Eyebrow Piercing

[MarchingDuck]

Ok guys and dolls. Here's the deal.

I've wanted my eyebrow done for...basically forever. I finally have the money to do it but I was just wondering how badly it hurts. I'm a huge sis when it comes to pain. The only piercing I have is my ears which were done when I was 6 months old.

I know the drill though. Keep it clean. Theres a chance the body can reject it. blah blah blah. But right now I'm focusing on the giant needle through the brow part.

[Bno]

That sounds scary. Erm, try not to think about that part too much, it will make it worse? lol

[Mongrel]

Well, the needle's only in your skin for like two seconds, right?
I've never had my eyebrow pierced, but the worst needle/face experience I ever had was right before I had some dental work done. The dentist injected novocaine into my mouth, and managed to hit a nerve. I felt like my face was on fire for a few seconds, but within a minute there was only a trace of that pain. The strange thing about that pain is that I can't really remember how much it hurt when I try to recall it. It's like the pain passed some sort of threshold, and my mind went to work making it not hurt so much. The brain said "See, it doesn't hurt!" and I was like "What?" and then it was over.
So, worst case scenario, the piercer hits a nerve and your face hurts like crazy for a few seconds, and then the pain dies out and after a minute you feel okay.

[theonlysaneone]

I know you've probably already heard this from everybody, but you really need to think through it before you get an eyebrow piercing. Is the unique look worth the odd looks you'll get from some people and the refusal of some employers to hire people with visible tattoos/non-ear piercings?

[Siniri]

As a public health person, I have to recommend that you go somewhere licensed to do this. We have a program at my school where we collaborate with the local health department, and the tattoo/piercings licensing guy always shows the grossest pictures. The risks from someone not using proper techniques include HIV, Hepatitis C, MRSA (flesh-eating bacteria), etc. -- not to mention the death/cancer/disfigurement associated with those infections. But if they license artists anywhere near you, going to a licensed artist should minimize these risks -- if the artist uses the proper techniques (including the proper starter ring), tells you how to care for it, and you actually follow his instructions, it should only be a second of pain. An infection could hurt for days.

If they don't license artists where you are, at least look to see if there's a trade association (although these often pass on unsafe practices here in the States) or someone with some medical experience. Cheaper is definitely not better here. At the very least, the artist should have non-reusable needles, a sink (to wash their hands between clients), fresh gloves (though this is more important for tattoos, it's probably a good idea for piercings, too -- these should also be changed between clients), etc. -- look for these things and observe how they work before you go through with it.

[Twinkle]

What Siniri said. There's some good advice there.

I can't really say anything about the pain, I love getting pierced and tattooed and I'm the biggest wuss ever. I just enjoy the adreneline rush afterwards!

As for the odd looks, who honestly gives a crap? You don't get a facial piercing if you're afraid of people looking. The employment thing however is a valid point. I'd look into clear barbells for your piercing so it's not too obvious.

[Drake Redcrest]

Honestly, my earlobe piercings hurt worse than my eyebrow. It barely bled. The only thing you have to be super careful of is after you get it, if you bump it on anything, or catch it with a comb or something, you can get a callus over it that doesn't seem to go away without vitamin E being put on it.

Don't worry about not getting hired... You know what I look like, and you know where I work, and I don't even get weird looks at work. You can get clear barbels that lay flat against the skin, and you can also get tiny flesh-colored ones, if you're super concerned about it.

[MarchingDuck]

I know all about health reasons lol. I'm a complete germaphobe. The place I go to for everything is fantastic and very clean. I trust them with needles and ink.

And I also dont have to worry about jobs. I'm going into culinary. Half the people in my field are peirced, inked and some are right out of prison. Culinary doesnt hate too much on people who rather be inked or holey. As long as it meets safety and sanitation laws, employers dont care. They just want the customer to be happy w. their food. Plus no one really ever seens the chef.

I'm still throwing around the idea though. I'm a bit put off by the 8weeks to heal thing. Also the prospect of infection scared the bejeebus out of me. As stated above I'm a neatfreak germaphobe...but still...the potential i still there!

[ahoteinrun]

Instead of an eyebrow ring you should get a cheek piercing. Those are just so snazzy.

[Shoyru_Lover]

Apparently the eyebrow is the most dangerous place you can do it. Personally I don't like piercings... I think they look a little trashy. I haven't seen one that's nice yet... but maybe I just haven't bothered to look hard enough.

[Ange]

I thought the most dangerous one you could get was the one that goes under your collarbone...yeowch. I remember my cousin had one on the back of her neck once, but it only lasted a month or two.

[Alex]

MD, I had the same concern when I got my navel piercing. They seem like a good place, especially if you've been there before - I mean, if you go somewhere that's all scummy, of course it's likely it'll screw up.

The 8 weeks is a long time, I didn't realise it would be that long o.O

Personally, I'd say if you really want to, to go for it. It's what I did with my tattoo - I had a couple of people who said they hated them, or that the one I was thinking of getting was cliched - and I basically just though 'you know what, screw them, I have symbolic meaning for it and I don't care'.

[MarchingDuck]

I thought the most dangerous one you could get was the one that goes under your collarbone...yeowch. I remember my cousin had one on the back of her neck once, but it only lasted a month or two.

alot of places like the neck and even the spot under the eye (called the anti eyebrow) come out in a week or 2. The body rejects the metal and forces the piercing out of the skin. If you dont catch it in time, it leaves a nasty scar.

The eyebrow isnt that dangerous. You just have to make sure its cleaned regularly while its healing. Unless you walk around like pigpen, you shouldnt have a problem.

Inrun the cheek bit is called the Marylin. If its the same one I'm thinking of. I really dont like those much. Its more for glamour girl.

[Twinkle]

I very much miss my diagonal navel piercing and my nose piercing. I want to get them redone so bad!

[MarchingDuck]

I very much miss my diagonal navel piercing and my nose piercing. I want to get them redone so bad!

I'm guessing the navel migrated out? What happened to the nose? I thought those were good about staying in. My sister has hers done.