In the industrial piercing, two piercings are made along the outer edge of the ear. A long bar is placed though both piercings, and two balls are placed on each end to secure the barbell. The barbell is placed straight across or at an angle.
The scaffold piercing also features a bar which penetrates two piercings, and is connected by a ball at each end. The bar runs horizontally across the upper ear, and is either on a level line or runs at an angle.
Earlobes are the most common area of the ear to pierce. The earlobe heals quickly, and has a low risk of infection. However, industrial or scaffold piercings pierce through the cartilage. The cartilage provides shape to the ear, and piercing it creates a more serious wound. It is more painful and requires more care to avoid infection.