These are just a few of the questions that we are commonly asked. Click on the question to read it's answer.
If you don't find what you're looking for here, please feel free to call, email, or stop by. We'd be more than happy to answer any remaining questions you may have.
If you don't find what you're looking for here, please feel free to call, email, or stop by. We'd be more than happy to answer any remaining questions you may have.
Q: “Does it hurt!?”
A: First of all, there is no correct answer to this question. Everyone is different!
That being said, when piercings are done correctly, it shouldn’t be bad. Usually, most piercings are described as a quick pinch. Some places can be slightly more intense than others, but generally it isn’t intolerable. When we do piercings, they are just like our motto says: “Quick, Gentle, and Sterile."
That being said, when piercings are done correctly, it shouldn’t be bad. Usually, most piercings are described as a quick pinch. Some places can be slightly more intense than others, but generally it isn’t intolerable. When we do piercings, they are just like our motto says: “Quick, Gentle, and Sterile."
Q: “Can I see a copy of the piercing release form before I come in?”
A: Absolutely! A copy of the waiver can be read (and printed) here.
Please note that for any piercings done on a minor, the paperwork MUST be notarized. That means that the paperwork must be signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of a notary. Notaries can be found at banks, schools, etc., but you can also have the paperwork signed in our shop, as Bink, Marina, and Zarah are Notary Publics.
Also, all other minor requirements must be met for the piercing to be performed. Please check over the minor requirements and let us know if you have questions.
Please note that for any piercings done on a minor, the paperwork MUST be notarized. That means that the paperwork must be signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of a notary. Notaries can be found at banks, schools, etc., but you can also have the paperwork signed in our shop, as Bink, Marina, and Zarah are Notary Publics.
Also, all other minor requirements must be met for the piercing to be performed. Please check over the minor requirements and let us know if you have questions.
Q: “Do you take walk-ins or should I make an appointment?”
A: We take both walk-ins and appointments, but definitely for your convenience, I always suggest appointments. People seem to come in large groups, so it’s not uncommon for fifteen people to walk in all at once. In cases like that, appointments are given priority.
Q: “I am sensitive to metals. Can I get pierced at your shop? What will you use?”
A: Metal allergies are a result of heavy metals and nickel in the jewelry. All of our jewelry is medical implant-grade, meaning that it contains no nickel or heavy metals. It is a biocompatible alloy devised by the medical profession for doing implants within the body (hip replacements, etc.) which means that it isn't something that you will have sensitivities to. For more details, please reference the question below for the specific alloys.
A lot of people think they can only be pierced with "stainless" or "surgical" steel or gold. All of these terms don't actually indicate the type of components being used in those metals. Stainless and surgical steels are usually the types of alloys used for things like cookware (pots and pans, utensils, etc.) or for tools being used during medical procedures (hemostats, clamps, etc.) These alloys still generally contain heavy metals and aren't appropriate to be used as implants into the body itself. Gold often contains nickel or heavy metals to make the price less expensive. To be appropriate for use in a piercing, the gold would need to contain either palladium or platinum and be at least 18 karats.
A lot of people think they can only be pierced with "stainless" or "surgical" steel or gold. All of these terms don't actually indicate the type of components being used in those metals. Stainless and surgical steels are usually the types of alloys used for things like cookware (pots and pans, utensils, etc.) or for tools being used during medical procedures (hemostats, clamps, etc.) These alloys still generally contain heavy metals and aren't appropriate to be used as implants into the body itself. Gold often contains nickel or heavy metals to make the price less expensive. To be appropriate for use in a piercing, the gold would need to contain either palladium or platinum and be at least 18 karats.
Q: “If I get jewelry somewhere else, will you pierce me with it or put it in for me?”
A: We may, to a certain extent. The restriction is that the jewelry MUST meet the standards that we hold for all jewelry that we sell. In other words, it MUST be medical implant-grade (not necessarily "surgical steel" and certainly not "stainless steel"). To be medical implant-grade, it has to be a specific alloy. That alloy for steel is called 316LVM ASTM F-138. The alloy for titanium is Ti6A4V ELI ASTM F-136. If it is anything less than either of those, we can't use it. If you're thinking of buying something from somewhere and it doesn't have documentation guaranteeing that it is that specific alloy, don't waste your money. Lesser alloys contain nickel (which most people are allergic to and will cause problems during the healing period and thereafter) and heavy metals (like lead and nickel are poisonous and leach into your body over time.) Be careful with your body. It needs to last you a long time. Be educated with what you do to it.
Q: “Should I use Bactine / hydrogen peroxide / alcohol / iodine / Neosporin on my new piercing?”
A: Absolutely NOT! Most of these products are just too strong for piercings. They break the connections between the new cells that your body is producing to heal the piercing. Without those connections, the piercing cannot heal. So every time those products are used, they hinder the healing much more than help it. As for petroleum-based products like Neosporin, it will accumulate in the piercing and trap bacteria. It will also prevent blood-flow and oxygen from getting to the piercing.
Q: “I don’t like making my own sea salt. Can’t I just use H₂Ocean?”
A: H₂Ocean (and other pre-made saline solutions) are not made to match your specific body chemistry. More importantly, if the solution comes out of a container, it is not warm. The important part of a salt soak is the heat of the water, not the salt in that solution. The heat is what opens capillaries and brings blood-flow and oxygen to the piercing site. Without that heat, the solution is putting salt on your skin, and that’s IT! If that salt is left at the site of the piercing, it will actually absorb your skin’s moisture and those salt granules (with their microscopic sharp edges) will irritate the piercing. A pre-made salt solution will hinder the healing more than help it. Don’t waste your money.
Q: “How can I tell if I am built for a certain piercing?”
A: With any piercing, it's never a bad idea to come in for a consultation and check to make sure that you are built in a way that would allow for and promote healing of a specific piercing. If that specific piercing can not be done safely in a way that will facilitate healing, we can always suggest other options that would work for your body.
Q: “Will you pierce my infant’s ears?”
A: Unfortunately, we do not pierce anyone's ears under the age of 7 for various reasons. Primarily because there is no way for the infant to be consenting, but also because it is impossible to have them understand and follow all aftercare. Infants will without fail touch their ears, and therefore, even with sterile technique and medical-quality jewelry, an infection is almost inevitable. Also, an infant’s ears grow and change as they mature, and the holes are most likely not going to have the same placement once they reach their adult size.
Keep in mind also that piercing guns can not be sterilized. Getting a piercing from a gun is likely to give you an infection, among other things.
For these reasons (and probably more), it is generally held among professionals that ear-piercing should really not take place until someone is consenting and can understand and follow all aftercare requirements.
Keep in mind also that piercing guns can not be sterilized. Getting a piercing from a gun is likely to give you an infection, among other things.
For these reasons (and probably more), it is generally held among professionals that ear-piercing should really not take place until someone is consenting and can understand and follow all aftercare requirements.
Q: “Can’t I just get my ears pierced at the mall with a gun?”
A: Those piercing guns can't be sterilized, so you're getting exposure to germs (and therefore infection), but also to blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis. The jewelry used with those guns is also made out of incredibly poor materials, using mostly heavy metals and nickel as filler material to make them cheaper to produce. This is done so that the company can make a higher profit when selling them. Most people have an allergy to nickel, and those heavy metals (things like lead) are poisonous as they leach into your body over time.
Everyone's anatomy is slightly different. The types of jewelry from places like that are generally one-size-fits-all... which doesn't work for most people. The "butterfly-closure" types of earrings tend to constrict blood-flow and oxygen because they are too tight for most ear lobes, so that constriction in combination with an allergic reaction makes healing a fresh piercing very difficult, if not impossible. We have jewelry to fit pretty much anyone's individual anatomy, so it wouldn't be any problem at all to have them professionally pierced here.
Everyone's anatomy is slightly different. The types of jewelry from places like that are generally one-size-fits-all... which doesn't work for most people. The "butterfly-closure" types of earrings tend to constrict blood-flow and oxygen because they are too tight for most ear lobes, so that constriction in combination with an allergic reaction makes healing a fresh piercing very difficult, if not impossible. We have jewelry to fit pretty much anyone's individual anatomy, so it wouldn't be any problem at all to have them professionally pierced here.
Q: “Does your shop do Industrial Piercings?”
A: We do Industrial Projects (with the emphasis on "Projects"). We do them as two separate piercings with individual pieces of jewelry until both are FULLY healed (9 month-ish). If you were to start out with one long bar, it will be very painful and will NEVER heal. Tying that much tissue together initially is like wearing a brace that holds your shoulders aligned with your hips. One side can't move without creating tension on the other resulting in too much friction and pressure. Cartilage piercings are already the hardest part of your body to heal, so it's best to start off giving your body the correct circumstances to begin with.
So... as a short answer, yes, we do them, but they require a commitment to yourself to heal properly. The cost initially would be $40 for the piercings ($25 for the first and $15 for the second). Then the jewelry would be $29.95 each for two pieces.
Check the Photo Portfolio section for a photo of what the initial stage of the project would look like.
So... as a short answer, yes, we do them, but they require a commitment to yourself to heal properly. The cost initially would be $40 for the piercings ($25 for the first and $15 for the second). Then the jewelry would be $29.95 each for two pieces.
Check the Photo Portfolio section for a photo of what the initial stage of the project would look like.
Q: “Does your shop do Surface Piercings?”
A: Any flat surface of your body constitutes a Surface Piercing. As far as Surface Piercings are concerned, they generally never heal and in most cases they will migrate and ultimately reject, leaving an ugly scar in the process. Also, the migration and rejection are not pleasant experiences, as it causes a lot of irritation and pain as it's happening, and the piercing generally looks unsightly during that time as well.
Especially in places that get a lot of friction from personal habits, the piercee's chance of rejection is much greater. Places like hips get friction from sleeping, clothes (pants and belts), bending and natural movement of the tissue, etc. Places like the nape of the neck get a lot of friction from pillows, chairs, clothes again (collars on shirts), necklaces, etc. Places like fingers, hands, and wrists all get friction from regular use of your hands! Also, things like doorknobs, faucets, phones, pens, and money transmit bacteria from person to person practically everywhere you go. That's a huge risk for infection!
So, as a short answer, we don't do any piercing that is risky or won't heal well. Please take the above into consideration if thinking about going to someone willing to do them. In most cases, piercers willing to do these types of piercings either don't have the knowledge to make an informed decision and pass that information on to clients, or they have the knowledge needed, but don't have the morals to do what is best for public safety and the well-being of piercees.
Especially in places that get a lot of friction from personal habits, the piercee's chance of rejection is much greater. Places like hips get friction from sleeping, clothes (pants and belts), bending and natural movement of the tissue, etc. Places like the nape of the neck get a lot of friction from pillows, chairs, clothes again (collars on shirts), necklaces, etc. Places like fingers, hands, and wrists all get friction from regular use of your hands! Also, things like doorknobs, faucets, phones, pens, and money transmit bacteria from person to person practically everywhere you go. That's a huge risk for infection!
So, as a short answer, we don't do any piercing that is risky or won't heal well. Please take the above into consideration if thinking about going to someone willing to do them. In most cases, piercers willing to do these types of piercings either don't have the knowledge to make an informed decision and pass that information on to clients, or they have the knowledge needed, but don't have the morals to do what is best for public safety and the well-being of piercees.
Q: “If I get a piercing, can I donate blood?”
A: According to the American Red Cross, a person is eligible to give blood “as long as the instruments used were sterile or single-use equipment. Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood-contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis.”
Q: “How do you become a piercer? Does your shop do apprenticeships?”
A: You have to understand that this industry has become incredibly competitive. When Bink started this company, it was in the "frontier" days of the piercing movement. He attended training at the original Gauntlet. He knew lots of other pioneers of the movement and they together made a network of information. Bink went to nursing school and became a Registered Nurse about 5 years ago. That degree has given invaluable information about his trade, which even most professionals in the field don't have.
Times have changed and piercing has become a lot more popular. The state governments have started regulating the industry, but only in a very minor way. There is still a lot of misuse and damage being done to the general public because of untrained "piercers". So if you're really serious and are hoping to become a professional, it's important to make that obvious to the people you look up to. A "Body Piercing Training" course is required for all piercers in the state of Florida. That training can be taken before you begin an apprenticeship. Bink and I would both recommend getting some training in anatomy and physiology. Classes are offered at pretty much any university, and even if you're not a student, you can either audit classes or take them as a non-degree seeking student. That kind of training is invaluable. If you're interested in taking classes to become a nurse, there are many different levels that are more or less involved than specifically a Registered Nurse. A lot of those classes are going to exceed your needs as a piercer, but it's always better to have more knowledge than not enough. There are quite a few nursing programs offered in Tallahassee from TCC to FAMU to Keiser.
No matter what, you need to take what you're doing seriously, because you are essentially wounding clients. You have to understand what you're doing to their body and how to keep that wound safe, or else you are going to be inevitably ruining people's bodies and possibly their health. This is definitely not something to persue if it is a passing fancy or something you're not passionate about. The Associate of Professional Piercers is a good place to find information and start your research. Their website has job boards where professionals can post listings looking for apprentices and vice versa.
Sadly, since Bink is about half way through training his second apprentice in two years, I doubt our shop will be looking for another apprentice anytime soon. It's still never a bad idea to drop off a resume and possibly get your foot in the door by working counter. That will give you an opportunity to see if this industry interests you seriously and also help build a knowledge base. As far as my own personal preference (and I say this with the caveat that I've only ever worked at this shop, but I'm familiar with many others), Bink creates a very specific environment. He holds much higher standards than most other piercing shops. The knowledge he requires of himself and people that work with him should be required as basic for any piercer, but sadly are not. Just try to remember that when piercing, you are holding yourself responsible for people's health.
Before piercing, it is appropriate (and in my opinion absolutely necessary) to undergo an apprenticeship with a knowledgeable, professional piercer. Apprenticeships are usually approximately a year long if not longer. It is also not a bad idea to attend an APP conference. They happen annually in Las Vegas. They offer training courses and seminars. It is also a great way to network with other professionals (and even some non-professionals) in the field.
Times have changed and piercing has become a lot more popular. The state governments have started regulating the industry, but only in a very minor way. There is still a lot of misuse and damage being done to the general public because of untrained "piercers". So if you're really serious and are hoping to become a professional, it's important to make that obvious to the people you look up to. A "Body Piercing Training" course is required for all piercers in the state of Florida. That training can be taken before you begin an apprenticeship. Bink and I would both recommend getting some training in anatomy and physiology. Classes are offered at pretty much any university, and even if you're not a student, you can either audit classes or take them as a non-degree seeking student. That kind of training is invaluable. If you're interested in taking classes to become a nurse, there are many different levels that are more or less involved than specifically a Registered Nurse. A lot of those classes are going to exceed your needs as a piercer, but it's always better to have more knowledge than not enough. There are quite a few nursing programs offered in Tallahassee from TCC to FAMU to Keiser.
No matter what, you need to take what you're doing seriously, because you are essentially wounding clients. You have to understand what you're doing to their body and how to keep that wound safe, or else you are going to be inevitably ruining people's bodies and possibly their health. This is definitely not something to persue if it is a passing fancy or something you're not passionate about. The Associate of Professional Piercers is a good place to find information and start your research. Their website has job boards where professionals can post listings looking for apprentices and vice versa.
Sadly, since Bink is about half way through training his second apprentice in two years, I doubt our shop will be looking for another apprentice anytime soon. It's still never a bad idea to drop off a resume and possibly get your foot in the door by working counter. That will give you an opportunity to see if this industry interests you seriously and also help build a knowledge base. As far as my own personal preference (and I say this with the caveat that I've only ever worked at this shop, but I'm familiar with many others), Bink creates a very specific environment. He holds much higher standards than most other piercing shops. The knowledge he requires of himself and people that work with him should be required as basic for any piercer, but sadly are not. Just try to remember that when piercing, you are holding yourself responsible for people's health.
Before piercing, it is appropriate (and in my opinion absolutely necessary) to undergo an apprenticeship with a knowledgeable, professional piercer. Apprenticeships are usually approximately a year long if not longer. It is also not a bad idea to attend an APP conference. They happen annually in Las Vegas. They offer training courses and seminars. It is also a great way to network with other professionals (and even some non-professionals) in the field.