You've probably seen them on Instagram or TikTok—those vertical bars sitting right under the eye, mimicking the teardrop makeup of a circus performer. People call them double clown eyes piercing, and honestly, they aren't for the faint of heart. It’s a sub-type of surface piercing that has exploded in alternative fashion circles, specifically within the "clowncore" and modern punk subcultures.
It looks cool.
But there’s a massive difference between a standard lobe piercing and shoving a piece of titanium through the delicate skin of your cheekbones. Most people see the photo and run to the nearest shop without realizing they’re signing up for a high-maintenance relationship with a piece of metal that their body might eventually decide it hates.
The Anatomy of a Double Clown Eyes Piercing
Let's get technical for a second. This isn't actually one piercing; it's a pair of vertical surface bars or staples placed symmetrically under both eyes. In the industry, these are often referred to as "sub-orbital surface piercings." They sit just above the cheekbone, roughly aligned with the pupils or the outer corners of the eyes.
When you go to a reputable piercer—and please, for the love of everything, don't let a "friend" do this in a kitchen—they'll use a surface bar. These are shaped like a staple, with a flat bottom and two posts that stick up. Some piercers might use dermal anchors, but for the specific "clown eye" look, a surface bar is generally more stable because it bridges the tension across a wider area of skin.
Why "double"? Because symmetry is the point. The goal is to create that sad-clown aesthetic where the jewelry mimics the path of a falling tear. It’s striking, it’s aggressive, and it’s become a hallmark of 2020s body modification.
Why Surface Piercings Are Different
Surface piercings are basically the rebellious teenagers of the body mod world. They don't go through a "pinch" of skin like an earlobe or a septum; they travel under a flat surface. Your body is biologically programmed to push out foreign objects that aren't deeply anchored. This is called rejection.
Because the skin under the eye moves every time you smile, squint, or talk, the jewelry is under constant pressure. It’s a "long-term temporary" piercing. If you get three to five years out of a double clown eyes piercing, you’ve honestly done a great job with aftercare. Some people lose them in six months. That's just the reality of the anatomy here.
Finding a Piercer Who Won't Mess You Up
You cannot walk into a mall kiosk and ask for this. You need someone who understands the depth of the dermal layer. Look for someone associated with the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).
Ask to see their portfolio. Specifically, look for healed surface piercings. Anyone can take a photo of a fresh piercing that looks "clean," but a photo from a year later tells the real story. If the skin between the beads looks thin, red, or shiny, that’s a sign of rejection, and it means the piercer might not be using the right depth or jewelry grade.
The Pain and the Procedure
How much does it hurt? Honestly, it's more "weird" than "excruciating."
The skin under the eye is thin but sensitive. On a scale of 1 to 10, most people put it at a 5 or 6. The real kicker is the pressure. The piercer has to create a small tunnel (often using a needle or a dermal punch, depending on local laws and preference) to seat the bar.
Expect some bruising. You’re going to look like you got into a minor scuffle for about a week. Swelling is also a guarantee. Because the tissue is so close to the eye, some people even experience "sympathetic" swelling where their eyelids get a bit puffy. It's temporary, but definitely something to plan your work week around.
Aftercare: Don't Touch Your Face
If you’re a side sleeper, you’re going to have a bad time.
The double clown eyes piercing requires a level of discipline that most people underestimate. You have to clean it with sterile saline (like NeilMed) twice a day. No soaps, no tea tree oil, and absolutely no makeup near the site for at least two months.
Makeup is the number one killer of these piercings. Foundations and powders get trapped in the piercing channel, causing "granulomas"—those annoying red bumps that look like pimples but won't go away. If you can't commit to a bare face (at least around the eyes) for a while, just don't get this done.
- The "LITHA" Rule: Leave It The Hell Alone.
- No Rotating: Do not "twist" the jewelry to break the crusties. You’re just tearing the healing tissue inside.
- Watch the Towels: Standard bath towels are bacterial breeding grounds and have loops that LOVE to snag jewelry. Use disposable paper towels to pat the area dry.
The Reality of Scarring
Eventually, most surface bars have to come out. Whether it's because the skin has thinned out or you've just grown tired of the maintenance, you need to think about the exit strategy.
Because the double clown eyes piercing involves two entry/exit points on each side, you will be left with small scars. Usually, these look like tiny indentations or "dimples." If the piercing rejected (meaning it migrated out on its own), the scar might be more of a linear track.
Laser treatments or silicone scar gels can help later, but you have to accept that you're altering your face permanently.
Misconceptions About Nerve Damage
There’s a lot of fear-mongering online about "clown eye" piercings causing blindness or paralyzing your face. Let’s clear that up. While there are nerves in your face, a professional piercer stays within the subcutaneous layer of the skin. They aren't diving deep enough to hit the facial nerves that control movement or the optic nerve.
The biggest risk isn't nerve damage; it's infection. An infection so close to the eye can spread to the orbital socket if left untreated. If you see yellow pus, feel extreme heat, or notice red streaks, you need a doctor and antibiotics, not "piercing salt."
Cost and Jewelry Quality
Expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $250 for the set, including jewelry.
If a shop offers this for $40, leave. High-quality jewelry for a double clown eyes piercing should be ASTM F-136 compliant titanium. Stainless steel contains nickel, which is a common allergen and a fast track to rejection in surface piercings. Titanium is lighter and more biocompatible, which is exactly what you want when you're trying to trick your body into keeping a metal bar in your face.
Final Thoughts for the Bold
This piercing is a statement. It’s symmetrical, it’s high-fashion, and it’s deeply rooted in the "alt" identity. But it’s also a commitment.
Before you book that appointment, ask yourself if you're ready for the "what happened to your face?" questions from strangers. Ask yourself if you can handle the scarring. If the answer is yes, then go for it. It's one of the most visually striking modifications you can get.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the APP Database: Go to the Association of Professional Piercers website and find a member near you.
- Consultation First: Don't just walk in. Book a consult to discuss your anatomy. Not everyone has enough tissue depth for a surface bar.
- Buy Saline Now: Have your aftercare ready before the needle even touches your skin.
- Buy a Travel Pillow: If you're a side sleeper, start practicing sleeping with your ear in the hole of a travel pillow so your face doesn't touch the bedding.
- Audit Your Skincare: Look at your routine. If you use heavy oils or harsh exfoliants (Retinol, AHAs), you’ll need to stop using them near your eyes for the duration of the healing process.