April 05, 2025

Floating Industrial Piercing: What To Know

If you love the look of traditional industrial piercings but don't have the anatomy to support one, you might consider a floating industrial piercing. A floating industrial piercing is an excellent alternative to a standard industrial piercing and can provide a similar aesthetic.

Here, you'll discover everything you need to know before booking a consultation for a floating industrial piercing.

What Is a Floating Industrial Piercing?

A floating industrial piercing connects two areas of the ear other than the forward helix and helix. This option is ideal for individuals who may not have the anatomy for a standard industrial piercing.

Variant: Half-Floating Industrial Piercing

A half-floating industrial piercing features one part of your ear pierced like a traditional industrial, while the other is pierced from front to back on the flat part. This type of piercing is suitable for those with the appropriate anatomy on one side of their ear cartilage for an industrial piercing, but not on the other.

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Variant: Full-Floating Industrial Piercing

A full-floating industrial piercing is when two points on the flat part of your ear are pierced from front to back, creating the illusion that the barbell is floating in your ear.

The Difference Between Floating Industrial Piercings and Traditional Industrial Piercings

A traditional industrial piercing consists of two piercings in the upper ear cartilage (typically in the helix and forward helix) connected by a straight barbell.

In contrast, a floating industrial piercing makes the barbell seem to float along the flat of the ear, with the ends pierced from front to back.

What Is Special About This Piercing?

A floating industrial is a variation of a traditional industrial designed for those whose ear anatomy lacks the necessary support. Floating industrials often feature custom-made jewelry, such as an L-shaped barbell or a larger surface bar, depending on the individual's ear anatomy and the placement of the piercing.

Floating Industrial Piercing Pain Scale

Most people generally rank a floating industrial piercing between a 5 and 7 on a pain tolerance scale of 1 to 10.

What Is the Healing Time of a Floating Industrial Piercing?

Similar to a standard industrial piercing, the healing time can take anywhere between 6 and 12 months.

What Is the Cost of a Floating Industrial Piercing?

Typically, a floating industrial piercing costs between $60 and $120. The final cost depends on your piercer's experience, the piercing studio, and your jewelry.

Floating Industrial Piercing Jewelry

Jewelry Types:

The type of jewelry suitable for your floating industrial piercing will depend on the specific piercing. The best options for a floating industrial piercing are either a surface bar or a custom L-shaped barbell.

These types of jewelry follow the natural contours of your skin, creating the illusion that your piercing is floating along your ear cartilage.

Floating Industrial Bar Piercing

Floating industrial piercing 14G made of titanium half floating industrial bar piercing $22.9, SHOP NOW.

Someone receiving a half-floating industrial piercing may choose a custom L-shaped barbell with a right-angle bend on one side, with the other featuring a bead with threads.

For those with a full-floating industrial, a surface bar that bends at 90 degrees at both ends is an appropriate jewelry option. Surface bars are designed to be placed along flat skin surfaces, making them ideal for floating industrial piercings. The jewelry for a floating industrial is typically custom-made, utilizing a larger surface bar.

Floating Industrial Piercing Chain

While your floating industrial jewelry will likely be an L-shaped barbell or a larger surface bar, you may also choose a customized chain with barbells on either end to secure it to your ear. The type of jewelry you can choose depends on the piercing type you receive and your anatomy.

Jewelry Sizes: The Gauges and Lengths

For a floating or half-floating industrial piercing, a 14-gauge (1.6 mm) barbell is usually used, with a length between 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" (or 32 mm to 38 mm), depending on your anatomy.

Recommended Metals

The best materials to select for your ear piercing are implant-grade titanium, 14-karat or 18-karat gold, and surgical stainless steel.

1. Implant-Grade Titanium: About $20-$40

Titanium piercing jewelry is strongly recommended. Titanium is a corrosion-resistant shiny metal prized for its low weight and strength. It has a reputation for being the best metal for piercings for many reasons. It is hypoallergenic, lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish.

To be detailed, titanium is hypoallergenic, meaning it is less likely to cause allergic reactions. It’s often recommended for those who are allergic to brass, nickel, and other metals common in jewelry.

Its high density-to-strength ratio means your jewelry is very durable. A lower density also makes titanium lightweight, a big plus for many users. Finally, the metal comes in many colors because you can anodize it.

2. 14-Karat and 18-Karat Gold: About $40-$200

14-karat and 18-karat gold ear piercing jewelry can offer an elevated look. This metal will not rust or tarnish. It is also easy to decorate and shape. The added alloys in 18k, and especially 14k, make them more durable than 24k gold pieces.

One downside to gold jewelry is the price tag, which is expensive. Another concern will be that the metal is soft, making it susceptible to bends, breaks, and gouges. Also, consider if you have allergies, such as an allergy to gold.

3. Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel: About $5-$30

If you opt for stainless steel, you should opt for surgical-grade steel. It often contributes to a smooth healing process and is extremely durable. However, even surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions in those with skin sensitivities.

Talk through all material options with your piercer to figure out what’s best for you and your skin.

Pros and Cons of Getting a Floating Industrial Piercing

Like any other type of piercing, a floating industrial piercing has pros and cons.

Pros

Floating industrial piercings are a unique, modern look that can help you stand out.
This type of piercing is a great alternative if you lack the anatomy for a standard industrial piercing.
It can be a main focal point to accentuate your other ear piercings and complement your aesthetic.

Cons

Floating industrial piercings can take a long time to heal.
The piercing process can be painful.
There is an increased risk of complications like migration, infection, and keloid formation.
It can be challenging to find appropriate jewelry options.

When deciding whether to get a floating industrial piercing, it's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons and heed your piercer's professional advice.

Other Considerations

If you are considering a floating or half-floating industrial piercing, it's important to first schedule a consultation with your piercing studio. Your piercer will examine the structure of your ear to determine if this type of piercing is feasible.

If they advise that a floating industrial piercing is not ideal for you, it's best to trust their professional advice. They may suggest another unique piercing option that is appropriate for you.

Aftercare

You will need to take extra care to clean and sterilize your new piercing every day. Skimping on the cleaning can lead to an ear infection, and scarring, and could even make it impossible to ever get your daith pierced again.

Avoid sleeping on the ear you had pierced.
Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
Avoid touching it or applying makeup very close to it.
Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
Clean your piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions.
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.

Cleaning

You should start cleaning your ear piercings the same day you receive them. Be sure to take the following steps to keep it clean and reduce potential risks:

It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing.

Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.

If you prefer a homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture, like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon, if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.

If you see signs of infection, you can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.

Then proceed with the following steps to clean your piercing:

Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel, or a non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spray it while healing.
Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.

Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.