Frequently Asked Questions

Do you pierce with a needle or a gun?

Neither! The piercings are performed with a gentle hand-pressured device that uses a pre-sterilized, single-use, stud and clasp piercing system.

So how is that different than a piercing gun?

Unlike a piercing gun, a hand pressured device is not spring, or trigger loaded. It also allows for complete control of applied pressure to the tissue during piercing, and complete precision of earring placement.

I was told that it is safest to get my ears pierced with a needle. Is that true?

There are many opinions out there regarding how ear piercings should be performed. In medicine we practice based on the facts using the latest evidence-based research and literature reviews. According to Wijk, Kummer, & Kon 2008, there was no significant difference in the amount of tissue injury observed when comparing piercings using a piercing gun, hand pressured device, and piercing needle. We have found the hand pressured device to be a nice alternative to a both piercing needle and a piercing gun for ear lobe piercings, especially for children.

Cartilage piercings are riskier because the cartilage is avascular (no blood flow) and has no nerve innervation, so healing is going to take longer and there is an increased risk for infection. Cartilage infections are also higher risk because they can spread quickly and have serious complications! If too much pressure is applied during piercing, the cartilage can be shattered so because of this, we recommend these piercings should be performed by needle only.

What piercings do you all offer?

At this time ear piercings are offered on the external ear lobe only (sorry, no helix/cartilage, or noses). We have plans to offer needle piercings in the future but are not set up to do so at this time.

How long does it take to heal?

It takes approximately 6 weeks for an ear lobe piercing to heal.

How long should I wait to go swimming?

Swimming should be avoided for the first two weeks following your piercing to help decrease the risk of infection. If you cannot avoid swimming in a chlorinated pool during this time, be sure to clean your piercings with the recommended aftercare solution immediately following swimming. Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, etc.) should absolutely be avoided during this time.

What ages can you pierce?

We can pierce infants-adults. but do ask that infants have their first dose of DTaP vaccination. The oldest client Karissa has pierced was 90 years old!

What is the gauge of your piercing earrings?

The posts of our earrings are .030” in diameter which is between 20 and 21 gauge.

Will it hurt?

Everybody is different and tolerates pain differently. It may hurt a little but numbing cream/spray (topical lidocaine) can be applied prior to the piercing to minimize pain for individuals over the age of 1 year.

What kind of jewelry do you use?

We currently offer medical grade stainless steel, 24k gold plated stainless steel, titanium, and 14k (white and yellow) gold options. All piercing earrings meet the most stringent global standards for nickel release requirements (European Union Nickel Release Directive No. 1907/2006, REACH Annex XVII). Our medical grade titanium earrings are 100% nickel-free, providing maximum peace of mind for people with known nickel allergies.

Do you pierce both ears at the same time?

We are unable to accommodate that at this time but hope to be able to offer this in the future.