Frequently
Asked Questions
How old do you need to be for…?
- Age 6: (consent and presence of legal guardian required):
- Earlobes
- Age 8: (consent and presence of legal guardian required):
- Second/Third Earlobes
- Age 13: (consent and presence of legal guardian required):
- Anti-lobes
- Stacked lobes
- Helix
- Forward-Helix
- Conch
- Outer Conch
- Tragus
- Daith
- Rook
- Age 16 (consent and presence of legal guardian required):
- Belly Piercing
- Microdermal Piercing
- Surface Piercing
- Scaffold
- Orbital
- Snug
- Anti-Tragus
- Vertical Tragus
- Age 16 (own consent with legal photographic ID):
- Lobes
- Helix
- Forward-Helix
- Conch
- Outer Conch
- Tragus
- Anti-Tragus
- Daith
- Rook
- Snug
- Scaffold
- Orbital
- Nose
- Septum
- Eyebrow
- All oral piercings
- Age 18 (own consent with legal photographic ID):
- Belly
- Bridge
- High Nostrils
- Cheeks
- Christina
- Microdermal
- Nipples
- Surface Bar
- Skin Diver
- Vertical-Tragus
How long does a piercing take to heal?
New piercings may appear red and tender for the first few months, and healing times can vary depending on the type of piercing and how well it’s cared for. Everyone heals at different rates, so you may need to wait a little longer before changing your jewellery.
Here are the minimum healing times for common piercings:
- Earlobe: 3 months
- Cartilage (Helix, Conch, Tragus, etc.): 6-12 months
- Nostril: 3 months
- Septum: 2-3 months
- Lip/Labret: 2-3 months
- Tongue: 1-2 months
- Eyebrow: 3 months
- Navel: 6-12 months
- Nipple: 6-12 months
- Genital Piercings: Varies; 6 months, depending on the type
Tip: Ensure your piercing is fully healed and no longer tender before changing jewellery. Always use high-quality, hypoallergenic jewellery, such as ASTM F-136 titanium, for a smooth healing process.
Why do I need to downsize my piercings?
We use longer bars initially to account for swelling, but as the swelling reduces, it’s important to switch the length of your bar to a smaller size. Downsizing your piercing jewellery is crucial because it minimises movement in the wound; a flush fitting piece reduces irritation, and trauma to the piercing site, helping to lower the risk of complications such as infection or migration, ensuring a smoother and faster healing process.
Can I swim with a healing piercing?
We recommend waiting at least three months, or longer if possible, until your piercing is fully healed before submerging it in any body of water. Doing so reduces the risk of infection caused by bacteria, and prevents the tissue around the wound from becoming overly saturated, both of which can significantly impact the healing process and extend healing times.
Do I need to make an appointment, or do you accept walk-ins?
We do accept walk-ins, however, these are subject to availabilty; to guarantee a space we always advise to book.
What aftercare is required for my piercing?
We strongly recommend that you only use a saline solution to clean your external piercings.
Saline is a sterile liquid containing pharmaceutical-grade water and sodium chloride (sterile salt water); this is safe, easy to use and free from any harmful chemicals. We use and sell NeilMed and PierceMed Piercing Aftercare at our studio.
Do piercings hurt?
Whilst all piercings do hurt and some hurt as little more than others, we maintain that the pain is manageable and you will leave with a smile.
Can I return jewellery?
For hygiene and safety reasons we are unable to accept returns or exchanges on jewellery. All items are carefully quality checked and tested prior to postage. If you believe your item has a fault when it arrives please contact us straight away so we can make it right for you.