Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

The industrial/scaffold piercing involves two piercings. - Kyle Macpherson/Freelance Photographer

Seventeen. That's the possible number of types of piercings you can get in your ear alone. If you want to vary from the traditional hole in the lobe, you're not short of options. The scaffold piercing is one option which involves not one, but two holes, and is apparently catching the eye of Jamaicans.

"It start get popular. First time, it was usually Yanks alone who would do it. But I did one girl at Comci (Montego Bay Community College) and her teacher see it and like it and come in and get one," said Jabari of Tattoo Unlimited whose been piercing for five years.

No gender barrier

The professional, who operates out of Montego Bay, said he ordered the bars to test how well they would do. There are now all finished.

"People keep on telling me to reorder," he added.

He explained that there is no gender barrier where the piercing is concerned as both sexes visit his shop for it.

Also called the industrial piercing, it is apparently well sought after internationally as a host of personal diaries, message boards and Youtube videos about the procedure are available online.

"I always thought this one was retro and edgy. It just reflected my personality and a year later, I got a tattoo," said 21-year-old Laura Redpath, who got her right ear done three years ago.

Jabari uses a special three inch needle, which is hollow on the inside and holds the bar which will remain in the ear.

He explained that he measures the distance of the two holes on the cartilage of the ear, marks the spots and runs the needle through each end of the ear successively.

The pain

Redpath said it hurt more than the piercings in her lobes which she did herself.

"Oh for sure, I couldn't sleep on that side for a month because when I did, I'd feel the pain and wake up," she said.

The holes are bridged by a bar (not the traditional earring) which is covered by two balls on either end which can be changed.

"You know it's a fashion thing. Sometimes, they want to wear a red blouse or a yellow blouse, they come in to buy a pair of matching balls," Jabari said. He further explained that the silver bar and balls remain the most popular because it goes with everything.

Redpath said her piercing took approximately six months to heal. Jabari recommends rinsing the area with warm salt water, Tetracycline and Neosporin to assist in the healing process.

Additional information from www.bodyjewelleryshop.com