the other, such as an earlobe piercing.

Your chances of rejection increase if your piercer does not go through enough tissue, the jewelry is of poor quality or you fail to follow aftercare instructions.

Do Eyebrow Piercings Close?

Yes, eyebrow piercings can close, especially if they are not fully healed or if the jewelry is removed for an extended period. It may be 6 months to a year before the jewelry can be removed.

Eyebrow Piercing With Glasses?

Can you get an eyebrow piercing if you have glasses? Yes, people with glasses can wear eyebrow piercings. However, consider the placement of your piercing and where your glasses sit to avoid irritation or discomfort, especially as it heals.

Eyebrow Piercing Jewelry

1. Curved Barbells (Banana Barbells)

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

Curved barbells (banana barbells) are popular for vertical eyebrow piercings. They are NOT recommended for Anti-Eyebrow piercings or horizontal eyebrow piercings as they are more likely to reject. But some choose this style as there are a larger variety of design options.

2. Eyebrow Bar Piercing

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

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. They are recommended for horizontal and anti eyebrow piercings as they can reduce the rejection rate.

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

3. Eyebrow Piercing Spike

Spike curved barbell titanium 16G $18.9, SHOP NOW.

This is similar to a curved barbell and is recommended for vertical eyebrow piercings.

4. Eyebrow Piercing Hoop

16 gauge nose ring captive bead Rosery Poetry

Implant-grade titanium captive bead ring 14G 16G 18G 20G $18.9, SHOP NOW.

Some prefer hoops like captive bead rings for an eyebrow piercing, especially the vertical eyebrow piercing. The captive bead ring is known as a piece of universal jewelry because it can be worn in any type of piercing in the body whether tongue, eyebrow, ears, and nose.

This jewelry consists of a circular rod with a bead or ball that fits in an opening in the ring's circle.

5. Dermal Eyebrow Piercing

Dermal anchor piercing with natural green moss agate 14G $24.9, SHOP NOW.

You can create the illusion of an anti-eyebrow piercing by choosing dermal anchors. A dermal anchor features one end that sits below the skin, anchoring it in place while the other end stays exposed.

The top on the exposed end can be changed out for gems, balls, or spikes, making them a versatile option for those who like anti-eyebrow piercings but want to avoid surface piercings.

6. Twister Ring

A twister ring is commonly used for spiral eyebrow piercing. It consists of a spiral rod with beads, balls, or gemstones at the end. The beads come in colorful versions to allow you to choose the best style that suits you.

Pros

Twister ring eyebrow piercings are unique and bold and are best suited for people who are fashion-savvy.
Their twisted rods add a twist to your look making you stand out

Cons

Twister ring eyebrow piercing jewelry may cause discomfort and take longer to heal

Size of Eyebrow Piercing

Eyebrow piercing gauge: The standard gauge size is 16G (1.2mm). 14G (1.6mm) is also available.
Length: The standard length is 3/8"(10mm), but 5/16"(8mm) and 1/2"(12mm) are also available.
Diameter: For the vertical eyebrow piercing, the standard diameter is 5/16"(8mm), but 3/8"(10mm) and 1/2"(12mm) are also available.

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 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

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. 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.

3. 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.

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.

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.

Risks

Just like any other beauty procedure, eyebrow piercing has its own side effects. Namely:

1. Eyebrow Piercing Rejection

Did you know that out of all the many piercing options, the eyebrow piercing is the most likely to be rejected by your body?

Anti eyebrow piercings and horizontal eyebrow piercings pose a high risk of rejection because they are surface piercings and they travel through the skin directly under its surface rather than going from one side to the other, such as an earlobe piercing.

Compared to them, vertical eyebrow piercings usually last longer.

If you want to have a shorter healing time after an eyebrow piercing, avoid playing, rotating, touching, or changing the eyebrow jewelry. Wait until the wound is completely healed.

Signs that your skin is rejecting the piercing include:

The jewelry is visible beneath the skin
The eyebrow jewelry moves too freely than it should
The piercing hole appears to be larger than usual

2. Eyebrow Piercing Scar

Eyebrow piercing involves breaking the surface of the skin. This will therefore result in minor scars and bumps on the piercing area. In most cases, the scar usually heals and disappears after about 6-8 weeks.

However, if your skin rejects the piercing or you have an allergic reaction to the material of the eyebrow jewelry, you could develop visible scars in your eyebrow area that may take a longer time to clear off.

3. Eyebrow Piercing Infection

In rare cases, an infection may develop in the pierced eyebrow area. Signs of an infection after the piercing procedure include:

Brown or green pus
Redness around the pierced area
Swollen lymph nodes below the jaw
Fever

4. Eyebrow Piercing Migration

When your skin rejects the eyebrow piercing jewelry, it will try to adjust itself to push the jewelry out. When this happens, you will notice that the piercing's location will change from its initial one.

How to Clean Eyebrow Piercing?

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.

Eyebrow Piercing Aftercare?

Adhering to appropriate aftercare techniques is essential, regardless of the type of piercing. By following these tips, you increase your chances of a smoother healing process:

Keep hair away from the piercing to prevent tangling and pulling.
Try to avoid sleeping on the side of the piercing to prevent irritation and pressure.
Avoid using hairspray, gels, and cosmetic products as they may transmit bacteria to the area.
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.