How to Turn an Industrial Piercing to Tighten It

An industrial piercing is a double piercing that goes through the cartilage of the upper ear. The jewelry worn in an industrial is a long single barbell, usually in a 12 or 14 gauge. High quality surgical stainless steel barbells are internally threaded, which means that the threads stick out of the ends of the beads and the bar is hollow. Lesser quality barbells are externally threaded, with hollow beads and the threads cut into the ends of the bar. You tighten both in the same way.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Clean towel or paper towel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Wash your hands before touching your industrial jewelry. Use antibacterial soap and dry your hands with a freshly washed towel or paper towel.

   • 2

     Grasp the front bead of the barbell between the thumb and forefinger of one hand.

   • 3

     Grasp the back bead between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand.

   • 4

     Twist the front bead toward your face and the back bead away from your face at the same time.

   • 5

     Check your jewelry for tightness once a week.