The Complete Guide To Industrial Bar Piercings - Byrdie

When designing your ear look, there are a plethora of piercing types and combinations to pick from. There are helix, daith, conch, and standard lobe piercings, for starters, but one that really makes an impact is an industrial bar piercing. Unlike other types of ear piercings, they're characterized by having two holes versus just one. Industrial piercings connect one cartilage piercing to another on the upper ear with a straight barbell. They've historically been associated with more of a punk-rock, grunge aesthetic, but industrial bars can be styled to take on any vibe you want, depending on the rest of your earscape, and overall look. One thing is undeniable though, they're a hell of a statement.

If you're considering getting an additional piercing and are intrigued by an industrial bar, we tapped two professional piercers and a dermatologist to get all the insights you may need before booking your appointment. From how much they hurt to get and how long they take to heal to the type of material your jewelry should be made of and how to change it out, keep scrolling.

Meet the Experts

• Eden Cox is an Australia-based professional piercer at Stone Heart Piercing.
• Cozmo Faris is a professional piercer based in Atlanta.
• Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

What Is an Industrial Piercing?

“[An] Industrial piercing is a broad term generally used to describe any two piercings connected by a single barbell,” says Atlanta-based piercer Cozmo Faris.

Also called bar or scaffolding piercings, industrial piercings are placed on the ear and go directly through the cartilage at two separate points and are typically around an inch and a half apart. The piercing is always done with a needle, never a gun, and you should see an experienced and professional piercer—not necessarily the least expensive one for this type of piercing.

Industrial Bar Piercing

Placement: The upper ear

Pricing: $30-100

Pain level: 5-7/10, but it varies greatly from person to person.

Healing time: Typically between four to six months.

Aftercare: Wash the piercing sites with sterile saline solution twice a day and allow to air dry until fully healed.

Regarding how the piercing is done, “There are several methods, but I would say typically a piercer would first pierce one side with a single-use disposable needle then insert jewelry into it that is long enough to support both piercings,” says Faris. “A second needle would then be used to make the other piercing, and the excess room on the jewelry would then be transferred into the second piercing, connecting them.”

However, industrial piercings aren't for everyone. “Most people do not have the right anatomy to get a traditional industrial piercing,” says Australia-based piercer, Eden Cox. “That's why it's important to research your piercer and find one that will work with your anatomy and do something suitable for the shape of your ear.

What Is a Bar Ear Piercing Called?

In North America, a bar piercing is called an industrial piercing. In the UK, it may be referred to as a scaffold or construction piercing. If you're ever unsure what the name of the piercing is, just show a picture to your piercer for clarity.

Variations on the Industrial Piercing

The traditional version of an industrial piercing consists of a helix (or outer, upper ear) piercing linked to a forward helix (or inner, upper ear) piercing by a barbell. However, there are so many different variations of the piercing (an arrow, a snake) that you can completely customize it to your look— all you need is two separate points on the ear and a barbell.

Do Industrial Piercings Hurt?

In short, yes—you are getting a needle inserted into your ear times two. If you’re worried about how much it's going to hurt, though, just remember that it’s a pinch, so the pain will happen quickly and then be over in a matter of seconds. Remember that industrial piercings have two holes, though, so you will have to deal with the pain twice. Depending on your tolerance, you may feel anything from just a little to a lot of pain.

After the needle is removed from the piercing sites, you may still feel some soreness, but it shouldn't be a sharp or searing pain of any kind. This a sign that your new piercing is already starting to heal.

How Long Does It Take for an Industrial Piercing to Heal?

“Estimated healing time is about four to six months [for an industrial piercing]; they can sometimes take up to a year to heal, though, based on aftercare and the individual client's immune system,” says Faris. “Simply put: Healthy people heal quicker.”

If you’ve gotten pierced before, you may feel comfortable with the healing process, however, industrial piercings have a particular element that makes their healing process unique: two separate holes. “This type of piercing– because it is two piercings in one– typically takes a longer time to heal,” says Michele Green, MD, a New York-based dermatologist.

There are a number of things that can prolong the healing process. For one, if the piercing gets caught in clothing or hair, it can snag and cause irritation. It’s important to keep your hair out of your face and to be gentle when getting dressed to avoid any issues that would add to the healing time. Following a proper aftercare procedure is the best way to avoid prolonging the healing process, as you can be sure it’ll heal properly and as quickly as your immune system allows when everything is done correctly.

How Much Does an Industrial Piercing Cost?

The ballpark price is $30-100, but the cost of an industrial piercing, like any body modification, will vary depending on your geographic location and the shop. Piercings will also be separated into two different charges: the actual piercing cost and that of the jewelry, both of which can range in price.

“In a quality piercing studio, there are two costs to consider. First, there is a piercing service fee; then, the cost of jewelry,” says Faris. “Separating the two costs allows the client to leave with something as simple as a basic titanium barbell or as nice as a solid gold barbell with genuine diamonds. We have dozens of jewelry options though, so ultimately the price will depend on what is selected.”

Industrial Piercing Aftercare

“Connecting two piercings with a single piece of jewelry isn't the easiest thing for your body to adjust to so it is pretty important to be diligent with aftercare,” Faris notes. “Industrial piercings are a big responsibility and they take a lot of care and attention for them to heal properly,” says Cox. “They must be cleaned every day with saline, must avoid any pressure on them, and the hardest part is they cannot be slept on during the healing process. They require a lot of time and patience.”

Faris notes that aftercare for an industrial piercing is similar to other ear piercings. First, a sterile saline solution is applied to the piercing site and allowed to air dry. “As with any piercing, cleaning the area twice daily is important to avoid infection,” says Dr. Green.

It’s important to remember to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing to be sure you’re not potentially transferring bacteria to the open wound. In fact, it’s best not to touch your new piercing at all. If you remove the jewelry too early, you put your piercing at risk of closing up or getting infected. Try not to poke, touch, or play with your new piercing either—it could prolong the process (and hurt).

How to Decide If an Industrial Bar Piercing Is Right for You

Aside from the responsibility of aftercare, there are other things to consider when getting a bar piercing. For one, getting it removed is no easy feat. So, if you think you won't love it anymore in a few months, you might have to be stuck with it for a little while longer, as experts recommend waiting five to nine months before removal. What's more, you'll want to seek professional help to change out your jewelry, making it a piercing with considerably more upkeep than standard earrings.

You'll also want to think about your daily life, like what side of your body you sleep on (if you sleep on the right side and get an industrial piercing on your right ear, you'll want to favor the left side during the healing process, which may be uncomfortable to get used to).

Side Effects of Industrial Bar Piercings

• Irritation bumps: Small bumps around the piercing sites are common when your new piercing is irritated in some way, whether you’ve been touching it or you happen to be allergic to your jewelry. Be sure to pay closer attention to your aftercare, stop playing with your piercing, and/or get a new barbell put in if you think it’s allergies.
• Rejection: Rejection is when your body perceives your new piercing as a threat and pushes it out of your skin. As the piercing is forced out, your body heals the skin below it quickly so it can’t be pushed back in. The only way to address rejection is to go to a professional to have it removed so as not to prolong the process.
• Infection: Infections of piercings are more common than you’d think, but they’re also easily avoided by simply following aftercare procedures correctly. Typical infection symptoms include prolonged redness, swelling, yellow or green discharge, tenderness, burning, itching, and intense pain. It’s normal to see some redness, feel some soreness, or notice some crusting of the piercing sites as they heal, but anything more than a slight annoyance could be a sign of a bigger problem.
• Keloids: Industrial piercings easily cause keloid scars, says Dr. Green. These are scars that form as a response to the skin’s trauma and tend to be much larger than the initial piercing site. Aside from being annoying, keloids can be quite painful. They require major attention in the form of cortisone injections or removal of the scars via lasers or surgery.

How to Change Out an Industrial Piercing

If you want to change out your industrial piercing, it’s imperative to wait until it’s fully healed and potentially a bit longer, just to be sure—anywhere from five to nine months. If you try and take it out before then, you risk the piercing healing over and having to get it redone. Removing an industrial piercing could potentially be done at home, but Cox, Faris, and Dr. Green all agree that the best thing to do is to get it removed by a professional.

“Typically, one or both ends of the barbell will thread off allowing it to slide out,” Faris notes. “Sizing is very specific for them since everyone's ears are drastically different sizes, so I would recommend getting any new jewelry sized by a piercer just to confirm you get the best fit possible.”

What Type of Jewelry Is Used for an Industrial Piercing?

“Generally, it will be a straight barbell,” that's used for an industrial piercing, says Faris. “In our studio, they would be either an implant grade titanium, yellow gold, or rose gold. The most common thickness would be 14 gauge, but 16 and even 18 gauge industrials are growing in popularity. Length [of the bar] would be dependent on the specific ear.”

A barbell is a piece of jewelry consisting of a metal bar with a small bead on both ends, each of which is removable. The barbell is inserted into an industrial piercing by creating two holes with needles and threading it through. Because all an industrial piercing requires is the two holes and a connecting bar of some sort. Barbells can be curved, spiral, and customized in so many other ways to suit your aesthetic.

What Jewelry Materials Are Used for an Industrial Piercing?

• Implant-grade stainless steel: Steel is the most common type of metal for piercings because it’s relatively problem-free and comes in a variety of colors. If you’re allergic to nickel, however, surgical steel will irritate your skin.
• Titanium: Titanium is commonly used for piercings due to it not containing nickel, meaning it’s the least likely out of all metals to irritate. It’s also lightweight, doesn’t tarnish or corrode, and comes in various colors.
• Gold: If you go with gold jewelry—regardless of whether it’s yellow, rose, or white gold—make sure it’s at least 14 karats or higher, as 18 karat gold is too soft and will form indentations that could hold bacteria.

The Final Takeaway

If you're looking for a piercing that can make an edgy statement, there's no doubt that an industrial bar would be an excellent option. That said, an industrial piercing is not going to be for everyone. If you're considering one, find a skilled piercer who will make sure the anatomy of your ear can tolerate an industrial piercing. Once that is taken care of, stay patient and commit to the healing process. After all, a healthy industrial piercing is quite the flex.