Industrial piercing has become a trend among young stars over the last few years. But you may wonder which size is suitable for what place and which type of jewelry to use. Piercers use different lengths and gauges based on your body type or the jewelry you want to wear.
There is a list of industry-standard body jewelry sizes for piercings in different parts of your body, where 12g, 16g, and 14g industrial piercings are the most commonly used sizes. But you may wonder which one is bigger among them? We are going to discuss that here. So, let’s get going.
What Is Industrial Piercing?
First, you should have a clear idea of what industrial piercing is. Industrial piercing, otherwise known as scaffold piercing, is a body piercing of two pierced holes connected by a single straight barbell. People mostly do that in the upper ear cartilage. But there are several other parts where you do it, such as lower ear cartilage, helix, etc.
The length of an industrial piercing varies based on individual preference. However, it is typically 1 inch long. Again, most people use a 14 gauge barbell for industrial piercing, but it also varies depending on how bigger you want your jewelry to be.
Industrial piercing is done through a single large needle. It is placed through the two holes, and the straight barbell is inserted. The process can be painful. That’s why it is safe to do this piercing only from a professional piercer.
Why is Gauge Important for Industrial Piercing?
Gauge is crucial for piercing because it determines the sizes and shapes of the jewelry you will use after piercing. It also affects the healing time of the piercing and the discomfort experience you have to bear during the process. Gauge is measured in millimeters and the circumference of your jewelry.
The larger the gauge, the larger needle your piercer will use and the larger your jewelry size will be. Similarly, the smaller the gauge, the smaller the jewelry and your healing time. We all know that bigger jewelry is easy to change, whereas smaller ones are difficult to change or replace.
The gauge also affects how your piercing will look. A bigger piece of jewelry will be more visible and look good on your face or body. But smaller ones are less visible and look aesthetically less beautiful.
12g Industrial Piercing
12g piercing is done through a 12 gauge piercing needle which has a hollow shape with a diameter of 2 mm. Since it’s pretty thicker in size, very few people choose it for industrial piercing.
Because of the thick diameter, a 12g piercing takes a long time to heal. Plus, the jewelry may feel uncomfortable to wear. However, it fits well with people with large cartilage or thick skin.
16g Industrial Piercing
16g gauge piercing is mainly used for piercing cartilage, eyebrow, lip, conch, septum, and other facial piercings. This is a thinner gauge with a 1.2 mm thickness.
It’s excellent for those having first-time piercings. You will get various shapes and styles of 16g jewelry, including basics, barbells, ornate, captive beads, etc. 16g jewelry is made from thinner materials and is comfortable to wear.
You will feel less trauma around the piercing area since 16g jewelry is less intrusive. That’s why the piercing will heal pretty fast. Since the jewelry is the thinnest among the three, it has the slightest chance of developing infections if you take proper care.
14g Industrial Piercing
14g industrial piercing is the most common industrial piercing with a 1.6 mm thickness. People generally have it in the ear, specifically the upper cartilage. Some popular 14g industrial piercing styles include hoops, barbells, captive bead rings, etc.
This industrial piercing is easy to insert, and you will feel less pain and discomfort while having the piercing. Plus, the healing time is moderate as well. 14g jewelry is widely available and pretty cost-effective. Most importantly, they are lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Differences Between 12g Vs 16g Vs 14g Industrial Piercing
There are many differences between 12g, 16g, and 14g industrial piercing. The following table shows the significant differences between these three industrial piercing sizes:
| Specification | 12g Industrial Piercing | 16g Industrial Piercing | 14g Industrial Piercing |
| Diameter | 2.0 mm | 1.2 mm | 1.6 mm |
| Needle Type | 12g | 16g | 14g |
| Use | Larger Body Jewelry | Smaller Body Jewelry | Standard Body Jewelry |
| Healing Time | Longest | Shortest | Shorter Than 12g But Longer Than 16g |
| Comfort Level | Less Comfortable | Moderately Comfortable | Most Comfortable |
| Suitability For Other Types of Piercing | Poor | Fair | Good |
| Risk of Migration | High | Moderate | Low |
| Available Style | Plugs, Tunnels, Captive Beads, etc. | Barbell, Ornate, Captive Beads, etc. | Barbell, Stud, Hangers, Hoops, etc. |
Which One is Bigger?
12g piercing has a 2.0 mm thickness, 14g industrial piercing has a 1.6 mm thickness, and 16g industrial piercing has a 1.2 mm thickness. So, 12g industrial piercing has the biggest size among these three industrial piercing sizes, and 16g has the smallest size.
However, a 12g industrial piercing is not suitable for everybody. As it is thicker, you will feel more pain while doing a 12g piercing. Plus, it will also take a longer time to heal. That’s why people generally go with 14g industrial piercing, which has a 1.6 mm thickness and is pretty comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Which piercing size you will use is your preference, and it generally depends on your body type, fashion expression, and recommendation from your piercer. But I suggest you have a 14g industrial piercing as it is less painful, versatile, and most commonly used by people.