The industrial piercing is one of the most popular and common ear piercings. The jewels proposed for this one are just magnificent and allow you to reflect your personality at best. Do you want to make one, but don’t know what to expect? So, here is our guide to industrial piercing!
What is an industrial piercing?
An industrial piercing is a bar model that is placed at the top of the ear. It requires two aligned holes in order to place the jewel. The piercing of the ear is done in the upper cartilage of this one.
How and where to do an industrial piercing?
To do an industrial piercing, it is essential to go to a professional piercer. Be careful though, not all piercers have the experience required to do this type of piercing, so prefer one that has been installed for several years and is very thorough, even if it will probably cost you a little more. In addition, check that the piercer disinfects all his equipment and uses sterile needles.
Process of the appointment for an industrial piercing
First, the piercer will ask you what type of piercing you would like done and inspect the area to make sure it is ready to be pierce. He will then show you several piercing models that you can put on right after the piercing.
Then, he will put you in a chair and clean the area to be pierce using a disinfectant or an antiseptic. This will prevent contaminating the wound and piercing the holes. He will then mark the two locations to be pierce before taking out a sterile needle. Using it, he will pierce a first hole, then a second with another needle.
Finally, the piercer will place your piercing correctly and give you the necessary instructions for a complete cleaning of the wounds in order to avoid getting an infection.
Does it hurt?
So, we are not going to lie to each other, yes, industrial piercing is painful. On a pain scale of 1 to 10, it still reaches an impressive score of 8. Not only is the upper part of the ear more or less sensitive depending on the person, but this type of piercing does not require one, but two holes, which makes the pain twice as great.
The industrial piercing is generally a 1.6 mm diameter model. It is a more or less long bar that connects the two holes drilled in the upper part of the ear.
On average, an industrial piercing costs 45 euros. Nevertheless, this price can vary from one piercer to another, but also according to the model chosen and the materials that compose it. Indeed, a surgical steel piercing will not be display at the same price as titanium or bioflex piercing.
Industrial piercing healing and maintenance
The healing time for an industrial piercing is quite long, since it can take between 6 and 12 months. This depends on your ability to heal, but also on the maintenance and regular cleaning of the wound, as well as any signs of infection that may appear.
Are infections and complications possible with industrial piercing?
Yes, it is possible to get infections following an industrial piercing, as with any type of piercing. Indeed, by its position on the upper part of the ear, the jewel and the wound are particularly expose to external aggressions and therefore to infections. It will therefore be essential to take good care of any signs of infection that may appear, such as:
- Redness: if during the first days or serious irritation redness is possible, it is important to always consider abnormal redness, especially with a change in the appearance of the skin, as a sign of a probable infection.
- Swelling: abnormal swelling of the ear beyond the first few days after the piercing can indicate the presence of infection. If it is severe or the area is hot, see a doctor, as you are most likely having an infection or an allergic reaction.
- Pus: A little pus is normal, but if it’s a lot or the pus is yellowish in color and smells bad, then it’s a sure sign of infection.
- Fever: If you have a fever in addition to any of the above symptoms, you almost certainly have an infection. It is therefore important to go to your doctor in order to have possible antibiotics and a cream against the infection.
How to properly maintain your industrial piercing?
The industrial piercing is one of the most difficult to keep clean.
It is therefore important to clean it 2 to 3 times a day according to the following steps:
- Start by preparing a saline solution using sea salt and water.
- Wash your hands.
- Take a cotton swab and moisten it with the solution.
- Gently clean the wounds. This step also removes excess crusts that will form during the first few weeks.
- With a cotton ball, gently pat the area.
- In case of infection, apply a cream according to the advice of your doctor.
What are the things to pay attention to after an industrial piercing?
- Always wash your hands before touching the piercing.
- Avoid playing and rotating the piercing more than 2-3 times a day to avoid getting into the habit of touching it, as you may forget to wash your hands and touch it by reflex, which will lead to contamination of the wound.
- Always be careful not to touch the piercing area when putting on your clothes.
- When brushing your hair or applying products such as gel or hairspray, always protect your piercing to avoid touching it or contaminating the wound.
What are the risks associated with industrial piercing?
Besides the risks of infection, you should know that an industrial piercing can also leave scars on the ear if the holes are not made correctly.
Also, never let the piercer use a gun to do this type of piercing, as it will cause significant trauma and increase the risk of visible scarring. An industrial piercing should always be done with a needle.
Also, if the piercer is not experience enough, it is possible that the two holes are not completely align, which could then be really annoying when you want to put your bar. So always remember to choose a qualified piercer, even if it costs a little more.
