Industrial Piercing
Also known as a scaffold piercing, the industrial connects two piercings of the upper ear cartilage with a single straight barbell. It's bold and eye-catching, the perfect choice if you want something different that makes a serious statement. Because it involves two punctures in one experience, most people rate the combined discomfort around 6 to 7 out of 10. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will assess your ear shape first to find the best line for your barbell.
- Pain level
- 6-7/10 (estimated)
- Method
- Needle
- Minimum age:
- 16 years*
- Jewellery type:
- Straight barbell View jewellery options
- Downsizing:
- 8-10 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
* Available: From 16 years of age with parental consent, or from 18 years without consent. Check our ID & consent requirements here.
What Is An Industrial Piercing?
The industrial, sometimes called a scaffold piercing, is actually two piercings in one. It involves two separate punctures through the upper ear cartilage, usually spanning the helix, which are then joined by a single long straight barbell. In other words, it's two piercings and one piece of jewellery working together, and the result reads as one continuous, bold placement rather than two separate piercings.
Because it relies on two points lining up precisely, ear anatomy plays a big part in how an industrial sits. Our piercing specialists will map out the best line for your ear before marking or piercing anything. If you'd like to see how it fits with other cartilage placements, our piercing info page is a good starting point.
What To Expect
Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.
How We Pierce
Both points of your industrial are pierced with a single-use hollow needle, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so every step follows a clean, considered process.
Choosing Your Jewellery
We pierce with a long straight barbell from our dedicated industrial jewellery collection, available in titanium or 14K gold depending on the look you're after.
Step By Step: Your Industrial Piercing Experience
- Your piercing specialist checks your ear shape and helix to map the best line for your barbell.
- They mark both points and get your approval before going ahead.
- Both piercing points are done with a needle, one after the other, in the same appointment.
- Your long straight barbell is fitted across both points and you're given full aftercare instructions.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Find Your Nearest Studio
Once you're ready to book, check our age, ID and consent requirements so you know what to bring on the day.
Nearest studios
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Aftercare
Healing two piercing points at once takes time, and that's completely normal. Sticking to a simple routine every day makes the biggest difference.
Your Daily Routine
Stick to sterile saline and avoid touching the area unnecessarily. Browse our aftercare range or read our full post-piercing aftercare guide for the complete rundown.
- Clean with sterile saline twice daily.
- Avoid swimming for 6 to 8 weeks, including pools, lakes and the ocean.
- Avoid sleeping on the piercing while it heals.
- Be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats pressing against the area.
When Can I Change My Jewellery?
Downsizing happens around 8 to 10 weeks if needed, once swelling in both piercings has settled, though full structural healing takes a minimum of 6 months. Find out why downsizing matters and see how the industrial compares in our guide to average healing time by piercing type.
- Pierced
- Day one
- Downsizing:
- 8-10 weeks
- Fully healed:
- minimum 6 months
Jewellery For Your Industrial
The right jewellery makes all the difference to how your industrial heals and how it looks once settled.
Starter Jewellery
We pierce with a long 14 gauge straight barbell that spans both piercing points. Every starter piece comes in 316L surgical steel, pre-sterilised and ready to go.
Building Your Stack
Once healed, explore our full range of barbell jewellery or upgrade to titanium to invest in your healing jewellery. Read our guide to curated ears and the latest trend for styling inspiration.
Not Sure What Metal Suits You?
If you're torn between finishes, our piece on silver, rose gold or gold breaks it down, or browse everything by material to compare options.
FAQs
What is an industrial piercing?
Also known as a scaffold piercing, it's two separate piercings through the upper ear cartilage, usually spanning the helix, joined together by one long straight barbell. It's a bold statement placement that reads as one continuous look.
Does an industrial piercing hurt?
Because it's two punctures in one experience, most people rate the combined discomfort around 6 to 7 out of 10. Each individual puncture feels similar to a standard cartilage piercing. Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
How long does an industrial piercing take to heal?
Full structural healing takes a minimum of 6 months. Since two piercings need to heal at once, it's worth being extra consistent with your aftercare routine. See our guide to healing time by piercing type for more detail.
What jewellery is used for an industrial piercing?
We use a long 14 gauge straight barbell that spans both piercing points. Premium titanium and gold upgrades are available if you want to invest in your healing jewellery.
When can I downsize my industrial jewellery?
Downsizing happens around 8 to 10 weeks if needed, once swelling in both piercings has settled and your piercing specialist confirms you're ready.
Can I sleep on my industrial piercing?
Avoid sleeping directly on it while it heals, and be mindful of headphones, helmets and hats that might catch or press on the barbell. Our post-piercing aftercare guide covers this in more detail.
Can I swim after getting an industrial piercing?
Avoid swimming, including pools, lakes and the ocean, for 6 to 8 weeks after your piercing.
What's the minimum age for an industrial piercing?
You need to be at least 16 years old with parental consent, or 18 years and older without.
Build Your Ear Stack
The industrial makes a statement on its own, but it also pairs well with other cartilage placements for a fuller, more curated ear. Read our ear piercing placements guide for inspiration, or explore these popular combinations.
