Eyebrow piercings are trending at the moment, so here’s what you need to know about them

Take it from someone who’s had one.

When I was a preteen, there was a girl a few years above me at school that I was quietly in awe of. She was beautiful and charismatic, but what really stood out to me was that she had a diamante eyebrow piercing. That piercing did something to me. It felt powerful and sexy but in a nonchalant, irreverent kind of way.

In the years that followed, the type of self-assuredness it takes to pull off a piercing like this – a piercing that’s front and centre on your face, directly above your eyes – never lost its appeal for me. Aside from the Girl With the Diamante Eyebrow Piercing, I’ve always loved the early 2000s feel of it (never forget Fergie’s iconic eyebrow piercing!!).

We like nosy people. Don’t be shy, head to our Beauty section for more. 

I like that it’s traditionally seen as quite a masculine piercing but on a woman’s face, it somehow looks both dainty and tough. So two years ago, on a drunken whim, a friend and I decided to bite the bullet and pierce our eyebrows. While I no longer wear mine (and I certainly don’t condone getting something pierced while under the influence) for the time I had it I loved it.

And now, eyebrow piercings are experiencing something of a proper pop culture resurgence, with Jacob Elordi’s character in Saltburn having one and piercers around the world reporting a growing number of people wanting eyebrow piercings (something we can undoubtedly attribute to the Y2K renaissance). So if you’re considering getting one, what do you need to know?

The basics

Something to keep in mind with eyebrow piercings (and any facial piercings) is that you need to be very certain about your decision. Mull it over for a while before biting the bullet, and for god’s sake don’t get it pierced on a drunken whim (do as I say, not as I do). Aftercare-wise it’s quite the commitment, particularly in the first few months, and it can leave you with a permanent scar if removed.

In terms of the placement of the piercing, whether it’s a vertical or horizontal placement and where on your eyebrow you choose to get it done is entirely up to you. Just make sure you have a thorough discussion with your piercer beforehand so you’re both on the same page.

The risks

Eyebrow piercings are a surface piercing and carry a high risk of migrating or being rejected by your body if they’re not pierced deeply enough or the wrong jewellery is used. It pays to research the best piercers in your area and go to someone who’s experienced with this type of piercing.

Unfortunately, even if everything is done correctly, it still might not go to plan – that’s the risk you run anytime you put a foreign object into your body. While I sailed through the healing period after getting my eyebrow pierced, my friend’s piercing was continuously infected the entire time she had it and she ultimately took it out because of this.

Is it painful?

The pain was very minimal for my friend and me, and this seems to be the common consensus when it comes to eyebrow piercings. There are minimal nerves on your eyebrows (love that) and piercers class it as one of the easiest piercings to execute, as it’s done with just a single needle.

How long does it take to heal?

They usually take at least three to four months to fully heal, but for some people, it can take closer to five or six months. Unfortunately, every time you knock or bump it while it’s still healing will set you back.

Make sure you consider your lifestyle before committing to one. If you’re a particularly rough person, regularly play a contact sport, or wear an over-the-face helmet like a motorcycle helmet often, then perhaps it’s not the piercing for you. I know firsthand the pain these knocks and bumps can cause (I got mine catastrophically caught in a lace singlet while I was getting changed in a hurry and it was excruciating).

What about aftercare?

Healing any piercing successfully can be a real pain in the ass, but it all comes down to choosing the right jewellery and being scrupulous with your aftercare in the months that follow. Aside from avoiding knocks and bumps to the area, keeping your eyebrow piercing clean is crucial. Your piercer may recommend a specific post-piercing aftercare spray, but soap and water can also work just fine.

Personally, I used the spray day and night after washing my face, and I applied it to a cotton wool bud which I used to gently clean around and under the piercing. While you’re still healing, it’s a good idea to use minimal makeup and skincare in the area where the piercing is and hold off on eyebrow waxes and treatments.

For more on eyebrow piercings, head here.