Are there industrial alternatives?
A standard industrial piercing is a single barbell that connects a helix piercing and a forward helix piercing. The barbell is generally about 1 ½” in length and 14 gauge. The actual piercing is done all at once because if done separately, there is a chance of jewelry migration that would prevent the barbell from fitting properly. So instead of a single hole being pierced, be prepared to get two! They take an average of 9 to 12 months to heal and during that time you must be careful to avoid knocking it or getting it tangled in things like hair or clothes – as well as keeping it clean! A clean piercing is a happy piercing!
Aside from the standard industrial, there are a few other types. There’s also the vertical industrial, which offers far more options for placement. They can connect helix and conch, the rook and conch, or even two conch piercings. The barbell ends are frequently located behind the ear, but with so many placement options you could still have the barbell ends on the top area of the ear. The jewelry options are as many and as varied as the standard horizontal version. In fact, the vertical setup can really showcase the charm on your jewelry with the added bonus of being more glasses-friendly that the standard version. Chain industrials are also a nice option, in which a pair of short barbells are connected by a length of chain. This gives the look of an industrial but without the necessity of having both piercings done together and not requiring the same anatomy as a standard industrial piercing.
Two of the less common variations include the floating industrial and the custom industrial. A floating industrial connects parts of the ear other than the helix and forward helix. This is a great option for people who don’t have the anatomy for a standard industrial but requires that you meet with your piercer to figure out what will work for your specific ear. The custom industrial can connect multiple points of the ear, three or even four in one piercing! But like the name says, this requires a consultation with your piercer and will almost certainly require custom jewelry.
If you are wondering why anatomy is so important when it comes to an industrial piercing, the fold of the ear needs to be deep enough to support the barbell. However, the flat of the ear needs to be deep enough to where the barbell doesn’t touch it. If the flat is too high, the barbell can begin to rub at the skin and eventually could even wear the skin down all the way to the bare cartilage. This can lead to some nasty scarring so if your piercer says that a traditional industrial is a no-go, listening to them is the best bet. And even if none of these options work for you, remember that faux industrial piercing jewelry exists and doesn’t require special anatomy to wear. The phrase “fake it til you make it” exists for a reason and there’s nothing wrong with wearing a non-pierced version of the piercing you like.
Welcome to BodyCandy.com, a small, family-owned business that has been offering high-quality, affordable jewelry since 2002. We take pride in crafting unique pieces that cater to every style, from navel rings to septum rings to faux piercing jewelry, all designed with care and attention to detail. As a close-knit team, we design much of our jewelry in-house, ensuring that each item meets our high standards of craftsmanship and durability. Whether you're looking for something bold, subtle, or custom-made, BodyCandy is dedicated to providing exceptional jewelry that doesn’t break the bank. Thank you for choosing us as your go-to destination for all things jewelry!
