Eyebrow piercing: placement, pain, healing – and what it means in Face Reading
- Daniel Neuhaus
- Feb 6
- 10 min read
At first glance, an eyebrow piercing can appear rebellious, edgy, and a little unpredictable. It immediately catches the eye because it sits exactly where we look when we want to understand how someone reacts, what they think, how they feel – a place deeply involved in facial expression. This is precisely what makes this piercing so fascinating: it is body jewelry and a statement at the same time.
In this article, we first take a look at the “classic” questions surrounding eyebrow piercings: types, pain, healing, aftercare, and risks. Then we open the Face Reading perspective. Because being able to read from the eyebrow that there was once a rupture in a person’s value system is something very different from simply saying: “That looks cool.”
Contents at a glance
1. What is an eyebrow piercing?
An eyebrow piercing involves placing a small channel through the area above the eye, usually angled through the arch of the eyebrow. It is generally considered a surface piercing that passes through the skin and underlying tissue, not the bone.
The typical position is in the outer third of the eyebrow. However, there are also piercings placed further inward, close to the nasal root, or further outward toward the temple. Most studios initially insert a slightly curved barbell (curved barbell). Many people later switch to a ring or an elegant curved barbell with a gemstone.
Important: an eyebrow piercing should always be done professionally. No piercing gun, no “quick job at home,” but an experienced studio with proper hygiene standards and titanium jewelry for the healing phase.
2. Types and positions of eyebrow piercings
In practice, several basic variants have become established:
Vertical eyebrow piercing: angled from bottom to top through the brow arch; the most common form.
Inner eyebrow piercing: closer to the nasal root. Feels more intense because it lies nearer to the center of the face.
Outer eyebrow piercing: toward the temple. Often part of a punk, rock, or very individual style.
Double piercing: two piercings placed directly above one another or slightly offset. This intensifies the visual emphasis and the “edge effect.”
Anti-eyebrow piercings below the eye, in the cheek area, are technically no longer considered classic eyebrow piercings and are a separate topic.
3. What jewelry is used for an eyebrow piercing?
For the initial piercing, reputable studios primarily use:
Curved barbells (banana bells): slightly curved bars that adapt to the shape of the brow and place less tension on the skin.
Micro curved barbells: very fine, discreet versions with a subtle appearance.
Rings (circular barbell, segment ring): more suitable after complete healing.
For material, titanium has proven itself especially well for the start. It is lightweight, well tolerated, and reduces the risk of allergic reactions. Surgical steel, gold, or high-quality bioplast can be considered later, once everything has healed well. Anything containing nickel or cheaply processed should, in my view, not be placed in such a sensitive area.
4. Does an eyebrow piercing hurt?
Pain perception is very individual. Many describe the piercing itself as a short, sharp moment that quickly passes. On a scale from 1 to 10, eyebrow piercings are often rated in the mid-range. The pressure and subsequent throbbing are usually felt more strongly than the actual puncture.
The area is well supplied with blood and may swell or feel tight after the piercing. Cooling with a clean cold pack (wrapped in a cloth) can help. If you are very sensitive, it helps to eat well beforehand, drink enough, and take your time instead of booking an appointment “in passing.”
5. Healing and aftercare of an eyebrow piercing
The approximate healing time is about 6 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer. Because an eyebrow piercing is a surface piercing, the body can react more sensitively here. Proper care makes a noticeable difference.
What you should pay attention to:
Cleaning: spray twice daily with sterile saline solution or a piercing care product recommended by the studio and allow to dry gently. No aggressive disinfectants, no alcohol-based solutions.
Do not twist or play with it: as tempting as it may be, the less you touch it, the better the channel can heal undisturbed.
Make-up and removal: if possible, avoid make-up directly around the piercing in the early phase. Be very gentle when cleansing the eye area; avoid cotton pads that can catch on the jewelry.
Sleeping: if possible, do not sleep on the freshly pierced side. Pressure and friction delay healing.
Sports, helmets, hats: anything that presses on the brow or can get caught should be used cautiously or avoided for a few weeks.
If the piercing throbs strongly, swells unusually, becomes hot and very red, or if pus appears, this is a warning sign. In that case, do not experiment on your own, but contact the studio and, if necessary, a medical professional.
6. Risks and complications
Every piercing is an intervention in the body. With eyebrow piercings, the following risks are particularly relevant:
Inflammation and infection
Irritation caused by make-up, sweat, or friction
Migration and rejection: because it is a surface piercing, the body may gradually push the jewelry toward the surface until it sits just beneath the skin.
Scarring: if the piercing grows out or is removed, a small scar usually remains.
Allergic reactions to unsuitable materials.
A reputable studio will explain these risks, work cleanly, and provide clear aftercare instructions. If you feel that you are being rushed through the process, that is not a good place for a piercing – especially not on the face.
7. Does an eyebrow piercing suit me?
This question comes up surprisingly often. From my perspective, there are three levels to consider:
Face shape and eyebrow shape
An eyebrow piercing looks different on angular, defined faces than on very soft, round faces. With very narrow or heavily plucked brows, the jewelry can appear very dominant. With full, natural brows, it tends to integrate more harmoniously.
Style and expression
Eyebrow piercings suit people who already live a clear, expressive style: short hair, undercuts, strong contrasts, striking clothing, or consciously minimalist looks with one strong detail.
Inner attitude
A piercing on the face attracts attention. If you can carry this attention inwardly and it feels coherent, it usually works well. If it is more an attempt to hide something or to be “someone else,” the tension is often perceptible.
In Face Reading, I always look at the person first and then at the jewelry. An eyebrow piercing can be a very beautiful addition. But it does not replace inner clarity.
8. Eyebrow piercing in Face Reading: when values have experienced a rupture
In Face Reading, the eyebrows are far more than a visual frame for the eyes. They belong to the “Five Officers” of the face and stand for our values, our value system, and our inner compass. Through them, I read how focused someone can think, how much energy they have available, and with what perseverance they pursue their path. At the same time, the eyebrows are a mirror of Wood energy: vitality, anger power, and decision-making force.
When a piercing is placed in this area, it is like a consciously created incision in this line of values. In Chinese Face Reading, interrupted eyebrows are associated with an experienced rupture in values. These are moments in which one’s worldview was shaken, a major loss of trust occurred, or previous certainties collapsed.
A scar in the eyebrow, a cut, or a deliberately styled “razor cut” carries a similar message. They mark a point in life at which nothing was the same as before.
An eyebrow piercing goes one step further.
Here, metal comes into play. Metal symbolically stands for clarity, structure, separation, and boundary-setting. When someone places metal in the eyebrow area, they stabilize the place where values, principles, and personal will reside. It is as if someone were saying:
“Something was broken here. And I now decide for myself how I continue to live with this rupture.”
People with an eyebrow piercing have often experienced that their former values no longer fit. This can be a break with family, a religious community, a scene, or a professional system. Sometimes it was a disappointment, a betrayal, or an event that shook trust in people or institutions. The piercing then becomes a visible marker of this moment – a small metal rivet in the line of values that reminds them of the turning point.
It is also interesting to look at the side.
A piercing on the left eyebrow tends to touch more personal, inner values: family, relationships, closeness, self-image. A piercing on the right more often appears where outer roles are concerned – career, society, and the environments one moves in. The inner part of the eyebrow lies closer to identity and early imprinted bonds, while the outer part stands more for later decisions and outward-facing contacts.
What is important to me: an eyebrow piercing does not make anyone a broken person. It tells nothing final. For me as a Face Reader, it is an indication. A visible sign in the area of values and life force. An invitation to ask:
Where in your life was there a rupture?
Which of your values did you let go of, and which did you newly discover?
And what does this small line of metal hold for you today?
It is precisely here that very honest stories often begin. Stories of inner struggles, farewells, and new beginnings. Of the moment when a person decided no longer to function merely by adapting, but to walk their own path – with values they have worked out for themselves.
9. Conclusion: small jewelry, a big story
An eyebrow piercing is more than a fashionable accent. It is an intervention in an area that, in Face Reading, stands for values, willpower, life energy, and character. Anyone who chooses a piercing here visibly engages with these themes – consciously or unconsciously.
If you are currently considering getting an eyebrow piercing, both perspectives are worthwhile: a thorough look at all medical facts and an honest look inward. What do you want to set a sign for? What does this small metal anchor mark in your life story?
And if you already have one, you can ask yourself: Which episode of your life does it tell, when you look at it with kindness and curiosity?
If you would like to dive deeper:
How a small point in the philtrum shows how you deal with sensuality, attraction, and your inner creative power.
What a piercing on the nose reveals about your relationship with resources, self-worth, and independence.
Why piercings on the ear tell stories about childhood, inner world, and your way of listening and trusting.
If you are curious how unspoken themes show themselves in the face and why the eye area reveals so many inner states, you will find a calm and clear explanation here.
If you would like to see how facial signals can also be used in a professional context, you will find a factual and practical introduction here.
Video: a conversation about personality, empathy, and what faces reveal
In this episode of FlowGrade – For Life, I talk with Max Gotzler about what Face Reading can truly offer today. We go through the foundations – physiognomy, facial expression, and body language – and discuss how personality shows itself in the face, where the limits lie, and why empathy is at the core of this work.
At the end, I read a few facets of Max’s personality from his face – in the form of a small speed reading, in a live analysis.
Free Face Reading Webinar – live every month
In my monthly live webinar, I show you how Face Reading works in practice.
You will learn how facial features are connected to personality, resources, and inner patterns – and how you can use this knowledge for coaching, communication, or your personal development.
The webinar is designed to be interactive and offers plenty of space for your questions.
Join for free here:
FAQ about eyebrow piercings
How painful is an eyebrow piercing really?
The piercing itself only takes a few seconds and is described by most people as a short, sharp pain. The area may throb and swell slightly afterward, which can usually be soothed with cooling. What matters most is that you feel comfortable in the studio and are allowed to take your time, rather than being rushed through the appointment.
How long does it take for an eyebrow piercing to heal?
As a rule, you should expect about 6 to 8 weeks until the channel is stable. During this time, your piercing needs consistent care, rest, and as little friction as possible. If the area becomes irritated or you frequently catch on it, healing can take longer.
What should I do if an eyebrow piercing becomes inflamed?
Severe redness, heat, persistent pain, or pus are warning signs. In this case, you should first contact your piercing studio and, if in doubt, seek medical advice. Please do not tighten jewelry yourself, disinfect excessively, or remove the jewelry on your own, as the channel may close while the inflammation remains trapped in the tissue.
Will there be a scar if I remove my eyebrow piercing?
Often, a small, light, or slightly visible line remains, especially if the piercing was worn for a long time or grew out. For many people, this scar is part of their life story. In Face Reading, it can – similar to a piercing or a razor cut – point to an experienced rupture in values.
What does an eyebrow piercing say about me in Face Reading?
In Face Reading, the eyebrow area represents your values, willpower, and inner compass. A piercing here can point to a break in your value system or to a phase in which you had to redefine your own principles. It proves nothing, but invites you to look more closely at your personal story: Where did you draw a line for yourself that still belongs to you today.
