Piercings
Artists
"Such adornement can be more than just fashionable... some say the experience is more aligned with EROS"
Understanding ~ Deciding ~ Preparing ~ Doing ~ Taking Care ~ The Rules
Understanding what piercing you want to get and where you want it is very important. Unfortunately once you have the piercing the is no real way to disguise it and make it “less noticeable”, so if you are working in a corporate environment, then an eyebrow or lip piercing may not be appropriate with your employer. It is also important to realize that not everyone’s anatomy is the same, for example you may be keen to get yourself a belly piercing but if you have an “outie” then you may not be able to get that piercing. If you are unsure about a piercing then come through and have a chat with one of our piercers and we can advise you on what your options are. Understand that decorating your body in rings, bars and diamonds is a commitment that starts before, during and especially after the piercing experience. It is an experience we want you to embrace and enjoy, so take time to understand the responsibilities.
Deciding where to go is probably one of the biggest decisions. There is never a guarantee that the parlor you choose will have the best outcome however some essential guidelines will help avoid a "horrible” outcome". Go and visit the parlor you are thinking of choosing. If you don't feel good or welcome then that parlor may not be the right one for you. Ask friends who have had work done there before. LOOK at the portfolio of work of the piercer in question. ASK your piercer how long they have been piercing for and where did they do their apprenticeship. Is the store clean and presentable. If the parlor is certified with the CPTP it does indicate a certain level of adherence to basic codes and conditions. The bottom line is you need to feel comfortable with the parlor itself, the environment and the piercer. Piercers should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B and should be able to show you that they have been by providing you with a certificate.
Trying to decide which piercing you want to get, the angle you want it with reference to the celebrity you first noticed the piercing with… or what style of jewellery you would like are a few things that got you started / thinking... Okay!
What next? We adhere to a strong professional hygiene process and you should too. Keep in mind the healing time and process of whichever piercing you want to get. Make sure that you have no allergies to certain metals such as copper and nickel.
Preparing for your piercing starts with YOU. Don't drink at least 10 hours before you get your piercing. Alcohol thins the blood and this makes the work for the piercer much harder. Have a nice meal an hour before you get pierced. You will be more relaxed and you will have a better experience. Don't apply any creams, lotions or body oils onto the area where you are going to get your new piercing as oil WILL hinder the healing process should it seep into the freshly pierced hole. It needs to be as clean as possible. It also helps if you bath or shower before your piercing so that you are as clean as possible to avoid any contamination of the area. If you suffer from any skin conditions, pregnant and or are taking strong medication GET advice from your medical professional before you get the piercing. Piercers are not qualified to give you medical advice and should tell you to get professional medical advice first. Generally it is a NO NO if you suffer from the mentioned conditions. Bringing your friend and family along is great for support however in YOUR interest and safety they ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BOOTH while you are being pierced. Cross contamination is a serious danger to the healing of your piercing.
You are going to want to consider a few preparation techniques to make the experience easier and enjoyable for everyone. No one likes bad breath! J brush up and mouth wash if you can before you come for your piercing. It helps eliminate the possibility of any harmful bacteria in the mouth for oral type piercings. Personal hygiene is very important too.
Note to check that all jewellery is of highest quality G23 Titanium or Surgical steel. These metals are generally more safe as they don’t include copper or nickel metals and don't affect the healing process. Afterwards have a coke and a smile. if you're diabetic have a coke zero and smile!
A few things to be aware of when the time comes...Always ask to see the opening of the needle. VERY IMPORTANT. Make sure that the piercer is NOT TOUCHING any of the needles and or piercing consumables with their bare hands. They must be wearing gloves to avoid contamination. Good housekeeping rules is NO FOOD OR DRINK permitted into the booth at all times, for you or your piercer! Some Piercers pierce free-hand meaning they do not use forceps and go purely by feeling where the needle is once it has entered the skin, but more commonly they will use a variety of different forceps depending on your anatomy and the piercing that is being done. Make sure that you stay calm and relaxed. DO NOT MOVE...you are the canvas. Listen to your piercer for any breathing or movement instructions and more importantly “BREATHE”…The hype is bigger than the experience...you will be pleasantly surprised that it is actually NOT THAT PAINFUL and 9 times out of 10 realize that your were expecting worse...Everyone is completely different with pain thresholds, if you really cannot handle or feel a bit dizzy always let your piercer know so they can plan and assist where necessary.
Piercing guns are a BIG NO NO…The absolute worst way to pierce a hole unless it is absolutely necessary and is an absolute last resort for intense reasons…!
Congrats! You now have your new piercing, High Five… The piercers job is now complete, now it’s in your hands. We take every precaution to make sure that the piercing is done with the utmost care and in a clean and hygienic environment but if you are slack with your aftercare the piercing may take longer to heal or you could even start to develop an infection. AFTERCARE is very important. Most piercings can take anywhere from 3-6 months to heal depending on your health and how well you look after the piercing, BE PATIENT. Changing the jewelry before the piercing has healed is a big NO NO, you can rip up the still healing, very sensitive tissue and then have to start healing it all over again provided you haven’t done to much damage. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your fresh piercing *remember its a wound* DO NOT keep the piercing covered with a plaster or bandage as the glue is sticky and moist and can breed and harvest bacteria! Its not a good idea to bath or swim with your new piercing for the first 2 weeks at least, as bath tubs and swimming pools or standing water will harbor a lot of harmful bacteria that is not good for your new piercing, showering is fine but be careful not to get any soap in or on the new piercing. Take it easy with any hard and physical exercise or activities as body sweat or body fluids, yours or even some else’s can be very harmful for a fresh piercing. ONLY use Saline solution (POURING SALINE NOT CONTACT LENSE SALINE- as this has other elements in it to keep the contact lenses clean not a piercing) to clean your piercing, it is best to go with the saline from the pharmacy as this is the perfect ratio of salt and fluid, the problem with making your own is you can make it to strong or not strong enough. A solution that is too strong may cause small salt crystals to form around the piercing which will dry it out and leave it vulnerable to possible infection and or rejection. Do not cover you piercing as oxygen to very helpful in helping that piercing heal and also to keep it dry without drying it out. Contrary to popular belief amongst most doctors Bactroban, Dettol and Protex antiseptic solutions are not good for healing piercing wounds.
DO NOT use turps, thinners, alcohol or any strong alcohol based liquid to clean the piercing.
VERY IMPOTANT to remember that the outcome of the piercing depends on you and how well you look after it, the better the care taken the better it will heal.
All clients must sign a consent form before any piercing is done. Some terms and conditions...this is not the entire list !
No intoxicated clients
No harassment
We are professional so Act the Same !
