Looking to get an industrial or scaffold piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Please ensure that you have checked the scaffold piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the scaffold piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required) or 13 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the scaffold piercing location. There are several locations to choose from but the most common is between the forward helix and helix.

The industrial piercing typically involves a sterilised gauge needle which your piercer will pass through the cartilage, inserting the jewellery in the process. When the piercer has passed the needle through the first hole for your scaffold piercing, a plastic retainer will usually be inserted to preserve the hole until the second piercing has been performed and the jewellery can be inserted. Some piercers prefer to partly insert the jewellery in the first hole while performing the second piercing. The piercing site is cleaned thoroughly and marked with a pen first so you can check that you are happy with the location.

A scaffold piercing can take 3-12 months to fully heal due to the piercing passing through the cartilage of the ear. It can be faster than some other types of cartilage piercing because it is passed through the outer rim of the ear if performed in the common position. Vertical scaffold piercings will pass through thicker parts of cartilage so may take longer to heal. The healing time varies from person to person and the process can be aided by top-notch aftercare.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will slow down healing and can even cause unnecessary problems. For example, make sure not to sleep on the side with the new piercing and don’t touch the piercing unless absolutely necessary. For this reason, we recommend getting one ear pierced at a time. Other steps that can be taken to aid with healing include tying back long hair, not wearing earphones or other ear coverings, and avoiding contact with any kind of cosmetics including moisturiser and hair products.

Like any piercing, it is important to maintain top hygiene when caring for your industrial piercing. Sticking to your aftercare routine for your industrial piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Gently clean your scaffold piercing twice a day with salt water solution or Tea Tree Oil by gently bathing it using cotton wool.

While it is important to ensure your general ear hygiene is first rate, it is also advisable to avoid using soap on your new piercing so be sure to take extra care while washing your ears and removing ear wax.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.