Q. Does it hurt?

A. The pain is minimal, but usually not as much as people anticipate. People often tell us that the procedure was considerably less painful than they thought it would be, and at worst, hurts far less than getting a shot by a doctor. We do everything we can to make the experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible, but please keep in mind that pain is a subjective thing - what is painful for you may not be for someone else.


Q. Can you numb the area before doing the piercing?

A. We do not use or suggest anesthetics because they  can be deadly in the hands of someone who does not know how to use them. Only properly licensed medical professionals can legally administer anesthetics. Besides, a properly performed piercing by a knowledgeable professional hurts far less than an injection of anesthetics!  Please also keep in mind that is is a no-no to ingest alcohol or illegal drugs before a piercing.


Q. How long will it take my piercing to heal?

A. Healing times will vary from piercing to piercing. The healing time will vary depending on your body's own rate of healing.  Aftercare also plays a determining role in the healing process:  touching the piercing with unwashed hands, moving the jewelry throughout the day, contact with bodily fluids, and using inappropriate cleaning solutions can greatly increase the time needed to heal, and can cause infections.  Please check our aftercare section for some approximate healing times and more information.

Q. Ok, I've been pierced.  When can I swap this jewelry for something smaller/different?

A. Healing times will vary from piercing to piercing, and therefore the times that you can change jewelry will also be different.  There are no set times, only suggested time periods that you should wait before changing jewelry.  Everybody will heal in different amounts of time, so please consult with us about a jewelry change.

Q. Will my piercing get infected?

A. If you are pierced by a professional piercer and follow the procedures outlined on the aftercare sheet (a copy of which you should receive to take home with you, and can be viewed here) your chances of infection are virtually nonexistent. We will go to great lengths to ensure that you leave the studio with full understanding of appropriate aftercare and no unanswered questions. There are some conditions that are not infections, though they may appear to be. These can include reactions to the cleaning agents you are using or to the metal itself. Should any problems arise, we will be happy to consult with you and offer suggestions based on our experience. We will also never discourage you from consulting your physician, if that is your desire.


Q. What about sex with genital piercings?

A. Piercings that are still healing must be protected from contamination during sexual activities.  It is also recommended that sexual activity be avoided for a short period of time depending on the piercing (please see our aftercare). A good quality condom or dental dam is vital to protect your piercing from contact with other people's body fluids. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, contact with body fluids will greatly increase the chance of infection. After being pierced you can have sex, depending on how the tenderness of the piercing affects your desire for sexual activity. Patience and creativity are important, and remember to always use protection!


Q. What size jewelry is best?

A. The appropriate size jewelry varies from piercing to piercing, and person to person. Jewelry will have to be custom fitted to your body to ensure proper healing. Don't ever let anyone tell you that one size is standard for a particular piercing. 


Q. Can I go swimming with my piercing?

A. Yes, but until your piercing is fully healed, use a gas permeable patch (such as Tegaderm) if you go into a hot tub, pool, ocean, lake, etc. These patches allow oxygen through so that your piercing can breathe, but are impermeable to water and fluids. They work best for navel and nipple piercings. For some piercings they may be impractical, and you may have to stay out of the water until your piercing is healed. Use one patch per swim. For a facial piercing you can simply keep your head out of the water. All bodies of water contain microorganisms, and pools and hot tubs are treated with harsh chemicals that can irritate your piercing. When your piercing is healed you can stop using the patches, just make sure to clean your piercing thoroughly when you get out of the water.


Q. What do I look for in a piercer?

A. There are a lot of people-from tattooists to hair stylists-cashing in on the popularity of body piercing by calling themselves "professional body piercers." Do not let your desire to be pierced prevent you from doing careful research. Be sure the person you are considering uses appropriate clean and sterile techniques. They must use sterile piercing needles that are disposed of in a sharps container after a single use. They must autoclave all implements used for the procedure and wear fresh, clean gloves at all times during the piercing. Be sure to find out where and when they got their training and how much experience they have, and even ask to see their certificates. Ask to see photos of their work, or better yet, speak with other customers. Ask to see their autoclave and spore test records. It is also important that piercings are done in a specific area designated just for that task.


Q. Do you provide services to minors?

A. We provide a limited number of services to minors 16 and older.   A parent or legal guardian must accompany a minor. Guardians must show paperwork documenting their status of guardianship. Both the minor and the parent or guardian must present a state or federal issued photo ID in accordance with state law.  Photocopies of IDs will be taken. Just remember, we must be able to connect the parent/guardian and minor by name or address.  Our staff understands that this can be confusing with name changes and moves.  If there is any question in your mind that we cannot connect the parent/guardian and minor, we welcome the use of other supporting documents such as utility bills, insurance cards, etc.  We urge you to seriously question the professionalism of any piercer willing to perform such a piercing on a minor, or instruct a minor how to perform a piercing on themselves.


Q. What if I have a condition that compromises my ability to heal?

A. Conditions such as diabetes, lupus or others that compromise the immune system do not necessarily prevent you from getting pierced. Before coming in to get pierced you should consult with your physician. Please make us aware both of the condition you have that may affect the piercing and of your physician's recommendations regarding piercing.