How Bad Does an Eyebrow Piercing Hurt?

Posted April 3, 2025

How Bad Does an Eyebrow Piercing Hurt?

Are you confused about how much piercing the eyebrow hurts? Let us tell you does eyebrow piercing hurt, and if so, how bad it is on the scale of 1-10.

An eyebrow piercing will hurt, but before you let that scare you off, hear this – everyone’s pain tolerance is different, and your experience will be uniquely yours.

The real concern is how bad does it hurt and what is the level of discomfort those with pierced eyebrows faced.

If you’re here, you’re probably weighing the pros and cons of getting your eyebrows pierced but the confusion on its pain is stopping you. If so, we hear you. In this guide, we’ll give you a clear answer to: does eyebrow piercing hurt and if it does, is it bearable or would you rather pass?

Stick around a little longer to enhance your appearance with full clarity.

Does Eyebrow Piercing Hurt?

Let’s address the big question: does eyebrow piercing hurt? The short answer is yes, it hurts. But it’s not as bad and you can tolerate it if you want that striking appearance.

When piercing the needle goes through your eyebrow skin, you’ll feel a sharp pinch or a sting. It’s intense but short-lived, so you don’t have to bear the hurt for long. Most people who have gotten their eyebrows pierced describe it as a strong pressure rather than unbearable pain.

The level of piercing discomfort depends on your pain tolerance. For example, if you’ve ever plucked your eyebrows or gotten a small cut, you’ve already experienced a hurt similar to eyebrow piercing. After the brief piercing process is done, you’re left with a slight throbbing or warmth around the area, which is completely normal.

Put simply, the pain of eyebrow piercing is temporary, but the confidence boost from rocking a new piercing can last forever. So, if you’re worried, remember that professional piercers are trained to make the process as smooth as possible.

How Painful Is an Eyebrow Piercing?

On a pain scale of 1 to 10, most people rate an eyebrow piercing around a 4 or 5. From the rating you can tell that it’s not the most painful piercing out there, but it’s not entirely pain-free either. To give you a better idea, let’s compare an eyebrow piercing to other common piercings:

Earlobe Piercing (2/10): If you’ve had your earlobes pierced, you know it’s a quick pinch and an eyebrow piercing feels slightly more intense than that.
Nose Piercing (5/10): The pain level of nose piercing is similar to an eyebrow piercing because both piercings involve cartilage and you feel a sharp sensation.
Lip Piercing (6/10): Lip piercings hurt a bit more because the area is more sensitive. But the good thing is, an eyebrow piercing is less painful in comparison.
Industrial Piercing (7/10): An industrial piercing makes two holes through thick cartilage, so it’s notably more painful than an eyebrow piercing.

The reason eyebrow piercings are less painful than some others is because there’s a thin layer of skin and minimal nerve endings in the area. As a result, the piercer works fast, and the discomfort is over before you can fully process it.

Moreover, if you go in for an eyebrow piercing nervous and tense, you’ll feel the pain more. But if you stay calm and trust your piercer, it’ll be over before you know it.

Here’s a pro tip: eat something light before your appointment and stay hydrated. Low blood sugar or dehydration can make you feel more sensitive to pain. Also, bring a friend for moral support if you’re feeling too anxious but still want the piercing.

What Does the Piercing Process Feel Like?

Getting an eyebrow piercing is quick and the discomfort doesn’t last long. Here’s what you should expect while getting your eyebrow pierced:

The piercer will clean the area and mark the spot with a surgical pen – this part is painless.
Next, the piercer will use a clamp to hold the skin in place, which feels tight or uncomfortable, but it’s not painful. The clamp helps keep the area steady and ensures the piercing goes in straight.
The next moment is probably what you’re curious about. The piercer will run a needle through your skin and when it goes in, you’ll feel a sharp pinch or a quick sting. It’s intense but over in a second or two – most people describe it as a strong pressure rather than prolonged pain.
Once the needle is through, the piercer quickly inserts the jewelry which gives you a feeling of tugging or pressure as they secure it in place. This part is less noticeable because the initial pinch grabs your attention.
Right after the piercing, you’ll likely feel a throbbing sensation around the area, which subsides within a few hours.

Factors That Affect Eyebrow Piercing Pain

We explained earlier that you can take the pain of eyebrow piercing as 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 10, but the exact hurt you feel isn’t constant. Besides your pain threshold, many other factors impact how you feel during the eyebrow piercing process. Here’s a lowdown on these factors:

Piercer Skill

A skilled piercer can make all the difference in how you feel during the piercing. If you go to an experienced piercer, they’ll work efficiently and try to minimize discomfort by clamping your skin in the least hurtful way. So make sure you go to a legit piercer and not a newbie who runs experiments on you.

Piercing Placement

The exact spot where the piercing is placed can affect the pain level because some body parts are more sensitive. Areas with thicker skin or more nerve endings hurt more because that’s where you feel intense pain. Therefore, the piercer will help you choose the best placement for aesthetics and comfort.

Skin Thickness

Like we said, thicker skin can make the piercing process more uncomfortable and thinner skin makes it feel sharper. Either way, the difference is minimal and you still feel pain.

Tools Used

The needle and jewelry your piercer uses can also play a role in how bad does an eyebrow piercing hurt. Luckily, most professional piercers use high-quality, sterilized needles that can minimize pain. So stay wary of cheaper or duller needles as they can make the process more uncomfortable.

Your Pain Tolerance

Everyone’s tolerance is different and your experience with body modifications also matters. For example, if you’ve had other piercings or tattoos, you’ll find an eyebrow piercing relatively easy. If you’re new to body modifications, it’ll feel more intense. Plus, anxiety and tension can make the experience feel worse than it actually is. So stay calm and focused – deep breathing can help you relax while your eyebrow is getting pierced.

And lastly, while not directly related to the piercing process, proper aftercare can prevent complications that can otherwise cause additional pain. You must follow the piercer’s instructions to keep the area clean and avoid infections.

How Long Does the Pain Last?

The immediate pain of an eyebrow piercing is sharp but brief. As soon as the needle goes through, you’ll feel a pinch or sting – like snapping a rubber band against your skin.

Right after the piercing, you’ll feel a warm sensation around the area which is your body’s natural response to the piercing. This also subsides within a few hours and feels like a mild sunburn or a slight bruise.

All in all, the worst part is over in seconds.

After the initial piercing, you’ll enter the healing phase, lasting anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. You may feel some mild discomfort during this time, but it’s nothing compared to the initial pinch.

First Few Days: The area will feel tender, swollen, or slightly sore. There may also be some redness or warmth around the piercing.
First Few Weeks: As the piercing heals, you’ll feel occasional itching or tightness – avoid touching or twisting the jewelry at this point because it can delay healing and cause more discomfort.

Risks of Eyebrow Piercings

Although eyebrow piercings are safe, they do come with some risks and you must know them to prevent complications. Here are some risks that may come with an eyebrow piercing:

Infection

Infections are one of the most common risks with any piercing and their signs may include:

Redness and swelling that doesn’t go away.
Pain or tenderness that gets worse over time.
Yellow or green discharge (a small amount of clear fluid is normal).
Fever or chills (in severe cases).

You must clean your piercing twice a day with a saline solution and avoid touching it with dirty hands if you don’t want to get infected. If you still notice signs of infection, get it medically treated.

Migration

Migration happens when the piercing slowly moves from its original placement – it can happen if the jewelry is too heavy or if the piercing is done incorrectly. Here are some signs of migration you should take into account:

The jewelry sitting at an angle or appearing uneven.
The hole becomes larger or more elongated.

Rejection

When your body sees the jewelry as a foreign object and pushes it out it causes rejection. Rejection is more common with surface piercings like eyebrow piercings and its symptoms include:

The jewelry becoming more visible under the skin.
The piercing hole growing larger.
Persistent redness, irritation, or scarring.

If you notice any of these issues and it doesn’t seem to subside, consult your piercer and they may recommend changing the jewelry or removing the piercing altogether.

Final Thoughts

Sure, the idea of pain can make you nervous but the process is short, and the discomfort is temporary. If you do proper care and give it enough attention, your piercing will heal beautifully and give you a stunning new look. So take the leap, find a skilled piercer, and enjoy the confidence that comes with an eyebrow piercing.

FAQs

Can I change my eyebrow jewelry right after getting pierced?

No, you should wait until your piercing is fully healed before changing the jewelry, which usually takes 6 to 8 weeks.

How do I know if my eyebrow piercing is healing properly?

A healing eyebrow piercing should show gradual improvement with time. In the first few days, some redness, swelling, and tenderness are normal. After a week or two, these symptoms should start to fade.

Can I wear makeup near my eyebrow piercing?

Yes you can wear makeup near the eyebrow after it’s fully healed. Before that, makeup can introduce bacteria to the area and increase the risk of infection.

Walk ins are more than welcome every day during business hours.

To schedule an appointment click here:

https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/SLTEDS

Stay Local Tattoo and Piercing

3865 Wadsworth Blvd,

Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

Phone: (720) 242-9615

@staylocaltattoo