Industrial piercings are a bold and stylish choice for those looking to make a statement with their ear jewelry. In this blog post, we'll cover all things industrial and common questions, from "is an industrial piercing painful?" to "can anyone get an industrial piercing?" and everything in between. Whether you're curious about the process, the aftercare, or where to buy industrial piercing jewelry, we've got you covered. Stay tuned for all the details you need to know before getting this trendy piercing!
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An industrial piercing, also known as a scaffold piercing, is a unique type of body piercing that involves connecting any two separate piercings with a single piece of jewelry. The most common style for an industrial piercing is a straight barbell that goes across the flat part of the ear. However, there are many different placements and arrangements for industrial piercings.
This creates a visually striking and edgy look that has gained popularity in recent years.
The term "industrial piercing" was coined by piercer Erik Dakota in the early 1990s. Dakota's innovative creation caught attention and was featured in the 1992 edition of Body Play magazine, where it was referred to as the "industrial ear project." Since then, the name stuck, and the industrial piercing has become an iconic look in the world of body piercing and body jewelry.
While the classic industrial piercing features a straight barbell passing through the helix at two points and crossing over the flat part of the upper conch, there are various customization jewelry options available to make it your own personal style. You can choose to add a center charm, shaped ends, or even opt for chained or floating barbells to personalize your industrial piercing. This piercing is a cartilage piercing, because it goes through the cartilage of the ear, and therefore requires longer to heal.
Because this piercing is tricky and a little tough to heal, it's important to go to a professional and experienced piercer.
Can you get an industrial piercing on your ears? It depends on your anatomy. The first thing your piercer will do is determine if your ear has the helix shape to support an industrial piercing. This piercing is extremely anatomy dependent and if your ear can't support it, your piercer can recommend related alternatives to an industrial piercing.
If you do have the correct anatomy, your piercer will mark both places where you will be pierced. It's crucial for this type of piercing project to be properly aligned, so your piercer may take extra time to ensure the placement is correct.
A hollow point needle will be used pierce you, and the initial industrial piercing jewelry size will be a 14g straight barbell. This barbell will be extra long to accommodate for potential swelling. Opt for high-quality jewelry materials, like implant-grade titanium for this cartilage piercing.
Before you leave the piercing shop, ask your piercer about the industrial piercing gauge and length of the final straight barbell you will use.
An industrial piercing's price can vary between piercing studio, but on average the price will be between $30-$80. This does not include the price of jewelry. Choose high quality industrial piercing jewelry like implant grade titanium to help the piercing heal properly. Add additional budget to downsize your jewelry once the swelling goes down and for aftercare products.
So, how badly does and industrial piercing hurt? Unfortunately, this piercing is located higher on the pain tolerance scale. This is partly because you must be pierced twice in one sitting and also because it goes through cartilage. While it is manageable, be prepared for some pain during the piercing process, as well as some possible discomfort during healing.
The healing time for an industrial piercing ranges between 6-12 months, though it can take longer if you have any complications. After getting pierced, the area will swell and feel tender, and you may also get some bleeding and discharge. This is normal, but if it doesn't get better, have the piercer take a look.
Once the swelling goes down, you will need to downsize your jewelry to a shorter barbell. This will help prevent snagging for better healing.
Proper aftercare is a must for any piercing to heal, but industrial piercings can be especially touchy, making aftercare especially important.
Keep your piercing clean and dry. Clean your piercing twice a day with a saline spray or a saline solution and let it air dry.
Do not play with or adjust your piercing, or change out your jewelry before you are healed. If you absolutely need to change your jewelry before then, go to your piercer for assistance.
Avoid getting hair products on your new piercing, and if you have long hair, be careful not to get it snagged on your jewelry. Also be careful when washing or styling your hair.
Be careful not to put pressure on this piercing while it heals. This may mean using a donut pillow to sleep on, and avoiding hats and over-the-ear headphones.
Avoid bodies of water like the pool, beach, lakes and spa's. These places are full of bacteria that can lead to an infection.
You'll know your industrial piercing is healed when the area no longer feels sore or tender, and there's no swelling, redness, or discharge. Make sure you wait the entire healing period and then wait a couple of more weeks to ensure it's healed before considering a jewelry change. It's important not to remove or change the initial jewelry until you're sure the piercing is fully healed. If you're ever unsure, it's best to check with your piercer for confirmation.
So, you just got an industrial piercing—awesome! But now you’re probably wondering, “Can I sleep on my industrial piercing while it’s healing?” The short answer is a big, resounding no.
Your industrial piercing isn’t just one piercing—it’s actually two connected by a barbell. And since both piercings go through cartilage, healing takes time and care. Sleeping on your fresh piercing can cause some serious issues.
Don’t worry; you don’t have to sleep standing up! Here are a couple of tricks to avoid putting pressure on your piercing:
If you usually sleep on the side of your piercing, try switching to the other side. It might take some getting used to, but your piercing will thank you.
These pillows are game-changers. A doughnut pillow or an inflatable travel pillow can create a comfortable space for your ear, keeping pressure off the piercing.
Healing an industrial piercing can take a while, but being mindful of how you sleep can make a huge difference. Keep that pressure off, and you’ll be rocking your healed piercing in no time.
When can you change your industrial piercing jewelry? You'll have to wait to switch to that cool industrial piercing jewelry until it completely heals!
The standard jewelry for an industrial piercing is a straight barbell. On average, the size for industrial piercing jewelry is 14g, and 1-1/4"-1-1/2" in length. Have your piercer measure you to ensure a comfortable fit.
Despite there being only one kind of jewelry for this piercing, you have a variety of cool industrial piercing bar styles to choose from, including gemmed bars, center design bars, and even floating barbells!
So if your piercing has healed, and your looking for straight barbells or as some people call them industrial piercing earrings or industrial ear piercings, you can find them at Bodyartforms.
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If you've ever wondered, "can you use a retainer in an industrial piercing?", the short answer is yes! Retainers can be a great temporary option when you need to remove your regular jewelry for work, sports, medical procedures, or other situations.
However, because an industrial piercing consists of two separate piercings connected by one barbell, you'll need a slightly different setup when switching to retainers.
Since retainers are designed to fit individual piercings, you'll need to use two labret-style retainers—one for each piercing.
Before purchasing retainers, make sure you know the:
Using the correct size helps keep your piercing comfortable and reduces the risk of irritation.
The best retainer for your industrial piercing depends on why you need it and how long you plan to wear it.
Glass retainers are often a popular choice for medical situations because they are non-metallic and easy to clean.
If you're having a medical procedure or imaging done, glass may be an option. However, it's always important to check with your doctor or medical provider first to make sure glass retainers are allowed for your specific procedure.
If you need a retainer for sports or physical activities, acrylic retainers can be a practical option. They're lightweight and less noticeable than traditional jewelry.
Another option is a silicone retainer, such as heart-shaped silicone retainers. These can be a little more difficult to insert, but they're soft, flexible, and comfortable once in place.
Many people prefer silicone retainers for sports because they move more naturally with the body and are less likely to cause discomfort during activity.
One important thing to remember is that most retainers are designed for short-term wear.
With the exception of glass retainers, materials like acrylic and silicone generally shouldn't be worn continuously for long periods of time. They're intended as temporary solutions rather than everyday jewelry.
It's also a good idea to avoid sleeping in retainers whenever possible, especially if they're made from acrylic or silicone.
So, can you use a retainer in an industrial piercing? Absolutely. You'll simply need two correctly sized labret retainers instead of a traditional industrial barbell.
The best material depends on your needs:
Always choose the correct gauge and length for your piercing, and remember that most retainers are intended as temporary jewelry.
If you don't have the anatomy for a particular industrial style, it's best to consider other options. Forcing a piercing on a part of your body that isn't suited for it is only asking for trouble.
It's also best to reconsider if you are prone to keloids or rejection. An industrial is already a somewhat more difficult piecing to heal, and bodies more prone to piercing complications will likely make things worse.
If you won't be able to commit to the long aftercare period, you might consider getting a different piercing as industrials can be very delicate.
We hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights into industrial piercings. Remember, it's important to consult with a professional piercer, consider your own preferences, and be aware of the potential pain and healing process before deciding to get an industrial piercing.
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