Hair Clipping Your Eyebrows Is The Latest Bizarre Trend That Might Actually Help Your Migraines

If you’ve ever been deep in the throes of a migraine, you know the deal: curtains drawn, lights off, and a willingness to try literally anything — no matter how unhinged — to make the pounding stop. We’ve seen the fast food soda and fries cure, the daith piercings, and the literal ice-hats that make you look like a very stressed-out snowman. But the latest hack taking over our FYP is giving major ‘beauty is pain’ energy. People are now using claw clips to pinch the skin around their eyebrows in the name of migraine relief.

Yes, really — and the trend has been going viral.

It looks a little chaotic, but is there actually some science behind the squeeze? We talked to the experts to see if this is legit, or just another bizarre internet fever dream.

The Purpose Behind the Pinch

It turns out, there’s a neurological reason why your trusty $5 hair accessory might be capable of more than just holding up a messy bun. According to Dr. Fawad Mian, a board-certified neurologist, it’s all about the nerves.

“[Squeezing the eyebrow] targets the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve, which are both part of the trigeminal nerve system that is implicated in migraines,” says Mian. “Pressure in this area can disrupt how those signals are processed, and provide some temporary relief.

Basically, by clamping down on that specific spot, you’re disrupting the pain signals before they can fully ruin your day. It’s actually the same principle behind those pricey FDA-cleared wearable devices that use electrical stimulation on the forehead. While the hair clip is not as precise or as potent, it can provide both acute and preventative relief, despite not going through any clinical trials.

The "Gate Control" Theory

If the nerve talk didn't convince you, there’s also the gate control theory of pain. Dr. Jon Stewart Hao Dy, a board-certified adult neurologist, explains that our brains are kind of like a VIP club with a very busy bouncer.

“Applying pressure to the skin can activate competing sensory signals, which may temporarily dampen pain perception,” Dy says.

Pain signals travel slower than sensory signals for touch, pressure and vibration, meaning that the pressure from the hair clip slams the door on migraine pain signals (or at least distracts you from them for a little while).

It’s a distraction technique that actually has some merit. Plus, Dy notes there might be a relaxation component. Focused pressure can sometimes provide a calming effect, even if the actual migraine isn’t technically cured.

The Reality Check

Before you go buying your bodyweight in hair clips at Target, a word of caution: While this might feel like a major win in the moment, it’s not exactly a forever fix. According to Dy, the science is still pretty thin. "There’s limited scientific evidence supporting hair clips as a reliable migraine treatment," he warns. Any relief you’re getting is likely temporary, and for some, it might just be the placebo effect doing the heavy lifting.

And while the ‘clip method’ is generally low-risk (it is just a hair accessory, after all), there are some definite downsides. Think: skin irritation, bruising, or even inadvertently making your migraine worse. Ironically, if you clamp down too hard, you might even trigger a tension headache.

The Final Verdict

If you find that a well-placed claw clip is the only thing getting you through a shift at work, Mian isn't going to tell you to stop — but he’ll want to start a conversation about your long-term health.

“I’ll talk to [patients] about identifying what’s driving their headaches and discuss better long-term solutions, particularly if they are having frequent migraines,” he explains. Dy echoes that sentiment, reminding us that your hair clip shouldn't replace your actual, doctor-prescribed and evidence-based care.

The Bottom Line

If the clip helps, slay. Just don't make it your entire migraine personality. Evidence-based treatments are still the real MVP.

Presented by BDG Studios