Hearing the name industrial piercing may sound a little too technical or boring. But we promise you it is nothing like that. In fact, industrial piercings are gaining popularity over the last decade among piercing and body modification enthusiasts because of its unique look. It is something that if you have, you will instantly look cooler and more unique.
Curious already?
If you want to get an industrial piercing or perhaps curiosity simply got the better of you, this article will help. It is important to research about piercings before you get them to guarantee that you know about the process and willing to take risks. We also have aftercare guide and tips to help you.
What is an Industrial Piercing?
Headings
First off, an industrial piercing is located on the ear. It is a kind of cartilage piercing – meaning it goes through both skin and cartilage. This is done on the upper part of the ear. But what makes this so unique is it goes through two pierces. One straight barbell will go through two holes rather than one.
There are two types of industrial piercing: the traditional type and the ones that are more or less unique.
Types of Industrial Piercing
The traditional industrial piercing usually takes place in the helix and anti-helix regions. These are in the upper outer regions of the ear. There is roughly a 1.5″ gap between the holes but this could change depending on the structure of your ear. The first hole will be on the anti-helix while the second one will go through the helix. One single barbell will slide through these holes.
The more unconventional types of industrial piercings can be horizontal or vertical. The choice is really up to you. The basic rule of the thumb is that it should go through two holes, connected by one barbell.
However, if you are to choose the latter type of piercing, it is best that you consult your piercer. Some areas of your ears may not be as well structured and probably can’t support a jewelry. Or perhaps it will be too ambitious and you are just making it hard for yourself.
Either way, always consult your piercer first and ask them for their suggestion.
What Happens During an Industrial Piercing?
Getting two holes pierced may sound complicated. But really, it is like any other piercing procedure, except for a few changes.
Since yours need to align, your piercer will have to check how the holes align with each other. Sometimes, they will have to make a line between the two marked areas for the holes. This is just to give you an insight on how the outcome will look. If you don’t like how it looks, you can tell your piercer and then work with them to adjust the holes.
During the procedure itself, here are what usually happens. It is best to know what takes place just so you will have an idea and can prepare yourself. Two holes at once will definitely feel daunting.
Step One
The first step is just to really make sure everything is placed for easy reach. Your piercer will need a hollow needle to pierce your ears. Some cotton and disinfectant are also to be expected. Of course, your jewelry of choice should be within reach too.
Step Two
The next step is important. You have to make sure that you are safe and free from infection and harm. Your piercer should wash their hands thoroughly or use gloves. Then they will have to disinfect the areas where you will be pierced, too. Even the needles should be disinfected or sterilized too.
Step Three
After the initial processes, it is time to pierce your ear. They may ask you to recline on a chair but you should be comfortable so you won’t move when the needle hits your skin. This is important as one wrong move and your piercing may go a little off. Since you are working on an alignment, this won’t work and you’ll have to readjust where the holes should be.
Once you are ready, the piercer will create the first hole with the needle, after it is done, they will put one end of the jewelry. Then they will continue with the second one. After it is pierced, they will put the other end of the barbell.
And voila! That’s really it. They may put another layer of disinfectant on the pierced holes but that’s about it.
However, before you head home to check your new piercings, your piercer will give you some advice for aftercare. If they haven’t and you don’t know exactly what to do, do not hesitate to ask them. If you did not understand what they said, ask them to clarify or give specific instructions. The aftercare is the most important process so do not skip it.
Also, note that you might bleed. If you do, that is completely normal. Your piercer will immediately whisk it away and apply pressure to the area to stop it. In just a few moments, it will likely stop.
Will an Industrial Piercing Hurt?
Let us put it out right here and say that yes, getting an industrial piercing will surely hurt.
However, people go through or process pain a little differently. For example, one person may feel extreme pain, something on a level of 5 or 6 on a scale of 1 to 10. Yet some enthusiasts will only feel 1 or 2 out of 10. This is because everyone’s pain tolerance is different. You may handle or feel pain more or maybe less. It really depends on you.
Still, getting two holes pierced at the same day with just seconds or minutes of interval is indeed a grueling task. Unlike other types of piercings, you will have to endure it longer.
Apparently, the majority of people who got this type of piercing reported that the first hole registered less pain. It may be 1 or 2 on the pain scale. But when the piercer reaches the second hole, your ears will be more sore and tender. That means the pain of the second hole will be greater. Reports say it is somewhere in the middle of the pain scale.
But since the needle is passing through on the cartilage, it is less painful. That is because there are less nerve endings there.
Apart from getting the pierces done, setting the jewelry can also be a little hard.
Post-piercing Pain
While most people are more afraid of getting the piercing, experienced enthusiasts will say that it is better to experience the initial pain the next few days. This is the time when your ear will be constantly throbbing.
The pain is actually less intense than when getting the pierce or the first few minutes and hours of having it. However, it is going to be continuously sore for at least a couple of weeks. Since you have to clean it for your aftercare, touching the area will make it a little more uncomfortable.
How Long Will It Take Before Completely Healing?
Just like with pain, each person’s body heals a wound differently, too. That means some can enjoy changing their jewelries in no time while others still have to sleep on one side because of the soreness.
That being said, healing time can take from a month to half a year.
You will heal faster if you take good care of your piercing and follow the aftercare guide properly. It will also be faster if you take care of yourself, generally. Eating healthy will make it easier for your body to heal any kind of wound.
For the average person, though, the healing time takes 3 to 4 months, so long as no infections happen. After this, you can take off your jewelry for a while or change them.
However, once you get an infection on your piercings, you can expect that it will double or maybe even triple. You have to take care of the infection first before your body resumes healing your wound. That’s why aftercare is really important.
Industrial Piercing and Aftercare Guide
As we have often reiterated, aftercare is important no matter if you get a piercing or a tattoo. You never want to get an infection because it greatly risks your overall health. Infections can also disfigure your body modifications – instead of looking cool, it could end up looking wrong.
To avoid the risks of infection and making sure you are safe, here are aftercare tips for your industrial piercing. These are fairly easy and can fit even into your busy schedules. So, make sure you follow them.
Cleaning guide
The most important part of any piercing is to regularly clean it, especially during the first few weeks of having it. Your piercer will most likely recommend that you use a sea salt solution. Usually, it is made up of 8 ounces of warm water mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt.
Soak your wounds with the help of a cotton dipped in the sea salt solution. Make sure that you can get the solution into the wound and around it. This can help make the healing faster and the surrounding area clean and free from possible infection.
Do this twice a day. Normally, you’ll have to do this in the morning and once before you go to bed.
Alternatively, there are products that can help you clean your piercing. These are commonly sea salt solutions as well so you won’t have to make your own mixture every time you decide to clean your ears.
Also, make sure that your hands are clean before you touch your piercings. Thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap to help eliminate bacteria that could be lingering there.
No tugging, rubbing, playing, or touching your piercings.
Refrain from touching your piercings at all costs. Not only are you risking yourself to infection, you could potentially irritate your piercings. It can swell and be more sore and it will generally make you more uncomfortable.
You might also be tempted to play with your jewelry and try push or pulling it or rolling it around. Don’t.
Not only should you stop touching it with your hands, you would not want to make it touch other things too, especially devices. If you are receiving a call, make sure that you use your other unpierced ear. The radiation from your devices could irritate your wound. Apart from that, phones are known to have millions of microorganisms and you do not want that near your piercing.
This rule is also applied to your hair and your clothes. Always make sure that your hair is tied back so you don’t have to constantly tuck it behind your ear or accidentally touch your piercings. If you are putting clothes, make sure you are gentle so it won’t touch or rub against your wounds.
Your wound will heal faster if you leave it alone to do its thing.
Be careful when bathing.
If you are bathing, be careful with the products you use, especially the shampoo. Try keeping it away from your piercing, as well as your soap. If you can’t help it, it is better that your products are not harsh and has natural ingredients.
Chemicals in these products often impede the healing of the wound. Plus it would really be uncomfortable and could sting a lot.
Your sleeping ways will change.
Like sleeping on your side? Well, be careful and try to find a way that you won’t sleep on the side of your piercing. This could greatly irritate the area and your movement could also cause it to bleed. You’ll likely wake up with a bloody ear. What’s more is that it will be really sore.
You also have to change your sheets often; if possible, every day. Wash them with antibacterial laundry soap just to make sure that you are safe in case you do sleep on your pierced side.
Recommended Jewelry
Industrial piercings are commonly done with a straight barbell. During the healing process, you can choose to treat it as two separate piercings and use studs. However, that takes away the purpose if the piercing and you wouldn’t really appreciate it unless you can see its connection with a barbell.
While most people only use straight barbells, the designs are limitless.
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The design
There are the simpler types where the balls are on each end of the barbell. These serve as the decoration as well as the lock of the jewelry. But there are other choices such as colored balls, decorated studs, and gems and stones.
Some straight barbells also have decorative ends. You can find one that resembles an arrow, which is perfect if you see how it makes your piercing look like.
There are also decorated straight barbells. Usually for industrial piercings, the decorations are found in the middle, right where the gap between the holes are. Designs can vary from feminine designs to quirky, geeky, and even Gothic.
Twisting barbells are also perfect if you want to show a little bit more artistry. There are also other types of barbells that you can use that can give more shape. For example, there’s a jewelry that are connected but shaped in a V. The crook in between often has bigger designs.
The material
Choosing the material of your jewelry is also important. Some types of metals can cause allergic reactions. If that happens, your earrings should be changed and that will be another day of pain and discomfort. Plus, it would cost you more.
Getting high-quality barbells will be more expensive, but more worth it in the long run. Since you won’t be able to change or take it off for months, make sure that it can withstand every single day it stays on your ear. These kinds of earrings are also less likely to cause irritations and allergic reactions.
Titanium is one of the best materials you can find. This is less likely to cause allergies and are very sturdy.
How Much Will It Cost?
There are several factors that can change the cost of your industrial piercing. For example, your piercer and his or her reputation could greatly change the game. Newbies in the industry are likely to charge you cheaply than with seasoned professionals. Expect greater fee if you get the assistance of professionals who have worked with bigger names such as celebrities.
Apart from that, you also have to consider the jewelry you will use. Higher quality earrings will, of course, cost you more. The design of your jewelry will also make a big impact.
The spot where you want the piercings should be could also change the fee. Going for traditional industrial piercing will be cheaper compared to unconventional types that are rather hard to do.
That being said, prices range. It can be around $50 to $100.
It is quite difficult when places do not have the same charge rates. But don’t worry and just search for a place that you believe in, plus you can actually afford.
