Location: Any piercing performed along the outer edge of the orbital cavity may be referred to as an anti-eyebrow piercing. This includes the upper cheekbone area, underneath the eyebrow, or more rarely in the area next to the outer corner of the eye itself.
Alternate Names: Upper cheek piercing, high cheek piercing, tear(s) piercing, teardrop(s) piercing, butterfly kiss (under the eye, above the cheekbone), crows feet (next to the outer corner of the eye)
Piercing: This piercing is a surface piercing, and is generally performed with a hollow piercing needle and clamp. A dermal punch may also be used along with the less prevalent “punch and taper” technique that some seasoned piercers have begun to practice. The punch and taper technique involves using the punch to create the actual openings through which the free ends of the jewelry will protrude and then separating the skin from the underlying tissue with a taper. This allows for the completed piercing to be the exact shape of the surface bar that will be inserted, but is considerably more difficult to master than standard needle and clamp technique.
Aftercare: Like many surface piercings, the anti-eyebrow will normally take months to heal rather than weeks. Due to the sensitivity of the skin around the eye socket, bruising is common, though generally not threatening. Many piercers recommend sea salt soaks, along with gentle cleanings and/or compresses.
Jewelry: Surface bars are recommended for the anti-eyebrow surface piercing, though success has also been found with curved barbells and flexible bioplast bars.
Prevalence: The butterfly kiss style piercing has become increasingly popular with pin-up models, burlesque artists, and other retro styled female performers and artists. The teardrop style piercing (vertical or at an angle on the cheek, rather than horizontal) is beginning to grow in popularity amongst young men. Studies show that over 45% of those age 18 to 29 in the United States have at least one piercing other than their earlobe, and up to 2% of those are estimated to be surface piercings.
