Piercing & More

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Before you get a piercing
Know your piercer & know your rights

Knowing your piercer is the first step!

if you do not know about your piercer, find out!

here are some questions to ask and please don't be shy about asking and getting the answers.

a professional piercer will not have a problem with answering the questions if they are good at what they do. if they don't act like they want to answer questions or don't kow the answers then !! stop !! ... find another place to be pierced!

you should be able to see clean surroundings, and new or sterilized packages of equipment being opened in preperation for your piercing.

1. ask if all their needles are new and sterile.

never allow yourself to be pierced with a reused needle, ask to see the needle in the sealed package before it is opened or used

2. ask if they have an autoclave for their forceps and other re-usable supplies, such as receiving tubes.

don't be afraid to ask to see the autoclave and see if it has the local health department approval.

3. ask the piercer how long they have been piercing and what type of training he or she has had. Ask if they belong to a professional group such as the association of professional piercers.

4. take a look around the shop, see for yourself if things look clean and in good order.

5. make sure the piercer washes his or her hands, uses new surgical gloves, and does not touch unclean surfaces or items after putting on the gloves.

6. ask questions about how long it normally takes to heal from whatever piercing you are getting, as well as procedures in how to care for your piercing.

7. ask the piercer to mark the place or places he or she is going to pierce and look at the marks in the mirror to be sure the placement is what you are seeking. discuss placement, there are some piercings that require being placed a certain way because veins or nerve bundles need to be avoided.

8. ask what jewelry they are intending to use and if it has been sterilized and packaged as such.

9. read and know your rights below, the best piercing experience is an informed one! ask questions, ask other people if they can recommend a good professional and do your homework, find out before you have problems!

please read the other informative pages we offer you on healing times, types of jewelry that work best, types of after care and what to expect.

Piercee's Bill of Rights
from the Association of Professional Piercers

EVERY PERSON BEING PIERCED HAS THE RIGHT:

1. To be pierced in a scrupulously hygienic, open environment, by a clean, conscientious piercer wearing a fresh pair of disposable latex gloves.

2. To a sober, friendly, calm and knowledgeable piercer, who will guide them through their piercing experience with confidence and assurance.

3. To the peace of mind which comes from knowing that their piercer knows and practices the very highest standards of sterilization and hygiene.

4. To be pierced with a brand new, completely sterilized needle, which is immediately disposed of in a medical sharps container after use on the piercee alone.

5. To be touched only with freshly sterilized, appropriate implements, properly used and disposed of or resterilized in an autoclave prior to use on anyone else.

6. To know that piercing guns are NEVER appropriate, and are often dangerous, when used on anything including earlobes.

7. To be fitted only with jewelry which is appropriately sized, safe in material, design, and construction, and which best promotes healing. Gold-plated, gold-filled, and sterling silver jewelry are never appropriate for any new or unhealed piercing.

8. To be fully informed about proper aftercare, and to have continuing access to their piercer for consultation and assistance with all their piercing-related questions.