Body adornment is still very trendy and eyebrow ring is one of the most popular piercing forms. Brow piercing seems uncomplicated, so we sometimes decide to have the procedure in spur-of-the-moment. However, it is important to remember that any form of piercing causes interference with our bodies. Therefore, it is good to learn about contraindications to the procedure, piercing types, and recommendations for piercing aftercare.
What is piercing?
Piercing is a way of decorating the body. It involves piercing selected parts of the skin to place a piece of jewelry (i.e. an earring) in that area. You should know that body piercing has been practiced for thousands of years and was popular in various cultures around the world. It has its origins in small tribal villages in South America, the Amazon of Asia, Africa, and Polynesia, only to end up on the streets of modern cities centuries later. So, what does the procedure look like? It's similar to the regular ear piercing: an area of tissue is pierced with a needle, and an earring of one's choice is inserted into the hole.
How is eyebrow piercing performed?
Eyebrow piercing is performed with a single needle to ensure it's as painless as possible. It is important to avoid sunbathing, alcohol, and painkillers before the procedure. Eyebrow piercing should be performed in perfectly sterile conditions, using disposable needles and sterile tools. The earrings for the procedure should also be sterilized. In addition, the eyebrow and brow area are disinfected before the procedure starts. The salon where you perform the piercing usually offers a choice of rings, made of high-quality and well-tolerated materials, such as titanium, so it is better not to bring your own earring. You can wear it after your brow has healed.
Eyebrow piercing step by step
1. The piercer attaches a special clamp to the skin. It adjusts the depth at which the needle will enter. A fairly thick area of skin is grabbed, as the piercing should not be too close to the skin's surface.
2. The area about to be pierced is properly disinfected.
3. Later on, the piercer marks the place where the needle is inserted by drawing a little dot there with a marker pen.
4. Then the piercing is performed by piercing the marked area with a needle. It remains inside the skin, and the clamp is disposed of.
5. Then the piercer gently removes the needle and inserts a barbell into the piercing. Done!
What are the types of eyebrow piercing?
Eyebrow piercing includes three basic types: standard, horizontal, and anti-eyebrow. Although it is a rather painful procedure, performed with local anesthesia, the healing usually goes without complications, due to the low mobility of this part of the face. For brow piercings, a special type of jewelry is used for surface piercings, the so-called Surface bar.
Is an eyebrow piercing safe?
Eyebrow piercing is generally safe, but avoid situations where the piercing could move; like wearing a helmet and riding a motorcycle, or visiting infection-prone places like a sauna, swimming pool, or tanning bed). During the first weeks following the procedure, you should watch closely the pierced area.
Does an eyebrow piercing hurt?
This is certainly an individual matter. Some people feel the discomfort more strongly, others less. During the piercing procedure, local anesthesia is applied, making the process practically painless. An occlusive bandage is then applied, which should be worn for about 8 hours. The pierced area should be washed several times a day with saline solution.
How long does an eyebrow piercing take to heal?
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer here. Much depends on the pierced area and the individual predispositions to healing. In general, the healing time is estimated from a few weeks to up to 3 months, and in other places on the body up to six months! During the healing process, the material of which the earring is made also matters, so it is worth remembering that high-quality materials are less prone to be rejected by the body.
Eyebrow earrings - gold, silver, or maybe plastic?
We classify eyebrow earrings primarily by the material from which they are made. The better the quality, the better it is tolerated by the skin. We can choose from:
- Gold - the most reliable but also the most expensive material that does not cause allergic reactions and supports the healing process.
- Silver - slightly cheaper than gold, also has regenerative properties.
- Plastic - comes at a low price; it does not overburden the pierced area and also promotes regeneration.
- Titanium - a very popular, safe, and anti-allergenic material that promotes the skin healing process. It is of high quality and comes at a fairly low price. In addition, it does not cause allergies. Titanium earrings can be worn even by people with allergies.
What to consider before getting a piercing?
Before piercing your eyebrows or any other body part, it is a good idea to learn about the contraindications of the procedure. These include:
1. Cold or illness and antibiotics taken
Both illness and taken medications, mainly antibiotics, weaken the body, so you need to wait 2 weeks after the final dose and have the procedure done only after this time.
2. Preparing for medical examination
Generally, when you undergo medical examinations, treatments, or procedures, you may be asked to remove your body jewelry. If you are facing an examination shortly - postpone your piercing appointment. A freshly-done piercing needs to heal, which can take from 3 to 6 months, and it is not allowed to take the earring out while it is healing!
3. Blood clotting disorders
It is strictly forbidden to pierce the skin in case of blood clotting disorders.
4. Pregnancy and post-partum
Postpone your piercing procedure until your baby is a bit older.
5. Holidays
Remember that a fresh piercing should not be soaked in water. A visit to the pool, lake, sea, etc. is out of the question. In addition, for the first few months following the procedure, it is advisable not to use the sauna.
6. Skin diseases
All chronic and acute forms of skin diseases disqualify the piercing procedure.
7. Menstruation
Piercing may be more painful when you're on your period.
8. Season
You should know that the pierced area will heal much slower in winter than in spring or summer.
Important recommendations following the piercing procedure
First and foremost - hygiene! With any kind of wound including an eyebrow piercing, it is crucial to keep it clean. Following the procedure, do not get into a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, lake, sea, etc. The water may contain harmful microorganisms. The piercing should also not be touched with dirty hands. Therefore, wash your hands first with soap (antibacterial soap is advisable), then apply a disinfectant liquid to the pierced area. Clean the pierced area regularly and daily. A sterile cotton pad soaked in warm water is sufficient for this task. Then apply an antiseptic or saline solution (saline or sea salt). Also remember not to apply creams, lotions, perfumes, etc. to the pierced area. Any unusual symptoms, e.g. discharge, redness, or inflammation, should be immediately consulted with the piercer who performed the procedure or your doctor. Only then you may avoid infection and migration of the piercing may.
REMEMBER!
If you feel constant itching and the pierced area becomes red and swollen, this is a symptom of inflammation. It is necessary to contact a specialist to advise further aftercare.
Eyebrow piercing and makeup - can you apply brow makeup to the pierced area?
Many people ask whether it is possible to wear makeup after getting an eyebrow piercing. During the initial stage of healing, you should refrain from using cosmetics containing alcohol, and you should also avoid makeup around the pierced area. However, you can gently comb through the brows and tweeze your eyebrows in the area surrounding the piercing, as the jewelry on your brow draws more attention to whether the brow looks neat and is properly groomed. Use good-quality tweezers and the procedure will go smoothly!
After the skin has healed, of course, you can go back to doing your brow makeup. A pierced brow attracts attention, so it will certainly benefit from beautiful and carefully-done makeup, using good quality cosmetics. A precisely defined eyebrow can perfectly complement the piercing and add harmony to the whole. A pierced eyebrow with unruly or stray brow hairs that's badly shaped takes away from the effect of the entire styling, and the piercing only draws attention to the imperfections, so it's worth taking care of the shape and aesthetics of a pierced brow. Even just a gentle definition and subtle touch-ups with a good brow pencil can make the brow look way better.
Brow pomade is also an ideal brow makeup product that's long-wearing, intense, and extremely malleable. It allows you to fill in the brow, define its shape, and create hair-like strokes. Such brow makeup is sure to add a flair to your piercing! Check out our guide to brow makeup products and learn how to use them.
Can piercings damage your vision?
There is a fairly common belief that eyebrow piercing can negatively affect eyesight. It's a myth! It is impossible to damage the optic nerve during the piercing procedure. However, it is worth knowing that badly performed piercing causes a risk of touching the trigeminal nerve, which can lead to neuralgia. Therefore, choose the salon and your piercer with caution - use the services of only qualified specialists with a lot of experience and good reviews.