Understanding Industrial Piercings
An industrial piercing is actually two separate cartilage piercings located in the ear. The most common variation is located in the upper ear cartilage (helix) and acts as a "scaffold" connecting both sides of the ear. Another variations include the "vertical industrial," a type of piercing that includes a combination of a helix, conch, or rook piercing.
Industrial ear piercings are typically adorned with a 14 gauge (14g) straight barbell, although many different types of jewelry can be worn in the piercing, including cartilage studs, captive bead rings, or seamless rings, or even septum clickers. Industrial piercings can be enjoyed by people of all ages and identities.
Body Candy has the biggest and best selection of body jewelry in the world, including industrial jewelry. Industrial bar piercings are one of our many specialties, so we're here to educate you on all things ear cartilage. Here's what you need to know about this popular piercing!
Does an industrial piercing hurt?
The short answer is, yes!
... How much does it hurt?
Everyone's anatomy and pain tolerance is different... Some individuals might not think getting pierced hurts at all. If you can handle a few quick pinches, it'll be over before you know it!
Cartilage piercings (like the industrial) tend to hurt more than fleshy piercings like the earlobe. Getting an industrial bar piercing also means you'll be getting two piercings in one sitting. Two needles being pushed through your ear could certainly add to the amount of discomfort involved - you might experience a bit more pain during the second piercing. Don't be surprised if your piercing remains tender for up to a month after your procedure.
Important note: NEVER get your ears pierced with a piercing gun. All piercings should be done by a licensed, professional piercer using a needle.
How Long Do Industrial Piercings Take to Heal?
Industrial piercings are one of the trickiest piercings to heal. You might notice that your industrial takes a little bit longer to heal than your earlobes or nose.
Most experts say industrials will take two (2) to three (3) months to heal, but sometimes these piercings can take up to a year to be fully and completely healed.
What if I get a piercing bump?
All cartilage piercings are, unfortunately, prone to hypertrophic scarring. Over the course of your healing process, you may encounter a sore pinkish-red bump. Hypertrophic scarring is often formed by pressure on the piercing (like falling asleep on it) or an accidental snag. They can usually be treated with diligent and gentle cleansing with a saline solution, or a warm chamomile tea compress. Sometimes they disappear with no treatment at all.
Hypertrophic scarring is different from a keloid (hard, scar tissue) or even worse, an infection (pussy, green discharge). If your piercing is painful or you are worried you are developing complications, it's time to consult a medical professional AND your professional piercer.
Industrial Ear Piercing Aftercare
Here are a few helpful tips to help your industrial bar piercing heal as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
1.) Don't sleep on it!
Sleeping on your piercing is one of the easiest ways to irritate it. This is something to consider before you get an industrial piercing done - if you are a dedicated left-side sleeper, it might be best to get your right ear pierced. In fact, putting any sort of pressure on a healing industrial piercing is generally advised against - this includes avoiding things like beanies or other hats, hoods, or ear-encompassing headphones.
2.) Watch your hair!
If you're someone who has long hair - be very careful! Hair can easily snag on an industrial piercing - if this happens, you may further irritate your piercing, which can contribute to infection, migration, and ultimately rejection.
A few ways to get around this - rock a short hairstyle while you're healing, wear your hair up in a pony or bun, or simply heal the industrial with cartilage studs until you're ready for a bar!
3.) Use the right jewelry while you heal... and let it heal completely!
We know, we know... It's tempting to put in that super cute industrial bar with dainty chains or a dangling charm right away, but it's very important to let your piercing heal properly before you mess with it at all. Choose a plain, high-quality, internally-threaded metal piercing while you are healing. Any extra elements could add unnecessary weight to your piercings and put you at a greater risk for snagging mishaps.
Keep in mind industrial piercings heal from the outside in, so even though you may have healed up on the visible portion of your ear, you may still be healing inside. Resist the urge to change (or even touch) your jewelry for at least three months, then head back to your professional piercer to make sure you're good to go.
