What You Need to Know About Industrial Barbells
Learn about the basics of getting industrial barbell earrings.
What Is an Industrial Barbell?
An industrial barbell (a.k.a. scaffolding piercing) consists of two piercings connected by a piece of jewelry. Usually, it's a straight barbell that goes through your ear cartilage.
Pain, Healing Time, and Aftercare
The pain from an industrial piercing is brief – the only exception is that you’ll have to deal with it twice. You might also feel some soreness after the procedure is done. Depending on your tolerance, you may feel a little or a lot of pain.
For most, the healing time is between four to six months. Sometimes, you might take up to a year to heal, depending on aftercare and your immune system. It’s not recommended to get a piercing while you’re sick, as you may not heal as fast.
Because of that, aftercare is a major part of the healing process. Industrial piercings must be cleaned twice daily with saline and must avoid any pressure on them, especially while sleeping.
What Jewelry and Materials Are Used?
In most cases, a barbell is used. A barbell is a piece of jewelry made of a metal bar with a small removable bead on both ends. The length of the barbell depends on your ear's anatomy.
Generally, a straight barbell is used, though industrial piercings only require two holes and a connecting bar. This means barbells can rope, come with crystals, spiral, and be customized in a variety of ways.
As for jewelry materials, the three common types are titanium, gold, and implant-grade stainless steel. Steel is mostly problem-free and comes in many colors, though it can irritate your ear.
Titanium is a common alternative to steel. It doesn’t corrode, is lightweight, and comes in as many colors as steel. With gold, it’s recommended to stick with 14 karat or higher, as 18 karat gold is too soft.
Shop Our Collection
We have a host of barbells to suit your style. Browse our collection of industrial piercings today.