As with any other type of body piercing or cosmetic alteration, eyebrow piercing can cause a variety of problems.  Although the look itself can provide changes in appearance and attitude within society, there are risks involved in eyebrow piercing.  These risks include severe scarring, permanent eyebrow scars, and various types of infection.  Since the needles used in piercing are designed to pierce through the skin, creating a tunnel through which the ring is thread, the body reacts to build scar tissue around this tunnel.  If the piercing has not been done properly or the piercing tools have not been adequately sterilized, then infection at the site of the eyebrow piercing can ensue and scar tissue can build up in such a way as to disfigure the face.

Eyebrow piercing is considered a cosmetic alteration of the body and results in eyebrow piercing risks.  These risks involve health issues such as infection, mutilation, and scarring.  It is imperative that an individual research the eyebrow piercing facility prior to engaging in the activity.  Equipment should be sterilized, clean and handled in a fashion that minimizes infection risk to the individual.  The ring that is to be inserted into the eyebrow piercing, should also be clean since the body’s immune system will react to the ring as a foreign body and will attempt to attack it with appropriate immune cells before developing scar tissue around the ring resulting in the eyebrow piercing. 

If the piercing equipment is not properly sterilized or clean, there is a high risk of infection.  If bacteria is introduced into the body via the piercing site, the body will react with an inflammatory response, resulting in not only a swollen eyebrow, but also pain, heat and perhaps even a fever.  If such an infection is introduced into the eyebrow piercing and is not immediately cared for, the body may produce excess scar tissue resulting in a permanently disfigured eyebrow.  If an eyebrow piercing results in an infection, care for the area immediately. 

There is also a risk of dangerous bacteria entering the body through an eyebrow piercing.  Although this is rare, it is a possibility if the equipment is not properly handled and cleaned.  Such eyebrow piercing risks include the transmission of blood diseases from one human being to another via the piercing device.  These can include such dangerous diseases as AIDS or hepatitis C.  Any individual looking for an eyebrow piercing should consult with the handler to ensure proper sterilization of needles. 

Other health risks of eyebrow piercing include the potential for mutilation.  If the piercing is done wrong then scar tissue may develop in strange ways resulting in disfigurement.  Also, if the eyebrow piercing is torn out for any reason, this, too, can lead to facial disfigurement.

There are a variety of activities an individual can do to minimize the potential for permanent damage resulting from eyebrow piercing.  Do research before going to a piercing facility.  Make sure they have a clean history of clients and plenty of experience in eyebrow piercing.  Be sure to ask them how they sterilize the equipment between clients and what types of autoclaves or devices they use to rid the needles of contamination.  Ask how they clean the equipment; just because it is not directly in contact with a client’s blood does not mean it cannot get contaminated.  Ask about maintenance;  An educated and experienced piercing technician should know what you should expect when getting an eyebrow piercing.  Know how to clean and manage the piercing, if it needs to be changed and how often, and what to do if something goes wrong.  No one should be expected to keep a piercing if there are health risks involved with infection.  Always consult a physician if an infection begins and never be afraid to take a piercing out, it can always be pierced again if necessary.