Edit Article

  • 42 Editors

  • Edited

Three Methods:Find a PiercerThe Piercing ProcessAftercare

An industrial piercing, sometimes called a scaffold or construction piercing, consists of two pierced holes connected by a single straight piece of jewellery. It generally refers to two piercings on the upper ear cartilage. Here are the steps involved in the process.


Method 1 of 3: Find a Piercer

There are plenty of piercing parlors who will give you an industrial piercing, but you'll want to be careful and find one that employs experienced technicians who are concerned about hygiene and safety.

  1. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 1.jpg
    Start the process of finding a piercing parlor in your area. You can easily find a list of parlors online or in the phonebook. Another place to check is your local alternative newspaper.
  2. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 2.jpg
    Call around to the various parlors. Make sure to ask the following relevant questions:
    • What sterilization methods do they use? Do they have a working autoclave, for example, for sterilizing all reusable equipment? And do they regularly have their equipment tested for compliance?
    • How much experience do they have with industrial piercing?
    • How much does the piercing cost?
  3. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 3.jpg
    Ask your friends or family if they have any advice or recommendations regarding local piercing parlors. It's ideal if someone you know has already gone through the process.
  4. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 4.jpg
    Visit the parlor before making a commitment. Meet the staff, ask to see their inspection records, certifications, and autoclave. Make sure you feel comfortable with the environment.

Method 2 of 3: The Piercing Process

After you have selected a parlor that you feel comfortable with, it is time to let the piercing technician do their magic on your ear. This process may vary from parlor to parlor however the general process will remain the same.

  1. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 5.jpg
    The first thing a piercer will do is set up his equipment. This includes selecting the correct jewellery to fit your ear, the correct gauge of needle, and other items.
  2. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 6.jpg
    The piercer will then wash their hands, put on a pair of single-use surgical gloves and then disinfect your ear.
  3. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 7.jpg
    Once your ear is disinfected, the technician will mark the needle points with a marker and draw a line to indicate the angle at which your jewellery will align. Make sure you like the angle before proceeding.
  4. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 8.jpg
    The piercer will push a hollow, single-use needle through the skin to create the first hole. Remember to inhale deeply and then exhale. Once the needle is through they will follow it by pushing the jewellery through the newly created hole and then line it up for the second hole. Once again you will need to breath in deeply and exhale, while they pierce the second hole and insert the jewellery.
  5. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 9.jpg
    The piercer will clean up any blood and will once again disinfect your ear.

Method 3 of 3: Aftercare

  1. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 10.jpg
    Be prepared for a certain amount of pain. Industrial piercings can be quite painful - you have just received two piercings simultaneously and now have a long metal bar through both. Ibuprofen or an analgesic can be used to manage the pain for the first week or so. After that, the pain should subside noticeably. Avoid use of hot compresses. Instead, cool the area with a cold cloth if necessary.
  2. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 11.jpg
    Clean the piercings regularly. This should be done using natural sea salt and warm water. Do not use soaps, peroxide, or rubbing alcohol near the piercings. If desired, a mild anti-bacterial soap can be used. Simply clean with sudsy water, moving your industrial back and forth until all of the soap is gone. To make the salt water solution, mix natural sea salt in lukewarm water and apply to the piercing site until the water cools down (the mixture should be 1/4 tsp of water to 1/2 tsp of salt). This is best done by laying on your side and holding a cup to your ear, allowing the piercing to soak in the saltwater solution.
  3. Get an Industrial Piercing Step 12.jpg
    Avoid contamination when showering by keeping shampoo and conditioner away from the piercing sites. If possible, cover your ear with plastic wrap while showering. Also, try to avoid getting hair products such as gel or hairspray onto the piercing.

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
pest control?
Yes I can
pest control
how to trap rats
Can you tell us about
focus groups?
Yes I can
focus groups
how to run a focus group
Can you tell us about
Yes I can
how to cycle a fish tank
Can you tell us about
Yes I can
how to fly an airplane
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
Provide Details.
Don't say: Eat more fats.



  • If you have long hair try to keep it away from the piercing as it will get wrapped around it and will get tangled.
  • Make sure that your jewellery is long enough to allow for swelling. Some shops like to use two separate bars or rings during the healing process. This should be avoided, however, because the holes will be less likely to line up properly.
  • The total healing time for industrial piercings is between 4 to 8 months, however, it may take up to a year depending on your body and your aftercare regimen.
  • The pain following an industrial piercing is not as bad as many people think, but you should avoid sleeping on it for as long as possible. Also, avoid any substances or activities that may aggravate the area.
  • Expect to pay between $40 and $90 US for an industrial piercing.


  • Do not use peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or soaps on or around piercings. Also, avoid petroleum based creams or gels as these will slow the healing process.
  • If you have any concerns about the piercing parlor you have selected, go somewhere else. Safety and cleanliness should be your number one concern.
  • Never pierce under the influence of drugs or alcohol; these substances thin the blood and cause additional bleeding. No reputable piercing shop will preform a piercing on someone who is drunk or high.

Related wikiHows

Article Info

Categories: Ear Piercing

Recent edits by: Maluniu, Vpppp, Lutherus

In other languages:

Español: Cómo hacerse un piercing industrial, Italiano: Come Fare il Piercing Industriale, Português: Como Colocar um Piercing

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 290,199 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

an Author!

Write an Article