Piercing places saw a rise in popularity of eyebrow piercings with the adoption of pop subculture in the 1970s. This unique piercing was an expression of rebellion and fashion with an edge. Y2K fashion trends have recently brought the eyebrow piercing back into the limelight. The actor Jacob Elordi is credited with the revival of this piercing with his portrayal of Felix in the 2023 film Saltburn.
According to GQ magazine, Y2K has been enjoying a Neo-like resurrection for a while now. Gen Z is always looking for inspo from fashion of the past decades to create trends on TikTok. The eyebrow piercing is one such trend. The charm of it also lies in its androgynous nature. It is considered a non-gendered piercing that men and women can sport.
Anti-eyebrow piercings are a modern variation of eyebrow piercings. K-pop star JB of GOT7 and many other celebrities popularised this piercing. Piercing places have reported a renewed interest in anti-eyebrow piercings in 2024 and 2025.
Know the Difference
Eyebrow piercing and anti-eyebrow piercing differ in their placement. Eyebrow piercing is on the ridge of the brow, usually on the tail of the brow. It adds just the right touch of oomph to amp up your aesthetic. The anti-eyebrow piercing is under the eye or cheek area. It is less common than the eyebrow piercing, but unique and sleek.
Both piercings are surface piercings. Eyebrow piercings can be vertical and horizontal. Vertical eyebrow piercings are the most common type, where a curved barbell enters the bottom of the brow and exits at the top. It runs vertically. The horizontal piercing uses flat jewellery (like a surface bar) that runs horizontally across the outer edge of the eyebrow. Vertical eyebrow piercings are perpendicular to the brow line. Horizontal eyebrow piercings and anti-eyebrow piercings lie flat along the brow and below the eye on the upper cheekbone.
These piercings are surface piercings, which translates to a higher risk of rejection. The healing time will be longer than traditional piercings. Some piercing places do not offer them as part of their services because of the risk of rejection and healing issues.
They are prominently visible and cause more of a stir in conservative settings.
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Piercing places may not tell you that these piercings are prone to migration. The body tends to push the jewellery out over time, making it a long-term temporary piercing.
Pain and Healing Time
Of course, piercings involve pain, and if you ask for a realistic ballpoint figure, we can rate them on a scale of 10 for you. Eyebrow piercings would be a 2-4 /10. Pretty low on the scale and will not faze people who have a good pain threshold. The anti-eyebrow piercing will be slightly higher at 4-6/10. If you have had piercings before, this will not faze you.
The eyebrow piercing will take around 6-8 weeks to heal if the proper aftercare instructions are followed consistently. The anti-eyebrow piercing takes around 2-3 months to heal, or sometimes much longer. Healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. Health, lifestyle, and aftercare will play a role in the healing process.
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Piercing places might not tell you that pain depends on your body and mental state. A healthy body will repair itself faster than a compromised one. You might have read or listened to the experiences of friends that could have raised your guard. For some people, the preparation might be nerve-racking. The clamps or the pressure of the needle might spook them and intensify the pain sensation. An anti-eyebrow piercing can result in more swelling because of its location.
Jewellery Types You Should Start With
The right jewellery can make or break the look of a piercing. Even if you are keen on a piece of jewellery, ensure that it suits your piercing. If you have doubts about the right jewellery for your piercing, consult professionals at piercing places. If you are considering an eyebrow piercing or an anti-eyebrow piercing, then these are our recommendations: curved barbells for eyebrow piercings and surface bars for anti-eyebrow piercings.
Most celebrities sport curved barbells on their eyebrow piercings. Curved barbells are best suited for eyebrow piercings. They aid healing as well. The other option is the captive bead rings. They should be fine for eyebrow piercing, but they are not preferred for initial piercings.
Surface bars are ideal for anti-eyebrow piercings. They are designed to reduce migration. Flexible PTFE bars are also a good choice, and they can aid healing.
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Piercing may not take your skin sensitivities into account. Some metals trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Avoid cheap steel and mystery metals at all costs. It is recommended to opt for implant-grade titanium or surgical steel as a general precaution for most people. Do not let piercing places sell you on rings for anti-eyebrow piercings. It is outdated and risky to boot.
Healing and Aftercare
Like all piercings, daily saline washes are basic. It is advisable to do it twice daily. Saline water disinfects the wound and gently cleans without irritating. It will promote the healing process. It is natural to be tempted to fiddle with the new piercing, but it is best to avoid the temptation. Touching and rotating the jewellery will not allow the wound to heal and might make it worse. Do not attempt to change the jewellery for months after. Avoid applying pressure on the piercing by sleeping on it.
Anti-eyebrow piercings are prone to rejection due to the nature of the piercing. Constant movement of facial muscles will hamper healing. The skin on the eyebrows is also thinner. Eyebrow piercings trap sweat and makeup.
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Piercing places might not tell you that over-cleaning is just as bad as under-cleaning. Follow the recommended schedule of cleaning. Sea salt soaks are popular, yes. but they can dry out the skin if misused. Be cognisant of the risks after your piercing. The chances of scarring are very real if you remove the jewellery early or during inflammation.
Signs of Infection
Any redness, pus, pain or heat on the site of the piercing is a symptom of infection. Consult a medical professional without delay if you notice any of these symptoms.
If you notice the jewellery moving, skin thinning, or a red line following the bar, they are signs of rejection. This is one of the biggest risks with eyebrow and anti-eyebrow piercings.
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Piercing places might not tell you that rejection is not always preventable, especially for anti-eyebrow piercings. Seek help at piercing places and act early if you notice any signs of rejection. If you have changed your mind about the piercing and need to remove it, consult the piercing place and do it properly. It can leave a nasty scar if it is not properly handled.
Conclusion
The idea of an eyebrow piercing or an anti-eyebrow piercing may be the coolest thing to do now, but it is not as easy as it appears. It requires serious consideration. This particular piercing is better done at top-tier piercing places, like Colibri Tattoo & Piercing, for the best results.
Always be prepared with sufficient research before you commit to it. With proper aftercare, you should enjoy your piercing for years.
