You have decided to have your body pierced and you are asking yourself, “I want it done now, so where do I go?”
In this era of bloodborne diseases you MUST be very careful who you have perform your piercing! This guide is brought to you by the Association of Professional Piercers to assist you in making a better-informed decision regarding your piercing because IT’S YOUR CHOICE!
This is meant to be a guideline and to aid you in having a safe piercing experience.
See Their Autoclave (Sterilizer)
An autoclave is a device that sterilizes the jewelry, tools and equipment necessary to perform your piercing/s by eliminating bacteria and its spores. The most effective units available to studios use a combination of steam and pressure. (”Dry Heat” is NOT considered appropriate for sterilization.) Absolutely no studio should be in operation without this vital piece of equipment!
SPORE TEST RESULTS
A spore test (biological indicator) is the only way to know that an autoclave is working properly. Biological indicators actually test the autoclave’s ability to kill even the most dangerous & resistant organisms such as HIV, Hepatitis, etc. The studio should keep recent results on file and be willing to show them to you.
USE YOUR HEAD
Don’t act impulsively or be swayed by a low price. You generally get what you pay for (but some unskilled piercers charge plenty). Get referrals on a piercing shop/piercer from knowledgeable friends and/or the local health department.
ARE THEY PIERCING WITH EAR PIERCING GUNS?
A number of states have made it illegal to use a gun on body piercings and with good reason. Most ear guns can’t be sterilized in an autoclave and therefore don’t meet the criteria for APP piercers’ use of sterile disposable equipment.
USE YOUR INSTINCTS
If you don’t feel comfortable with the studio or the piercer you should leave. “I should have listened to my gut feeling” is something you should never have to say.
PIERCING SET-UP
Ask if you can watch them set-up for a piercing and be in the room when they set up for yours. The piercer should first wash and glove their hands. The equipment should be sealed in individual sterilized packages and placed on a tray. The piercer should change gloves if they touch anything in the room other than you and the sterile equipment. All needles should be in individual sterile packages and should be opened while you are present. NEVER let a piercer use a needle on you that was soaked in a liquid. All needles should be disposed of in a sharps container (usually a small red box marked “biohazard”) after they have been used on a single client.
PIERCERS
Don’t be misled into believing piercing is easy. It takes time and dedication to acquire the ability to correctly place and skillfully perform piercings. Piercers either serve an apprenticeship or are self-taught. Apprenticeships will generally last from 6 months to two years. Those who are self-taught will ideally have sought guidance from others in the field. Continued education is the hallmark of any conscientious piercer. It is perfectly acceptable and advisable to inquire about how long your piercer has been piercing, how they learned to pierce, and what they have done to keep their knowledge base current, i.e., courses on Anatomy, Aftercare, Aseptic Technique, etc.
IS THE STUDIO WELL-KEPT AND CLEAN?
Are the walls washed and the carpet vacuumed? Is the staff bathed and neat? Is the restroom kept clean and tidy? Ideally, studios should have 5 separate areas: the counter, waiting room, piercing room(s), bathroom, and a separate sterilization room.
DOES THE STUDIO HAVE A LICENSE TO OPERATE?
In most cases a license to operate means that the studio meets minimum requirements and has passed some sort of inspection. To find out if your area has established standards and inspections, call your local Health Department. If a studio is operating unlicensed in an area where licenses are required, report them to your local health department or city business license division.
PORTFOLIOS
Look at their piercing photo portfolio. Are piercings placed to accent the anatomy or do they look awkward and poorly matched to the individual? If the portfolio features unusual looking placements, are there pictures of healed piercings, showing the actual viability of the placement?
DO THEY PROVIDE AFTERCARE GUIDELINES?
The aftercare for your piercing should be explained to you and provided in writing. Read this sheet BEFORE you have the piercing done! If it tells you to treat your piercing with harsh soap, ointment, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, the studio is not keeping up with industry standards.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
Regardless of any local legislation being more lenient, the following is an appropriate minimum standards policy on piercing minors: For any piercing of a minor, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a consent form. Proof positive, state issued photo identification is required from the legal guardian, and a bona fide form of identification from the minor. In the event the parent has a different last name and/or address from the child, court documentation is needed to prove the relationship, i.e., divorce papers, or a remarriage certificate. Under no circumstances is it acceptable or appropriate for a piercer to perform piercing on the nipples or genitals of an individual under 18 years of age.
ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUAL STUDIO REQUIREMENTS VARY, MOST WILL EXPECT YOU TO:
- Bring valid photo identification
- Be completely sober
- Be bathed with hair trimmed or tied back (where applicable)
- Have eaten within 4 hours
- If you are getting a genital or nipple piercing wear suitable, clean underwear / garments / bras
- If possible, avoid Aspirin or other blood thinners
- Have considered any potential health issues i.e. individuals who require antibiotics prior to dental work should see their doctor prior to being pierced.
JEWELRY STANDARDS
- Jewelry placed in new piercings must be made of one of the following materials:
- Surgical Implant Stainless Steel, CrNMo 316LVM, ASTM F-138 *
- Surgical Implant grades of Titanium, including Ti6A4V ELI, ASTM F-136 **
- Niobium (Nb)
- Solid 14 karat or higher white or yellow nickel-free gold
- Solid platinum
- A dense low porosity plastic such as Tygon or PTFE
- Must be free of nicks, scratches, burrs, and polishing compounds.
- Must have a mirror finish: a high shine, super-smooth surface.
- Threaded jewelry for initial piercings must have internal tapping (no threads on posts) starting from 16 gauge.
- Rounded ends on rings.
- Threads 1.2 mm for 14 gauge and 12 gauge; 0-80 for 10 gauge (American screw threading standard)
* American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specification for Wrought 18 Chromium-14 Nickel-2.5 Molybdenum Stainless Steel Bar and Wire for Surgical Implants (UNS S31673)
** American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specification for Wrought Titanium-6 Aluminum-4 Vanadium ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) alloy (UNS R56401) for Surgical Implant Applications