Industrial piercing
Encyclopedia
An industrial piercing (North America), sometimes called scaffold piercing (UK/IRL) or construction piercing, is any two pierced holes connected with a single straight piece of jewelry (compare to orbital piercing
); however, it typically refers to a double perforation of the upper ear cartilage
specifically. Two piercings are made, one fairly close to the head (anti-helix piercing) the second further down the cartilage, on the opposite side of the ear (helix piercing
). A straight barbell
is inserted through the first piercing from behind the ear, travels diagonally across the front of the upper cartilage, then goes through the second piercing, and is secured with a screw-on bead behind the second hole.
The piercings themselves are made with a sterile hollow piercing needle, usually 14g, and the barbell jewelry is worn during the healing period. Sometimes, a pair of captive bead rings (CBRs) are used instead, and are exchanged for a barbell after healing is complete. Although the use of CBRs often results in faster healing, proper alignment of the piercings is difficult when this technique is used. It can be pierced with a flexible plastic tube and swapped for the metal bar when it has healed. It can also be pierced with a 16g barbell. After that has healed it can then be switched to a 14g barbell. Industrials typically take anywhere from three months to one year to fully heal and are considerably more painful than conventional piercing.
Cleaning the industrial piercing is significantly more complex than an average ear piercing. In order to clean the inside folds of the piercing, patience and carefulness is required. It is best to use a warm cotton swab drenched in uniodized salt water. Cleaning of the industrial piercing should occur 3 to 4 times per day.
Two or more of this type of piercing located on the same ear is typically referred to as a cage.
Orbital piercing
An "orbital piercing" is a combination of two ear piercings connected by one piece of jewelry , generally in the area by one's cartilage. After it heals up one can put in a captive bead ring, and it looks like an illusion of one's "ear orbiting"....
); however, it typically refers to a double perforation of the upper ear cartilage
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
specifically. Two piercings are made, one fairly close to the head (anti-helix piercing) the second further down the cartilage, on the opposite side of the ear (helix piercing
Helix piercing
The helix piercing is a perforation of the helix or upper ear for the purpose of inserting and wearing a piece of jewelry. The piercing itself is usually made with a small gauge hollow piercing needle, and typical jewelry would be a small diameter captive bead ring, or a stud.Sometimes, two helix...
). A straight barbell
Barbell (piercing)
Barbell style piercing jewelry is composed of a straight bar and with a bead on each end, one or both beads unscrewable for removal and/or changing of the beads. Often one of the beads is fixed, either via epoxy or welding, so that only one bead is used to install or remove the jewelry...
is inserted through the first piercing from behind the ear, travels diagonally across the front of the upper cartilage, then goes through the second piercing, and is secured with a screw-on bead behind the second hole.
The piercings themselves are made with a sterile hollow piercing needle, usually 14g, and the barbell jewelry is worn during the healing period. Sometimes, a pair of captive bead rings (CBRs) are used instead, and are exchanged for a barbell after healing is complete. Although the use of CBRs often results in faster healing, proper alignment of the piercings is difficult when this technique is used. It can be pierced with a flexible plastic tube and swapped for the metal bar when it has healed. It can also be pierced with a 16g barbell. After that has healed it can then be switched to a 14g barbell. Industrials typically take anywhere from three months to one year to fully heal and are considerably more painful than conventional piercing.
Cleaning the industrial piercing is significantly more complex than an average ear piercing. In order to clean the inside folds of the piercing, patience and carefulness is required. It is best to use a warm cotton swab drenched in uniodized salt water. Cleaning of the industrial piercing should occur 3 to 4 times per day.
Two or more of this type of piercing located on the same ear is typically referred to as a cage.