Scaffold piercings, also known as industrial piercings, are a popular form of body modification. Like any type of piercing, scaffold piercings should only be performed by an experienced professional. Professional body piercers are trained in safety procedures to minimize your risk of infection. Body piercings should be done with the highest quality of surgical steel. Adequate attention should be given to healing piercings to avoid skin irritations and damage to the piercing site.
What is a scaffold piercing?
The scaffold piercing consists of two or more separate piercings on the rim (cartilage) of the ear that are joined by a single barbell. Scaffold piercings typically run straight across the top of the ear. However, they can be custom placed at nearly any angle.
What type of barbell should I use?
An extra long barbell is normally placed in the ear during the piercing process to allow excess room for swelling. Once the scaffold piercing has completely healed, the jewelry can be exchanged. Nearly any type of long barbell can be used as a scaffold bar as long as it fits comfortably between the piercings.
How is the scaffold piercing procedure performed?
Scaffold piercings should not be performed using piercing guns. The piercer will carefully mark the locations on the ear in which the piercing needle will pass through. The procedure can be performed as separate piercings that heal individually or fitted together using a single PTFE barbell.
How do I care for my scaffold piercing?
Always care for your scaffold piercing with clean washed hands to prevent the spread of bacteria. The piercing site should be cleaned daily for the first three weeks of healing time. Clean the piercing with an antibacterial soap that contains triclosan or follow the post-piercing instructions given by your piercer.
Do scaffold piercings hurt?
Each individual has a different pain tolerance. Therefore, the amount of pain felt during a scaffold piercing procedure can greatly range. Like any type of ear piercing, the site of the piercing can be tender.In most cases, a scaffold piercing is not overly painful, just a set of uncomfortable pinches.
How long is the healing time?
Scaffold piercings take an average of six to twelve months to fully heal. Proper piercing care can help speed the healing process along. It’s important to never use alcohol swabs, hydrogen peroxide or Betadine to clean the piercing site. Vitamin C can help maximize healing. As with any piercing, wait until the site has fully healed before attempting to change the jewelry.
Sources
Prime Health Channel: Industrial (Scaffold) Piercing
Scaffold Piercing: About Scaffold Piercings
Hubpages: Guide to Ear Piercings: Definitions & Diagrams
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