As the name suggests, this is the type of piercing that is done along the eyebrow. It can be done anywhere along the brow line on either side. The most common types are horizontal and vertical. It is believed to have been introduced in 1970`s and it has not gone out of the fashion yet. This type of piercing can do well to both men and women.
Overview
Eyebrow piercing may sometimes have a tendency of migrating if they are not pierced deeply enough or if sometimes the jewelry is too thin or heavy.
In some cases, you will also find the effect of eyebrow hairs causing swelling and tenderness as they try to grow. So it will, therefore, be a wise idea to pluck the hair closest to the entry points of jewelry.
Today is true that piercing is becoming very popular among the young generation since many members of young generation society view it as a statement of beauty. So let us now look at the various types of eyebrow piercings.
Types
Here are four common types:
a. Horizontal/sideway
This kind is slightly different from the standard one. This kind that is pierced horizontally, following the line of the eyebrow. They are commonly placed above the eyebrow. This kind looks unique. Actually, they are normally placed along the brow.
Remember horizontal eyebrow piercing just like other types also has various range of suitable jewelry that will suit it. Some examples are barbells, curved barbells, bioplast among others.
b. Vertical Eyebrow Piercing
This type is done vertically through the eyebrow and anywhere along the ridge. They normally take approximately 6-8 weeks to heal. In this type, jewelry may move from its original location as in some people their bodies will tend to reject the foreign objects by attempting to push them outside. The piercing movement from its original location will depend also on the used jewelry properties. The most appropriate jewelry for this kind is barbell or captive bead rings.
c. Double eyebrow piercing
This is a kind is where you will find there are two piercing in one eyebrow or in the other case, both sides of the eyebrow will be having at least a piercing. When it is done in one brow then chances of experiencing some swelling and bruising may be high depending on the skin structure or properties of an individual. Again depending on the face or the size of the eyebrow of a person, this kind also has jewelry the will best match it.
d. Anti-eyebrow/reverse
Anti-eyebrow piercing (also known as upper cheek, tears, teardrops or butterfly kiss) is a facial piercing that is placed just above the cheekbone. It is normally found below the eyebrow. It is usually done with small surface bar or curved barbell. It can be vertical or horizontal depending on the person’s desire. During the process, we should take into consideration proper care, placement, and suitable jewelry to avoid rejection and migration.
We should take into account that, while performing any of the mentioned types of eyebrow piercing, we should define the correct size of brow area to be pierced, the correct tools, suitable jewelry for each type, and the skin properties of an individual. When this is fulfilled then we can hasten the relief of avoiding any pending risk of infection or rejection and migration.
Eyebrow piercing process
Now that you have made your mind to have your eyebrow pierced, how do you go about the actual process? The first thing you should do is to establish a well-known parlor to get it done. Then you will need to show your professional piercer the desired placed to have it in your eyebrow. He or she will then mark the entry and exit points with a pen. Then a hollow, sterilized piercing needle is passed from the outside corner of the eye through the eyebrow. Finally, the jewelry will be inserted into the hole made by the needle.
During the, one is likely to experience the same pain experienced during eyebrow-plucking. The area again may undergo mild swelling and bruise after the process.
Eyebrow piercing cost
It should be very clear to us that piercing laws and cost usually vary with state/country. Again in geographical areas where there is a large number people will tend to have lower costs. Another thing we have to consider in relation to the costs is the type and the value jewelry. There may be other additional cost depending on the piercers. Below are some typical costs:
- Vertical eyebrow piercing-$20-$70 (depending on the cost of jewelry)
- Horizontal eyebrow piercing-$30-$80
- Anti-eyebrow piercing-$30-$80 (depending on the cost of jewelry)
Can they get infections
Due to the fact that there are many types of piercing in fashion nowadays, It is important to understand that, all the types are vulnerable to infections if proper care is not taken after it has been done. So following this fact, let us briefly look at the causes of infections:
What are the causes infections?
Piercing related infections are usually due to bacteria, yeast, fungi and another pathogenic microorganism due to poor piercing methods and personal hygiene, for example, you will find some people touching them with their dirty hands, using unsterilized needles, swimming in chlorinated pools or even using dirty beddings. The use of wrong jewelry, trauma, and injuries are also another factors leading to piercings infections. Generally, any piercing should be properly taken care of by following the instruction given by the piercer.
Sign and symptoms
How will you tell that your piercing is infected? Ok, don’t worry yourself, here are some of the signs and symptoms that will help you know about infections:
1. Discharge from the pierced area
Presence of yellowish or white pus-like discharge in the discharge site is an indication of infection. When you notice a white pus-like when the jewelry move or around the jewelry, then that indicates that your infection is minor. Again on the other side, when you have a clear discharge then that is likely to be lymph which indicates that your piercing is healing. When it is not properly washed or cleaned, one may develop crusting and scabbing hence slowing down the healing process.
2. Burning sensation due to an allergic reaction
This is another common symptom when your piercing is infected. This might be sometimes accompanied by yellowish discharge from the site due to an allergic reaction. Allergic reaction in this case, may be due to some various body care product which some do use. But one must check first on the jewelry material and try to determine if the material might be the cause of the allergy.
Another important issue we have to note is that sometimes when the piercing is too tight or loose then this can also lead to irritation which may lead to effects similar to that of allergic reaction.
3. Swelling, tenderness, and redness
It is always normal to develop some redness, tenderness, bruising and swelling at the piercing site immediately or for the first few days after having it. But in situations where the swelling, redness and bruising does not disappear after 7-10 days, then it is likely to be infected. For this case, taking anti-inflammatory medications may be very appropriate.
4. Pain
Most of the time, infections on the piercing might be painful. Someone may tend to have a throbbing or stinging feeling, this can also be very painful. The best idea therefore for healing painful piercing is to seek for some over the counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. This drugs will help to reduce your pain as you seek further medications.
5. Having bumps or abscess on your piercing
Having a swollen area within the body tissue is an indication that your piercing is infected. This condition may develop due to poor drainage or the availability of foreign materials that will cause your body to react to fight the foreign material. Some home care remedies will help you get rid the bumps and abscess.
6. Experiencing fever, nausea, chills and function loss
When one starts to experience fever, cold chills, and nausea feeling, then that will an indication of a serious infection. The bacteria or pathogen connected to the infection might have become systematic to your body. So for this case, one needs to see his/her doctor for appropriate medication. Another symptom again is experiencing loss of function, especially around an old piercing site. You should also understand that some of these symptoms may not clearly show whether the infection is mild or severe.
There are some other factors for example bleeding, piercing rejection and migration that as well can also be an indication of infection. So it will, therefore, call for the attention of the piercing holder to educate himself/herself about the signs and symptoms of infection to make sure that, whenever the symptoms are noticed, then appropriate actions are taken.
How to cure, heal or cure infections
After noticing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should begin treating it immediately. If this is not done in time, then the infections may develop to their severity. So lets us now look at some of the most popular ways of treating infected piercings. Home remedies to heal these infections are also included.
1. Use of warm or cold compresses
Warm compresses could aid the healing process after an infection has occurred because it encourages more blood flow to the pierced region. The process will include getting a clean piece of cloth and dipping it in warm water and then applying it the affected area. The warm piece of cloth should be held at the piercing site until it cools. The process should repeat for about 5 minutes and 2-3 times a day. You can either use saline solution as a warm compress instead of water only.
Another alternative is using a cold compress, especially for swollen, painful or arching piercing. The cold compress will ensure that any swelling, bruising or pain is reduced. It very important to note that direct ice should not be applied directly because this can damage the cell tissues. The ice should be wrapped on a clean piece of cloth and then applied.
2. Saline solution
Saline solution (salty soak) is one of the most common ways of not only treating infected piercing but also cleaning while healing takes course. To prepare a saline solution, you will mix ¼ teaspoon of sea salt per egg cup or glass of warm water. You can then use the solution to clean the area around the piercing for around five minutes. The process should be repeated 2-3 times a day until you achieve your desired result. You can use cotton swabs or cotton balls during cleaning depending on where it is located. Saline solution can be used to heal minor infections or any infections at their early stages.
3. Application of antibiotics, creams, and gels
This is another way to treat infections. Though many people do not like the use of antibiotics to heal infections, use of antibiotics has not been proved to affect any healing process. The antibiotic prescription will be appropriate medication, especially where the doctor has determined that the infection is due to bacteria. For the case of those having reservations on ointment, they can use antibiotic creams and gels because the two will not in any way affect the infected piercing as perceived by many people.
4. Using prescribed oral antibiotics
Sometimes when the infection is very serious or severe then your doctor might recommend different antibiotics. It will, therefore, be upon you to follow the instruction given by your doctor while taking the antibiotics. It also good to avoid over the counter antibiotics since the root of the infection may not be clear to your and therefore taking over the counter antibiotics may not be appropriate.
5. Natural home remedies
You can also try using some of the natural remedies. This will include the use of tea tree oil, vinegar, Aloe Vera, turmeric, calendula and Indian lilac. Before using these natural remedies, you should make sure that you have a good clue about what remedy to use in relation to the cause of the piercing infections. Many of the natural remedies have abilities to fight many infections including bacteria related infections.
After trying to employ some of the natural remedies and the condition of the infection doesn’t change and instead, it becomes worse, then you must immediately see you doctor for appropriate medications.
Men vs. women eyebrow piercing meaning
It is true that eyebrow piercing is common to both men and women. Now, how do people perceive them? “Facial piercings can change people’s judgment of a person’s perceived attractiveness and personality as well as their characteristics.” [realmenrealstyle.com]. So in this case, many people will tend to have a negative perspective towards people having it. Though there are many motivations for why men and women get them, some research has shown they are less attractive and less intelligent as compared to faces without piercings.
In many cases, you will find that men with piercings are rated more negatively than women. So we should note that the placement of piercing will play an important role in how people will perceive us, especially to men, facial piercings might make people have very bad perceptions about us. One general stereotype attached to men with facial piercing is that they are rebellious and always lack seriousness. For the women, too many people, they can just be a beauty tool.
I know you may now wonder if people especially men should stop getting them. Actually, we cannot make any judgment over this since, having piercings will depend on where you get your piercing, the number and types, and your personality.
Summary
Having an eyebrow piercing will tend to come with various stereotypes but it will be very important if we could understand this phenomenon and leave it upon the beholders to decide. This is because, as we have said, it will depend on one’s personality or the reason as to why he/she would wish to have facial or eyebrow piercings.
