Industrial piercings are eye-catching and consist of two separate piercings through the ear connected with a single piece of jewelry. This type of piercing is edgy, fashionable, and visually striking.
If you’re considering an industrial, you likely have several questions, such as “How long does an industrial piercing take to heal?” Fortunately, by learning more about industrial piercings, you will be better prepared to care for your new piercing and know if it is healing correctly.
How Long Does an Industrial Piercing Take To Heal?
Many wonder, “How long does an industrial piercing take to heal?” Usually, industrial piercings will heal within 6 to 9 months if complications don’t arise. In some cases, it may take up to a year.
During this stage, it may be much more comfortable to wear separate pieces of jewelry than the standard bar due to how sensitive the cartilage is at this time.
To be detailed, industrial barbells may put unnecessary pressure on the piercing sites compared to individual barbells, especially when sleeping. Those with longer hair may find it gets tangled in the piercings and may tug or pull on them, causing pain.
If you choose to wear a barbell while your piercings 1 deposit casino uk.com heal, it is a good idea to keep your hair away from your ears by putting it up, especially while you sleep.
How Do I Know When My Industrial Piercing Is Healed?
There are several signs to look out for to know if your piercing is healed. These signs include:
- Absence of discharge from the piercing site
- Smooth edges along the piercing site
- The jewelry moves freely and is loose
Contact your piercer if you are unsure whether your piercing is healed. They will know for sure whether the healing process has been completed or if it may need more time.
Image: Aileen Fritz.
Industrial Piercing Healing Stages
While the healing time for piercings may vary, they all go through similar stages of healing:
Stage 1: Acceptance
For several weeks, your body will attempt to reject the jewelry after the initial piercing.
There will be signs of trauma, and the piercing site will be tender, warm to the touch and painful. This is due to your body attempting to protect itself from infection.
This process may also trigger skin growth, so it is important not to remove your piercing during this stage as you may be unable to reinsert it.
Stage 2: Proliferated Phase
Proliferation may take up to a year, and you must remain cautious during this period to avoid infection.
Your body will produce new skin at this point. New blood vessels eventually form to supply blood to this new tissue. Scabs may try to form, and discharge may still occur from the piercing site.
Stage 3: Toughening
This final stage of the healing process starts once the piercing is no longer an open wound. This phase may last several years
Initially, the piercing tunnel is still fragile and thin. You should no longer experience any pain or discomfort at this point, and the hole will look even.
While changing your jewelry should no longer be an issue, this phase may last several years, and you should always wear jewelry in the hole since it can easily close back up.
Healing Industrial Piercing Pain
Industrial piercings hurt. Some say they are one of the most painful ear piercings because of their placement. On a pain scale of 1-10 with 1 being the least and 10 being the worst, many rate industrial piercings at around an 8 or a 9. However, it truly depends on your pain tolerance.
How to Heal an Industrial Piercing?
There are several steps you can take to help your industrial piercing heal as fast as possible.
1. Use Safe Materials
Industrial bar piercing cute with CZ stones gold and silver titanium 14G $19.9, SHOP NOW.
You’ll need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to like K gold and implant-grade titanium. They are hypoallergenic and less likely to be rejected.
You should also ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures.
2. Clean Your Piercing Twice Per Day
Use a homemade saline solution or an antibacterial cleanser approved by your piercer each day and always wash your hands before touching it.
3. Avoid Touching the Piercing
If you introduce bacteria to the site, it may become infected, which may lengthen healing time. While the area may itch as it heals, do your best not to touch it. If you accidentally scratch it, rinse the area immediately with a sea salt solution.
4. Allow It to Fully Heal Before Changing the Jewelry
You must wait for an industrial piercing to heal completely before you try to change your jewelry.
A not-yet-healed piercing is prone to infection. Taking one piece of jewelry out and putting another in could introduce bacteria to the area. Plus, the trauma to the unhealed site may cause pain and bleeding.
5. Avoid Contact With Scented Soaps, Perfumes, Chemicals, and Other Chemicals
Protect it from cosmetics and hair products as they may cause an infection. If you plan to go to a hairstylist, tell them you have a fresh piercing so they can take precautions against touching it.
6. Avoid Using Headphones or Sleeping on the Ear You Had Pierced
Wear earphones instead of headphones to avoid applying unnecessary pressure on the piercings. Avoid sleeping on the recently pierced ear as this will also apply unnecessary pressure. It is recommended to not get both ears pierced at the same time.
While it can be challenging to sleep with a new industrial, place a clean t-shirt over your pillow so it does not get contaminated with bacteria while you sleep.
7. Watch for Signs of Infection
Finally, watch for signs of infection, such as swelling, tenderness, and pus drainage. If you notice any of these signs, contact your piercer immediately.
After you get your piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.
How to Clean an Industrial Piercing?
The best way to prevent complications is to perform the right aftercare. This involves cleaning your piercing at least twice a day.
Your piercer may give you a saline solution, or, you can make your own at home by dissolving ¼ teaspoon of sea salt into 1 cup of warm water.
- To clean the piercing, you’ll soak something like a cotton ball in the saltwater solution.
- Then, you’ll apply it to the front and the back of the piercing to saturate the area. If needed, you can use a dampened cotton swab to gently brush away any crust.
- Pat the area dry using a paper towel or low-ply cloth that won’t snag.
To help your piercing heal more quickly, soak the area at least twice daily with your solution. Depending on the location of your piercing, this may be difficult, but you can use a large bowl or soak a cotton swab in the saline solution and place it on the piercing site. If you have any questions about this process, your piercer can help.
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