Eyebrow Piercing Risks

Eyebrow piercing is a bold fashion statement and one that is considered more extreme than nose piercing. An eyebrow piercing could be anywhere along the eyebrow. It is more commonly towards the end of the brow, but is even done directly above the eye. Eyebrow piercing risks from infection are much lesser as compared to other body piercing, as they are not easily irritated.

Eyebrow Piercing Risks
The extent of risks of eyebrow piercing greatly depend on the care taken during and after the piercing is done. Here are some of the risks as well as the measures that you can take to protect yourself against them:

Migration or Rejection
The common jewelery types people use for eyebrow piercings are barbells, curved barbells and captive bead rings. The use of heavy jewelery in piercings (especially new ones) can exert pressure and thus cause irritation or piercing migration over time. To reduce the risk of migration or rejection, try to use a surface bar or any other appropriate jewelery. The angle at which the piercing is done also affects migration.

Nerve Damage
Eyebrow piercings are usually done at a 40 degree angle from the outside corner of the eye. However, it is safe to pierce the brow anywhere between directly above the eye to the outer edge of the eyebrow. One of the dangers of eyebrow piercing is nerve damage if it is done anywhere between the area directly above the eye and the start of the brow, as there are three major Supra-Orbital nerves present here. By piercing in this area one risks permanent nerve damage.

Infection
The primary source of infection is piercing equipment that has not been properly sterilized or cleaned. If bacteria gets into your body through the piercing site, an inflammatory response will be the result. This is likely to include a swollen eyebrow, pain, heat and often even a fever. As is obvious, get your piercing from a reputed studio that uses sterile equipment.

Eyebrow Piercing Care
An eyebrow piercing will take approximately 6 - 8 weeks to heal. Proper care during this time will speed up healing with few problems, while lack of it will extend the healing period. Usually, if the jewelery is removed for a period of 5 to 6 weeks after, the eyebrow piercings close up. Here is what you need to do:

• Clean the piercing once or twice everyday. For the crust that may form, wash it away with clean cotton soaked in a saline solution. The best method to use is to hold the wet cotton wool over the piercing for 3 to 4 minutes until all the crusting is removed. Don't be rough.
• Patting the eyebrow piercing with a clean tissue after the above procedure will dry it. We advise against the use of a towel on the piercing or face, as towels harbor bacteria and may even get entangled in the piercing jewelery.
• As applies to any wound, don't keep touching the wound, or picking or pulling at the scab, as you can cause it to get infected. It may also cause lumps to form.
• Do not expose the piercing to any make-up, cleansers, sun tan lotions etc. to minimize the risk of infection. When you use hairspray, cover the piercing with tissue before you spray.
• Some other substances that may be perceived to help, but in reality may cause lumps to form (as they are too strong for the delicate tissues forming the scar) are alcohol, tea tree oil, metholated spirits or betadine. Thus, don't use any of them to clean the wound.

Read more on:

• Eyebrow Piercing Care
• Different Types of Body Piercings

To minimize eyebrow piercing risks, ensure to take adequate care before, during and after the piercing. Another step you can take to assist the healing process, is to apply a small amount of Lavender oil to the area.