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Now that body piercing is becoming so common, we are learning much more about its risks. Some risks apply no matter what area is pierced, because they are associated with needle insertion. Many serious blood-borne diseases, such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tetanus and HIV, can be transmitted during the piercing process if sterile procedures are not followed. Improper piercing of any location can also cause infection, which can lead to blood poisoning, skin cysts, scars and other disfigurements.
In addition, certain risks are greater depending on what area is pierced. The ear lobe is fairly safe, because it contains mostly cartilage with little blood supply. The tongue is fairly dangerous, because of thousands of mouth bacteria and constant friction. The eyebrow is a somewhat risky area because it harbors skin and hair bacteria, and it has a rich blood supply that connects to the eye. So one bad thing that can happen is an infection that spreads into the eye area (“periorbital cellulitis”), which can develop very quickly and even cause blindness or deeper infection into the brain. That said, if proper procedures are followed, eyebrow piercing can be done safely. If you are going to pierce any part of the body, be very careful to choose a professional studio where safe precautions are taken.
Do you have a question?  As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Please read our full  .
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