{"id":4810,"date":"2017-12-02T03:42:15","date_gmt":"2017-12-02T11:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/?page_id=4810"},"modified":"2024-03-29T12:10:46","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T19:10:46","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4810\" class=\"elementor elementor-4810\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-786dbe7 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-content-middle rey-section-bg--classic elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"786dbe7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b0a623b\" data-id=\"b0a623b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap--b0a623b elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-017f9eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"017f9eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQ<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-de3aeb7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"de3aeb7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4728c79\" data-id=\"4728c79\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap--4728c79 elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4af84ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4af84ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-xl\">Some of our Frequently Asked Question<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77e3389 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"77e3389\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1251\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1251\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Custom Jewelry Orders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1251\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1251\"><ul><li>Custom orders are available from several of our brands! If you have a vision for a jewelry piece and a little bit of patience we can arrange a custom order for you! This process can take several months to complete, depending on the specifics of the item you were interested in, so please reach out if you\u2019d like to get started!\u00a0Please keep in mind that if you decide to cancel a custom order once it has been sent to the manufacturer for processing you are required to pay a 15% cancellation fee per item.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1252\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1252\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Appointments<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1252\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1252\"><p><b><i>Where is your shop located?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are located at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">807 30th St. Sacramento, CA 9581.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The closest cross streets are H street and 30th street.<\/span><\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24275\" src=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535-500x409.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535-500x409.png 500w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535.png 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p><p><b><i>Where should I park?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is paid street parking directly in front of our studio on 30th street on our block and on the blocks before and after. There is intermittent free parking on H street and I street, but spots are often full or nearly full. You are welcome to park in the driveway directly next to our studio at any time. Please do not park in adjacent businesses, their parking is for their customers only and you risk being towed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every client getting a new piercing or stretching their piercing to a larger size will need to bring a currently valid, state issued ID that has their birthdate and photo on it. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare for my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s VERY important that you arrive at your appointment having eaten and hydrated! We ask that clients eat within 4 hours of their appointment to make sure you\u2019re feeling your best for the piercing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan ahead to account for possible traffic, having a downtown location means traffic is very unpredictable and events shut down portions of streets regularly. Paid street parking is available in front of the shop or you are welcome to park in our driveway. Please do not park in adjacent business\u2019 parking lots, their parking is for their clients and you risk being towed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about the piercing(s) you\u2019ll be receiving and dress appropriately. If you\u2019re getting a piercing that would require you to undress partially it\u2019s always a good idea to wear clothing that can be easily removed and don\u2019t wear too many layers. Don\u2019t wear white if you are getting a piercing that has a tendency to spot bleed, like genital piercings or nipple piercings.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what jewelry you might like to see in your piercing; we have a massive selection, with thousands and thousands of different pieces, and new ones coming in all the time! The more info you can give your piercer regarding the visual aspect of your piercing the easier it will be for them to pull pieces for you. If you\u2019d like to check out some of the jewelry\/brands we carry, check out our Instagram @theexoticbody where we have lots of photos of jewelry, both on and off of clients.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review any relevant policies or information related to your piercing at exoticbody.com or reach out with any questions that you may have.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you experience any symptoms of illness, or are feeling generally unwell prior to your appointment please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can reschedule you to another date.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my minor piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> legal custodial guardian. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\/guardian <\/span><b>MUST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">currently valid, state issued ID <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that has their birthdate and photo on it and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How many piercings can I get in one appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The complexity and difficulty of receiving or healing a piercing will greatly affect how many piercings we would recommend getting at once. Piercings like earlobes, simple cartilage piercings, nostrils and septums are typically easier to heal than piercings like daiths, rooks, oral piercings, industrials, etc. Multiple piercings in one area, like double or triple helix and nostril piercings or piercings in high movement areas like navels, tongue, and surface\/dermal piercings may be best performed one at a time to allow the body to focus on healing each piercing. You should avoid sleeping on a fresh piercing, especially cartilage piercings,\u00a0 so if you are a side sleeper we would recommend piercing one ear at a time and allowing some time for it to heal before piercing the other side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All in all, it really depends on which piercings you will be getting as far as what we would recommend, but just for time constraints we typically only allow a client to get 3 to 4 piercings during a single appointment. For piercings that require extra precision in marking, like paired nostrils, lips and eyebrow piercings we ask that you don\u2019t get any other piercings in that appointment, nobody wants these piercings to be rushed.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min jewelry selection<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min performing piercing\/changing jewelry\/stretching\/ etc.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my service animal to my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Service animals that assist an individual with a disability are the only animals that are permitted in a body art facility. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the studio. You may not bring an animal in a carrier or hold your animal during your appointment, even as a guest. We work very hard to maintain as clean of an environment as possible, including some sterile areas in the studio and pet dander, fur and other contaminants associated with animals may compromise those areas. Pets also have no way of knowing which areas to avoid that may contain bio-hazards and may wander into areas that could compromise their health as well. It would be helpful if you are able to note in your appointment that you plan to bring a service animal with you so that we are better prepared to accommodate you and your service animal.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can my group come in to all get piercings together?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coming in to get piercings with your group of friends, family, coworkers, etc. is a great way to create memories and we love working with groups! Please keep in mind that we have a small studio so if you come in with a large group we may take you a few at a time to choose jewelry or get pierced. The amount of people allowed in the jewelry or piercing rooms at any given time will depend on the piercer working and what is being pierced\/how difficult a piercing it will be to get or be performed. Groups of three or 4 can typically stay together for the entire experience, while groups 5 + may need to wait in the lobby and come back a couple at a time to choose jewelry and get pierced. We do not recommend group appointments for children under 14 years old and we do not recommend group appointments for multiple children all getting their first ear piercings together. Often these appointments can be overwhelming and can lead to one or more of the children deciding not to get pierced, or can put pressure on a child who is unsure or too scared to be pierced to say yes in front of their friends, and we never want anyone to feel pressured during their appointment. If you have a group of 5 or more people who all want to get pierced we would VERY MUCH appreciate it if you noted in your appointments or gave us a call to let us know so that we can prepare the studio space as much as possible for your group. We will always do our best to accommodate groups and make the experience fun and easy, but please keep in mind that we often have more than one piercer working at once and their clients need to be seen in the order their appointments are booked. If you wish to be the only clients in the studio during your appointments please reach out to set this up ahead of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you see clients who are late to their appointments?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like with any business that offers appointments on an appointment only basis we have to honor the appointments booked by ALL clients; if you are late to your appointment your piercer may not be able to complete your requested services without running into another clients timeslot. We have a strict time limit on our appointments of 5 minutes, which is communicated to clients in our confirmation message, as well as listed in several locations on our website; we make this abundantly clear so that there is no confusion on the day of your appointment and we are able to stay on track and honor every clients reservation. Piercings themselves take a short amount of time to perform, but choosing jewelry, sterilizing the jewelry, setting up and tearing down piercing stations between clients, paperwork, ringing up, and cleaning and marking the areas to be pierced all take time too. We have timed out how long our services typically take, as well as time necessary for us to perform necessary cleaning between clients and paced our appointments to accommodate this time. If you are running late we would appreciate a heads up; we can check out appointments around your timeslot and see if there is any way for us to fit you in, but we cannot guarantee this, so please be kind to our counter staff if you arrive late and are turned away, they are just following policy to keep everyone safe.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you have a waitlist for daily appointments?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not keep a waitlist for clients once our day books up. If you have an emergency (like an embedded or rejecting piercing) we will do our best to fit you in between clients, but we cannot always accommodate in every situation so please reach out and we will do our very best to help out and fit you in if we can.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When clients no-show for their appointments we are already well into the appointment slot so we would be unable to see another client at that time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While we do occasionally get cancellations they are typically very close to the appointment time and most of the time clients are unable to arrive on time to fill in the spot. If you don\u2019t see an appointment available the same day we usually have one available the following day, so you wouldn\u2019t have to wait long to be seen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Who should I bring with me to my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing a friend, partner, or family member along to your piercing appointment can be a fun way to bond, ease nerves or allow someone who may be thinking about getting a new piercing to see the process before deciding! We love when clients bring in a guest to their appointments, we just have a few suggestions to make the process fun for everyone involved. Consider your guest\u2019s level of comfort in the environment; if you\u2019re asking someone to be your guest at your appointment, especially if you want them to be in the room while you\u2019re being pierced,\u00a0 you should ensure they will be comfortable enough to watch the procedure happen and feel comfortable in a piercing shop environment (some people get nervous with how much the studio looks like a medical office or they may not be comfortable seeing needles and tools). Consider <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comfort level and relationship with the person if you are getting a piercing in a more private area like nipples or genitals (if you want to bring a friend but not have them in the room during the piercing they\u2019re welcome to wait in the lobby!). Consider how your guest feels about the piercing itself, there\u2019s nothing worse than an unsupportive partner or friend making the experience more difficult, making negative comments, or telling the client they don\u2019t want them to get pierced to begin with; if YOU want the piercing and YOU are excited you shouldn\u2019t bring someone along who is discouraging or negative about the experience, it\u2019s your body after all and someone who cares about you shouldn\u2019t make you feel badly about a decision you\u2019ve made for yourself &#8211; if your guest is being particularly negative or very vocal that they aren\u2019t supportive we will ask them to wait in the lobby. Guests at piercing appointments should be supportive, comforting, and someone you trust.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An especially difficult situation we sometimes find ourselves in is when minor clients come in with parents who have reluctantly agreed to let their child get a piercing when they aren\u2019t really happy about it or would rather them not have it. Obviously any minor getting a piercing must be accompanied by their parent\/guardian and their parent needs to give permission for the piercing to happen, but we have experienced situations where the parent has agreed to let the child get a piercing they want and the parent clearly doesn\u2019t like it and sometimes they will vocalize this dislike of piercings in general or thinking a piercing will not look good on their child to our staff, which can put us in an uncomfortable situation where the parent expects us to discourage the child from getting pierced or pick a side in an argument that is really not our place to be a part of in the first place. We see this most often with older teenagers who may want facial piercings, upper cartilage piercings or navel piercings. This is a discussion that should be happening <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prior to your appointment <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">between you and your child<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you as the parent are really uncomfortable with your child getting a piercing you need to weigh the decision <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prior<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to agreeing to let them come in. We get that parents and children often have different ideas about piercing and when and if someone should get certain piercings or the look of piercings in general; some parents don\u2019t want their children to have any piercings until they are 18 and can make the decision themselves and that\u2019s totally okay, but if you decide to allow your child to get a new piercing and then get to the appointment and vocalize how much you don\u2019t like the piercing or how much you don\u2019t want them to get pierced it puts a lot of pressure on you, the child and staff. We can\u2019t tell you when the right time to allow your child to get a piercing is, that\u2019s an incredibly personal decision you and your family need to make for themselves, but if you do agree to bring your child in and get a piercing we would please ask that you have thoroughly discussed everything beforehand and are <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sure<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you want them to have the piercing and you are in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full support<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you have questions about the process, would like to speak with a piercer before hand, or need more understanding of healing, aftercare and jewelry options before you\u2019re able to make your choice we\u2019re <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALWAYS<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here to help; please feel free to give us a call or send us an email or DM on social media so that we can help you feel as prepared as possible and mitigate any issues before your appointment is booked; we find the more knowledgeable and informed a parent and child are the smoother the process goes and everyone is more likely to leave happy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would like to bring in multiple guests or get pierced in a group we would appreciate it if you let us know ahead of time. We have a small studio space and the piercers need space to work so we sometimes need time to prepare if you are coming in a group. Please keep in mind that depending on the piercers comfort level, the size of the group and the number of piercings being performed we may ask that only one guest accompany you into the jewelry or piercing room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minors are not permitted as guests during appointments. Please arrange for any necessary childcare prior to your appointment. We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced prior to booking an appointment for the younger child; wh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ile we do offer children\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. Clients are not permitted to hold children while being pierced, this puts you, the child and our piercer in danger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Which staff member should I choose for my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a piercer you trust is important! Each piercer in our studio has different techniques, bedside manner, and personality; we want you to feel comfortable and safe with your piercer, so if you have something specific in mind for who you might want to pierce you, please check out our About Us page to learn more about each staff member. Not sure who to choose? ALL of our staff members are highly educated, care deeply about our clients and want you to have the best experience possible, so you\u2019re in good hands no matter who you choose!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know exactly what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing, the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my piercing appointment if I need to pick something out to be pierced with?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\/ curations?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why are ear stylings so expensive?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Styled or curated ears you see on social media- tiktok, pinterest, instagram, etc. have typically been built up over the course of several appointments and months or years of choosing and collecting jewelry to achieve the final look. Occasionally clients will come in and do an overhaul of their jewelry collection to achieve a new or upgraded look, but these clients have typically saved and prepared for their appointments knowing that it will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a lot of jewelry at once. Our gold studs start at about $70 each for the most basic options with no stones and go up from there; we even have individual pieces that cost upwards of $1000, so depending on the look you\u2019re going for it can get very expensive. Patience is key when building a jewelry collection, find pieces you love, save and invest in timeless pieces you really love and that will work well with other pieces and build your collection a piece or two at a time and you\u2019ll get there eventually! Think of it like building up a wardrobe of high quality clothing- most people don\u2019t buy their entire wardrobe in one shopping trip, they find their style and work to find pieces that will work with what they already have and invest in pieces they really love over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer discounts for students?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We sometimes attend events where we will give our special Student VIP cards! If you attend one of these events and are given one of these cards they are $10 off piercing fees or 15% off titanium jewelry, otherwise we do not offer any kind of student discount. If you are a school ambassador, club leader, or administration staff member who is interested in giving out our student VIP cards for an event please reach out!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer a military discount?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer a military discount.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you ever have sales or promotions?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We typically always have some type of promo or discount running on various types of piercing or jewelry depending on the time of year. Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date with these events, so be sure to follow us @theexoticbody so you never miss an opportunity! In the past we have offered back to school discounts for kids piercings, bring a friend and get discounted piercings for each of you, and even fundraiser events where you can receive a special discount for participating! We also occasionally send out email or text coupons, so be sure you\u2019re subscribed to those in our Square Appointments account \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Are there piercings that you will not perform? Why?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are piercings that our studio does not offer. Some are due to safety concerns related to healing, long term wear or damage to the body, or age restrictions we have in place. Any time we will not perform a piercing on a client it is for that client\u2019s safety.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes clients don\u2019t have the anatomy necessary for us to safely perform the piercing they would like to get. The most common piercings this occurs with are navel and industrial piercings. These piercings require specific anatomy for them to heal properly and if they are performed on a client with unsuitable anatomy the chance of rejection and issues healing greatly increases. Remember, we are here to help and we always want you to get the piercings that you want, so if a piercer declines to pierce you they are doing so because they do not feel it is safe. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\u2019s what you would like, but we will not perform a piercing on a client if we do not think they have the appropriate anatomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another reason we might decline a piercing is due to age restrictions we have in place. We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\/span><b><i>absolutely<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not offered and are<\/span> <b><i>illegal<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\/span><b><i>ever. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some piercings are not considered safe and should not be performed by any piercer for any reason. Less reputable studios often offer these piercings at client request with no regard for the long term effects on the clients health and healing. For example \u201cfrog eyes\u201d or \u201cscoop\u201d piercings- a tongue piercing performed with a curved barbell placed horizontally in the tongue, piercings performed in dangerous areas like mandibular, uvular, hand or feet piercings, or piercings performed in tissue that cannot support jewelry like eyelids or finger webbing; these are not considered safe piercings and should not be performed by any piercer, for any reason. At our studio we do not offer double tongue piercings or cheek piercings. There are definitely very skilled, very educated piercers out there who may be offering these piercings without issue, but they take a lot of anatomy consideration, education and a very, very skilled piercer to be performed safely, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if they can be performed safely at all <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(this is a widely debated topic in the piercing community), and should only be performed by a piercer who is specialized in these specific piercings. We recommend doing extensive research and finding a piercer who offers these piercings as a specialty and has lots of experience and a portfolio of these piercings specifically before choosing to get these piercings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPlay Piercings\u201d are piercings that are performed for the experience of receiving the piercing and are very very temporary (typically removed almost immediately) Play piercings are not performed with the intention of wearing the jewelry. A common example of play piercing is the corset piercing, typically performed rows on each side of the back and then a ribbon or tie is laced through the rings. Play piercings are typically performed in a session involving BDSM, but not always, there are those that enjoy the sensation of being pierced but it is not tied to BDSM in any capacity. We do not offer play piercings in our studio and encourage any person interested in performing or receiving these types of piercings to do extensive research and seek out a professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t all of the piercers in your studio offer the same services?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We sometimes have piercers working in our studio who are working during a piercing apprenticeship- all piercings performed while an apprentice is practicing are special piercings booked in advance by our staff and are performed under the supervision of the apprentice\u2019s mentor. Apprentices work for years and slowly build up their range of offerings, for example we may have a piercer who is still working on more advanced piercings as part of an apprenticeship but are open and offering regular services they have already mastered. Any piercer who is available for a service to be booked by clients has experience and education to fully perform that piercing. If a service is not available to be booked by a specific piercer they likely just don\u2019t offer that piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019ve heard that some piercings cannot be performed on all clients, why is that? What would the reasons be for a piercer declining to pierce me?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all piercings are suitable for every client. Many factors can contribute to a piercer deciding to decline a piercing. Improper anatomy is the most common reason our piercers decline piercings for clients. Industrial piercings, navel piercings and some genital piercings are extremely anatomy dependent, and if pierced on a client with improper anatomy to support the piercing, can lead to rejection, migration, tearing and the piercing not healing.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0For example, with a navel piercing, the client needs to have a sufficient \u201cfold\u201d or amount of tissue on the top (or bottom- for reverse navel piercings) of their navel so that the piercing has sufficient tissue to support the jewelry without being too shallow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During your appointment our piercers will ensure that the area you\u2019d like pierced is suitable for the piercing you wish to get, and offer alternatives (like different shaped jewelry, alternative placements, etc.) if there are alternatives that we believe would be suitable for you. If no alternative is possible, or you don\u2019t wish to proceed with an alternative, we will simply not do the piercing. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\u2019s something that you would like to do that day instead, but if a piercer decides to decline a piercing, just know that we are doing it for the health and safety of our clients. Declining piercings is not something we like to do, obviously we want you to feel your best and be able to get any piercing you\u2019d wish to have, but we always want to ensure that we are only performing piercings that would be safe for our clients!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I am bringing in my child for an ear piercing and I have a younger child who would like to observe the process. Can I bring them to the appointment?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced, however we do not allow children as guests to any appointments. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0While we do offer children\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. We have found that, for most children, seeing the process beforehand doesn\u2019t do much to help in the moment of actually getting pierced themselves, as it is a very different experience seeing a sibling or friend get pierced, versus actually sitting in the chair themselves. We are working on putting together a video explaining the piercing process so that children can view this video to better prepare themselves for their appointments without actually being present during another child\u2019s appointment. Until then, we do have a wonderful 3D tour of our studio that can be helpful for children to get comfortable with the environment they will be in that you can view on our website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I have to have an MRI\/Surgery\/Medical Procedure that requires me to remove my jewelry, what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer jewelry removal services! If your piercing is well healed you can schedule a removal close to the date of your procedure and have us remove any jewelry you would like, there is a $20 service fee for removals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your piercings are fresh, you cannot get an appointment close to the time of your procedure, or you\u2019re at all worried about your piercings closing up during the time they will need to be removed we offer Pyrex piercing retainers that are safe for wear during an MRI and most medical procedures. The retainers are $15 each. Not all piercings have retainers that are available, so it\u2019s best to check with us prior to booking an appointment to be sure we have a suitable retainer for your piercing.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019ve moved away since getting pierced\/I got pierced while visiting Sacramento; how can I find a studio near me that has compatible jewelry\/comparable standards and services?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safepiercing.org has a super handy \u201cFind a Piercer\u201d page where you can search for an APP certified studio near you!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing at another studio, but I\u2019m having issues healing my piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><br \/><br \/><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1253\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1253\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Kids Piercing<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1253\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1253\"><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my child\u2019s piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> legal custodial guardian. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\/guardian <\/span><b>MUST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">currently valid, state issued ID <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that has their birthdate and photo on it and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I am bringing in my child for an ear piercing and I have a younger child who would like to observe the process. Can I bring them to the appointment?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced, however we do not allow children as guests to any appointments. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0While we do offer children\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. We have found that, for most children, seeing the process beforehand doesn\u2019t do much to help in the moment of actually getting pierced themselves, as it is a very different experience seeing a sibling or friend get pierced, versus actually sitting in the chair themselves. We are working on putting together a video explaining the piercing process so that children can view this video to better prepare themselves for their appointments without actually being present during another child\u2019s appointment. Until then, we do have a wonderful 3D tour of our studio that can be helpful for children to get comfortable with the environment they will be in that you can view on our website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can my group come in to all get piercings together?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coming in to get piercings with your group of friends, family, etc. is a great way to create memories and we love working with groups! Please keep in mind that we have a small studio so if you come in with a large group we may take you a few at a time to choose jewelry or get pierced. The amount of people allowed in the jewelry or piercing rooms at any given time will depend on the piercer working and what is being pierced\/how difficult a piercing it will be to get or be performed. Groups of three or 4 can typically stay together for the entire experience, while groups 5 + may need to wait in the lobby and come back a couple at a time to choose jewelry and get pierced. We do not recommend group appointments for children under 14 years old and we do not recommend group appointments for multiple children all getting their first ear piercings together. Often these appointments can be overwhelming and can lead to one or more of the children deciding not to get pierced, or can put pressure on a child who is unsure or too scared to be pierced to say yes in front of their friends, and we never want anyone to feel pressured during their appointment. If you have a group of 5 or more people who all want to get pierced we would VERY MUCH appreciate it if you noted in your appointments or gave us a call to let us know so that we can prepare the studio space as much as possible for your group. We will always do our best to accommodate groups and make the experience fun and easy, but please keep in mind that we often have more than one piercer working at once and their clients need to be seen in the order their appointments are booked. If you wish to be the only clients in the studio during your appointments please reach out to set this up ahead of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What are the age limits for getting a piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> legal custodial guardian. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\/guardian <\/span><b>MUST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a currently valid photo ID and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-earlobe piercings available to minors-<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper cartilage (no industrials) 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nostril 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Septum 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eyebrow (traditional only, no surface or dermal) 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navel 16+<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Absolutely no nipple or genital piercings offered for minors, even with parent permission; It is the law!\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you offer certain piercings for minors?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\/span><b><i>absolutely<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not offered and are<\/span> <b><i>illegal<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\/span><b><i>ever. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why do you offer infant piercings?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some studios do not offer piercings for infants for a variety of reasons. Maybe they don\u2019t have a piercer with experience with infants, maybe they only want to pierce older children who can give their own personal consent for the piercing, maybe they don\u2019t have a clientele who have a cultural connection to infant piercing, either way, it\u2019s a very personal decision for each studio and each piercer within a studio to make. Here at The Exotic Body our shop owner, Michael Hare decided to offer infant piercings to allow a safe, professional experience for those clients who want their infants to have their ears pierced. We know that there are large cultural groups who have a deep, historically rooted connection to infant piercings and we want to ensure that those people have the opportunity to connect to their cultures and hold tradition in a way that is as safe and professional as possible. Some clients simply prefer to have their child\u2019s ears pierced before they are old enough to remember the experience; sometimes due to an unfortunate traumatic experience with piercing they experienced themselves, sometimes just due to personal preference. We are never going to judge a client for the choices they make for their family and children, we are simply going to offer the best possible experience for those piercings to happen. Our experience is that the clients who really want these piercings to happen will find a way to make them happen, most people know someone who was pierced by their mom\/aunt\/cousin\/etc in a kitchen or bathroom, taken to a mall kiosk as an infant, or decided to purchase a piercing gun themselves and offer piercings to their friends and family; these are all extremely unsafe environments and often result in improperly performed piercings in non-sterile environments that can lead to crooked, embedded, and\/or infected piercings, so our decision to offer infant piercings comes from a place of harm reduction. If you have further questions regarding infant piercing please feel free to give us a call or email us and we would be happy to discuss further!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why do you only pierce infants between 3-9 months old?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We don\u2019t offer infant piercings after 9 months as the developmental stage that infants enter around 9 months usually includes more awareness around where pain comes from in the body and they will start to reach for and tug on jewelry during the healing process, which can cause them to not heal and may cause trauma to the piercing, especially if they end up pulling the jewelry out. They are also typically too large to swaddle at that age and we only ever pierce infants who are swaddled, so that their limbs are contained in a safe, positive way instead of holding a child\u2019s arms down (so they don\u2019t reach for or grab the needle during the process) which can be traumatizing to everyone involved. If you have missed the 3-9 month window for your infant we find that the 5 year age range is best to start again so that they can fully comprehend that they cannot touch their jewelry for the 12 weeks they will need to keep the jewelry in and are old enough that we can explain the entire process to them so they can give their own informed consent to be pierced.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My child wants a non-earlobe piercing, what piercing would be best for them to get?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a very personal question that we have a hard time really answering for clients. You should have honest discussions with your child about the process, healing and aftercare involved, and potential for scarring at the piercing site if they decide to remove the piercing later. If your child still decides they would like to get a non-earlobe piercing you should then review the types of piercings offered by our studio. Of the piercings offered to minor clients in our studio, the septum is by far the easiest to heal- only a couple of saline rinses a day for about 4 weeks and clients rarely have problems. Septum piercings also produce no visible scar, as the entirety of the piercing site is inside the nose and depending on the jewelry chosen, can often be completely hidden from sight if needed by flipping the jewelry up inside the nose. Daith, rook and navel piercings are some of the more difficult piercings that we offer to minors to heal- they take around 9 months to fully heal and require a lot more maintenance as far as aftercare. All of these considerations should be taken before booking an appointment and if you have any questions please reach out and we will be happy to help!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you use piercing guns?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \u201cIt is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. We consider unsafe any procedure that places vulnerable tissue in contact with either non-sterile equipment or jewelry that is not considered medically safe for long-term internal wear. Such procedures place the health of recipients at an unacceptable risk. For this reason, APP members may not use reusable ear piercing guns for any type of piercing procedure. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While piercing guns may seem to be a quick, easy and convenient way of creating holes, they have major drawbacks in terms of sterility, tissue damage and inappropriate jewelry design.<\/span><\/p><p><b>REUSABLE EAR PIERCING GUNS CAN PUT CLIENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF PREVIOUS CLIENTS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. <\/span><b>PIERCING GUNS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TISSUE DAMAGE. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as \u201cblunt force trauma.\u201d At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect. This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. <\/span><b>MISUSE OF EAR PIERCING GUNS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though many manufacturers\u2019 instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun practitioners do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow establishments using piercing guns to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of public health.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Where can I learn more about safe piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We always encourage clients to do their own research! Having your own knowledge about the industry and the piercing process is incredibly helpful! Check out Safepiercing.org for tons of info from the Association of Professional Piercers.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min jewelry selection<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min performing piercing\/changing jewelry\/stretching\/ etc.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How much will it hurt?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the toughest question for us to answer! Every person experiences the piercing process differently; some clients have no problem getting a new piercing, but find the healing process to be arduous and uncomfortable, some clients find that some piercings are easier than others, and sometimes a piercing that you may have done more than once can feel different each time it\u2019s performed. Technique, client preparation and general health, stress levels and diet, nerves, and so many more factors can affect how a piercing feels. We find that the most common ways clients describe the piercing process is \u201cit feels like a pinch\u201d, \u201cit feels similar to getting a vaccination\u201d, and \u201cit feels like a lot of pressure\u201d. We typically find that clients\u2019 idea of what the piercing will feel like when they are imagining it in their minds is usually worse than the actual experience, we often hear \u201coh, I thought that would be so much worse\u201d after a piercing is completed. Typically the piercing portion of the procedure is over in just a few short seconds, most of the time of your appointment will be for choosing jewelry, completing paperwork, cleaning and marking, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important thing to remember is that we\u2019re here for you, to walk you through the process, to help you work through any fear you may be feeling, and to support you through the piercing and healing process. If you would be more comfortable bringing a guest with you to your appointment please do so!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Will you numb the area before performing the piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical numbing agents are not recommended when getting a piercing for a number of reasons. First, topical numbing agents only work on the top layers of skin, it\u2019s not like a local anesthetic administered in a medical setting, you will absolutely still feel the piercing. Second, products that numb the skin change the elasticity and texture of the skin which can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare my child for their piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We suggest having a discussion with your child and going over how the appointment will go, what they can expect as far as pain, what they will need to do or avoid while taking care of their piercings, expectations for jewelry that you will allow them to wear, and their overall readiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During your child\u2019s appointment you and the child will enter the front door and wait in our lobby for your piercer. When they are ready for you they will come greet you and bring you back to the jewelry room. In the jewelry room we will typically ask the child if they would like their ears pierced and we need to hear from them that this is something they want to do. We will then show you and the child some jewelry options. Please be sure to communicate to your piercer if there are specific designs or materials you would not like the child to be offered- for example if you only want your child to wear gold or if you would prefer something smaller or larger, if you need to stick to a specific budget, etc. so that there isn\u2019t anything that we\u2019re going to bring out that\u2019s way out of your comfort zone. If you don\u2019t have anything specific in mind the piercer will show you both some options and you can choose or you can allow your child to choose. The piercer will then choose appropriately sized backings for the initial piercing (these backings will be long to accommodate swelling and can be downsized in 6 weeks if you wish). Once jewelry is selected the piercer will send you and the child back to the lobby where you will fill our paperwork, go over aftercare with our front counter staff and ring up. If you need aftercare products we have those available, just let the counter staff know and they can add them to your total. While you are handling all of that in the lobby the piercer will sterilize the jewelry and set up their room for the piercing. We use autoclave sterilization for all of our jewelry and tools. Once the piercer is ready for you we will bring you and the child back to the piercing room. Each piercer has a little bit of a different setup and technique, but in general they will prep the skin for the piercing, mark the location of the piercing so that you and the child can check it out and make sure it\u2019s where you\u2019d like it to be, then perform the piercing. The piercing needle will create the piercing hole, then we use a tool called an insertion taper to feed the jewelry into the piercing site and secure the gem or design top onto the backing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically the earlobe piercing is not very painful, but remember pain is relevant and each person experiences it differently. Some children say \u201cit just feels like a pinch\u201d, others have compared it to a vaccination, some children really do not handle the pain well and only one piercing is performed that day, and that\u2019s okay too, we can always reschedule for another day when they\u2019re ready to come back and do the other one. Some children are totally fine with the piercing process, some children are not, even when those children were super excited and seemed ready beforehand, sometimes they change their mind and that\u2019s okay. Occasionally children will cry after or during getting a piercing, sometimes the tears are because they feel it hurts a lot, but more often than not they are a release of anxiety or pent up emotion surrounding the piercing and unrelated to a physical sensation of any kind (even some adults react this way; piercing can be emotional and often we hold a lot of that emotion inside) Please keep in mind that while the experience might seem mundane or quick and easy to you, children are often entering this type of establishment for the first time and so many factors can add up to make them become nervous once they get here. We never charge cancellation or rescheduling fees, so if your child decides they\u2019re not ready just let us know, it\u2019s not a big deal, we want them to be ready \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking care of piercings for the full healing time is a big responsibility. We recommend that you as the parent are checking with your child and assisting with cleaning as needed to ensure thorough cleaning is happening regularly. Your child should not swim while healing a piercing, so if you have swim teams, summer camps, swimming lessons, etc. planned please wait until these events are over before booking your appointment. Most sports leagues\/teams will not allow children to wear earrings during practice, games or tournaments. This is to prevent injury to the child; we encourage you to follow all rules set in place by coaches, leagues, teams, etc. We often get parents who ask about covering piercings with bandages for sports seasons; best case scenario with bandaging- it hides the piercing as a temporary solution for a game or practice with no issues, worst case scenario- bandage adhesives can stick to jewelry\/still healing tissue and pull\/tug when being removed and the adhesives themselves can cause adverse reactions to a piercing wound while healing, and you run the risk of the child\u2019s jewelry getting caught, tugged or ripped from their body, we have seen clients where this happened even with bandages covering the jewelry, so please carefully weigh the options when deciding how to handle jewelry during sports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If budget, aesthetic style, materials or type of jewelry is important to you for any reason you should have some idea of this before coming into the appointment. It\u2019s always tough on everyone- the piercer, the child, and the parent- when parents come in and let their child pick \u201canything they want\u201d and then have to backtrack because the price is too high, it\u2019s not a metal you\u2019d like them to wear, the design is too big, etc. it often causes conflict and puts pressure on the child and parent in the moment and we never want that. If, for example, you only want your child to choose from the more basic, cheaper options or you\u2019d prefer they only wear solid gold with no stones, or you\u2019re okay with stones as long as they\u2019re a neutral color, etc. please communicate that to your piercer so that we can help avoid any issues in the jewelry room by choosing pieces you\u2019d like to see. If you\u2019re unsure what you\u2019d like to see your child in the piercer would be happy to make suggestions and pull items for you to check out. If you would like to discuss jewelry options prior to your appointment you\u2019re welcome to give us a call to discuss what we would suggest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of our jewelry is either implant grade titanium or solid gold, so you don\u2019t need to worry about which option is safe, because they both are! We specialize in gold jewelry so we have the most options available in yellow, rose, or white gold, but our\u00a0 titanium collection has a plethora of lovely pieces you and your child will love as well, so you really can\u2019t go wrong. Titanium pieces start at about $20 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $25-37 range and Gold starts at about $70 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $90-150 range. Each piece of jewelry will need a backing to go with it, these are implant-grade titanium and cost $16.50 each. We do offer gold backings, but they are most commonly worn in healed piercings, as the initial length backings are only worn for a short period of time before being downsized. Gold backings start at $85 each. Children\u2019s earlobe piercings ages 5-13 are $50 each, Children 14 + are able to get earlobe, simple upper cartilage piercings, nostril and septum piercings and the piercing fees are $40 each (septum piercings are $50 each). Children aged 16 + can also get more advanced upper cartilage piercings and navel piercings- the piercing fees are $40 each.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why should I bring my child to get pierced at The Exotic Body versus another piercing shop?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Exotic Body was Sacramento\u2019s First body modification shop! We have been serving the Sacramento area since 1990 and have a long history of offering high quality, safe piercings performed by professional, educated piercers. We are an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certified shop, meaning we have to adhere to the APP\u2019s strict standards regarding piercers education, shop cleanliness, jewelry quality and many more factors. We only ever carry jewelry that has been approved by the APP and guarantee all of our jewelry for life! You can be sure you\u2019re in good hands with our piercers; they\u2019re always learning new and better ways to take care of our clients! We love our clients and we love working at The Exotic Body, so we\u2019re always going to ensure that we are doing our absolute best to be inclusive, educated, professional, and only offer the best of the best. We never like to speak badly of any other establishments; we can\u2019t speak to their education, quality or safety of their processes or jewelry, so we can\u2019t tell you if another shop is \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d we can only offer our perspective that shops who care the most about their clients and will offer you the safest piercing experience typically prioritize client health over profits and shouldn\u2019t be carrying low quality jewelry, offering out-of-date aftercare advice or having other body modification professionals, like tattoo artists, cosmetologists, and even nurses offer piercings <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">without proper training<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Knowing the latest sterilization techniques, proper use of PPE, and anatomy are all things these types of professionals should be knowledgeable in, but that doesn\u2019t always include the necessary education to be able to offer a piercing safely. We appreciate these professionals and all the hard work they put into their respective career fields, but you should always be looking for someone with specific <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIERCING<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> training to be performing a piercing on your body; your health is important!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our piercers love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. We take great care to ensure your child is comfortable and feels safe with us. Our piercers are gentle, kind and always here to support you and your child through the experience. We will fully explain the process to your child and let them know that they can decide not to get pierced at any time, to help them feel safe and not pressured if they decide they would like to wait. We really want to ensure that the child feels they are in control of the situation and have lots of support and care. We\u2019re always here for checkups, downsizes, and jewelry changes so your child can build a trusting relationship with their piercer, which can help alleviate any fears if an issue comes up or if you\/the child decides to change up their look with new jewelry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0If you have questions about the process, would like to speak with a piercer before hand, or need more understanding of healing, aftercare and jewelry options before you\u2019re able to make your choice we\u2019re <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALWAYS<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here to help; please feel free to give us a call or send us an email or DM on social media so that we can help you feel as prepared as possible and mitigate any issues before your appointment is booked; we find the more knowledgeable and informed a parent and child are the smoother the process goes and everyone is more likely to leave happy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Which staff member should I choose for my child\u2019s appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a piercer you trust is important! Each piercer in our studio has different techniques, bedside manner, and personality; we want you to feel comfortable and safe with your piercer, so if you have something specific in mind for who you might want to pierce you, please check out our About Us page to learn more about each staff member. Not sure who to choose? ALL of our staff members are highly educated, care deeply about our clients and want you to have the best experience possible, so you\u2019re in good hands no matter who you choose!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What size jewelry will the initial piercing be?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kids&#8217; earlobe piercings are typically pierced with 18g or 16g jewelry, the length of the post will depend on the child\u2019s anatomy.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What does \u201cdownsizing\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What size needle do you use?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer a variety of different piercings that are all pierced with different sized needles. The smallest gauge size that we offer is 18g. The most common sizes that we use in the studio are 18g-10g. Earlobes and nostrils are typically pierced with an 18g needle, but may also use 16g and occasionally a 14g needle, depending on the client\u2019s long term piercing goals and anatomy. Cartilage piercings, like helix, daith, conch or rook piercings are typically pierced with 16g, 14g, or 12g needles, also depending on the clients long term piercing goals and anatomy. Sometimes we will use a slightly larger needle than the jewelry worn inside the piercing, to allow for an easier time healing- this technique varies client to client, is incredibly anatomy dependent and not used by all of our piercers. Our piercers are highly educated on which needle size and jewelry size is best for each piercing placement and always take individual anatomy into consideration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kids earlobe piercings are typically pierced with 18g or 16g needles.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What tools do you use to perform a piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each piercer in our studio performs their piercings with different techniques. Piercers often learn a certain way of piercing from a mentor or program they attend and as they work with clients, familiarize themselves with tools\/jewelry\/anatomy, and grow and progress through their careers, learn different styles, techniques and tips and tricks to perform piercings. We pride ourselves on always being educated on new techniques, processes and seeking out learning opportunities whenever we can. Piercers in our area often host classes, meetings, and industry events where we are able to meet up with other professionals in our industry to learn from them, discuss advancements, tips and tricks, and new ways of working with clients to provide better and better experiences. One of the things we love about the piercing industry is the constant forward movement and advancements made by incredible professionals in the industry. Companies that produce tools and jewelry are always looking for new and better ways to create their products, piercers are constantly educating themselves and learning from pioneers in the industry who are always looking to improve their craft. We love the passion and dedication of professionals in all areas of the body modification industry and always look to others for education and inspiration. Each piercer in our studio is familiar with a variety of techniques to perform each piercing they offer, so that they can always make the best decision based on each client, their long term piercing goals, anatomy, healing considerations and overall comfort. We have piercers who use freehand piercing techniques, utilizing less tools and working more with their hands for pressure and guidance of needles and jewelry. We have piercers who always utilize tools that have been tried, tested and improved over decades of work in the industry. Sometimes a freehand style piercer will employ the use of a tool during a specific piercing for a client based on anatomy or placement of a piercing and sometimes piercers who typically use tools will forgo the tool in a situation where it may hinder the ease of access or not provide the correct kind of pressure\/guidance for needles or jewelry into a piercing because of placement or anatomy concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every piercer who works at The Exotic Body is always going to choose a technique, tool, process or setup for your piercing based on what they determine would be the best used for your individual situation, placement, anatomy, and long term piercing goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some examples of tools used in our studio include: needle receiving tubes, forceps, hemostats, brass ring pliers, clamps and placement rings (just to name a few). We have advanced sterilization, reprocessing and handling procedures for all of our tools so you can be sure that every single item used for your piercing is high quality and sterilized completely. We use autoclave sterilization techniques and have highly trained staff to process, package and store each tool to the proper sterilization standards required by state and federal laws, and the APP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What jewelry options do you have for children?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of our jewelry is either implant grade titanium or solid gold, so you don\u2019t need to worry about which option is safe, because they both are! We specialize in gold jewelry so we have the most options available in yellow, rose, or white gold, but our\u00a0 titanium collection has a plethora of lovely pieces you and your child will love as well, so you really can\u2019t go wrong. Titanium pieces start at about $20 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $25-37 range and Gold starts at about $70 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $90-150 range. Each piece of jewelry will need a backing to go with it, these are implant-grade titanium and cost $16.50 each. We do offer gold backings, but they are most commonly worn in healed piercings, as the initial length backings are only worn for a short period of time before being downsized. Gold backings start at $85 each.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children\u2019s earlobe piercings ages 5-13 are $50 each, Children 14 + are able to get earlobe, simple upper cartilage piercings, nostril and septum piercings and the piercing fees are $40 each (septum piercings are $50 each). Children aged 16 + can also get more advanced upper cartilage piercings and navel piercings- the piercing fees are $40 each.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know exactly what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing, the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my child\u2019s piercing appointment if I need to pick something out for them to be pierced with?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my own jewelry?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not allow clients to bring in outside jewelry. The APP has very stringent guidelines regarding what types of metals can and cannot be used in studios with their certification. We must be able to verify at the manufacturing level the quality of the jewelry being used. Most fashion jewelry available to clients is not considered body safe and is often the wrong size for long term wear in the body. We also use autoclave sterilization machines in our studio and most fashion jewelry cannot be autoclaved, meaning we could not sterilize it before use. If you have jewelry that is from a brand that we carry that was purchased at another studio you can reach out to verify that we would be able to install that piece for you, but please be aware that we will not install jewelry that has scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How much will jewelry cost? Why isn\u2019t the price of jewelry included in the cost of the piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our pricing breakdown is as follows:\u00a0 Piercing Fee + Cost of Jewelry<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please see our pricing page for a comprehensive list of piercings offered and their associated piercing fees\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing fees cover the cost for our piercer to perform the piercing, setup, sterilization and any tools\/products used to perform the piercing<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry costs vary depending on the type of jewelry you choose. We currently offer 39 different types of piercing services and each of those different piercing types has its own specifications, sizes, jewelry options, etc. We typically offer several different jewelry styles for each piercing type and we typically offer those jewelry styles in both gold and titanium in a variety of sizes so that we have something for everyone and their individual anatomy. Sizing plays a huge role in jewelry pricing, so while we can guess what you\u2019ll need based on the most common sizes\/styles for the piercing you\u2019d like to get, we wouldn\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019ll need until you meet with your piercer and they can physically look at the piercing site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing jewelry is not one-size-fits-all, for earlobe piercings for an example we offer hundreds, if not thousands of different options for jewelry that you could get pierced with, some start as low as $20 each, some cost thousands of dollars each and we carry everything in between. Even in healed piercings the sizing can vary significantly for each piercing placement depending on thickness of tissue, piercing placement, any movement or change to the angle that happened during healing, and several other factors. Using nostril rings as an example- we have some clients who can wear an 18g \u00bc inch sized ring, those can cost as low as $25 each in titanium, but other clients may need something larger in diameter or want something thicker, like 16g or they may want gold, in which case the cheapest option we would have would be closer to $180 each, see the price difference? It\u2019s for this reason that we do not typically give exact price quotes over the phone or on our website, we just don\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019ll need. We can offer general guidance and price ranges, but the exact price isn\u2019t typically something we can tell you beforehand in most cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some general pricing guidelines for jewelry are as follows:<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Is threadless jewelry secure?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Threadless jewelry is newer to the industry, so you may not be as familiar with it as traditional threaded body jewelry. Threadless jewelry was popularized in the late 90s after being introduced to the piercing industry through NeoMetal jewelry. The bulk of our stud style jewelry is threadless, also sometimes called push-pin jewelry, though we do have a selection of threaded pieces available as well. Most large or heavy designs are a threaded style so that they do not put excess pressure on the pin of threadless jewelry, which can lead to the pin snapping. Threadless jewelry is held in place via a tight tension between the pin (which is attached to the design end of the jewelry) and the backing, which is hollow inside. This tension is designed in a way that the jewelry would only come apart by using some force to pull the two ends apart, but should not come apart otherwise. When we install jewelry we ensure the pin is bent in such a way that the connection between the end and the backing is very tight and secure. If you catch or snag your jewelry or remove it for any reason the pin can get straightened out, which causes the tension hold to loosen and can lead to the front and back separating, so if you remove your jewelry for any reason you should ensure that the pin has some resistance when being pushed into the backing to make sure it\u2019s nice and secure!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How do you know that the jewelry that you carry is high quality?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From safepiercing.org- \u201cChoosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. Jewelry size and style must be of appropriate length or diameter for your unique anatomy and the placement of the piercing. Jewelry that is too tight does not allow for air and blood circulation or for the expulsion of normal secretions from the piercing. Ill-fitting jewelry increases the likelihood of swelling, embedding, and other complications if too small, or catching and excessive trauma, if too large. Must be of an appropriate gauge (thickness). The body may treat jewelry that is too thin in gauge like a splinter, resulting in migration or rejection. Must be of a style suited to your build and the location of the piercing. Rings are best for some areas, straight or curved bars for others, and specialty jewelry\u2014such as a nostril screw or labret stud\u2014for specific placements.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Of the numerous materials available, few have been proven appropriate for wear in fresh body piercings. Some metal alloys (mixtures) have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and\/ or the International Standards Organization (ISO). Other materials, such as gold and obsidian (natural glass) have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds\u2014and sometimes thousands\u2014of years. The material worn in a healing piercing: Should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization, Should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn\u2019t cause irritation, allergy, or infection.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry companies that we purchase from have documentation called Mill test certificates. A mill certificate is a quality assurance document used in the metals industry to quantify the chemical and physical properties of a material. It states that a product made of metal (titanium, steel, aluminum, brass, or other alloys) complies with the specifications of the order. It provides test results to assure compliance with the specified standards. The standards for biomaterials are specified by international organizations including ASTM and ISO and may be referred to by national standards bodies such as ANSI for trade and regulatory purposes.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The APP is also in the process of creating their Body Jewelry Verification Program; a program designed to allow for clearer and easier to understand standards and a resource for piercers and clients to know which body jewelry companies follow these standards. From safepiercing.org- \u201cThe interpretation of Mill Certificates is difficult and confusing for APP members, those applying for membership, or those trying to work within the APP\u2019s standards. We are faced with this issue constantly when interacting with piercers, regulators, and inspectors and their questions regarding quality jewelry. It is our belief that creating this program would help simplify and clarify this process.\u201d Currently the APP is working through Phase 1: Titanium and Steel. Once Phase 1 is successfully implemented they will work through phases 2 &amp; 3 which will include gold and platinum and glass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of these standards and documentation we feel extremely confident that the jewelry that we carry is of the highest quality. We also work with manufacturers who offer warranties on their jewelry, so if something were to happen with a client\u2019s jewelry we would be able to get a repair or replacement taken care of right away!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What do I do if my child loses their jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Exotic Body is not responsible for lost jewelry. If you snag your jewelry, remove it, the pieces become unthreaded, unseated fully or separated and the jewelry falls out we will not replace it. Keeping your threaded balls tight and your ends seated in their backings once they have been installed tightly is your responsibility. You should check the ends regularly to ensure they have not gotten loosened in any way. If you need to replace a lost piece of jewelry you can book a jewelry purchase appointment. If your jewelry was purchased in the last year we should be able to look it up in our system and find you an exact match and get it installed. If you think you are able to reinstall the jewelry yourself and we are able to find the piece in our system you are welcome to arrange a porch pickup for your piece; please call or email us to set up a porch pickup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What if my child\u2019s jewelry breaks?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry brands that we carry at The Exotic Body have a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty, so if a piece ever breaks we would be happy to get it repaired or replaced (this process varies by brand, so please reach out if this happens). You will need to bring in the broken jewelry so that we can visually inspect it and send it in for repairs if that is the policy of that brand. Please reach out as soon as it happens so that we can get it taken care of right away.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Where can I purchase more jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer jewelry purchase appointments so that you can come in and purchase a new piece of jewelry that you can be sure is completely safe and high quality. We have pieces from a number of brands including, Industrial Strength, BVLA, Pupil Hall, Buddha Jewelry Organics, Tawapa, and Body Gems, plus more! Our jewelry collection has thousands of pieces in lots of different styles, designs and shapes, plus we offer custom ordering from a number of brands! Most jewelry companies that offer high quality body jewelry do not ship directly to clients, so if you find something that you\u2019d love from a brand that we carry we would be happy to place an order for you with them, just reach out!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fashion jewelry, often seen in places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc. Is typically meant only for temporary wear and should not be left in piercings long term. Jewelry companies that are not associated with piercing studios do not have to follow the same regulations that a body piercing facility have to follow and often include designs with gauge sizes considered too small for safe wear, externally threaded pieces, and can include non-body safe materials like nickel or silver. Please exercise caution when purchasing and wearing these types of jewelry; unsafe jewelry can cause irritations, tearing and damage to an otherwise healthy piercing, even after it is healed, and can lead to the piercing needing to be removed entirely. If you decide to wear fashion jewelry and notice a reaction you should remove the jewelry immediately and return to wearing the piece that was purchased from us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were pierced elsewhere and that facility used jewelry that is causing an irritation, discomfort or a reaction you\u2019re welcome to book a checkup or jewelry purchase appointment so that we can find something suitable and safe for your piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you ever have sales or promotions?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We typically always have some type of promo or discount running on various types of piercing or jewelry depending on the time of year. Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date with these events, so be sure to follow us @theexoticbody so you never miss an opportunity! In the past we have offered back to school discounts for kids piercings, bring a friend and get discounted piercings for each of you, and even fundraiser events where you can receive a special discount for participating! We also occasionally send out email or text coupons, so be sure you\u2019re subscribed to those in our Square Appointments account \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What if my child needs to hide\/cover their piercing for work\/school\/sports, etc?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer several different options for more discreet piercing jewelry. Depending on the piercing; we have pieces that look like freckles, flat disks, and very small jewelry options. These types of jewelry are not typically suitable for very fresh piercings, so we recommend not getting a new piercing during a time when you may need to conceal it. We also carry glass retainers, typically made for medical procedures, like MRIs and surgeries. These glass retainers are typically made for temporary wear and we cannot perform a fresh piercing with retainers. You should not wear glass retainers while playing sports. If your sports team requires you to not wear jewelry during play you should remove jewelry or cover it in an acceptable manner according to team\/league rules.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My child\u2019s piercing is healed, can I remove the jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from healed piercings and have the piercings stay open for weeks, months, even years, while other clients remove jewelry and find that their piercings have closed in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. There is no way for us to predict which of these types of clients you will be, so taking out jewelry from a piercing is always a risk. Sometimes the piercing doesn\u2019t close all the way, but may shrink to a smaller gauge size or even partially close on one side, preventing jewelry from being able to be reinserted safely at home. Anytime the skin would need to be punctured or poked back through, even a small layer of skin, would be considered a piercing, so you shouldn\u2019t use anything other than a piercing needle to reopen that piercing; this should be done in a sterile environment by a professional, it is a re-piercing at this point. We have tools called insertion tapers that are made for slowly stretching back open a piercing that has begun shrinking down in gauge sizes, but not all piercings are able to use this technique to be reopened, that would be at your piercers discretion. The jewelry we carry is typically not meant to be changed often, we recommend choosing something you really love so that you can wear it for months or years. If you ever want to change up your jewelry we have thousands of options in a variety of designs, metals, and stones to choose from, just book a jewelry purchase appointment to come in and choose something!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My child got pierced at another studio, but they need to downsize\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My child got a piercing at another studio, but they\u2019re having issues healing their piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What if my child gets one ear pierced and decides not to pierce the second one?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The very first time a child gets a piercing is an exciting experience, but it can also come with some anxiety, fear, and other emotions. Please keep in mind that the more you can explain the process to your child the more they will be prepared for their appointment. Telling your child that the piercing \u201cwon\u2019t hurt\u201d or trying to minimize their fears before the appointment often leads to a buildup of emotions that are released after the first piercing happens and they realize that there will indeed be some pain involved. Sometimes one piercing happens and the child isn\u2019t prepared for the amount of pain involved or decides that it was too much for them to proceed with the second ear piercing. We have had parents tell their children that they are \u201cnot allowed\u201d to only have one ear pierced, that is not the case in our studio. If your child expresses to us that they do not want to proceed with the second piercing we will not perform the second piercing. You\u2019re welcome to spend some time talking with the child, attempting to soothe them, doing some breathing techniques, etc. but we will not proceed until the child feels comfortable to do so. We will NEVER hold a child down, lie to a child about the piercing or the process, surprise them with the piercing, or do anything to mislead them. Informed consent is important in these situations and if a child realizes that they are not as ready as they thought they were it\u2019s always okay to stop at any time. We can always package up your jewelry and reschedule for another day. Sometimes it takes more than one appointment to get both piercings done and that\u2019s okay. There will be no additional fees, no cancellation fees, no rescheduling fees, etc. and we are HAPPY to reschedule to ensure your child feels the most comfortable. If you, as the parent, are unwilling to allow your child to make the choice not to proceed in the event that they only have one piercing finished please wait to schedule your appointment until you are sure your child is ready and you understand that we will not proceed for any reason if the child is not ready to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1254\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1254\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Jewelry <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1254\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1254\"><p><b><i>How much will jewelry cost? Why isn\u2019t the price of jewelry included in the cost of the piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our pricing breakdown is as follows:&nbsp; Piercing Fee + Cost of Jewelry<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please see our pricing page for a comprehensive list of piercings offered and their associated piercing fees&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing fees cover the cost for our piercer to perform the piercing, setup, sterilization and any tools\/products used to perform the piercing<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry costs vary depending on the type of jewelry you choose. We currently offer 39 different types of piercing services and each of those different piercing types has its own specifications, sizes, jewelry options, etc. We typically offer several different jewelry styles for each piercing type and we typically offer those jewelry styles in both gold and titanium in a variety of sizes so that we have something for everyone and their individual anatomy. Sizing plays a huge role in jewelry pricing, so while we can guess what you\u2019ll need based on the most common sizes\/styles for the piercing you\u2019d like to get, we wouldn\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019ll need until you meet with your piercer and they can physically look at the piercing site.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing jewelry is not one-size-fits-all, for earlobe piercings for an example we offer hundreds, if not thousands of different options for jewelry that you could get pierced with, some start as low as $20 each, some cost thousands of dollars each and we carry everything in between. Even in healed piercings the sizing can vary significantly for each piercing placement depending on thickness of tissue, piercing placement, any movement or change to the angle that happened during healing, and several other factors. Using nostril rings as an example- we have some clients who can wear an 18g \u00bc inch sized ring, those can cost as low as $25 each in titanium, but other clients may need something larger in diameter or want something thicker, like 16g or they may want gold, in which case the cheapest option we would have would be closer to $180 each, see the price difference? It\u2019s for this reason that we do not typically give exact price quotes over the phone or on our website, we just don\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019ll need. We can offer general guidance and price ranges, but the exact price isn\u2019t typically something we can tell you beforehand in most cases.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some general pricing guidelines for jewelry are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Jewelry-Prices.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><strong>Jewelry Prices<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><i>\u201cWhy is it so expensive?\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We try to keep our piercing fees similar to what other studios of a similar caliber are pricing theirs at. Sure, there may be cheaper options around, but keep in mind that these studios may not be APP certified, carry less safe body jewelry, and have less stringent sterilization methods (or none at all!) Our piercers are educated on the latest body piercing techniques, kept up to date on all licenses and required training (like bloodborne pathogens training, CPR, etc.) and must follow strict cleaning, sterilization and preparation procedures outlined by the APP and our studio owner.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our jewelry prices are determined by their manufacturers and brands. We purchase our jewelry at competitive rates from verified manufacturers who are able to prove the integrity of their products and processes so we only ever offer the highest quality jewelry that we can be sure is body safe. Our jewelry is made of implant grade materials- usually titanium or gold- and high quality synthetic and genuine stones. We carry one of the largest selections of jewelry that we\u2019ve ever seen in a studio! We have thousands of options available, from very basic to extremely ornate, even custom orders are available, so we have something for everyone! We guarantee our jewelry, so if it ever breaks we would be happy to send it out for repairs or get a replacement (this process varies by brand, please reach out if this happens to you and make sure to keep your jewelry so that we can check it out and send it in for repairs if needed).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our price breakdown is as follows-<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing Fee-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (typically ranging from $40 (for basic piercings)- $140 (for more advanced genital piercings)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this price varies depending on the jewelry items you choose. At the time of your appointment your piercer will work with you to choose a suitable size and design for your initial piercing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Most initial jewelry sizes will be larger than what most people will want to wear in their healed piercing, this is done to ensure the piercing site has enough room to accommodate swelling and most of the time jewelry can be downsized after initial swelling subsides- typically 6 weeks from the initial piercing date.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aftercare- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We carry everything you\u2019d need to take care of your piercing. We recommend NeilMed saline wound wash mist or wipes and Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap for taking care of piercings and we have these available in multiple sizes. Saline is $7 for the smaller size or $11.75 for the larger size. Soap is $4 for the small size and $6.95 for the larger size. NeilMed wipes are $11.25.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We prefer cash payments, and have an ATM available in the lobby if you would like to withdraw cash. We also accept debit, credit and mobile payments. There is a $5 fee applied to all debit, credit or mobile payments. We also accept AfterPay using their App or physical card- all you need to do is use your Afterpay app or card when ringing up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What is the cheapest option for jewelry for my piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer \u201cPiercing Bundles\u201d for clients who want to get pierced with our most basic jewelry available. During these types of appointments we will show you the jewelry you will be pierced with, size you for a backing (if applicable) and sterilize the jewelry. (if you decide that you would wish to be pierced with something else during your appointment just let your piercer know and they will show you more options- but please keep in mind these options will be more expensive)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry included in these bundles are as follows-<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Basic Bundle-<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercings Available-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry Includes<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> -1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\/3mm\/4mm)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$76 each<\/b><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Aftercare Bundle-<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercings Available- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry Includes- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\/3mm\/4mm)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aftercare Includes- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 small Dr.Bronners Soap &amp; 1 small NeilMed Saline Wound Wash<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$86 each<\/b><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How do you know that the jewelry that you carry is high quality?<\/i><\/b><br><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From safepiercing.org- \u201cChoosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. Jewelry size and style must be of appropriate length or diameter for your unique anatomy and the placement of the piercing. Jewelry that is too tight does not allow for air and blood circulation or for the expulsion of normal secretions from the piercing. Ill-fitting jewelry increases the likelihood of swelling, embedding, and other complications if too small, or catching and excessive trauma, if too large. Must be of an appropriate gauge (thickness). The body may treat jewelry that is too thin in gauge like a splinter, resulting in migration or rejection. Must be of a style suited to your build and the location of the piercing. Rings are best for some areas, straight or curved bars for others, and specialty jewelry\u2014such as a nostril screw or labret stud\u2014for specific placements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;Of the numerous materials available, few have been proven appropriate for wear in fresh body piercings. Some metal alloys (mixtures) have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and\/ or the International Standards Organization (ISO). Other materials, such as gold and obsidian (natural glass) have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds\u2014and sometimes thousands\u2014of years. The material worn in a healing piercing: Should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization, Should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn\u2019t cause irritation, allergy, or infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry companies that we purchase from have documentation called Mill test certificates. A mill certificate is a quality assurance document used in the metals industry to quantify the chemical and physical properties of a material. It states that a product made of metal (titanium, steel, aluminum, brass, or other alloys) complies with the specifications of the order. It provides test results to assure compliance with the specified standards. The standards for biomaterials are specified by international organizations including ASTM and ISO and may be referred to by national standards bodies such as ANSI for trade and regulatory purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The APP is also in the process of creating their Body Jewelry Verification Program; a program designed to allow for clearer and easier to understand standards and a resource for piercers and clients to know which body jewelry companies follow these standards. From safepiercing.org- \u201cThe interpretation of Mill Certificates is difficult and confusing for APP members, those applying for membership, or those trying to work within the APP\u2019s standards. We are faced with this issue constantly when interacting with piercers, regulators, and inspectors and their questions regarding quality jewelry. It is our belief that creating this program would help simplify and clarify this process.\u201d Currently the APP is working through Phase 1: Titanium and Steel. Once Phase 1 is successfully implemented they will work through phases 2 &amp; 3 which will include gold and platinum and glass.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of these standards and documentation we feel extremely confident that the jewelry that we carry is of the highest quality. We also work with manufacturers who offer warranties on their jewelry, so if something were to happen with a client\u2019s jewelry we would be able to get a repair or replacement taken care of right away!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What is \u201cimplant grade Titanium\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Titanium is a lightweight, silver colored metal that is great for people with concerns about nickel sensitivity. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only type of Titanium recommended for use by the Association of Professional Piercers is Titanium that is certified to meet ASTM or ISO standards for surgical implant applications.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pure and alloyed qualities have long been used for both piercings and surgical implants, and very few long-term allergies and other complications have been reported.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here at The Exotic Body we believe in only using the highest quality body jewelry we can get. All of our Titanium jewelry is implant grade and only purchased from manufacturers where we are able to verify the validity of their mill certs (documents provided to us by the jewelry brands that come from the manufacturers, allowing us to verify the source materials). The APP (Association of Professional Piercers) is beginning to roll out a Jewelry Verification Program, it is still in it\u2019s early stages, but we will only be carrying jewelry from companies who will be part of this verification program when it is fully implemented, so you can be sure all of our jewelry is being verified by multiple, reputable sources!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How is implant grade Titanium different from \u201csurgical steel\u201d?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSurgical steel\u201d is one of the most commonly mis-understood names for metals in the industry. The term \u201csurgical steel\u201d is not used by body jewelry manufacturers and is instead a marketing term coined by jewelry sales companies. High quality steel jewelry does exist, we even have a few pieces still in stock here, but this type of steel is an implant grade, body safe, stainless steel that is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant and much less commonly used than Titanium. These designations are important because they let us know that there is a regulating body (ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials, though this agency is now an international organization as well!) verifying the quality of the jewelry at the manufacturing level, before even entering our studio.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Why 14k gold not 18k?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We often get clients who ask why most high quality body piercing studios carry 14 karat gold and not 18 karat or 24 karat gold. We use 14k gold because it is more durable than 18k or 24k gold. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 karat = 1\/24th of the alloy is pure gold, while the rest of the alloy is other materials- so the higher the number of karats, the more pure gold is inside the alloy. Completely pure gold (24k) is much too soft for body jewelry, as it can bend and be scratched easily, so a stronger alloy is used, like 18k or 14k. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what other metals are used in alloys of 14 and 18k gold?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The most common metals seen in these alloys often include zinc, copper, silver and nickel. The APP does not allow the use of jewelry that uses nickel as a material in the composition of a gold alloy, as many people have an allergy to nickel; instead to get that white gold color so many people love, our white gold jewelry gets its color from Palladium, an element with much less chance of having an allergy to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b><i>Titanium (or steel) vs gold safety<\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When choosing jewelry for your new piercing we offer both titanium and gold jewelry for most of our piercings (we do carry some implant grade steel options, but not very many, as we have mostly switched over to titanium). We specialize in gold jewelry, so we have the most options in yellow, rose, or white gold, but often clients ask \u201cwhich is better?\u201d or \u201cwhich is safer?\u201d When it comes down to it, technically titanium has a higher biocompatibility than gold, which is why it is more commonly used in medical environments (plus it\u2019s much cheaper to build a medical device out of titanium than solid gold!), for body piercing however, this difference is not as much of an issue, so we say, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">both<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! Gold has been used for centuries in body piercing techniques and jewelry and was the standard material used in many cultures for a very long time throughout history! In our studio, because every piece of jewelry comes from reputable, verifiable, sources we can confidently say that either gold or titanium would be a perfectly suitable choice for your new piercing. An allergy to gold or&nbsp; titanium is extremely rare, but if you have a family history of metal allergies to either gold or titanium, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor prior to getting a piercing so that you can verify whether this could be a potential problem for you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What is threadless (or push-pin) jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to studs, we have the most options available in threadless style, sometimes called push-pin. Threadless jewelry is two pieces, the front and the backing, that utilize a tight, tension hold to ensure the pieces stay together. Threadless jewelry has a completely flush connection between the front end and the backing which helps in preventing buildup and skin trying to heal\/grow between seams. The front end has a small pin that is bent slightly and then pushed into the backing, creating a tight connection. Threadless jewelry is great for many reasons, but one of our favorite reasons is that if the jewelry were to get caught somewhere and pull very hard it is more likely that the front and back would separate, instead of pulling on the tissue, which can lead to tearing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Is threadless jewelry secure?&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Threadless jewelry is newer to the industry, so you may not be as familiar with it as traditional threaded body jewelry. Threadless jewelry was popularized in the late 90s after being introduced to the piercing industry through NeoMetal jewelry. The bulk of our stud style jewelry is threadless, also sometimes called push-pin jewelry, though we do have a selection of threaded pieces available as well. Most large or heavy designs are a threaded style so that they do not put excess pressure on the pin of threadless jewelry, which can lead to the pin snapping. Threadless jewelry is held in place via a tight tension between the pin (which is attached to the design end of the jewelry) and the backing, which is hollow inside. This tension is designed in a way that the jewelry would only come apart by using some force to pull the two ends apart, but should not come apart otherwise. When we install jewelry we ensure the pin is bent in such a way that the connection between the end and the backing is very tight and secure. If you catch or snag your jewelry or remove it for any reason the pin can get straightened out, which causes the tension hold to loosen and can lead to the front and back separating, so if you remove your jewelry for any reason you should ensure that the pin has some resistance when being pushed into the backing to make sure it\u2019s nice and secure!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What size jewelry will my initial piercing jewelry be?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What does \u201cdownsizing\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I bring in my own jewelry?&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not allow clients to bring in outside jewelry. The APP has very stringent guidelines regarding what types of metals can and cannot be used in studios with their certification. We must be able to verify at the manufacturing level the quality of the jewelry being used. Most fashion jewelry available to clients is not considered body safe and is often the wrong size for long term wear in the body. We also use autoclave sterilization machines in our studio and most fashion jewelry cannot be autoclaved, meaning we could not sterilize it before use. If you have jewelry that is from a brand that we carry that was purchased at another studio you can reach out to verify that we would be able to install that piece for you, but please be aware that we will not install jewelry that has scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I bring in jewelry that I previously purchased from The Exotic Body?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fresh backing must be used in any new piercing, but the tops can be reused. Any jewelry, including tops and backings, that has been previously purchased from us can be removed and installed into other <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healed<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> piercings, as long as the jewelry does not have scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues. A fresh backing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">must<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be used in any new piercing. Rings can only be reused in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healed <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">piercings. Seam rings that have been bent out of and back into shape multiple times do tend to eventually lose their shape, so we wouldn\u2019t recommend clients do this a lot; if you want a ring style that better accommodates being moved between piercings we would recommend a clicker style.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know exactly what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing, the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my piercing appointment if I need to pick something out to be pierced with?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Why can\u2019t I start out my piercing with a ring?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>When can I change my piercing to a hoop\/ add a chain or charm?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your piercing should be fully healed before attempting to change the shape of the jewelry or add anything that dangles from the jewelry, like a chain or charm. We give our clients recommended healing times for their piercings based on the most likely time it ill take you to heal the piercing in a specific area, but these healing times do not account for personal health and hygiene habits, any instances of irritation or infection or improper care of the piercing for any period of time. If your piercing is still sore or tender to the touch, there is still redness in the tissue surrounding the piercing site, or you have an irritation bump we do not recommend changing to a hoop or adding a chain or charm, wait until these symptoms subside or you could make the situation worse\/prolong the healing time even more or cause the piercing site to never completely heal. We know you can\u2019t wait to get the piercing jewelry you\u2019ve been dreaming of, but patience is the most important aspect if you are encountering any issues with healing, you\u2019ll get there eventually; just stay diligent with aftercare, wait it out, and as always, come see us for a check up if needed!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>My piercing is healed, can I remove the jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from healed piercings and have the piercings stay open for weeks, months, even years, while other clients remove jewelry and find that their piercings have closed in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. There is no way for us to predict which of these types of clients you will be, so taking out jewelry from a piercing is always a risk. Sometimes the piercing doesn\u2019t close all the way, but may shrink to a smaller gauge size or even partially close on one side, preventing jewelry from being able to be reinserted safely at home. Anytime the skin would need to be punctured or poked back through, even a small layer of skin, would be considered a piercing, so you shouldn\u2019t use anything other than a piercing needle to reopen that piercing; this should be done in a sterile environment by a professional, it is a re-piercing at this point. We have tools called insertion tapers that are made for slowly stretching back open a piercing that has begun shrinking down in gauge sizes, but not all piercings are able to use this technique to be reopened, that would be at your piercers discretion. The jewelry we carry is typically not meant to be changed often, we recommend choosing something you really love so that you can wear it for months or years. If you ever want to change up your jewelry we have thousands of options in a variety of designs, metals, and stones to choose from, just book a jewelry purchase appointment to come in and choose something!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What if I need to hide\/cover my piercing for work\/school\/sports, etc?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer several different options for more discreet piercing jewelry. Depending on the piercing; we have pieces that look like freckles, flat disks, and very small jewelry options. These types of jewelry are not typically suitable for very fresh piercings, so we recommend not getting a new piercing during a time when you may need to conceal it. We also carry glass retainers, typically made for medical procedures, like MRIs and surgeries. These glass retainers are typically made for temporary wear and we cannot perform a fresh piercing with retainers. You should not wear glass retainers while playing sports. If your sports team requires you to not wear jewelry during play you should remove jewelry or cover it in an acceptable manner according to team\/league rules.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>I have to have an MRI\/Surgery\/Medical Procedure that requires me to remove my jewelry, what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer jewelry removal services! If your piercing is well healed you can schedule a removal close to the date of your procedure and have us remove any jewelry you would like, there is a $20 service fee for removals.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your piercings are fresh, you cannot get an appointment close to the time of your procedure, or you\u2019re at all worried about your piercings closing up during the time they will need to be removed we offer Pyrex piercing retainers that are safe for wear during an MRI and most medical procedures. The retainers are $15 each. Not all piercings have retainers that are available, so it\u2019s best to check with us prior to booking an appointment to be sure we have a suitable retainer for your piercing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What jewelry options do you have for children?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of our jewelry is either implant grade titanium or solid gold, so you don\u2019t need to worry about which option is safe, because they both are! We specialize in gold jewelry so we have the most options available in yellow, rose, or white gold, but our&nbsp; titanium collection has a plethora of lovely pieces you and your child will love as well, so you really can\u2019t go wrong. Titanium pieces start at about $20 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $25-37 range and Gold starts at about $70 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $90-150 range. Each piece of jewelry will need a backing to go with it, these are implant-grade titanium and cost $16.50 each. We do offer gold backings, but they are most commonly worn in healed piercings, as the initial length backings are only worn for a short period of time before being downsized. Gold backings start at $85 each.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children\u2019s earlobe piercings ages 5-13 are $50 each, Children 14 + are able to get earlobe, simple upper cartilage piercings, nostril and septum piercings and the piercing fees are $40 each (septum piercings are $50 each). Children aged 16 + can also get more advanced upper cartilage piercings and navel piercings- the piercing fees are $40 each.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Where can I purchase more jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer jewelry purchase appointments so that you can come in and purchase a new piece of jewelry that you can be sure is completely safe and high quality. We have pieces from a number of brands including, Industrial Strength, BVLA, Pupil Hall, Buddha Jewelry Organics, Tawapa, and Body Gems, plus more! Our jewelry collection has thousands of pieces in lots of different styles, designs and shapes, plus we offer custom ordering from a number of brands! Most jewelry companies that offer high quality body jewelry do not ship directly to clients, so if you find something that you\u2019d love from a brand that we carry we would be happy to place an order for you with them, just reach out!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fashion jewelry, often seen in places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc. Is typically meant only for temporary wear and should not be left in piercings long term. Jewelry companies that are not associated with piercing studios do not have to follow the same regulations that a body piercing facility have to follow and often include designs with gauge sizes considered too small for safe wear, externally threaded pieces, and can include non-body safe materials like nickel or silver. Please exercise caution when purchasing and wearing these types of jewelry; unsafe jewelry can cause irritations, tearing and damage to an otherwise healthy piercing, even after it is healed, and can lead to the piercing needing to be removed entirely. If you decide to wear fashion jewelry and notice a reaction you should remove the jewelry immediately and return to wearing the piece that was purchased from us.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were pierced elsewhere and that facility used jewelry that is causing an irritation, discomfort or a reaction you\u2019re welcome to book a checkup or jewelry purchase appointment so that we can find something suitable and safe for your piercing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What is the smallest gauge size that you carry?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smallest gauge size that we carry is 18g. When jewelry is thinner than 18g the likelihood of rejection, migration and tearing are significantly higher. Thinner jewelry can sometimes get pushed out of the body, like a splinter. The body recognizes jewelry as a foreign object and has to heal around and regulate itself with the piece of jewelry still inside, which is why piercings take longer to heal than surface wounds. When jewelry is too thin the body has a harder time accepting it and will more often work to remove the foreign object from the body, which can lead to rejection of the jewelry completely. We often get clients who would like 20g jewelry (typically for nostril or ear piercings), as they would like a smaller, daintier look for their jewelry. 20g and 22g jewelry is common among fashion jewelry brands and is typically not considered body safe. 20g and 22g hoops are especially common and jewelry this thin can start to have what is called the \u201ccheese wire effect\u201d causing tearing and migration. Think of the thin wires used in a cheese cutting device, they are extremely thin and feel sharp to the touch and are dragged through the hard surface of the cheese, cutting and tearing the cheese; now think of how that process would look in your body- ouch! This effect can also happen with jewelry that is too tight, causing pulling and tearing to the piercing site which can permanently change the placement, angle and health of the piercing. We always recommend that rings, chains and other pieces have enough room to sit comfortably against, not pushing or pulling on, the tissue around your piercing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Why do you only have a few items available on your online store?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are constantly working on adding more items to our online store, however our online store will never offer every item we have in stock. We stock a number of brands, with thousands and thousands of individual items and we don\u2019t have the staff to maintain a large online store presence without taking away from the experience for our in-shop clients. Piercing jewelry is also not a \u201cone size fits all\u201d type of shopping experience; sure there are some things we use more often for certain piercings than others, and we can always guess at sizes, but we don\u2019t offer returns on body jewelry (we never reuse jewelry that has potentially been inside of a person\u2019s body) so if you end up purchasing an incorrect size or an incompatible piece of jewelry there\u2019s not really anything we can do. We have also had clients purchase jewelry and then break it in the process of trying to install it themselves, at which point we are unable to send it back to the manufacturers for repairs, and we never want to see that happen. We offer checkups, insertions, removals, and jewelry purchase appointments for these reasons and we always recommend coming in to see a professional so we can avoid any of these issues. If you are looking to purchase a replacement piece for something that you have purchased here and we are able to find the exact item in our sales system we can always let you know the size, style, materials, etc. of a piece you purchased from us and we would be happy to offer a porch pickup for those items if you feel absolutely confident that you will be able to install the piece yourself.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How do custom orders work?&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer custom orders from a number of brands. How customized the piece can be depends on the brands. Some brands, like BVLA and Industrial Strength have a plethora of metal, stone and size options, so they have the highest chance at being the most flexible when it comes to changing up an existing design to fit your size or aesthetic needs. Custom orders from BVLA begin being made when the order is placed and can take several months to arrive, so keep this in mind when deciding to place an order. Industrial Strength has slightly less customization options than BVLA and they specialize in titanium (though they have begun to expand their gold selection) but we can get custom orders from them a lot faster. Brands like Pupil Hall, who offer \u201cdrops\u201d of their jewelry do not offer custom orders, as their jewelry is typically released once or twice a year and we are put on a waitlist for these drops. Instagram is a great place to check out the different brands we offer and see which items we carry from those brands. If you see a brand that we carry and find something on their site that we do not carry in store feel free to reach out to see if we can get it ordered for you! If you decide to cancel a custom order after the order has started the manufacturing process you are required to pay a 15% cancellation fee per item.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can you ship jewelry to me?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can! We have some items available in our online store that can be shipped to your location. If you would like to purchase something from us that you don\u2019t see in our online store please reach out! If we have the item in stock we can get an invoice sent over and ship it out as soon as it\u2019s paid. If we don\u2019t currently have that item in stock and that brand offers custom orders we will set that up for you, the wait times vary significantly between brands, so you may need to have some patience, but we can get exactly what you need!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Do you offer gift cards?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do! Just check out our online store to purchase a gift card or stop by during regular business hours. Gift cards can also be purchased on our Square Appointments profile through the Square site or App.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I buy jewelry as a gift?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love when friends, family, or partners want to purchase jewelry as a gift, but it can be tricky unless you\u2019re prepared! Piercing jewelry is not one size fits all, so if you are planning on purchasing jewelry as a gift you will need to know the correct size\/fit to purchase for them. Stud style jewelry is inserted into a backing that has a gauge size and length, so you will need to know both of these sizes when making a purchase ( or just purchase the top and let them purchase the backing another time). Hoops are the most difficult to purchase for someone else unless they already wear a hoop in that piercing and you know the exact size and style. Hoops have a gauge size and a diameter, so you will need to know both of these sizes when purchasing a hoop. The closure and style of a ring can affect how the ring fits in the piercing, so unless you are purchasing something very similar to something they already wear it can be hard to know exactly how the ring will sit in the piercing, so please keep this in mind.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sounds too complicated? We suggest buying your special someone a gift card unless you\u2019re VERY sure that you have the sizing correct!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\/ curations?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Why are ear stylings so expensive?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Styled or curated ears you see on social media- tiktok, pinterest, instagram, etc. have typically been built up over the course of several appointments and months or years of choosing and collecting jewelry to achieve the final look. Occasionally clients will come in and do an overhaul of their jewelry collection to achieve a new or upgraded look, but these clients have typically saved and prepared for their appointments knowing that it will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a lot of jewelry at once. Our gold studs start at about $70 each for the most basic options with no stones and go up from there; we even have individual pieces that cost upwards of $1000, so depending on the look you\u2019re going for it can get very expensive. Patience is key when building a jewelry collection, find pieces you love, save and invest in timeless pieces you really love and that will work well with other pieces and build your collection a piece or two at a time and you\u2019ll get there eventually! Think of it like building up a wardrobe of high quality clothing- most people don\u2019t buy their entire wardrobe in one shopping trip, they find their style and work to find pieces that will work with what they already have and invest in pieces they really love over time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What do I do if I lose my jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Exotic Body is not responsible for lost jewelry. If you snag your jewelry, remove it, the pieces become unthreaded, unseated fully or separated and the jewelry falls out we will not replace it. Keeping your threaded balls tight and your ends seated in their backings once they have been installed tightly is your responsibility. You should check the ends regularly to ensure they have not gotten loosened in any way. If you need to replace a lost piece of jewelry you can book a jewelry purchase appointment. If your jewelry was purchased in the last year we should be able to look it up in our system and find you an exact match and get it installed. If you think you are able to reinstall the jewelry yourself and we are able to find the piece in our system you are welcome to arrange a porch pickup for your piece; please call or email us to set up a porch pickup.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What if my jewelry breaks?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry brands that we carry at The Exotic Body have a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty, so if a piece ever breaks due to a manufacturing error we would be happy to send it back to the brand for repairs\/replacement; this process varies by brand so please reach out so that we can discuss best options for your piece. You will need to bring in the broken jewelry so that we can visually inspect it and send it in for repairs if that is the policy of that brand. Please reach out as soon as it happens so that we can get it taken care of right away. Manufacturers warranties do not cover user error, such as- taking jewelry in and out and snapping the pin, snagging jewelry and bending\/ breaking part of it, bending rings open and closed incorrectly causing them to become misshapen, etc. If something like this happens we would be happy to check it out and see if it\u2019s something we can help you get fixed, but we cannot guarantee it can be fixed. Some brands offer repair services for a cost- typically the cost materials and a repair fee, but not all brands offer this service and whether or not a piece can be repaired depends entirely on the extent of damage. If you have any concerns about your jewelry please reach out to us so that we can discuss options for you and your specific case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What if I end up not liking my new piercing\/jewelry?&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide that you end up not liking how a piercing looks on you all you need to do is remove the jewelry and keep the wound clean while it heals closed. If you have trouble removing the jewelry you can always come in for a jewelry removal appointment.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the placement of your new piercing seems off please reach out as soon as you notice it so that we can get you scheduled for a re-piercing with your piercer. Re-piercings need to be performed by the same piercer who performed your initial piercing (if for some reason you\u2019d prefer to see a different piercer please reach out, we need to set up re-piercing appointments with other piercers differently from our normal appointments)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you end up purchasing jewelry and decide you don\u2019t like the style, shape, size, etc. you\u2019re welcome to keep it in good condition and we can re-sterilize it for another piercing location another time. Since body jewelry is worn inside the body we are unable to reuse backings or surface bars for fresh piercings, but we can always move a top or ring to a different location in a healed piercing as long as it is not damaged in any way.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer refunds on body jewelry. The Exotic Body is not responsible for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lost<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> jewelry, but if for some reason your jewelry breaks (like a stone falls out or a pin breaks, etc.) we will replace\/repair it based on its manufacturer\u2019s warranty, you will just need to bring the piece in for us to send it to them for replacement\/repair.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>My jewelry is embedded in my body, what do I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your jewelry has sunk down into your piercing, you have swelled at the piercing site to an extent that the skin is covering the jewelry in any way or you no longer see the jewelry in your body, but it has not fallen out or been removed please make an appointment to come in right away or see a medical professional. Depending on the extent of the embedding we should be able to remove the jewelry in the studio, but there have been cases where we have referred a client to the emergency room. Embedded jewelry is an emergency and should not be ignored. Sometimes we are able to get a much longer or larger piece of jewelry to put into the piercing and save the piercing, sometimes it means the piercing will need to be removed and healed, depending on the extent of the embedding, the health of the piercing and the circumstances that led to the piercing becoming embedded in the first place.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>I think I\u2019m having an allergic reaction to the jewelry; what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allergic reactions to implant grade jewelry are rare, but they do happen! Most often clients who think they have a metal allergy have been exposed to low quality metals like nickel and aluminum. All of our jewelry is made from implant grade titanium, steel or gold. All of our white gold jewelry is colored white using palladium, not nickel, which a lot of people are allergic to! Gold plated or painted jewelry that is simply sold as \u201cgold\u201d jewelry can cause allergic reactions if the plating or paint flakes or rubs off, exposing the skin to the lower quality metals underneath.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSurgical steel\u201d is one of the most commonly mis-understood names for metals in the industry. The term \u201csurgical steel\u201d is not used by body jewelry manufacturers and is instead a marketing term coined by jewelry sales companies. Clients will sometimes come in for a piercing and say they can \u201conly wear solid gold\u201d because they\u2019ve had an allergic reaction to \u201csurgical steel\u201d in the past; the good news is that high-quality titanium and steel jewelry does exist! We have a few pieces of implant grade steel in stock here, but this type of steel is different from those marketed as \u201csurgical steel\u201d because it is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">implant grade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, body safe, stainless steel that is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant. In our studio we primarily use implant grade titanium instead of steel.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have not had any clients come in with an allergy to the titanium that we carry, but we do have a few regular clients who are allergic to gold! If you get a new piercing and you immediately experience <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">swelling, a rash, redness, itching, peeling, dark spots, or blistering we encourage you to come in for a checkup so we can determine if you are possibly allergic to your jewelry. Allergic reactions typically happen immediately and don\u2019t pop up later into the healing process, so if things were going well and then all of a sudden you experience these symptoms there is likely another cause, but you should still come in for a check up!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Will oral piercings damage my teeth\/gums?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All oral piercings pose a risk to your overall oral health and can do damage to teeth and gums. There are some things that you can do to help minimize your risk of damage, but there is no way to guarantee that damage will not occur. If you decide to get an oral piercing you should know that you are opening yourself up to the risk of tooth and gum damage. Some piercings pose less of a risk than others, but all piercings in and around your mouth have the potential to cause oral damage.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a good oral hygiene routine is extremely important before you decide to get an oral piercing. Regular cleanings, brushing your teeth several times daily, flossing regularly and rinsing your mouth daily are all important steps to ensure your oral health and the health of oral piercings. Poor oral hygiene can lead to issues healing a piercing and can also prevent the piercing from ever healing completely.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The size of oral piercing jewelry greatly impacts your potential for damage. All oral piercings will swell when first pierced, most of them substantially, so we always oversize the initial jewelry to accommodate for this and avoid any kind of embedding. It is CRUCIAL that you downsize your oral jewelry in a timely manner, so you need to ensure that you are able to get yourself to a reputable piercer within your downsize timeframe to have your jewelry resized. Properly fitting jewelry helps to minimize the risk of oral damage, but depending on placement and individual anatomy, will not completely eliminate the risk; even perfectly fitted jewelry will rub on teeth and gums for certain piercing placements.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vertical labret and philtrum piercings are a good idea if you would like to get an oral piercing, but you are concerned about the long term effects to your teeth and gums. Vertical labret and philtrum piercings do not enter the inside of the mouth and are instead pierced fully through the exterior structures of the lip, providing a safer option for clients who want to minimize the risk for oral damage. Vertical philtrum and labret piercings are in high-movement areas, so they can be difficult to get used to and can be difficult to heal for some clients; you will need to avoid playing with your jewelry and ensure to downsize the jewelry so that it is an appropriate size for long term wear after initial swelling goes down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>My piercing is healed, but I still see buildup or \u201ccrusties\u201d around the jewelry, why is that?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should be cleaning your piercing areas as often as you cleanse other parts of your body. Just like you take regular showers\/baths or wash your face you should be cleaning your piercings regularly, even after they are healed. The buildup and residue seen on most clients jewelry is usually skin cells, dirt and oil, makeup or fibers from clothing\/bedding, this buildup should be able to be removed with regular washing with a mild soap and warm water. Saline washes are great for a quick rinse, but typically can\u2019t remove all buildup or residue on a piercing and should be used in conjunction with a regular mild soap wash. Some clients eventually stop seeing those \u201ccrusties\u201d on their piercings, some clients always have some type of buildup they need to remove regularly.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>My piercing\/jewelry smells bad, why is that?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes clients will complain that their piercing area or jewelry smells bad. This is pretty normal! Many people experience this, even with well healed piercings! The most common piercings we hear about are stretched lobes, septum and nostril piercings. Septum and nostril piercings are in the nose, so it makes sense that these piercings are complained about the most! The body creates oils, mucus, new skin cells, and other bodily fluids and sometimes these fluids have a scent to them. Washing your piercings regularly can help mitigate the problem. High quality jewelry can also help. Low quality jewelry is more likely to have chips and scratches; which can collect buildup and bacteria, which can lead to the jewelry smelling more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>PERMANENT JEWELRY&nbsp; FAQ:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How long will my permanent jewelry stay on?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your pieces will stay on for as long as you&#8217;d like! If for some reason you would like to remove your jewelry, simply cut the chain and save it if you&#8217;d like me to re-weld it in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What if my chain breaks? <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because your piece has no clasp and is measured to perfectly fit your wrist, ankle or neck, it should not break. However, if it does break, please save your chain and I&#8217;m happy to re-weld it for you for just the $20 service fee. These chains are strong but they aren\u2019t indestructible. Feel free to inspect your permanent jewelry before you leave to make sure you are satisfied. If the chain is missing, a new chain will need to be purchased.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I go through airport security with permanent jewelry?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Absolutely! TSA should not ask you to remove fine jewelry, so you&#8217;ll be able to take your permanent jewelry with you on all your adventures!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I get an MRI with a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your permanent jewelry should be removed before an MRI. Save your chain and I can re-weld it for you!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Who should not get permanent jewelry?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Those with pacemakers should not get permanent jewelry because of the welding process. Allergies to solid gold and titanium are rare, but those with allergies should not get permanent jewelry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>I&#8217;m a minor. Can I get a piece of permanent jewelry?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I&#8217;m happy to weld a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace on anyone over the age of 10. Those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Can I give permanent jewelry as a gift?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Absolutely! Because permanent jewelry is measured to fit each client individually I would recommend purchasing a gift card for the desired amount at Exoticbody.com<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Please reach out to Samantha@exoticbody.com if you have any other questions!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>TOOTH GEMS FAQ<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How long will my tooth gem stay on?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth gems are semi-permanent. Your oral hygiene, tooth health and lifestyle all play a part in how long the gem will stay on. We have clients who have had their tooth gems on for upwards of a year!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What kind of adhesive do you use?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We use a dental grade UV adhesive that is completely safe and long lasting.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How can I remove my tooth gem?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend booking an appointment with your dental office for removal<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><b><i>What design options do you carry?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer solid gold and gem options in a variety of designs. We carry simple, single stone options, butterflies, hearts, stars, dollar signs, even sports team logos! Feel free to reach out if you have a specific design in mind and we can check with our retailers to see if we can get it ordered for you! <\/span><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/p><b><i>\n<\/i><\/b><p><b><i><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Will my tooth gem damage my teeth?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth gems are totally safe and will not cause damage to teeth! We use a dental grade UV adhesive to adhere the gem design to your teeth, so there\u2019s never any risk of chipping, cracking or other damage to your oral health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1255\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1255\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Piercing Process\/Aftercare<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1255\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1255\"><p><b><i>Why should I get pierced at The Exotic Body versus another piercing shop?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have been serving the Sacramento area since 1990 and have a long history of offering high quality, safe piercings performed by professional, educated piercers. We are an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certified shop, meaning we have to adhere to the APP\u2019s strict standards regarding piercers education, shop cleanliness, jewelry quality and many more factors. We only ever carry jewelry that has been approved by the APP and offer manufacturers warranties on our jewelry! You can be sure you\u2019re in good hands with our piercers; they\u2019re always learning new and better ways to take care of our clients! We love our clients and we love working at The Exotic Body, so we\u2019re always going to ensure that we are doing our absolute best to be inclusive, educated, professional, and only offer the best of the best! We never like to speak badly of any other establishments; we can\u2019t speak to their education, quality or safety of their processes or jewelry, so we can\u2019t tell you if another shop is \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d, we can only offer our perspective that shops who care the most about their clients and will offer you the safest piercing experience typically prioritize client health over profits and shouldn\u2019t be carrying low quality jewelry, offering out-of-date aftercare advice or having other body modification professionals, like tattoo artists, cosmetologists, and even nurses offer piercings <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">without proper training<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (there are definitely professionals out there who have been trained in piercing AND other body modification techniques!) Knowing the latest sterilization techniques, proper use of PPE, and anatomy are all things these types of professionals should be knowledgeable in, but that doesn\u2019t always include the necessary education to be able to offer a piercing safely. We appreciate these professionals and all the hard work they put into their respective career fields, but you should always be looking for someone with specific <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIERCING<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> training to be performing a piercing on your body; your health is important!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How is an APP studio\/piercer different from another studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The APP <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. The APP has strict requirements for individual piercers and studios who wish to be a part of their organization including personal, environmental and education requirements. Members are required to be first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and CPR certified. They must abide by the APP\u2019s code of conduct- which requires members to follow strict safety standards regarding sterilization, technique, studio setup, professionalism and conduct with clients, discrimination and jewelry quality. The APP is dedicated to gathering and distributing the most current education for its members so that they are always up to date on technique, sterilization and safe practices. The APP holds a conference once a year where piercers, studio staff and studio owners can gather and take classes. The conference is about a week long with classes offered throughout the entire day on various techniques, safety procedures, discussion of important topics like aftercare, research and client relations and so much more. We always have members of our staff in attendance at conferences so we can ensure our studio is the most up-to-date on current educational and safety standards. State and Federal laws regarding body piercing are often not created or regulated by those with knowledge of the body modification industry and large companies are often able to use political means to ensure the regulations are fitted to protect the means by which they are currently operating rather than keeping up with industry advancements. This can lead to companies and smaller, non-APP regulated businesses using out-of-date practices, skimping on sterilization and sanitation, and offering sub-par jewelry. Regulations regarding the training of piercing professionals vary largely by area and often have hours requirements as low as a single hour required before staff are permitted to work on clients. We believe every client deserves to be pierced by currently educated, professional piercers and encourage you to check out safepiercing.org for more information regarding the APP and safe piercing in general!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Where can I learn more about safe piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We always encourage clients to do their own research! Having your own knowledge about the industry and the piercing process is incredibly helpful! Check out Safepiercing.org for tons of info from the Association of Professional Piercers.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min jewelry selection<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min performing piercing\/changing jewelry\/stretching\/ etc.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019ve heard that some piercings cannot be performed on all clients, why is that? What would the reasons be for a piercer declining to pierce me?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all piercings are suitable for every client. Many factors can contribute to a piercer deciding to decline a piercing. Improper anatomy is the most common reason our piercers decline piercings for clients. Industrial piercings, navel piercings and some genital piercings are extremely anatomy dependent, and if pierced on a client with improper anatomy to support the piercing, can lead to rejection, migration, tearing and the piercing not healing.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, with a navel piercing, the client needs to have a sufficient \u201cfold\u201d or amount of tissue on the top (or bottom- for reverse navel piercings) of their navel so that the piercing has sufficient tissue to support the jewelry without being too shallow. Industrial piercings require a sufficient amount of tissue along the ridge line of the upper ear and a very flat section for the bar to stretch across so that the bar does not push on or indent the tissue, which can lead to permanent scarring and grooves forming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During your appointment our piercers will ensure that the area you\u2019d like pierced is suitable for the piercing you wish to get, and offer alternatives (like different shaped jewelry, alternative placements, etc.) if there are alternatives that we believe would be suitable for you. If no alternative is possible, or you don\u2019t wish to proceed with an alternative, we will simply not do the piercing. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\u2019s something that you would like to do that day instead, but if a piercer decides to decline a piercing, just know that we are doing it for the health and safety of our clients. Declining piercings is not something we like to do, obviously we want you to feel your best and be able to get any piercing you\u2019d wish to have, but we always want to ensure that we are only performing piercings that would be safe for our clients!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you offer certain piercings for minors?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\/span><b><i>absolutely<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not offered and are<\/span> <b><i>illegal<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\/span><b><i>ever. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you use piercing guns?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \u201cIt is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. We consider unsafe any procedure that places vulnerable tissue in contact with either non-sterile equipment or jewelry that is not considered medically safe for long-term internal wear. Such procedures place the health of recipients at an unacceptable risk. For this reason, APP members may not use reusable ear piercing guns for any type of piercing procedure. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While piercing guns may seem to be a quick, easy and convenient way of creating holes, they have major drawbacks in terms of sterility, tissue damage and inappropriate jewelry design.<\/span><\/p><p><b>REUSABLE EAR PIERCING GUNS CAN PUT CLIENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF PREVIOUS CLIENTS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. <\/span><b>PIERCING GUNS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TISSUE DAMAGE. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as \u201cblunt force trauma.\u201d At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect. This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. <\/span><b>MISUSE OF EAR PIERCING GUNS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though many manufacturers\u2019 instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun practitioners do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow establishments using piercing guns to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of public health.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How much will it hurt?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the toughest question for us to answer! Every person experiences the piercing process differently; some clients have no problem getting a new piercing, but find the healing process to be arduous and uncomfortable, a lot of clients find that some piercings are easier to handle than others, and sometimes a piercing that you may have done more than once can feel different each time it\u2019s performed. Technique, client preparation and general health, stress levels and diet, nerves, and so many more factors can affect how a piercing feels. Piercings performed in more sensitive areas, like nipple and genital piercings, tend to elicit more of a reaction from clients during the piercing process. We find that the most common ways clients describe the piercing process is \u201cit feels like a pinch\u201d, \u201cit feels similar to getting a vaccination\u201d, and \u201cit feels like a lot of pressure\u201d. We typically find that clients\u2019 idea of what the piercing will feel like when they are imagining it in their minds is usually worse than the actual experience, we often hear \u201coh, I thought that would be so much worse\u201d after a piercing is completed. Typically the piercing portion of the procedure is over in just a few short seconds, most of the time of your appointment will be for choosing jewelry, completing paperwork, cleaning and marking, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important thing to remember is that we\u2019re here for you, to walk you through the process, to help you work through any fear you may be feeling, and to support you through the piercing and healing process. If you would be more comfortable bringing a guest with you to your appointment please do so!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Will you numb the area before performing the piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical numbing agents are not recommended when getting a piercing for a number of reasons. First, topical numbing agents only work on the top layers of skin, it\u2019s not like a local anesthetic administered in a medical setting (which piercers are not qualified to administer or offer), so you will absolutely still feel the needle pierce the tissue. Second, products that numb the skin change the elasticity and texture of the skin which can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings. Please do not apply topical numbing agents prior to your piercing appointment, our piercers are trained to work with normal, unaltered tissue and anatomy and applying these products, especially when the piercer is unaware, can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What if I pass out?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our piercers are all trained in how to handle clients fainting during or after a piercing. There are many reasons people may faint, feel dizzy or get lightheaded during a piercing. It\u2019s best to eat at least 4 hours prior to getting a piercing, and we recommend clients eat something with sugar or protein. Clients should also be hydrated prior to getting a piercing, and be sure to drink lots of water after as well, especially in the summer months. We keep our studio a little cooler than most businesses to help keep clients cool and relaxed. We are prepared with water bottles and ice packs in the event that you do pass out and will ensure that you are feeling back to normal before leaving the studio. Please be aware that clients who faint during a piercing procedure will often have fainting symptoms again later in the day and may faint a second time later in the day after the first time they pass out, so please be extra careful when doing any other activities after getting pierced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why does it take so long for a piercing to heal?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healing a piercing is similar to healing a wound. The depth, complexity, type of tissue, general health and care of the area all factor into how long a piercing will take to heal. Unlike healing a surface wound however, healing a piercing is a bit more complex as the body is attempting to heal with a foreign object (jewelry) inside it. Healing a piercing takes time, patience, and dedication! Be gentle on yourself if you run into problems related to healing, it happens to lots of people (even piercers!). Sometimes you can be doing everything right- get pierced by a reputable, professional piercer, use high-quality jewelry, keep up with aftercare diligently, etc.- and still have a hard time healing, and that\u2019s okay! Stress, diet, health, lifestyle, and many other factors, some you may not even think about, can have an effect on healing. We\u2019ve had clients have a hard time healing piercings due to stress from finals, moving, family issues, etc. We\u2019ve had clients have a hard time healing because they got sick unexpectedly or have a condition that they didn\u2019t realize could impact healing a piercing- like a connective tissue disorder, eating disorder, or even anemia- to name a few.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercings are performed in a variety of locations. Some piercings are in very vascular areas, some piercings are in soft tissue, some piercings are in cartilage, some piercings are in high-movement areas, some are not; all of these factors can have an impact on healing times. Cartilage piercings can take 9 months to a year to heal fully and some clients may continue to feel tenderness in these areas even after they are considered \u201chealed\u201d depending on the jewelry type\/size\/style and other lifestyle factors- in most cases the tenderness will eventually subside, it may just take some time, be patient \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How many piercings can I get in one appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The complexity and difficulty of receiving or healing a piercing will greatly affect how many piercings we would recommend getting at once. Piercings like earlobes, simple cartilage piercings, nostrils and septums are typically easier to heal than piercings like daiths, rooks, oral piercings, industrials, etc. Multiple piercings in one area, like double or triple helix and nostril piercings or piercings in high movement areas like navels, tongue, and surface\/dermal piercings may be best performed one at a time to allow the body to focus on healing each piercing. You should avoid sleeping on a fresh piercing, especially cartilage piercings,\u00a0 so if you are a side sleeper we would recommend piercing one ear at a time and allowing some time for it to heal before piercing the other side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All in all, it really depends on which piercings you will be getting as far as what we would recommend, but just for time constraints we typically only allow a client to get 3 to 4 piercings during a single appointment. For piercings that require extra precision in marking, like paired nostrils, lips and eyebrow piercings we ask that you don\u2019t get any other piercings in that appointment, nobody wants these piercings to be rushed!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Are there piercings that you will not perform? Why?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are piercings that our studio does not offer. Some are due to safety concerns related to healing, long term wear or damage to the body, or age restrictions we have in place. Any time we will not perform a piercing on a client it is for that client\u2019s safety.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes clients don\u2019t have the anatomy necessary for us to safely perform the piercing they would like to get. The most common piercings this occurs with are navel and industrial piercings. These piercings require specific anatomy for them to heal properly and if they are performed on a client with unsuitable anatomy the chance of rejection, migration, and issues healing greatly increases. Remember, we are here to help and we always want you to get the piercings that you want, so if a piercer declines to pierce you they are doing so because they do not feel it is safe. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\u2019s what you would like, but we will not perform a piercing on a client if we do not think they have the appropriate anatomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another reason we might decline a piercing is due to age restrictions we have in place. We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\/span><b><i>absolutely<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not offered and are<\/span> <b><i>illegal<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\/span><b><i>ever. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some piercings are not considered safe and should not be performed by any piercer for any reason. Less reputable studios often offer these piercings at client request with no regard for the long term effects on the clients health and healing. For example \u201cfrog eyes\u201d or \u201cscoop\u201d piercings- a tongue piercing performed with a curved barbell placed horizontally in the tongue, piercings performed in dangerous areas like mandibular, uvular, hand or feet piercings, or piercings performed in tissue that cannot support jewelry like eyelids or finger webbing; these are not considered safe piercings and should not be performed by any piercer, for any reason.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At our studio we do not offer double tongue piercings or cheek piercings. There are definitely very skilled, very educated piercers out there who may be offering these piercings without issue, but they take a lot of anatomy consideration, education and a very, very skilled piercer to be performed safely, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if they can be performed safely at all <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(this is a widely debated topic in the piercing community), and should only be performed by a piercer who is specialized in these specific piercings. We recommend doing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extensive<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> research and finding a piercer who offers these piercings as a specialty and has lots of experience and a portfolio of these piercings <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">specifically<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before choosing to get these piercings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPlay Piercings\u201d are piercings that are performed for the experience of receiving the piercing and are very very temporary (typically removed almost immediately) Play piercings are not performed with the intention of wearing the jewelry. A common example of play piercing is the corset piercing, typically performed in rows on each side of the back and then a ribbon or tie is laced through the rings. We do not offer play piercings in our studio and encourage any person interested in performing or receiving these types of piercings to do extensive research and seek out a professional who offers this type of service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t all of the piercers in your studio offer the same services?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We sometimes have piercers working in our studio who are working during a piercing apprenticeship- all piercings performed while an apprentice is practicing are special piercings booked in advance by our staff and are performed under the supervision of the apprentice\u2019s mentor. Apprentices work for years and slowly build up their range of offerings, for example we may have a piercer who is still working on more advanced piercings as part of an apprenticeship but are open and offering regular services they have already mastered. Any piercer who is available for a service to be booked by clients has experience and education to fully perform that piercing. If a service is not available to be booked by a specific piercer they likely just don\u2019t offer that piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare for my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s VERY important that you arrive at your appointment having eaten and hydrated! We ask that clients eat within 4 hours of their appointment to make sure you\u2019re feeling your best for the piercing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan ahead to account for possible traffic, having a downtown location means traffic is very unpredictable and events shut down portions of streets regularly. Paid street parking is available in front of the shop or you are welcome to park in our driveway. Please do not park in adjacent business\u2019 parking lots, their parking is for their clients and you risk being towed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about the piercing(s) you\u2019ll be receiving and dress appropriately. If you\u2019re getting a piercing that would require you to undress partially it\u2019s always a good idea to wear clothing that can be easily removed and don\u2019t wear too many layers. Don\u2019t wear white if you are getting a piercing that has a tendency to spot bleed, like genital piercings or nipple piercings.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what jewelry you might like to see in your piercing; we have a massive selection, with thousands and thousands of different pieces, and new ones coming in all the time! The more info you can give your piercer regarding the visual aspect of your piercing the easier it will be for them to pull pieces for you. If you\u2019d like to check out some of the jewelry\/brands we carry, check out our Instagram @theexoticbody where we have lots of photos of jewelry, both on and off of clients.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review any relevant policies or information related to your piercing at exoticbody.com or reach out with any questions that you may have.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you experience any symptoms of illness, or are feeling generally unwell prior to your appointment please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can reschedule you to another date.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Who should I bring with me to my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing a friend, partner, or family member along to your piercing appointment can be a fun way to bond, ease nerves or allow someone who may be thinking about getting a new piercing to see the process before deciding! We love when clients bring in a guest to their appointments, we just have a few suggestions to make the process fun for everyone involved. Consider your guest\u2019s level of comfort in the environment; if you\u2019re asking someone to be your guest at your appointment, especially if you want them to be in the room while you\u2019re being pierced,\u00a0 you should ensure they will be comfortable enough to watch the procedure happen and feel comfortable in a piercing shop environment (some people get nervous with how much the studio looks like a medical office or they may not be comfortable seeing needles and tools). Consider <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comfort level and relationship with the person if you are getting a piercing in a more private area like nipples or genitals (if you want to bring a friend but not have them in the room during the piercing they\u2019re welcome to wait in the lobby!). Consider how your guest feels about the piercing itself, there\u2019s nothing worse than an unsupportive partner or friend making the experience more difficult, making negative comments, or telling the client they don\u2019t want them to get pierced to begin with; if YOU want the piercing and YOU are excited you shouldn\u2019t bring someone along who is discouraging or negative about the experience, it\u2019s your body after all and someone who cares about you shouldn\u2019t make you feel badly about a decision you\u2019ve made for yourself &#8211; if your guest is being particularly negative or very vocal that they aren\u2019t supportive we will ask them to wait in the lobby. Guests at piercing appointments should be supportive, comforting, and someone you trust.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An especially difficult situation we sometimes find ourselves in is when minor clients come in with parents who have reluctantly agreed to let their child get a piercing when they aren\u2019t really happy about it or would rather them not have it. Obviously any minor getting a piercing must be accompanied by their parent\/guardian and their parent needs to give permission for the piercing to happen, but we have experienced situations where the parent has agreed to let the child get a piercing they want and the parent clearly doesn\u2019t like it and sometimes they will vocalize this; whether it\u2019s a dislike of piercings in general or thinking a piercing will not look good on their child, to our staff, which can put us in an uncomfortable situation where the parent expects us to discourage the child from getting pierced or pick a side in an argument that is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">really<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not our place to be a part of in the first place. We see this most often with older teenagers who may want facial piercings, upper cartilage piercings or navel piercings. This is a discussion that should be happening <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prior to your appointment <\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">between you and your child<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you as the parent are really uncomfortable with your child getting a piercing you need to weigh the decision <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prior<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to agreeing to bring them in. We get that parents and children often have different ideas about piercings,\u00a0 when <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and if<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> someone should get certain piercings, or the look of piercings in general; some parents don\u2019t want their children to have any piercings until they are 18 and can make the decision themselves and that\u2019s totally okay, but if you do decide to allow your child to get a new piercing and then get to the appointment and vocalize how much you don\u2019t like the piercing or how much you don\u2019t want them to get pierced it puts a lot of pressure on you, the child and staff.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We can\u2019t tell you when the right time to allow your child to get a piercing is, that\u2019s an incredibly personal decision you and your family need to make for themselves, but if you do agree to bring your child in and get a piercing we would please ask that you have thoroughly discussed everything beforehand and are <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sure<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you want them to have the piercing and you are in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full support<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you have questions about the process, would like to speak with a piercer before hand, or need more understanding of healing, aftercare and jewelry options before you\u2019re able to make your choice <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we\u2019re <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ALWAYS<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> here to help<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; please feel free to give us a call or send us an email or DM on social media so that we can help you feel as prepared as possible and mitigate any issues before your appointment is booked; we find the more knowledgeable and informed a parent and child are the smoother the process goes and everyone is more likely to leave happy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would like to bring in multiple guests or get pierced in a group we would appreciate it if you let us know ahead of time. We have a small studio space and the piercers need space to work so we sometimes need time to prepare if you are coming in a group. Please keep in mind that depending on the piercers comfort level, the size of the group and the number of piercings being performed we may ask that only one guest accompany you into the jewelry or piercing room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minors are not permitted as guests during appointments. Please arrange for any necessary childcare prior to your appointment. We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced prior to booking an appointment for the younger child; wh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ile we do offer children\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. Clients are not permitted to hold children while being pierced, this puts you, the child and our piercer in danger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\/ curations?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What if I end up not liking my new piercing\/jewelry?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide that you end up not liking how a piercing looks on you all you need to do is remove the jewelry and keep the wound clean while it heals closed. If you have trouble removing the jewelry you can always come in for a jewelry removal appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the placement of your new piercing seems off please reach out as soon as you notice it so that we can get you scheduled for a re-piercing with your piercer. Re-piercings need to be performed by the same piercer who performed your initial piercing (if for some reason you\u2019d prefer to see a different piercer please reach out, we need to set up re-piercing appointments with other piercers differently from our normal appointments)<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you end up purchasing jewelry and decide you don\u2019t like the style, shape, size, etc. you\u2019re welcome to keep it in good condition and we can re-sterilize it for another p, barbells, or dermal\/surface bars for fresh piercings, but we can always move a top or ring to a different location in a healed piercing as long as it is not damaged in any way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer refunds on body jewelry. The Exotic Body is not responsible for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lost<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> jewelry, but if for some reason your jewelry breaks (like a stone falls out or a pin breaks, etc.) we will replace\/repair it based on its manufacturer\u2019s warranty, you will just need to bring the piece in for us to send it to them for replacement\/repair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What size will my initial piercing jewelry be?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings, or piercings that use barbells) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What does \u201cdownsizing\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Why can\u2019t I start out my piercing with a ring?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style. We have found that clients tend to have significant healing issues when pierced using rings, so we do not offer them for most piercings.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>When can I change my piercing to a hoop\/ add a chain or charm?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your piercing should be fully healed before attempting to change the shape of the jewelry or add anything that dangles from the jewelry, like a chain or charm. We give our clients recommended healing times for their piercings based on the most likely time it will take you to heal the piercing in a specific area, but these healing times do not account for personal health and hygiene habits, any instances of irritation or infection or improper care of the piercing for any period of time. If your piercing is still sore or tender to the touch, there is still redness in the tissue surrounding the piercing site, or you have an irritation bump we do not recommend changing to a hoop or adding a chain or charm, wait until these symptoms subside or you could make the situation worse\/prolong the healing time even more or cause the piercing site to never completely heal. We know you can\u2019t wait to get the piercing jewelry you\u2019ve been dreaming of, but patience is the most important aspect if you are encountering any issues with healing, you\u2019ll get there eventually; just stay diligent with aftercare, wait it out, and as always, come see us for a check up if needed!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can\/should I re-pierce a location I had pierced previously?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every persons\u2019 body is different and the circumstances under which your jewelry was removed, as well as when it was originally performed and how it healed, play a big role in the health of the tissue. We typically recommend that clients wait at least double the length of time the jewelry was in their body before coming back in to get re-pierced. Typically re-piercing in the same spot is not an issue, but it can be depending on several different factors. Depending on the severity of the scar tissue your piercer may elect not to perform the piercing or they may suggest an alternative placement that may end up being better suited to your situation. If you\u2019re not sure whether a piercing location would be a good idea to re-pierce we would suggest making a check up appointment so that a piercer can do an examination and let you know.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Will oral piercings damage my teeth\/gums?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All oral piercings pose a risk to your overall oral health and can do damage to teeth and gums. There are some things that you can do to help minimize your risk of damage, but there is no way to guarantee that damage will not occur. If you decide to get an oral piercing you should know that you are opening yourself up to the risk of tooth and gum damage. Some piercings pose less of a risk than others, but all piercings in and around your mouth have the potential to cause oral damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a good oral hygiene routine is extremely important before you decide to get an oral piercing. Regular cleanings, brushing your teeth several times daily, flossing regularly and rinsing your mouth daily are all important steps to ensure your oral health and the health of oral piercings. Poor oral hygiene can lead to issues healing a piercing and can also prevent the piercing from ever healing completely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The size of oral piercing jewelry greatly impacts your potential for damage. All oral piercings will swell when first pierced, most of them substantially, so we always oversize the initial jewelry to accommodate for this and avoid any kind of embedding. It is CRUCIAL that you downsize your oral jewelry in a timely manner, so you need to ensure that you are able to get yourself to a reputable piercer within your downsize timeframe to have your jewelry resized. Properly fitting jewelry helps to minimize the risk of oral damage, but depending on placement and individual anatomy, will not completely eliminate the risk; even perfectly fitted jewelry will rub on teeth and gums for certain piercing placements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vertical labret and philtrum piercings are a good idea if you would like to get an oral piercing, but you are concerned about the long term effects to your teeth and gums. Vertical labret and philtrum piercings do not enter the inside of the mouth and are instead pierced fully through the exterior structures of the lip, providing a safer option for clients who want to minimize the risk for oral damage. Vertical philtrum and labret piercings are in high-movement areas, so they can be difficult to get used to and can be difficult to heal for some clients; you will need to avoid playing with your jewelry and ensure to downsize the jewelry so that it is an appropriate size for long term wear after initial swelling goes down.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My child wants a non-earlobe piercing, what piercing would be best for them to get?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a very personal question that we have a hard time really answering for clients. You should have honest discussions with your child about the process, healing and aftercare involved, and potential for scarring at the piercing site if they decide to remove the piercing later. If your child still decides they would like to get a non-earlobe piercing you should then review the types of piercings offered by our studio. Of the piercings offered to minor clients in our studio, the septum is by far the easiest to heal- only a couple of saline rinses a day for about 4 weeks and clients rarely have problems. Septum piercings also produce no visible scar, as the entirety of the piercing site is inside the nose and depending on the jewelry chosen, can often be completely hidden from sight if needed by flipping the jewelry up inside the nose. Daith, rook, tragus, and navel piercings are some of the more difficult piercings that we offer to minors to heal- they take around 9 months to fully heal and require a lot more maintenance as far as aftercare. All of these considerations should be taken before booking an appointment and if you have any questions please reach out and we will be happy to help!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What is the smallest gauge size that you carry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smallest gauge size that we carry is 18g. When jewelry is thinner than 18g the likelihood of rejection, migration and tearing are significantly higher. Thinner jewelry can sometimes get pushed out of the body, like a splinter. The body recognizes jewelry as a foreign object and has to heal around and regulate itself with the piece of jewelry still inside, which is why piercings take longer to heal than surface wounds. When jewelry is too thin the body has a harder time accepting it and will more often work to remove the foreign object from the body, which can lead to rejection of the jewelry completely. We often get clients who would like 20g jewelry (typically for nostril or ear piercings), as they would like a smaller, daintier look for their jewelry. 20g and 22g jewelry is common among fashion jewelry brands and is typically not considered body safe. 20g and 22g hoops are especially common and jewelry this thin can start to have what is called the \u201ccheese wire effect\u201d causing tearing and migration. Think of the thin wires used in a cheese cutting device, they are extremely thin and feel sharp to the touch and are dragged through the hard surface of the cheese, cutting and tearing the cheese; now think of how that process would look in your body- ouch! This effect can also happen with jewelry that is too tight, causing pulling and tearing to the piercing site which can permanently change the placement, angle and health of the piercing. We always recommend that rings, chains and other pieces have enough room to sit comfortably against, not pushing or pulling on, the tissue around your piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What size needle do you use?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer a variety of different piercings that are all pierced with different sized needles. The smallest gauge size that we offer is 18g. The most common sizes that we use in the studio are 18g-10g. Earlobes and nostrils are typically pierced with an 18g needle, but may also use 16g and occasionally a 14g needle, depending on the client\u2019s long term piercing goals and anatomy. Cartilage piercings, like helix, daith, conch or rook piercings are typically pierced with 16g, 14g, or 12g needles, also depending on the clients long term piercing goals and anatomy. Sometimes we will use a slightly larger needle than the jewelry worn inside the piercing, to allow for an easier time healing- this technique varies client to client, is incredibly anatomy dependent and not used by all of our piercers. Nipple piercings are typically performed with 14g or 12g needles, though a 16g is occasionally used for clients with very small anatomy. Genital piercings vary significantly from piercing to piercing and can range from 16g-10g depending on the placement, clients\u2019 anatomy and long term piercing goals, if you have questions regarding the size of needle\/jewelry that would be used during your piercing this is something you should discuss with your piercer during an anatomy check or jewelry selection. Our piercers are highly educated on which needle size and jewelry size is best for each piercing placement and always take individual anatomy into consideration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What tools do you use to perform a piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each piercer in our studio performs their piercings with different techniques. Piercers often learn a certain way of piercing from a mentor or program they attend and as they work with clients, familiarize themselves with tools\/jewelry\/anatomy, and grow and progress through their careers, learn different styles, techniques and tips and tricks to perform piercings. We pride ourselves on always being educated on new techniques, processes and seeking out learning opportunities whenever we can. Piercers in our area often host classes, meetings, and industry events where we are able to meet up with other professionals in our industry to learn from them, discuss advancements, tips and tricks, and new ways of working with clients to provide better and better experiences. One of the things we love about the piercing industry is the constant forward movement and advancements made by incredible professionals in the industry. Companies that produce tools and jewelry are always looking for new and better ways to create their products, piercers are constantly educating themselves and learning from pioneers in the industry who are always looking to improve their craft. We love the passion and dedication of professionals in all areas of the body modification industry and always look to others for education and inspiration. Each piercer in our studio is familiar with a variety of techniques to perform each piercing they offer, so that they can always make the best decision based on each client, their long term piercing goals, anatomy, healing considerations and overall comfort. We have piercers who use freehand piercing techniques, utilizing less tools and working more with their hands for pressure and guidance of needles and jewelry. We have piercers who always utilize tools that have been tried, tested and improved over decades of work in the industry. Sometimes a freehand style piercer will employ the use of a tool during a specific piercing for a client based on anatomy or placement of a piercing and sometimes piercers who typically use tools will forgo the tool in a situation where it may hinder the ease of access or not provide the correct kind of pressure\/guidance for needles or jewelry into a piercing because of placement or anatomy concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every piercer who works at The Exotic Body is always going to choose a technique, tool, process or setup for your piercing based on what they determine would be the best used for your individual situation, placement, anatomy, and long term piercing goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some examples of tools used in our studio include: needle receiving tubes, forceps, hemostats, brass ring pliers, clamps and placement rings (just to name a few). We have advanced sterilization, reprocessing and handling procedures for all of our tools so you can be sure that every single item used for your piercing is high quality and sterilized completely. We use autoclave sterilization techniques and have highly trained staff to process, package and store each tool to the proper sterilization standards required by state and federal laws, and the APP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How long should I wait before swimming after getting a new piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not recommend swimming while healing a piercing. If you must swim due to a prior commitment, swim team, etc. we would recommend waiting until after you are finished swimming to get a new piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Should I wait to play sports\/exercise\/work out after getting a new piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playing a sport or working out doesn\u2019t necessarily need to be avoided, but can put strain on your body and your healing piercing. You should think through all of the steps of your routine before starting and be sure to avoid activities that may put you at risk of bumping, snagging, or putting pressure on the piercing site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A thorough cleaning is necessary after breaking a sweat! Make sure to clean off the area and gently dry the piecing after your workout.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another thing to consider with sports is the rules of the game! Many sports leagues do not allow their players to wear body jewelry. We see this happen a lot specifically with children who play soccer. Both Recreational and Competitive leagues near Sacramento require children to remove their earrings prior to playing games, so plan around soccer season if your child will be playing!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019ve heard that sea salt soaks are good for healing piercings. Should I make and use my own sea salt soaks on my healing piercings?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making your own salt soaks is no longer a recommended practice from the APP. It is incredibly difficult to get the ratios of water and salt correct and can lead to issues with healing, dry skin, and salt crystal buildup; not to mention it would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to create a product in a sterile environment at home- the water may not be clean, bowls and cups may have soap residue from dishwashers, and countertops may have chemical residue from cleaners, so it\u2019s best to leave these types of things to professionals in controlled environments and purchase something pre-packaged.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From- safepiercing.org <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; \u201cPackaged sterile saline is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from the APP. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline labeled for use as a wound wash. Contact lens saline, eye drops, and other saline products should never be used on a body piercing. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient.\u00a0 <\/span><b>Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing.\u201d<\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Are there any products I should avoid around my piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation. Avoid Bactine, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long-term wound care. Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I have to have an MRI\/Surgery\/Medical Procedure that requires me to remove my jewelry, what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer jewelry removal services. If your piercing is well healed you can schedule a removal close to the date of your procedure and have us remove any jewelry you would like; there is a $20 service fee for removals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your piercings are fresh, you cannot get an appointment close to the time of your procedure, or you\u2019re at all worried about your piercings closing up during the time they will need to be removed we offer Pyrex piercing retainers that are safe for wear during an MRI and most medical procedures. The retainers are $15 each. Not all piercings have retainers that are available, so it\u2019s best to check with us prior to booking an appointment to be sure we have a suitable retainer for your piercing.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surface and dermal piercings are not something that we can remove and re-insert, in most cases, and retainers are not available for these types of piercings. If you have a surface or dermal piercing and you need to have it removed for a medical procedure you will likely need to heal the piercing site and have it re-pierced at a later date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implant grade titanium and gold are technically safe to wear during MRI procedures, however in our experience most MRI technicians and medical centers still ask that you remove your jewelry. If you are unsure if your jewelry needs to be removed you should reach out to your practitioner or medical facility and should always follow any rules or practices they have regarding jewelry removal.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What if I need to hide\/cover my piercing for work\/school\/sports, etc?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer several different options for more discreet piercing jewelry. Depending on the piercing; we have pieces that look like freckles, flat disks, and very small jewelry options. These types of jewelry are not typically suitable for very fresh piercings, so we recommend not getting a new piercing during a time when you may need to conceal it. We also carry glass retainers, typically made for medical procedures, like MRIs and surgeries. These glass retainers are typically made for temporary wear and we cannot perform a fresh piercing with retainers. You should not wear glass retainers while playing sports. If your sports team requires you to not wear jewelry during play you should remove jewelry or cover it in an acceptable manner according to team\/league rules.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019m having trouble avoiding sleeping on my piercing, is there anything I can do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are trying to heal ear piercings that are difficult to avoid sleeping on, we recommend investing in a donut pillow or an airplane neck pillow, that have holes in the center where you can place your ear while sleeping to avoid direct contact with your pillow\/bed during healing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My piercing doesn\u2019t seem to be healing, what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common reasons that piercings have difficulty healing are improper aftercare, improper\/low quality jewelry, touching the piercing site, or personal health concerns. If your piercing was performed at The Exotic Body we can guarantee that the jewelry is of the highest quality and should be properly sized by your piercer during the appointment. Occasionally clients will swell more than anticipated and this can cause their jewelry to be too tight, too small, or it can also begin to embed in the piercing site, if any of those things occur please make a check up appointment right away. If you were pierced elsewhere we would be happy to take a look at the jewelry that you have and make suggestions if we think a change is necessary. You should avoid being pierced at places that offer unsafe or improper jewelry for initial piercings; including hoops in most cartilage piercings, \u201cbutterfly\u201d backed pieces, externally threaded pieces, or jewelry made of materials that are not suited for an initial piercing like silver, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">non-implant grade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or \u201csurgical\u201d steel, or plated\/painted\/fake gold products, these studios\/businesses do not have your best interest in mind if they are offering subpar jewelry for your piercings. Remember, piercing jewelry is<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inside your body<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you should only use safe, high quality jewelry for piercings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please refer to our Aftercare tab on the top of our home page for in-depth aftercare recommendations. You should be diligent with aftercare for the entirety of your healing period and then keep the piercing site clean regularly for the entire lifespan of the piercing; bodily fluids, dirt, makeup and other contaminants can build up even after the healing process is over and cause the piercing site to become inflamed and irritated, if this occurs we recommend going back to the aftercare you were using before and continuing it until the problem subsides.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number one cause of infection is introducing bacteria to the piercing site through touch contact. You should avoid touching your piercing unless you are actively cleaning it and should only ever clean the piercing site with clean hands in a clean environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal health and hygiene play a huge role in healing piercings. Illness, major stress, or injury during the healing process can lead some clients to have a more difficult time healing their piercings. Obviously you cannot control most of these elements, but doing your best to limit your exposure to illness or injury and taking extra good care of yourself during the healing process can help the process go a lot more smoothly. Regular showering\/bathing and hair washing (or keeping potentially dirty hair away from the piercing site as much as possible) is important. Oral hygiene is very important for oral piercings, so if you are someone who may struggle to keep good oral hygiene we suggest trying to get yourself into a better habit prior to getting the piercing or avoiding oral piercings altogether. If you are healing from a surgery we suggest not getting a piercing until you are fully healed. If you suffer from regular or chronic illnesses, have a medical condition that may affect your ability to heal a wound, we suggest discussing piercing with a medical professional prior to making an appointment and communicating any important information that they give you regarding healing that you feel comfortable sharing with your piercer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How do I know when it\u2019s time to give up on a piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At any point that you decide you no longer want your piercing you can remove the jewelry with clean hands. If you are unable to remove the jewelry yourself feel free to make a jewelry removal appointment and one of our piercers will be happy to assist you. Do not remove jewelry if you suspect that you have an infection. Removing jewelry in the presence of an infection may result in an abscess. Quality body jewelry or a retainer of an appropriate size, style, and material should be left in place so the infection can drain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a piercing that is not healing and you have taken every appropriate step to ensure it has the best chance possible (high quality, appropriately size and style jewelry, diligent aftercare, avoiding touching or sleeping on the piercing site, checkups with your piercer, etc.) and you have given it plenty of time for the issue to subside (months, not weeks in most cases) but it\u2019s still not healing properly, it may be time to retire the piercing. It\u2019s okay, in most cases, to get the area repierced at a later date, so you can try again once the area has had enough time to heal and rest ( we recommend clients wait at least double the length that they had the piercing in their body for to try again- so for example if you had the piercing for 6 months you should wait at least a year before trying to pierce that location again)\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your piercing is causing you a ton of pain, irritation or is interfering with your daily life it may be time to retire the piercing. Having that super cool piercing or jewelry is only cool if it is not doing you harm, trust your body if it says NO, give yourself the chance to heal and rest and try again if you wish, but sometimes piercings (even performed and taken care of properly) don\u2019t work out, it happens to a lot of people, even piercers!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My jewelry is embedded in my body, what do I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your jewelry has sunk down into your piercing, you have swelled at the piercing site to an extent that the skin is covering the jewelry in any way or you no longer see the jewelry in your body, but it has not fallen out or been removed, please make an appointment to come in right away or see a medical professional. Depending on the extent of the embedding we should be able to remove the jewelry in the studio, but there have been cases where we have referred a client to the emergency room or another medical professional. Embedded jewelry is an emergency and should not be ignored. Sometimes we are able to get a much longer or larger piece of jewelry to put into the piercing and save the piercing, sometimes it means the piercing will need to be removed and healed, depending on the extent of the embedding, the health of the piercing and the circumstances that led to the piercing becoming embedded in the first place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My piercing is rejecting, what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \u201cIf the jewelry moves closer to the surface or the tissue gets narrower between the openings of a piercing, this is termed \u201cmigration.\u201d If the piercing migrates past a point of remaining viable or comes all the way to the surface, this is termed \u201crejection.\u201d For safety and longevity, a piercing should have at least 5\/16\u201d inch (almost 8 mm) of tissue between the entrance and exit holes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A body piercing should be abandoned if the tissue between the entry and exit progressively gets smaller or thinner over time plus any of the following:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The skin between the openings is flaking or peeling, red or inflamed, and\/or hard and calloused-looking<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is 1\/4\u201d of tissue or less between the openings<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just a thin filament of nearly transparent tissue is left, and the jewelry can be seen through the skin<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think your piercing is migrating or rejecting please make a check up appointment right away!<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I think I have\/am developing a keloid; what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clients often reach out because they have a bump on\/near their piercing site and they are worried they are developing a keloid. From The National Institute of Health &#8211; \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keloids present clinically as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">firm, rubbery nodules in an area of prior injury to the skin. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast to normal or hypertrophic scars, keloidal tissue extends beyond the initial site of trauma. Patients may complain of pain, itching, or burning.\u201d Keloids can vary in how they look but they all share the same characteristics and are relatively much more rare than other types of bumps that can form near a piercing, which are much more common. Keloid scarring is currently considered to be a genetic trait and will generally have presented itself in childhood cuts or other injuries; your parents will also likely experience keloid scarring if you are a person who is susceptible, otherwise it is likely another type of bump. A bump that is truly a keloid will need the assistance of a doctor or dermatologist to remove and no amount of aftercare or piercing guidance will solve the problem.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common type of bump we see form near piercing sites is referred to as a \u201cpiercing bump\u201d or sometimes an \u201cirritation bump\u201d. These bumps typically form due to an irritant or trauma to the piercing site and are typically treatable. The most likely causes of a piercing bump include- the angle at which the piercing was performed or the jewelry is currently sitting in the body is rubbing on the piercing site and causing excess friction\/irritation, bumping, snagging, or sleeping on a healing piercing, not cleaning properly or enough, improper jewelry (too thin, too tight, incorrect shape- like a ring), sickness or stress, and buildup from dirt, oils or makeup. Other factors can cause these bumps to form as well, so if you see one of these pop up near your piercing be sure to go over everything with your piercer so they have the most information possible to help determine the source of the problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most commonly when a client comes in with a piercing bump we are able to determine some small misstep in aftercare, usually clients are doing things *almost* right, and a small change is all it takes to get the bump to go away. Sometimes we will add extra length to the backing for a short time to take any pressure off of the bump itself so that it can go down before downsizing at a later date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should not use any products on a healing piercing except soap and water and a saline wound wash. There are numerous sites, articles and posts online and on social media talking about \u201cpiercing hacks\u201d and quick fixes, but the reality is there is no magic cure for piercing bumps, it just takes time and care. You should not use tea tree oil, aspirin pastes, or piercing bump solutions\/ointments sold online. From Safepiering.org- <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOINTMENTS ARE NOT PREFERRED FOR TOPICAL TREATMENT OF PIERCINGS. They are occlusive and limit oxygen circulation to the area, which can delay healing of this type of wound. They leave a sticky residue that makes cleaning the healing tissue more difficult.\u201d You should not attempt to pop or cut off the piercing bump.We strongly encourage you to come in and see a piercer if you are experiencing any excess swelling, get a piercing bump, or think you may be developing a keloid so that we can take a look and discuss things with you to see what could be going on.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I think I have an infection; what should I do?<\/i><\/b><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you believe you may have an infection we recommend reaching out to a medical professional <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">immediately<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Signs of infection include: Severe redness, swelling or tenderness at the procedure site, red streaks going from procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, purulent drainage from the site. Discharge from the site may be green\/yellow and have a foul odor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I think I\u2019m having an allergic reaction to the jewelry; what should I do?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allergic reactions to implant grade jewelry are rare, but they do happen! Most often clients who have a metal allergy or past experience with jewelry irritating their skin have been exposed to low quality metals like nickel and aluminum. All of our jewelry is made from implant grade titanium, steel or gold. All of our white gold jewelry is colored white using palladium, not nickel, which a lot of people are allergic to! Gold plated or painted jewelry that is simply sold as \u201cgold\u201d jewelry can cause allergic reactions if the plating or paint flakes or rubs off, exposing the skin to the lower quality metals underneath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSurgical steel\u201d is one of the most commonly misunderstood names for metals in the industry. The term \u201csurgical steel\u201d is not used by body jewelry manufacturers and is instead a marketing term coined by jewelry sales companies. Clients will sometimes come in for a piercing and say they can \u201conly wear solid gold\u201d because they\u2019ve had an allergic reaction to \u201csurgical steel\u201d in the past; the good news is that high-quality titanium and steel jewelry does exist! We have pieces made from implant grade steel in stock here, but this type of steel is different from those marketed as \u201csurgical steel\u201d because it is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">implant grade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, body safe, stainless steel that is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We don\u2019t have any regular clients with an allergy to the titanium that we carry, but we do have a few clients who are allergic to gold! If you get a new piercing and you immediately experience <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">swelling, a rash, redness, itching, peeling, dark spots, or blistering we encourage you to come in for a checkup so we can determine if you are allergic to your jewelry. Allergic reactions typically happen immediately and don\u2019t pop up later into the healing process, so if things were going well and then all of a sudden you experience these symptoms there is likely another cause, but you should still come in for a check up!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I have a piercing that\u2019s torn; is there a way to fix it?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your fresh piercing gets snagged and tears, please make a checkup appointment right away so that a piercer can check it out and assess the damage. With fresh piercings there is a higher chance of being able to heal the torn tissue, sometimes involving removing jewelry, healing and repiercing, sometimes involving extra diligent aftercare and possibly different jewelry, depending on the degree of the tear and the circumstances surrounding how it happened.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a healed piercing that has torn over time, whether due to wearing heavy earrings, snags, or tissue changes that can happen with age, the chances of being able to heal the tear are smaller. Sometimes removing the jewelry can allow the piercing to heal, sometimes with well healed piercings the tear is more permanent. A medical professional is sometimes able to repair torn lobes by stitching them closed, allowing them to heal and re-piercing once they are well healed, but this is not always the case. If you are interested in this process you should reach out to a medical professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>Can you heal stretched piercings back to their original size?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from a piercing that has been in place for years and have the piercing close up, sometimes even when jewelry has been removed from the area for months or even years the piercing will stay open, it completely depends on your body. Depending on the size that your ears have been stretched to, they may heal over time and shrink down to smaller sizes, but they may never fully close all the way back up. Sometimes a medical professional is able to close stretched lobes by stitching them closed, but this is not always the case. If you are interested in this process you should reach out to a medical professional.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing a long time ago that was placed incorrectly, what can I do to correct the placement?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from a piercing that has been in place for years and have the piercing close up, sometimes even when jewelry has been removed from the area for months or even years the piercing will stay open, it completely depends on your body. The most common piercing we have clients ask about changing after it\u2019s been healed for a long period of time is incorrectly placed or badly healed earlobe piercings. You can always stop wearing jewelry in your piercing and see if it closes up. If your piercing remains open even after months or years of not wearing jewelry the only other solution to get it to close would be to visit a medical professional; sometimes the piercing can be stitched closed, though this is not always the case.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other solutions for piercings that are not well placed or spaced from other existing piercings include stretching the piercing or adding an additional piercing to create a stacked or cluster effect with the jewelry. If you would like to discuss options for a piercing you dislike the placement of you can always come in for an appointment and see what suggestions a piercer has for you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My piercing is healed, can I remove the jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from healed piercings and have the piercings stay open for weeks, months, even years, while other clients remove jewelry and find that their piercings have closed in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. There is no way for us to predict which of these types of clients you will be, so taking out jewelry from a piercing is always a risk. Sometimes the piercing doesn\u2019t close all the way, but may shrink to a smaller gauge size or even partially close on one side, preventing jewelry from being able to be reinserted safely at home. Anytime the skin would need to be punctured or poked back through, even a small layer of skin, would be considered a piercing, so you shouldn\u2019t use anything other than a piercing needle to reopen that piercing; this should be done in a sterile environment by a professional, it is a re-piercing at this point. We have tools called insertion tapers that are made for slowly stretching back open a piercing that has begun shrinking down in gauge sizes, but not all piercings are able to use this technique to be reopened, that would be at your piercers discretion. The jewelry we carry is typically not meant to be changed often; we recommend choosing something you really love so that you can wear it for months or years. If you ever want to change up your jewelry we have thousands of options in a variety of designs, metals, and stones to choose from, just book a jewelry purchase appointment to come in and choose something!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My piercing is healed, but I still see buildup or \u201ccrusties\u201d around the jewelry, why is that?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should be cleaning your piercing areas as often as you cleanse other parts of your body. Just like you take regular showers\/baths or wash your face, you should be cleaning your piercings regularly, even after they are healed. The buildup and residue seen on most clients jewelry is usually skin cells, dirt and oil, makeup or fibers from clothing\/bedding, this buildup should be able to be removed with regular washing with a mild soap and warm water. Saline washes are great for a quick rinse, but typically can\u2019t remove all buildup or residue on a piercing and should be used in conjunction with a regular mild soap wash. Some clients eventually stop seeing those \u201ccrusties\u201d on their piercings, some clients always have some type of buildup they need to remove regularly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>My piercing\/jewelry smells bad, why is that?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes clients will complain that their piercing area or jewelry smells bad. This is pretty normal! Many people experience this, even with well healed piercings! The most common piercings we hear about are stretched lobes, septum and nostril piercings. Septum and nostril piercings are in the nose, so it makes sense that these piercings are complained about the most! The body creates oils, mucus, new skin cells, and other bodily fluids and sometimes these fluids have a scent to them. Washing your piercings regularly can help mitigate the problem. High quality jewelry can also help. Low quality jewelry is more likely to have chips and scratches; which can collect buildup and bacteria, which can lead to the jewelry smelling more. A piercing or jewelry having a smell does not always mean that it\u2019s dirty or that your jewelry is poor quality, some people are just more sensitive than others when it comes to scent, so you may just be noticing it more than others. Every body is different, some have higher levels of PH or oil or sweat production, all of these factors can affect your jewelry having a smell, just keep the area clean and if you really dislike it you can always retire the piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing at another studio, but I\u2019m having issues healing my piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1256\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1256\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Permanent Jewelry<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1256\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1256\"><p><b><i>How long will my permanent jewelry stay on?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your pieces will stay on for as long as you&#8217;d like! If for some reason you would like to remove your jewelry, simply cut the chain and save it if you&#8217;d like me to re-weld it in the future.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What if my chain breaks? <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because your piece has no clasp and is measured to perfectly fit your wrist, ankle or neck, it should not break. However, if it does break, please save your chain and I&#8217;m happy to re-weld it for you for just the $20 service fee. These chains are strong but they aren\u2019t indestructible. Feel free to inspect your permanent jewelry before you leave to make sure you are satisfied. If the chain is missing, a new chain will need to be purchased.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I go through airport security with permanent jewelry?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Absolutely! TSA should not ask you to remove fine jewelry, so you&#8217;ll be able to take your permanent jewelry with you on all your adventures!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I get an MRI with a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your permanent jewelry should be removed before an MRI. Save your chain and I can re-weld it for you!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Who should not get permanent jewelry?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Those with pacemakers should not get permanent jewelry because of the welding process. Allergies to solid gold and titanium are rare, but those with allergies should not get permanent jewelry.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>I&#8217;m a minor. Can I get a piece of permanent jewelry?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I&#8217;m happy to weld a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace on anyone over the age of 10. Those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I give permanent jewelry as a gift?<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Absolutely! Because permanent jewelry is measured to fit each client individually I would recommend purchasing a gift card for the desired amount at Exoticbody.com<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Please reach out to Samantha@exoticbody.com if you have any other questions!<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><br \/><br \/><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1257\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1257\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Tooth Gems<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1257\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1257\"><p>Tooth Gems<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24231\" src=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem-500x156.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem-500x156.jpg 500w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem-1024x320.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem-768x240.jpg 768w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem-1536x480.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem-1000x313.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tooth-Gem.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p><p><b><i>How long will my tooth gem stay on?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth gems are semi-permanent. Your oral hygiene, tooth health and lifestyle all play a part in how long the gem will stay on. We have clients who have had their tooth gems on for upwards of a year!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What kind of adhesive do you use?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We use a dental grade UV adhesive that is completely safe and long lasting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>How can I remove my tooth gem?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We recommend booking an appointment with your dental office for removal<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><b><i>What design options do you carry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer solid gold and gem options in a variety of designs. We carry simple, single stone options, butterflies, hearts, stars, dollar signs, even sports team logos! Feel free to reach out if you have a specific design in mind and we can check with our retailers to see if we can get it ordered for you! <\/span><b><i><br \/><br \/><\/i><\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Will my tooth gem damage my teeth?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth gems are totally safe and will not cause damage to teeth! We use a dental grade UV adhesive to adhere the gem design to your teeth, so there\u2019s never any risk of chipping, cracking or other damage to your oral health.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1258\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1258\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Our Studio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1258\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1258\"><p><b><i>Where is your shop located?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are located at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">807 30th St. Sacramento, CA 9581.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The closest cross streets are H street and 30th street.<\/span><\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24275\" src=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535-500x409.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535-500x409.png 500w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535.png 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p><p><b><i>Where should I park?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is paid street parking directly in front of our studio on 30th street on our block and on the blocks before and after. There is intermittent free parking on H street and I street, but spots are often full or nearly full. You are welcome to park in the driveway directly next to our studio at any time. Please do not park in adjacent businesses, their parking is for their customers only and you risk being towed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every client getting a new piercing or stretching their piercing to a larger size will need to bring a currently valid, state issued ID that has their birthdate and photo on it. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my minor piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> legal custodial guardian. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\/guardian <\/span><b>MUST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">currently valid, state issued ID <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that has their birthdate and photo on it and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare for my piercing appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s VERY important that you arrive at your appointment having eaten and hydrated! We ask that clients eat within 4 hours of their appointment to make sure you\u2019re feeling your best for the piercing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan ahead to account for possible traffic, having a downtown location means traffic is very unpredictable and events shut down portions of streets regularly. Paid street parking is available in front of the shop or you are welcome to park in our driveway. Please do not park in adjacent business\u2019 parking lots, their parking is for their clients and you risk being towed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about the piercing(s) you\u2019ll be receiving and dress appropriately. If you\u2019re getting a piercing that would require you to undress partially it\u2019s always a good idea to wear clothing that can be easily removed and don\u2019t wear too many layers. Don\u2019t wear white if you are getting a piercing that has a tendency to spot bleed, like genital piercings or nipple piercings.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what jewelry you might like to see in your piercing; we have a massive selection, with thousands and thousands of different pieces, and new ones coming in all the time! The more info you can give your piercer regarding the visual aspect of your piercing the easier it will be for them to pull pieces for you. If you\u2019d like to check out some of the jewelry\/brands we carry, check out our Instagram @theexoticbody where we have lots of photos of jewelry, both on and off of clients.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review any relevant policies or information related to your piercing at exoticbody.com or reach out with any questions that you may have.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you experience any symptoms of illness, or are feeling generally unwell prior to your appointment please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can reschedule you to another date.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b><i>What is the APP?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The APP is also known as The Association of Professional Piercers. They have an amazing website with tons of amazing information you should check out at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/safepiercing.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/safepiercing.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. Governed by a voluntarily elected Board of Directors, the APP is a united group of piercing professionals that freely shares information to help fellow members, piercers, health care professionals, legislators, health inspectors, and the general public get the best and most up-to-date information about body piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From safepiercing.org-<\/span><\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-24288\" src=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/APP-Info-500x367.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"808\" height=\"593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/APP-Info-500x367.png 500w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/APP-Info-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/APP-Info-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/APP-Info-1000x734.png 1000w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/APP-Info.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 808px) 100vw, 808px\" \/><\/p><p><b><i>How is an APP studio\/piercer different from another studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The APP <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. The APP has strict requirements for individual piercers and studios who wish to be a part of their organization including personal, environmental and education requirements. Members are required to be first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and CPR certified. They must abide by the APP\u2019s code of conduct- which requires members to follow strict safety standards regarding sterilization, technique, studio setup, professionalism and conduct with clients, discrimination and jewelry quality. The APP is dedicated to gathering and distributing the most current education for its members so that they are always up to date on technique, sterilization and safe practices. The APP holds a conference once a year where piercers, studio staff and studio owners can gather and take classes. The conference is about a week long with classes offered throughout the entire day on various techniques, safety procedures, discussion of important topics like aftercare, research and client relations and so much more. We always have members of our staff in attendance at conferences so we can ensure our studio is the most up-to-date on current educational and safety standards. State and Federal laws regarding body piercing are often not created or regulated by those with knowledge of the body modification industry and large companies are often able to use political means to ensure the regulations are fitted to protect the means by which they are currently operating rather than keeping up with industry advancements. This can lead to companies and smaller, non-APP regulated businesses using out-of-date practices, skimping on sterilization and sanitation, and offering sub-par jewelry. Regulations regarding the training of piercing professionals vary largely by area and often have hours requirements as low as a single hour required before staff are permitted to work on clients. We believe every client deserves to be pierced by currently educated, professional piercers and encourage you to check out safepiercing.org for more information regarding the APP and safe piercing in general!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why should I get pierced at The Exotic Body versus another piercing shop?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have been serving the Sacramento area since 1990 and have a long history of offering high quality, safe piercings performed by professional, educated piercers. We are an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certified shop, meaning we have to adhere to the APP\u2019s strict standards regarding piercers education, shop cleanliness, jewelry quality and many more factors. We only ever carry jewelry that has been approved by the APP and offer manufacturers warranties on our jewelry! You can be sure you\u2019re in good hands with our piercers; they\u2019re always learning new and better ways to take care of our clients! We love our clients and we love working at The Exotic Body, so we\u2019re always going to ensure that we are doing our absolute best to be inclusive, educated, professional, and only offer the best of the best! We never like to speak badly of any other establishments; we can\u2019t speak to their education, quality or safety of their processes or jewelry, so we can\u2019t tell you if another shop is \u201cgood\u201d or \u201cbad\u201d, we can only offer our perspective that shops who care the most about their clients and will offer you the safest piercing experience typically prioritize client health over profits and shouldn\u2019t be carrying low quality jewelry, offering out-of-date aftercare advice or having other body modification professionals, like tattoo artists, cosmetologists, and even nurses offer piercings <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">without proper training<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (there are definitely professionals out there who have been trained in piercing AND other body modification techniques!) Knowing the latest sterilization techniques, proper use of PPE, and anatomy are all things these types of professionals should be knowledgeable in, but that doesn\u2019t always include the necessary education to be able to offer a piercing safely. We appreciate these professionals and all the hard work they put into their respective career fields, but you should always be looking for someone with specific <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIERCING<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> training to be performing a piercing on your body; your health is important!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Where can I learn more about safe piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We always encourage clients to do their own research! Having your own knowledge about the industry and the piercing process is incredibly helpful! Check out Safepiercing.org for tons of info from the Association of Professional Piercers.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you use piercing guns?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \u201cIt is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. We consider unsafe any procedure that places vulnerable tissue in contact with either non-sterile equipment or jewelry that is not considered medically safe for long-term internal wear. Such procedures place the health of recipients at an unacceptable risk. For this reason, APP members may not use reusable ear piercing guns for any type of piercing procedure. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While piercing guns may seem to be a quick, easy and convenient way of creating holes, they have major drawbacks in terms of sterility, tissue damage and inappropriate jewelry design.<\/span><\/p><p><b>REUSABLE EAR PIERCING GUNS CAN PUT CLIENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF PREVIOUS CLIENTS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. <\/span><b>PIERCING GUNS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TISSUE DAMAGE. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as \u201cblunt force trauma.\u201d At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect. This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. <\/span><b>MISUSE OF EAR PIERCING GUNS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though many manufacturers\u2019 instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun practitioners do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow establishments using piercing guns to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of public health.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019ve heard that some piercings cannot be performed on all clients, why is that? What would the reasons be for a piercer declining to pierce me?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all piercings are suitable for every client. Many factors can contribute to a piercer deciding to decline a piercing. Improper anatomy is the most common reason our piercers decline piercings for clients. Industrial piercings, navel piercings and some genital piercings are extremely anatomy dependent, and if pierced on a client with improper anatomy to support the piercing, can lead to rejection, migration, tearing and the piercing not healing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, with a navel piercing, the client needs to have a sufficient \u201cfold\u201d or amount of tissue on the top (or bottom- for reverse navel piercings) of their navel so that the piercing has sufficient tissue to support the jewelry without being too shallow. Industrial piercings require a sufficient amount of tissue along the ridge line of the upper ear and a very flat section for the bar to stretch across so that the bar does not push on or indent the tissue, which can lead to permanent scarring and grooves forming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During your appointment our piercers will ensure that the area you\u2019d like pierced is suitable for the piercing you wish to get, and offer alternatives (like different shaped jewelry, alternative placements, etc.) if there are alternatives that we believe would be suitable for you. If no alternative is possible, or you don\u2019t wish to proceed with an alternative, we will simply not do the piercing. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\u2019s something that you would like to do that day instead, but if a piercer decides to decline a piercing, just know that we are doing it for the health and safety of our clients. Declining piercings is not something we like to do, obviously we want you to feel your best and be able to get any piercing you\u2019d wish to have, but we always want to ensure that we are only performing piercings that would be safe for our clients!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Are there piercings that you will not perform? Why?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are piercings that our studio does not offer. Some are due to safety concerns related to healing, long term wear or damage to the body, or age restrictions we have in place. Any time we will not perform a piercing on a client it is for that client\u2019s safety.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes clients don\u2019t have the anatomy necessary for us to safely perform the piercing they would like to get. The most common piercings this occurs with are navel and industrial piercings. These piercings require specific anatomy for them to heal properly and if they are performed on a client with unsuitable anatomy the chance of rejection, migration, and issues healing greatly increases. Remember, we are here to help and we always want you to get the piercings that you want, so if a piercer declines to pierce you they are doing so because they do not feel it is safe. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\u2019s what you would like, but we will not perform a piercing on a client if we do not think they have the appropriate anatomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another reason we might decline a piercing is due to age restrictions we have in place. We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\/span><b><i>absolutely<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not offered and are<\/span> <b><i>illegal<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\/span><b><i>ever. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some piercings are not considered safe and should not be performed by any piercer for any reason. Less reputable studios often offer these piercings at client request with no regard for the long term effects on the clients health and healing. For example \u201cfrog eyes\u201d or \u201cscoop\u201d piercings- a tongue piercing performed with a curved barbell placed horizontally in the tongue, piercings performed in dangerous areas like mandibular, uvular, hand or feet piercings, or piercings performed in tissue that cannot support jewelry like eyelids or finger webbing; these are not considered safe piercings and should not be performed by any piercer, for any reason.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At our studio we do not offer double tongue piercings or cheek piercings. There are definitely very skilled, very educated piercers out there who may be offering these piercings without issue, but they take a lot of anatomy consideration, education and a very, very skilled piercer to be performed safely, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if they can be performed safely at all <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(this is a widely debated topic in the piercing community), and should only be performed by a piercer who is specialized in these specific piercings. We recommend doing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extensive<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> research and finding a piercer who offers these piercings as a specialty and has lots of experience and a portfolio of these piercings <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">specifically<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before choosing to get these piercings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cPlay Piercings\u201d are piercings that are performed for the experience of receiving the piercing and are very very temporary (typically removed almost immediately) Play piercings are not performed with the intention of wearing the jewelry. A common example of play piercing is the corset piercing, typically performed in rows on each side of the back and then a ribbon or tie is laced through the rings. We do not offer play piercings in our studio and encourage any person interested in performing or receiving these types of piercings to do extensive research and seek out a professional who offers this type of service.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t all of the piercers in your studio offer the same services?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We sometimes have piercers working in our studio who are working during a piercing apprenticeship- all piercings performed while an apprentice is practicing are special piercings booked in advance by our staff and are performed under the supervision of the apprentice\u2019s mentor. Apprentices work for years and slowly build up their range of offerings, for example we may have a piercer who is still working on more advanced piercings as part of an apprenticeship but are open and offering regular services they have already mastered. Any piercer who is available for a service to be booked by clients has experience and education to fully perform that piercing. If a service is not available to be booked by a specific piercer they likely just don\u2019t offer that piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What are the age limits for getting a piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> legal custodial guardian. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\/guardian. <\/span><b><i>There are no exceptions<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\/guardian <\/span><b>MUST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be present for the<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> entirety<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the appointment and be <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">actively supervising<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> their child. The parent must also be able to provide a currently valid photo ID and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-earlobe piercings available to minors-<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upper cartilage (no industrials) 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nostril 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Septum 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eyebrow (traditional only, no surface or dermal) 14+<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navel 16+<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><b><i>Absolutely no nipple or genital piercings offered for minors, even with parent permission; It is the law!\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you offer certain piercings for minors?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\/span><b><i>absolutely<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not offered and are<\/span> <b><i>illegal<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\/span><b><i>ever. <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">several<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why do you offer infant piercings?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some studios do not offer piercings for infants for a variety of reasons; maybe they don\u2019t have a piercer with experience with infants, maybe they only want to pierce older children who can give their own personal consent for the piercing, maybe they don\u2019t have a clientele who have a cultural connection to infant piercing, either way, it\u2019s a very personal decision for each studio and each piercer within a studio to make. Here at The Exotic Body our shop owner, Michael Hare decided to offer infant piercings to allow a safe, professional experience for those clients who want their infants to have their ears pierced. We know that there are large cultural groups who have a deep, historically rooted connection to infant piercings and we want to ensure that those people have the opportunity to connect to their cultures and hold tradition in a way that is as safe and professional as possible. Some clients simply prefer to have their child\u2019s ears pierced before they are old enough to remember the experience; sometimes due to an unfortunate traumatic experience with piercing they experienced themselves, sometimes just due to personal preference. We are never going to judge a client for the choices they make for their family and children, we are simply going to offer the best possible experience for those piercings to happen. Our experience is that the clients who really want these piercings to happen will find a way to make them happen; most people know someone who was pierced by their mom\/aunt\/cousin\/etc in a kitchen or bathroom, taken to a mall kiosk as an infant, or decided to purchase a piercing gun themselves and offer piercings to their friends and family; these are all extremely unsafe environments and often result in improperly performed piercings in non-sterile environments that can lead to crooked, embedded, and\/or infected piercings, so our decision to offer infant piercings comes from a place of harm reduction. If you have further questions regarding infant piercing please feel free to give us a call or email us and we would be happy to discuss further!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why do you only pierce infants between 3-9 months old?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We don\u2019t offer infant piercings after 9 months as the developmental stage that infants enter around 9 months usually includes more awareness around where pain comes from in the body and they will start to reach for and tug on jewelry during the healing process, which can cause them to not heal and may cause trauma to the piercing, especially if they end up pulling the jewelry out. They are also typically too large to swaddle at that age and we only ever pierce infants who are swaddled, so that their limbs are contained in a safe, positive way instead of holding a child\u2019s arms down (so they don\u2019t reach for or grab the needle during the process) which can be traumatizing to everyone involved. If you have missed the 3-9 month window for your infant we find that the 5 year age range is best to start again so that they can fully comprehend that they cannot touch their jewelry for the 12 weeks they will need to keep the jewelry in and are old enough that we can explain the entire process to them so they can give their own informed consent to be pierced.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Which staff member should I choose for my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding a piercer you trust is important! Each piercer in our studio has different techniques, bedside manner, and personality; we want you to feel comfortable and safe with your piercer, so if you have something specific in mind for who you might want to pierce you, please check out our About Us page to learn more about each staff member. Not sure who to choose? ALL of our staff members are highly educated, care deeply about our clients and want you to have the best experience possible, so you\u2019re in good hands no matter who you choose!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How many piercings can I get in one appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The complexity and difficulty of receiving or healing a piercing will greatly affect how many piercings we would recommend getting at once. Piercings like earlobes, simple cartilage piercings, nostrils and septums are typically easier to heal than piercings like daiths, rooks, oral piercings, industrials, etc. Multiple piercings in one area, like double or triple helix and nostril piercings or piercings in high movement areas like navels, tongue, and surface\/dermal piercings may be best performed one at a time to allow the body to focus on healing each piercing. You should avoid sleeping on a fresh piercing, especially cartilage piercings,\u00a0 so if you are a side sleeper we would recommend piercing one ear at a time and allowing some time for it to heal before piercing the other side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All in all, it really depends on which piercings you will be getting as far as what we would recommend, but just for time constraints we typically only allow a client to get 3 to 4 piercings during a single appointment. For piercings that require extra precision in marking, like paired nostrils, lips and eyebrow piercings we ask that you don\u2019t get any other piercings in that appointment, nobody wants these piercings to be rushed!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min jewelry selection<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 min performing piercing\/changing jewelry\/stretching\/ etc.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can my group come in to all get piercings together?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coming in to get piercings with your group of friends, family, coworkers, etc. is a great way to create memories and we love working with groups! Please keep in mind that we have a small studio so if you come in with a large group we may take you a few at a time to choose jewelry or get pierced. The amount of people allowed in the jewelry or piercing rooms at any given time will depend on the piercer working and what is being pierced\/how difficult a piercing it will be to get or be performed. Groups of three or 4 can typically stay together for the entire experience, while groups 5 + may need to wait in the lobby and come back a couple at a time to choose jewelry and get pierced. We do not recommend group appointments for children under 14 years old and we do not recommend group appointments for multiple children all getting their first ear piercings together. Often these appointments can be overwhelming and can lead to one or more of the children deciding not to get pierced, or can put pressure on a child who is unsure or too scared to be pierced to say yes in front of their friends or siblings, and we <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">never<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> want <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anyone<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to feel pressured during their appointment. If you have a group of 5 or more people who all want to get pierced we would VERY MUCH appreciate it if you noted in your appointments or gave us a call to let us know so that we can prepare the studio space as much as possible for your group. We will always do our best to accommodate groups and make the experience fun and easy, but please keep in mind that we often have more than one piercer working at once and their clients need to be seen in the order their appointments are booked. If you wish to be the only clients in the studio during your appointments please reach out to set this up ahead of time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why don\u2019t you see clients who are late to their appointments?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like with any business that offers services on an appointment only basis we have to honor the appointments booked by ALL clients; if you are late to your appointment your piercer may not be able to complete your requested services without running into another clients timeslot. We have a strict time limit on our appointments of 5 minutes, which is communicated to clients in our confirmation message, as well as listed in several locations on our website; we make this abundantly clear so that there is no confusion on the day of your appointment and we are able to stay on track and honor every clients reservation. Piercings themselves take a short amount of time to perform, but choosing jewelry, sterilizing the jewelry, setting up and tearing down piercing stations between clients, paperwork, ringing up, and cleaning and marking the areas to be pierced all take time too. We have timed out how long our services typically take, as well as time necessary for us to perform necessary cleaning between clients and paced our appointments to accommodate this time. If you are running late we would appreciate a heads up; we can check out appointments around your timeslot and see if there is any way for us to fit you in, but we cannot guarantee this, so please be kind to our counter staff if you arrive late and are turned away, they are just following policy to keep everyone safe.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my service animal to my appointment?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Service animals that assist an individual with a disability are the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">only<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> animals that are permitted in a body art facility. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the studio. You may not bring an animal in a carrier or hold your animal during your appointment, even as a guest. We work very hard to maintain as clean of an environment as possible, including some sterile areas in the studio and pet dander, fur and other contaminants associated with animals may compromise those areas. Pets also have no way of knowing which areas to avoid that may contain bio-hazards and may wander into areas that could compromise their health as well. It would be helpful if you are able to note in your appointment that you plan to bring a service animal with you so that we are better prepared to accommodate you and your service animal.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you have a waitlist for daily appointments?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not keep a waitlist for clients once our day books up. If you have an emergency (like an embedded or rejecting piercing) we will do our best to fit you in between clients, but we cannot always accommodate in every situation so please reach out and we will do our very best to help out and fit you in if we can.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When clients no-show for their appointments we are already well into the appointment slot so we would be unable to see another client at that time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While we do occasionally get cancellations they are typically very close to the appointment time and most of the time clients are unable to arrive on time to fill in the spot. If you don\u2019t see an appointment available the same day we usually have one available the following day, so you wouldn\u2019t have to wait long to be seen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\/ curations?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why are ear stylings so expensive?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Styled or curated ears you see on social media- tiktok, pinterest, instagram, etc. have typically been built up over the course of several appointments and months or years of choosing and collecting jewelry to achieve the final look. Occasionally clients will come in and do an overhaul of their jewelry collection to achieve a new or upgraded look, but these clients have typically saved and prepared for their appointments knowing that it will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a lot of jewelry at once. Our gold studs start at about $70 each for the most basic options and go up from there; we even have individual pieces that cost upwards of $1000, so depending on the look you\u2019re going for it can get very expensive. Patience is key when building a jewelry collection, find pieces you love, save and invest in timeless pieces you really love and that will work well with other pieces and build your collection a piece or two at a time and you\u2019ll get there eventually! Think of it like building up a wardrobe of high quality clothing- most people don\u2019t buy their entire wardrobe in one shopping trip, they find their style and work to find pieces that will work with what they already have and invest in pieces they really love over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How do you know that the jewelry that you carry is high quality?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From safepiercing.org- \u201cChoosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. Jewelry size and style must be of appropriate length or diameter for your unique anatomy and the placement of the piercing. Jewelry that is too tight does not allow for air and blood circulation or for the expulsion of normal secretions from the piercing. Ill-fitting jewelry increases the likelihood of swelling, embedding, and other complications if too small, or catching and excessive trauma, if too large. Must be of an appropriate gauge (thickness). The body may treat jewelry that is too thin in gauge like a splinter, resulting in migration or rejection. Must be of a style suited to your build and the location of the piercing. Rings are best for some areas, straight or curved bars for others, and specialty jewelry\u2014such as a nostril screw or labret stud\u2014for specific placements.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Of the numerous materials available, few have been proven appropriate for wear in fresh body piercings. Some metal alloys (mixtures) have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and\/ or the International Standards Organization (ISO). Other materials, such as gold and obsidian (natural glass) have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds\u2014and sometimes thousands\u2014of years. The material worn in a healing piercing: Should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization, Should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn\u2019t cause irritation, allergy, or infection.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry companies that we purchase from have documentation called Mill test certificates. A mill certificate is a quality assurance document used in the metals industry to quantify the chemical and physical properties of a material. It states that a product made of metal (titanium, steel, aluminum, brass, or other alloys) complies with the specifications of the order. It provides test results to assure compliance with the specified standards. The standards for biomaterials are specified by international organizations including ASTM and ISO and may be referred to by national standards bodies such as ANSI for trade and regulatory purposes.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The APP is also in the process of creating their Body Jewelry Verification Program; a program designed to allow for clearer and easier to understand standards and a resource for piercers and clients to know which body jewelry companies follow these standards. From safepiercing.org- \u201cThe interpretation of Mill Certificates is difficult and confusing for APP members, those applying for membership, or those trying to work within the APP\u2019s standards. We are faced with this issue constantly when interacting with piercers, regulators, and inspectors and their questions regarding quality jewelry. It is our belief that creating this program would help simplify and clarify this process.\u201d Currently the APP is working through Phase 1: Titanium and Steel. Once Phase 1 is successfully implemented they will work through phases 2 &amp; 3 which will include gold and platinum and glass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of these standards and documentation we feel extremely confident that the jewelry that we carry is of the highest quality. We also work with manufacturers who offer warranties on their jewelry, so if something were to happen with a client\u2019s jewelry we would be able to get a repair or replacement taken care of right away!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How much will jewelry cost? Why isn\u2019t the price of jewelry included in the cost of the piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our pricing breakdown is as follows:\u00a0 Piercing Fee + Cost of Jewelry<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please see our pricing page for a comprehensive list of piercings offered and their associated piercing fees.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing fees cover the cost for our piercer to perform the piercing, setup, sterilization and any tools\/products used to perform the piercing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry costs vary depending on the type of jewelry you choose. We currently offer 39 different types of piercing services and each of those different piercing types has its own specifications, sizes, jewelry options, etc. We typically offer several different jewelry styles for each piercing type and we typically offer those jewelry styles in both gold and titanium in a variety of sizes so that we have something for everyone and their individual anatomy. Sizing plays a huge role in jewelry pricing, so while we can guess what you\u2019ll need based on the most common sizes\/styles for the piercing you\u2019d like to get, we wouldn\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019ll need until you meet with your piercer and they can physically look at the piercing site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing jewelry is not one-size-fits-all, for earlobe piercings for an example we offer hundreds, if not thousands of different options for jewelry that you could get pierced with, some start as low as $20 each, some cost thousands of dollars each and we carry everything in between. Even in healed piercings the sizing can vary significantly for each piercing placement depending on thickness of tissue, piercing placement, any movement or change to the angle that happened during healing, and several other factors. Using nostril rings as an example- we have some clients who can wear an 18g \u00bc inch sized ring, those can cost as low as $25 each in titanium, but other clients may need something larger in diameter or want something thicker, like 16g or they may want gold, in which case the cheapest option we would have would be closer to $180 each, see the price difference? It\u2019s for this reason that we do not typically give exact price quotes over the phone or on our website, we just don\u2019t know exactly what you\u2019ll need. We can offer general guidance and price ranges, but the exact price isn\u2019t typically something we can tell you beforehand in most cases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some general pricing guidelines for jewelry are as follows:<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-24117\" src=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-354x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"509\" height=\"719\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-354x500.jpg 354w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-724x1024.jpg 724w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-768x1086.jpg 768w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-1000x1414.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J.jpg 1414w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 509px) 100vw, 509px\" \/><\/p><p><b><i>What is the cheapest option for jewelry for my piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer \u201cPiercing Bundles\u201d for clients who want to get pierced with our most basic jewelry available. During these types of appointments we will show you the jewelry you will be pierced with, size you for a backing (if applicable) and sterilize the jewelry. If you decide that you would wish to be pierced with something else during your appointment just let your piercer know and they will show you more options- but please keep in mind these options will be more expensive. If you would like to browse multiple options for jewelry for your new piercing please book a regular piercing appointment.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry included in these bundles are as follows-<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Basic Bundle-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercings Available-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry Includes<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> -1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\/3mm\/4mm)<\/span><\/p><p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$76 each<\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Aftercare Bundle-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercings Available- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret)<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry Includes- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\/3mm\/4mm)<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aftercare Includes- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 small Dr.Bronners Soap &amp; 1 small NeilMed Saline Wound Wash<\/span><\/p><p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$86 each<\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Premium Bundle-<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercings Available<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; septum, industrial, orbital<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry Includes-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1 Initial size fixed bead ring (septum\/Orbital) <\/span><b><i>or <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 Initial size barbell (industrial)<\/span><\/p><p><b>Total Bundle Cost= $85 each<\/b><\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my own jewelry?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not allow clients to bring in outside jewelry. The APP has very stringent guidelines regarding what types of metals can and cannot be used in studios with their certification. We must be able to verify at the manufacturing level the quality of the jewelry being used. Most fashion jewelry available to clients is not considered body safe and is often the wrong size for long term wear in the body. We also use autoclave sterilization machines in our studio and most fashion jewelry cannot be autoclaved, meaning we could not sterilize it before use. If you have jewelry that is from a brand that we carry that was purchased at another studio you can reach out to verify that we would be able to install that piece for you, but please be aware that we will not install jewelry that has scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues. We will not re-use any body jewelry that has been previously worn in a piercing for a fresh piercing.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in jewelry that I previously purchased from The Exotic Body?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fresh backing must be used in any new piercing, but the tops can be reused. Any jewelry, including tops and backings, that has been previously purchased from us can be removed and installed into other <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healed<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> piercings, as long as the jewelry does not have scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues. A fresh backing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">must<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> be used in any new piercing. Rings can only be reused in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healed <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">piercings. Seam rings that have been bent out of and back into shape multiple times do tend to eventually lose their shape, so we wouldn\u2019t recommend clients do this a lot; if you want a ring style that better accommodates being moved between piercings we would recommend a clicker style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exactly<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing; the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there! You can find our Instagram page @theexoticbody\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my piercing appointment if I need to pick something out to be pierced with?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What do I do if I lose my jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Exotic Body is not responsible for lost jewelry. If you snag your jewelry, remove it, the pieces become unthreaded, unseated fully or separated and the jewelry falls out we will not replace it. Keeping your threaded balls tight and your ends seated in their backings once they have been installed tightly is your responsibility. You should check the ends regularly to ensure they have not gotten loosened in any way. If you need to replace a lost piece of jewelry you can book a jewelry purchase appointment. If your jewelry was purchased in the last year we should be able to look it up in our system and find you an exact match and get it installed. If you think you are able to reinstall the jewelry yourself and we are able to find the piece in our system you are welcome to arrange a porch pickup for your piece, we will not be able to assist with installing jewelry with a porch pickup so you should be confident that you can install it yourself; please call or email us to set up a porch pickup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What if my jewelry breaks?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jewelry brands that we carry at The Exotic Body have a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty, so if a piece ever breaks we would be happy to get it repaired or replaced (this process varies by brand, so please reach out if this happens). You will need to bring in the broken jewelry so that we can visually inspect it and send it in for repairs if that is the policy of that brand. Please reach out as soon as it happens so that we can get it taken care of right away.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>\u201cWhy is it so expensive?\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We try to keep our piercing fees similar to what other studios of a similar caliber are pricing theirs at. Sure, there may be cheaper options around, but keep in mind that these studios may not be APP certified, carry less safe body jewelry, and have less stringent sterilization methods (or none at all!) Our piercers are educated on the latest body piercing techniques, kept up to date on all licenses and required training (like bloodborne pathogens training, CPR, etc.) and must follow strict cleaning, sterilization and preparation procedures outlined by the APP and our studio owner. Our piercing or service fees are used to cover the cost of supplies and technology necessary to properly sterilize, prepare and perform a piercing as well as a percentage that is paid to our piercers for their experience and expertise in performing the piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our jewelry prices are determined by their manufacturers and brands. We purchase our jewelry at competitive rates from verified manufacturers who are able to prove the integrity of their products and processes so we only ever offer the highest quality jewelry that we can be sure is body safe. Our jewelry is made of implant grade materials- usually titanium or gold- and high quality synthetic and genuine stones. We carry one of the largest selections of jewelry that we\u2019ve ever seen in a studio! We have thousands of options available, from very basic to extremely ornate, even custom orders are available, so we have something for everyone! We carry jewelry from manufacturers who provide warranties on their jewelry, so if it ever breaks we would be happy to send it out for repairs or get a replacement (this process varies by brand, please reach out if this happens to you and make sure to keep your jewelry so that we can check it out and send it in for repairs\/replacement if needed).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our price breakdown is as follows-<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing Fee-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> typically ranging from $40 (for basic piercings) &#8211; $140 (for more advanced genital piercings); Children\u2019s piercings are $50 each.<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jewelry-<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this price varies depending on the jewelry items you choose. At the time of your appointment your piercer will work with you to choose a suitable size and design for your initial piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-24117\" src=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-354x500.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"510\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-354x500.jpg 354w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-724x1024.jpg 724w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-768x1086.jpg 768w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J-1000x1414.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jewelry-Prices-J.jpg 1414w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Most initial jewelry sizes will be larger than what most people will want to wear in their healed piercing, this is done to ensure the piercing site has enough room to accommodate swelling and most of the time jewelry can be downsized after initial swelling subsides- typically 6 weeks from the initial piercing date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aftercare- <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We carry everything you\u2019d need to take care of your piercing. We recommend NeilMed saline wound wash mist or wipes and Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap for taking care of piercings and we have these available in multiple sizes. Saline is $7 for the smaller size or $11.75 for the larger size. Soap is $4 for the small size and $6.95 for the larger size. NeilMed wipes are $11.25.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We prefer cash payments, and have an ATM available in the lobby if you would like to withdraw cash. We also accept debit, credit and mobile payments. There is a $5 fee applied to all debit, credit or mobile payments. We also accept AfterPay using their App or physical card- all you need to do is use your Afterpay app or card when ringing up.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why do you only have a few items available on your online store?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are constantly working on adding more items to our online store, however our online store will never offer every item we have in stock. We stock a number of brands, with thousands and thousands of individual items and we don\u2019t have the staff to maintain a large online store presence without taking away from the experience for our in-shop clients. Piercing jewelry is also not a \u201cone size fits all\u201d type of shopping experience; sure there are some things we use more often for certain piercings than others, and we can always guess at sizes, but we don\u2019t offer returns on body jewelry (we never reuse jewelry that has potentially been inside of a person\u2019s body) so if you end up purchasing an incorrect size or an incompatible piece of jewelry there isn\u2019t anything we can do. We have also had clients purchase jewelry and then break it in the process of trying to install it themselves at home, at which point we are unable to send it back to the manufacturers for repairs, and we never want to see that happen. We offer checkups, insertions, removals, and jewelry purchase appointments for these reasons and we always recommend coming in to see a professional so we can avoid any of these issues. If you are looking to purchase a replacement piece for something that you have purchased here and we are able to find the exact item in our sales system we can always let you know the size, style, materials, etc. of a piece you purchased from us and we would be happy to offer a porch pickup for those items if you feel <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">absolutely<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> confident that you will be able to install the piece yourself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Where can I purchase more jewelry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer jewelry purchase appointments so that you can come in and purchase a new piece of jewelry that you can be sure is completely safe and high quality. We have pieces from a number of brands including, Industrial Strength, BVLA, Pupil Hall, Tawapa, Quetzalli, and Body Gems, plus more! Our jewelry collection has thousands of pieces in lots of different styles, designs and shapes, plus we offer custom ordering from a number of brands! Most jewelry companies that offer high quality body jewelry do not ship directly to clients, so if you find something that you\u2019d love from a brand that we carry we would be happy to place an order for you with them, just reach out!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fashion jewelry, often seen in places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc. Is typically meant only for temporary wear and should not be left in piercings long term. Jewelry companies that are not associated with piercing studios do not have to follow the same regulations that a body piercing facility have to follow and often include designs with gauge sizes considered too small for safe wear, externally threaded pieces, and can include non-body safe materials like nickel or silver. Please exercise caution when purchasing and wearing these types of jewelry; unsafe jewelry can cause irritations, tearing and damage to an otherwise healthy piercing, even after it is healed, and can lead to the piercing needing to be removed entirely. If you decide to wear fashion jewelry and notice a reaction you should remove the jewelry immediately and return to wearing a high quality, body safe piece purchased from a reputable jewelry company or piercing studio.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were pierced at another studio or business that used jewelry that is causing an irritation, discomfort or a reaction you\u2019re welcome to book a checkup or jewelry purchase appointment so that we can find something suitable and safe for your piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How do custom orders work?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer custom orders from a number of brands. How customized the piece can be depends on the brands. Some brands, like BVLA and Industrial Strength have a plethora of metal, stone and size options, so they have the highest chance at being the most flexible when it comes to changing up an existing design to fit your size or aesthetic needs. Custom orders from BVLA begin being made when the order is placed and can take several months to arrive, so keep this in mind when deciding to place an order. Industrial Strength has slightly less customization options than BVLA and they specialize in titanium (though they have begun to expand their gold selection) but we can get custom orders from them a lot faster. Brands like Pupil Hall, who offer \u201cdrops\u201d of their jewelry do not offer custom orders, as their jewelry is typically released once or twice a year and we are put on a waitlist for these drops. Instagram is a great place to check out the different brands we offer and see which items we carry from those brands. If you see a brand that we carry and find something on their site that we do not carry in store feel free to reach out to see if we can get it ordered for you! If you decide to cancel a custom order after the order has started the manufacturing process you are required to pay a 15% cancellation fee per item.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can you ship jewelry to me?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can! We have some items available in our online store that can be shipped to your location. If you would like to purchase something from us that you don\u2019t see in our online store please reach out! If we have the item in stock we can get an invoice sent over and ship it out as soon as it\u2019s paid. If we don\u2019t currently have that item in stock and that brand offers custom orders we will set that up for you; the wait times vary significantly between brands, so you may need to have some patience.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer gift cards?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do! Just check out our online store to purchase a gift card or stop by during regular business hours. Gift cards can also be purchased on our Square Appointments profile through the Square site or App.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Can I buy jewelry as a gift?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love when friends, family, or partners want to purchase jewelry as a gift, but it can be tricky unless you\u2019re prepared! Piercing jewelry is not one size fits all, so if you are planning on purchasing jewelry as a gift you will need to know the correct size\/fit to purchase for them. Stud style jewelry is inserted into a backing that has a gauge size and length, so you will need to know both of these sizes when making a purchase (or just purchase the top and let them purchase the backing another time). Hoops are the most difficult to purchase for someone else unless they already wear a hoop in that piercing and you know the exact size and style. Hoops have a gauge size and a diameter, so you will need to know both of these sizes when purchasing a hoop. The closure and style of a ring can affect how the ring fits in the piercing, so unless you are purchasing something very similar to something they already wear it can be hard to know exactly how the ring will sit in the piercing, so please keep this in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sound too complicated? We suggest buying your special someone a gift card unless you\u2019re VERY sure that you have the sizing correct!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer discounts for students?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We sometimes attend events where we will give out special Student VIP cards! If you attend one of these events and are given one of these cards they are $10 off piercing fees or 15% off titanium jewelry, otherwise we do not offer any kind of student discount. If you are a school ambassador, club leader, or administration staff member who is interested in giving out our student VIP cards for an event please reach out!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer a military discount?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer a military discount.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you ever have sales or promotions?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We typically always have some type of promo or discount running on various types of piercing or jewelry depending on the time of year! Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date with these events, so be sure to follow us @theexoticbody so you never miss an opportunity! In the past we have offered back to school discounts for kids piercings, bring a friend and get discounted piercings for each of you, and even fundraiser events where you can receive a special discount for participating! We also occasionally send out email or text coupons, so be sure you\u2019re subscribed to those in your Square Appointments account \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Why do you charge a fee for using debit\/credit cards and mobile payments?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a lot of studios out there still operating on a cash-only basis and we understand that this can be limiting and often frustrating for their clients. We want to offer a variety of payment methods to our clients, however being a small business does have its limitations as far as what we are able to offer. In order for us to offer card payments, mobile payments, or afterpay we have to pay large processing fees. To be able to continue to offer these payment types we opted to charge a service fee. We have an ATM available in our lobby with a much smaller fee than our card fee that is available for clients to use if they wish to avoid the service fee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What size jewelry will my initial piercing be?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings, or piercings that use barbells) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What does \u201cdownsizing\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What size needle do you use?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We offer a variety of different piercings that are all pierced with different sized needles. The smallest gauge size that we offer is 18g. The most common sizes that we use in the studio are 18g-10g. Earlobes and nostrils are typically pierced with an 18g needle, but may also use 16g and occasionally a 14g needle, depending on the client\u2019s long term piercing goals and anatomy. Cartilage piercings, like helix, daith, conch or rook piercings are typically pierced with 16g, 14g, or 12g needles, also depending on the clients long term piercing goals and anatomy. Sometimes we will use a slightly larger needle than the jewelry worn inside the piercing, to allow for an easier time healing- this technique varies client to client, is incredibly anatomy dependent and not used by all of our piercers. Nipple piercings are typically performed with 14g or 12g needles, though a 16g is occasionally used for clients with very small anatomy. Genital piercings vary significantly from piercing to piercing and can range from 16g-10g depending on the placement, clients\u2019 anatomy and long term piercing goals, if you have questions regarding the size of needle\/jewelry that would be used during your piercing this is something you should discuss with your piercer during an anatomy check or jewelry selection. Our piercers are highly educated on which needle size and jewelry size is best for each piercing placement and always take individual anatomy into consideration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What is the smallest gauge size that you carry?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smallest gauge size that we carry is 18g. When jewelry is thinner than 18g the likelihood of rejection, migration and tearing are significantly higher. Thinner jewelry can sometimes get pushed out of the body, like a splinter. The body recognizes jewelry as a foreign object and has to heal around and regulate itself with the piece of jewelry still inside, which is why piercings take longer to heal than surface wounds. When jewelry is too thin the body has a harder time accepting it and will more often work to remove the foreign object from the body, which can lead to rejection of the jewelry completely. We often get clients who would like 20g jewelry (typically for nostril or ear piercings), as they would like a smaller, daintier look for their jewelry. 20g and 22g jewelry is common among fashion jewelry brands and is typically not considered body safe. 20g and 22g hoops are especially common and jewelry this thin can start to have what is called the \u201ccheese wire effect\u201d causing tearing and migration. Think of the thin wires used in a cheese cutting device, they are extremely thin and feel sharp to the touch and are dragged through the hard surface of the cheese, cutting and tearing the cheese; now think of how that process would look in your body- ouch! This effect can also happen with jewelry that is too tight, causing pulling and tearing to the piercing site which can permanently change the placement, angle and health of the piercing. We always recommend that rings, chains and other pieces have enough room to sit comfortably against, not pushing or pulling on, the tissue around your piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What tools do you use to perform a piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each piercer in our studio performs their piercings with different techniques. Piercers often learn a certain way of piercing from a mentor or program they attend and as they work with clients, familiarize themselves with tools\/jewelry\/anatomy, and grow and progress through their careers, learn different styles, techniques and tips and tricks to perform piercings. We pride ourselves on always being educated on new techniques, processes and seeking out learning opportunities whenever we can. Piercers in our area often host classes, meetings, and industry events where we are able to meet up with other professionals in our industry to learn from them, discuss advancements, tips and tricks, and new ways of working with clients to provide better and better experiences. One of the things we love about the piercing industry is the constant forward movement and advancements made by incredible professionals in the industry. Companies that produce tools and jewelry are always looking for new and better ways to create their products, piercers are constantly educating themselves and learning from pioneers in the industry who are always looking to improve their craft. We love the passion and dedication of professionals in all areas of the body modification industry and always look to others for education and inspiration. Each piercer in our studio is familiar with a variety of techniques to perform each piercing they offer, so that they can always make the best decision based on each client, their long term piercing goals, anatomy, healing considerations and overall comfort. We have piercers who use freehand piercing techniques, utilizing less tools and working more with their hands for pressure and guidance of needles and jewelry. We have piercers who always utilize tools that have been tried, tested and improved over decades of work in the industry. Sometimes a freehand style piercer will employ the use of a tool during a specific piercing for a client based on anatomy or placement of a piercing and sometimes piercers who typically use tools will forgo the tool in a situation where it may hinder the ease of access or not provide the correct kind of pressure\/guidance for needles or jewelry into a piercing because of placement or anatomy concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every piercer who works at The Exotic Body is always going to choose a technique, tool, process or setup for your piercing based on what they determine would be the best used for your individual situation, placement, anatomy, and long term piercing goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some examples of tools used in our studio include: needle receiving tubes, forceps, hemostats, brass ring pliers, clamps and placement rings (just to name a few). We have advanced sterilization, reprocessing and handling procedures for all of our tools so you can be sure that every single item used for your piercing is high quality and sterilized completely. We use autoclave sterilization techniques and have highly trained staff to process, package and store each tool to the proper sterilization standards required by state and federal laws, and the APP.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Will you numb the area before performing the piercing?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical numbing agents are not recommended when getting a piercing for a number of reasons. First, topical numbing agents only work on the top layers of skin, it\u2019s not like a local anesthetic administered in a medical setting (which piercers are not qualified to administer or offer), so you will absolutely still feel the needle pierce the tissue. Second, products that numb the skin change the elasticity and texture of the skin which can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings. Please do not apply topical numbing agents prior to your piercing appointment, our piercers are trained to work with normal, unaltered tissue and anatomy and applying these products, especially when the piercer is unaware, can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What if I pass out?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our piercers are all trained in how to handle clients fainting during or after a piercing. There are many reasons people may faint, feel dizzy or get lightheaded during a piercing. It\u2019s best to eat at least 4 hours prior to getting a piercing, and we recommend clients eat something with sugar or protein. Clients should also be hydrated prior to getting a piercing, and be sure to drink lots of water after as well, especially in the summer months. We keep our studio a little cooler than most businesses to help keep clients cool and relaxed. We are prepared with water bottles and ice packs in the event that you do pass out and will ensure that you are feeling back to normal before leaving the studio. Please be aware that clients who faint during a piercing procedure will often have fainting symptoms again later in the day and may faint a second time later in the day after the first time they pass out, so please be extra careful when doing any other activities after getting pierced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>What if I end up not liking my new piercing\/jewelry?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you decide that you end up not liking how a piercing looks on you all you need to do is remove the jewelry and keep the wound clean while it heals closed. If you have trouble removing the jewelry you can always come in for a jewelry removal appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the placement of your new piercing seems off please reach out as soon as you notice it so that we can get you scheduled for a re-piercing with your piercer. Re-piercings need to be performed by the same piercer who performed your initial piercing (if for some reason you\u2019d prefer to see a different piercer please reach out, we need to set up re-piercing appointments with other piercers differently from our normal appointments)<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you end up purchasing jewelry and decide you don\u2019t like the style, shape, size, etc. you\u2019re welcome to keep it in good condition and we can re-sterilize it for another p, barbells, or dermal\/surface bars for fresh piercings, but we can always move a top or ring to a different location in a healed piercing as long as it is not damaged in any way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We do not offer refunds on body jewelry. The Exotic Body is not responsible for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lost<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> jewelry, but if for some reason your jewelry breaks (like a stone falls out or a pin breaks, etc.) we will replace\/repair it based on its manufacturer\u2019s warranty, you will just need to bring the piece in for us to send it to them for replacement\/repair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>I\u2019ve moved away since getting pierced\/I got pierced while visiting Sacramento; how can I find a studio near me that has compatible jewelry\/comparable standards and services?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safepiercing.org has a super handy \u201cFind a Piercer\u201d page where you can search for an APP certified studio near you!<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing at another studio, but I\u2019m having issues healing my piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer piercing apprenticeships?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At The Exotic Body we only take on apprentices from within our staff, so that we can ensure that every mentor\/apprentice relationship is a good fit. Apprenticeships are offered at the piercers discretion and are only offered to staff members who have worked with us for at least one year. Having industry knowledge, experience with clients, policies, and jewelry are all key components of a successful apprenticeship, so we facilitate this by offering apprenticeships to counter staff after their one year working anniversary, if that is something they are interested in and if we have a piercer who is looking to take on an apprentice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><i>How does a piercing apprenticeship work? What do your apprentices do at your studio?<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing apprenticeships look different at every studio, but typically cover the same fundamental foundations in piercing education. Typically, at our studio, apprentices are required to observe their mentor work with clients for a number of hours before ever working with clients themselves (typically at least 100 hours). Once the mentor believes the apprentice is ready to work directly with clients we have them start with tasks like jewelry changes, downsizings, and checkups, all with mentor supervision and client permission; these first steps help our apprentices learn to work with the tools, jewelry, and cultivate their professional personality and bedside manner; in addition they work with their mentor on cleaning and marking the client and setup of the piercing procedure areas. Once apprentices are ready to begin piercing clients we schedule special appointments where the piercing fee is waived for clients who are willing to allow an apprentice to practice piercing. Typically we begin with more basic piercings- like earlobe, nostril, and helix piercings, and work up to more difficult piercings- like septum, daith, navel and nipple piercings, but this process looks different for every apprentice, as every piercer has their own strengths and weaknesses; some piercers are excellent at lining up septum or nipple piercings, while others are amazing at finding just the right angle to nail a nostril piercing, everyones different!\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piercing apprenticeships can take years to fully complete. As our apprentices work through their repertoire of piercings and complete the necessary tasks and practice to the point of being able to confidently perform a piercing they begin offering that piercing as a regular piercer, so that they can work with clients regularly, build up their portfolio, and support themselves financially. We never allow an apprentice to perform piercings on their own until they have FULLY completed their education regarding that specific piercing including being able to troubleshoot any potential issues that could happen during a piercing appointment, so you can feel confident that any piercer you book with is fully educated and capable of safely and professionally performing a piercing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*If you\u2019re interested in getting pierced by one of our apprentices, keep an eye out on our social media pages where we usually post what piercings we are looking for!*\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Custom Jewelry Orders\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<ul><li>Custom orders are available from several of our brands! If you have a vision for a jewelry piece and a little bit of patience we can arrange a custom order for you! This process can take several months to complete, depending on the specifics of the item you were interested in, so please reach out if you\\u2019d like to get started!\\u00a0Please keep in mind that if you decide to cancel a custom order once it has been sent to the manufacturer for processing you are required to pay a 15% cancellation fee per item.<\\\/li><\\\/ul>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Appointments\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b><i>Where is your shop located?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are located at <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">807 30th St. Sacramento, CA 9581.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The closest cross streets are H street and 30th street.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><img class=\\\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24275\\\" src=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535-500x409.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"500\\\" height=\\\"409\\\" \\\/><\\\/p><p><b><i>Where should I park?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There is paid street parking directly in front of our studio on 30th street on our block and on the blocks before and after. There is intermittent free parking on H street and I street, but spots are often full or nearly full. You are welcome to park in the driveway directly next to our studio at any time. Please do not park in adjacent businesses, their parking is for their customers only and you risk being towed.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every client getting a new piercing or stretching their piercing to a larger size will need to bring a currently valid, state issued ID that has their birthdate and photo on it. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare for my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\\u2019s VERY important that you arrive at your appointment having eaten and hydrated! We ask that clients eat within 4 hours of their appointment to make sure you\\u2019re feeling your best for the piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Plan ahead to account for possible traffic, having a downtown location means traffic is very unpredictable and events shut down portions of streets regularly. Paid street parking is available in front of the shop or you are welcome to park in our driveway. Please do not park in adjacent business\\u2019 parking lots, their parking is for their clients and you risk being towed.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Think about the piercing(s) you\\u2019ll be receiving and dress appropriately. If you\\u2019re getting a piercing that would require you to undress partially it\\u2019s always a good idea to wear clothing that can be easily removed and don\\u2019t wear too many layers. Don\\u2019t wear white if you are getting a piercing that has a tendency to spot bleed, like genital piercings or nipple piercings.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Think about what jewelry you might like to see in your piercing; we have a massive selection, with thousands and thousands of different pieces, and new ones coming in all the time! The more info you can give your piercer regarding the visual aspect of your piercing the easier it will be for them to pull pieces for you. If you\\u2019d like to check out some of the jewelry\\\/brands we carry, check out our Instagram @theexoticbody where we have lots of photos of jewelry, both on and off of clients.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Review any relevant policies or information related to your piercing at exoticbody.com or reach out with any questions that you may have.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you experience any symptoms of illness, or are feeling generally unwell prior to your appointment please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can reschedule you to another date.<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my minor piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> legal custodial guardian. <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\\\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\\\/guardian <\\\/span><b>MUST<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">currently valid, state issued ID <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">that has their birthdate and photo on it and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How many piercings can I get in one appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The complexity and difficulty of receiving or healing a piercing will greatly affect how many piercings we would recommend getting at once. Piercings like earlobes, simple cartilage piercings, nostrils and septums are typically easier to heal than piercings like daiths, rooks, oral piercings, industrials, etc. Multiple piercings in one area, like double or triple helix and nostril piercings or piercings in high movement areas like navels, tongue, and surface\\\/dermal piercings may be best performed one at a time to allow the body to focus on healing each piercing. You should avoid sleeping on a fresh piercing, especially cartilage piercings,\\u00a0 so if you are a side sleeper we would recommend piercing one ear at a time and allowing some time for it to heal before piercing the other side.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All in all, it really depends on which piercings you will be getting as far as what we would recommend, but just for time constraints we typically only allow a client to get 3 to 4 piercings during a single appointment. For piercings that require extra precision in marking, like paired nostrils, lips and eyebrow piercings we ask that you don\\u2019t get any other piercings in that appointment, nobody wants these piercings to be rushed.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min jewelry selection<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min performing piercing\\\/changing jewelry\\\/stretching\\\/ etc.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my service animal to my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Service animals that assist an individual with a disability are the only animals that are permitted in a body art facility. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the studio. You may not bring an animal in a carrier or hold your animal during your appointment, even as a guest. We work very hard to maintain as clean of an environment as possible, including some sterile areas in the studio and pet dander, fur and other contaminants associated with animals may compromise those areas. Pets also have no way of knowing which areas to avoid that may contain bio-hazards and may wander into areas that could compromise their health as well. It would be helpful if you are able to note in your appointment that you plan to bring a service animal with you so that we are better prepared to accommodate you and your service animal.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can my group come in to all get piercings together?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Coming in to get piercings with your group of friends, family, coworkers, etc. is a great way to create memories and we love working with groups! Please keep in mind that we have a small studio so if you come in with a large group we may take you a few at a time to choose jewelry or get pierced. The amount of people allowed in the jewelry or piercing rooms at any given time will depend on the piercer working and what is being pierced\\\/how difficult a piercing it will be to get or be performed. Groups of three or 4 can typically stay together for the entire experience, while groups 5 + may need to wait in the lobby and come back a couple at a time to choose jewelry and get pierced. We do not recommend group appointments for children under 14 years old and we do not recommend group appointments for multiple children all getting their first ear piercings together. Often these appointments can be overwhelming and can lead to one or more of the children deciding not to get pierced, or can put pressure on a child who is unsure or too scared to be pierced to say yes in front of their friends, and we never want anyone to feel pressured during their appointment. If you have a group of 5 or more people who all want to get pierced we would VERY MUCH appreciate it if you noted in your appointments or gave us a call to let us know so that we can prepare the studio space as much as possible for your group. We will always do our best to accommodate groups and make the experience fun and easy, but please keep in mind that we often have more than one piercer working at once and their clients need to be seen in the order their appointments are booked. If you wish to be the only clients in the studio during your appointments please reach out to set this up ahead of time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you see clients who are late to their appointments?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Just like with any business that offers appointments on an appointment only basis we have to honor the appointments booked by ALL clients; if you are late to your appointment your piercer may not be able to complete your requested services without running into another clients timeslot. We have a strict time limit on our appointments of 5 minutes, which is communicated to clients in our confirmation message, as well as listed in several locations on our website; we make this abundantly clear so that there is no confusion on the day of your appointment and we are able to stay on track and honor every clients reservation. Piercings themselves take a short amount of time to perform, but choosing jewelry, sterilizing the jewelry, setting up and tearing down piercing stations between clients, paperwork, ringing up, and cleaning and marking the areas to be pierced all take time too. We have timed out how long our services typically take, as well as time necessary for us to perform necessary cleaning between clients and paced our appointments to accommodate this time. If you are running late we would appreciate a heads up; we can check out appointments around your timeslot and see if there is any way for us to fit you in, but we cannot guarantee this, so please be kind to our counter staff if you arrive late and are turned away, they are just following policy to keep everyone safe.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you have a waitlist for daily appointments?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not keep a waitlist for clients once our day books up. If you have an emergency (like an embedded or rejecting piercing) we will do our best to fit you in between clients, but we cannot always accommodate in every situation so please reach out and we will do our very best to help out and fit you in if we can.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When clients no-show for their appointments we are already well into the appointment slot so we would be unable to see another client at that time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While we do occasionally get cancellations they are typically very close to the appointment time and most of the time clients are unable to arrive on time to fill in the spot. If you don\\u2019t see an appointment available the same day we usually have one available the following day, so you wouldn\\u2019t have to wait long to be seen.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Who should I bring with me to my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Bringing a friend, partner, or family member along to your piercing appointment can be a fun way to bond, ease nerves or allow someone who may be thinking about getting a new piercing to see the process before deciding! We love when clients bring in a guest to their appointments, we just have a few suggestions to make the process fun for everyone involved. Consider your guest\\u2019s level of comfort in the environment; if you\\u2019re asking someone to be your guest at your appointment, especially if you want them to be in the room while you\\u2019re being pierced,\\u00a0 you should ensure they will be comfortable enough to watch the procedure happen and feel comfortable in a piercing shop environment (some people get nervous with how much the studio looks like a medical office or they may not be comfortable seeing needles and tools). Consider <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">your<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> comfort level and relationship with the person if you are getting a piercing in a more private area like nipples or genitals (if you want to bring a friend but not have them in the room during the piercing they\\u2019re welcome to wait in the lobby!). Consider how your guest feels about the piercing itself, there\\u2019s nothing worse than an unsupportive partner or friend making the experience more difficult, making negative comments, or telling the client they don\\u2019t want them to get pierced to begin with; if YOU want the piercing and YOU are excited you shouldn\\u2019t bring someone along who is discouraging or negative about the experience, it\\u2019s your body after all and someone who cares about you shouldn\\u2019t make you feel badly about a decision you\\u2019ve made for yourself &#8211; if your guest is being particularly negative or very vocal that they aren\\u2019t supportive we will ask them to wait in the lobby. Guests at piercing appointments should be supportive, comforting, and someone you trust.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">An especially difficult situation we sometimes find ourselves in is when minor clients come in with parents who have reluctantly agreed to let their child get a piercing when they aren\\u2019t really happy about it or would rather them not have it. Obviously any minor getting a piercing must be accompanied by their parent\\\/guardian and their parent needs to give permission for the piercing to happen, but we have experienced situations where the parent has agreed to let the child get a piercing they want and the parent clearly doesn\\u2019t like it and sometimes they will vocalize this dislike of piercings in general or thinking a piercing will not look good on their child to our staff, which can put us in an uncomfortable situation where the parent expects us to discourage the child from getting pierced or pick a side in an argument that is really not our place to be a part of in the first place. We see this most often with older teenagers who may want facial piercings, upper cartilage piercings or navel piercings. This is a discussion that should be happening <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">prior to your appointment <\\\/span><\\\/i><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">between you and your child<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. If you as the parent are really uncomfortable with your child getting a piercing you need to weigh the decision <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">prior<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> to agreeing to let them come in. We get that parents and children often have different ideas about piercing and when and if someone should get certain piercings or the look of piercings in general; some parents don\\u2019t want their children to have any piercings until they are 18 and can make the decision themselves and that\\u2019s totally okay, but if you decide to allow your child to get a new piercing and then get to the appointment and vocalize how much you don\\u2019t like the piercing or how much you don\\u2019t want them to get pierced it puts a lot of pressure on you, the child and staff. We can\\u2019t tell you when the right time to allow your child to get a piercing is, that\\u2019s an incredibly personal decision you and your family need to make for themselves, but if you do agree to bring your child in and get a piercing we would please ask that you have thoroughly discussed everything beforehand and are <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">sure<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> you want them to have the piercing and you are in <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">full support<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. If you have questions about the process, would like to speak with a piercer before hand, or need more understanding of healing, aftercare and jewelry options before you\\u2019re able to make your choice we\\u2019re <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">ALWAYS<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> here to help; please feel free to give us a call or send us an email or DM on social media so that we can help you feel as prepared as possible and mitigate any issues before your appointment is booked; we find the more knowledgeable and informed a parent and child are the smoother the process goes and everyone is more likely to leave happy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you would like to bring in multiple guests or get pierced in a group we would appreciate it if you let us know ahead of time. We have a small studio space and the piercers need space to work so we sometimes need time to prepare if you are coming in a group. Please keep in mind that depending on the piercers comfort level, the size of the group and the number of piercings being performed we may ask that only one guest accompany you into the jewelry or piercing room.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Minors are not permitted as guests during appointments. Please arrange for any necessary childcare prior to your appointment. We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced prior to booking an appointment for the younger child; wh<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">ile we do offer children\\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. Clients are not permitted to hold children while being pierced, this puts you, the child and our piercer in danger.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Which staff member should I choose for my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Finding a piercer you trust is important! Each piercer in our studio has different techniques, bedside manner, and personality; we want you to feel comfortable and safe with your piercer, so if you have something specific in mind for who you might want to pierce you, please check out our About Us page to learn more about each staff member. Not sure who to choose? ALL of our staff members are highly educated, care deeply about our clients and want you to have the best experience possible, so you\\u2019re in good hands no matter who you choose!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know exactly what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing, the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my piercing appointment if I need to pick something out to be pierced with?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\\\/ curations?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\\\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why are ear stylings so expensive?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Styled or curated ears you see on social media- tiktok, pinterest, instagram, etc. have typically been built up over the course of several appointments and months or years of choosing and collecting jewelry to achieve the final look. Occasionally clients will come in and do an overhaul of their jewelry collection to achieve a new or upgraded look, but these clients have typically saved and prepared for their appointments knowing that it will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a lot of jewelry at once. Our gold studs start at about $70 each for the most basic options with no stones and go up from there; we even have individual pieces that cost upwards of $1000, so depending on the look you\\u2019re going for it can get very expensive. Patience is key when building a jewelry collection, find pieces you love, save and invest in timeless pieces you really love and that will work well with other pieces and build your collection a piece or two at a time and you\\u2019ll get there eventually! Think of it like building up a wardrobe of high quality clothing- most people don\\u2019t buy their entire wardrobe in one shopping trip, they find their style and work to find pieces that will work with what they already have and invest in pieces they really love over time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer discounts for students?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We sometimes attend events where we will give our special Student VIP cards! If you attend one of these events and are given one of these cards they are $10 off piercing fees or 15% off titanium jewelry, otherwise we do not offer any kind of student discount. If you are a school ambassador, club leader, or administration staff member who is interested in giving out our student VIP cards for an event please reach out!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer a military discount?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer a military discount.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you ever have sales or promotions?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We typically always have some type of promo or discount running on various types of piercing or jewelry depending on the time of year. Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date with these events, so be sure to follow us @theexoticbody so you never miss an opportunity! In the past we have offered back to school discounts for kids piercings, bring a friend and get discounted piercings for each of you, and even fundraiser events where you can receive a special discount for participating! We also occasionally send out email or text coupons, so be sure you\\u2019re subscribed to those in our Square Appointments account :)\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Are there piercings that you will not perform? Why?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There are piercings that our studio does not offer. Some are due to safety concerns related to healing, long term wear or damage to the body, or age restrictions we have in place. Any time we will not perform a piercing on a client it is for that client\\u2019s safety.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sometimes clients don\\u2019t have the anatomy necessary for us to safely perform the piercing they would like to get. The most common piercings this occurs with are navel and industrial piercings. These piercings require specific anatomy for them to heal properly and if they are performed on a client with unsuitable anatomy the chance of rejection and issues healing greatly increases. Remember, we are here to help and we always want you to get the piercings that you want, so if a piercer declines to pierce you they are doing so because they do not feel it is safe. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\\u2019s what you would like, but we will not perform a piercing on a client if we do not think they have the appropriate anatomy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Another reason we might decline a piercing is due to age restrictions we have in place. We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\\\/span><b><i>absolutely<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not offered and are<\\\/span> <b><i>illegal<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\\\/span><b><i>ever. <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">several<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some piercings are not considered safe and should not be performed by any piercer for any reason. Less reputable studios often offer these piercings at client request with no regard for the long term effects on the clients health and healing. For example \\u201cfrog eyes\\u201d or \\u201cscoop\\u201d piercings- a tongue piercing performed with a curved barbell placed horizontally in the tongue, piercings performed in dangerous areas like mandibular, uvular, hand or feet piercings, or piercings performed in tissue that cannot support jewelry like eyelids or finger webbing; these are not considered safe piercings and should not be performed by any piercer, for any reason. At our studio we do not offer double tongue piercings or cheek piercings. There are definitely very skilled, very educated piercers out there who may be offering these piercings without issue, but they take a lot of anatomy consideration, education and a very, very skilled piercer to be performed safely, <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">if they can be performed safely at all <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">(this is a widely debated topic in the piercing community), and should only be performed by a piercer who is specialized in these specific piercings. We recommend doing extensive research and finding a piercer who offers these piercings as a specialty and has lots of experience and a portfolio of these piercings specifically before choosing to get these piercings.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cPlay Piercings\\u201d are piercings that are performed for the experience of receiving the piercing and are very very temporary (typically removed almost immediately) Play piercings are not performed with the intention of wearing the jewelry. A common example of play piercing is the corset piercing, typically performed rows on each side of the back and then a ribbon or tie is laced through the rings. Play piercings are typically performed in a session involving BDSM, but not always, there are those that enjoy the sensation of being pierced but it is not tied to BDSM in any capacity. We do not offer play piercings in our studio and encourage any person interested in performing or receiving these types of piercings to do extensive research and seek out a professional.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t all of the piercers in your studio offer the same services?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We sometimes have piercers working in our studio who are working during a piercing apprenticeship- all piercings performed while an apprentice is practicing are special piercings booked in advance by our staff and are performed under the supervision of the apprentice\\u2019s mentor. Apprentices work for years and slowly build up their range of offerings, for example we may have a piercer who is still working on more advanced piercings as part of an apprenticeship but are open and offering regular services they have already mastered. Any piercer who is available for a service to be booked by clients has experience and education to fully perform that piercing. If a service is not available to be booked by a specific piercer they likely just don\\u2019t offer that piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019ve heard that some piercings cannot be performed on all clients, why is that? What would the reasons be for a piercer declining to pierce me?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Not all piercings are suitable for every client. Many factors can contribute to a piercer deciding to decline a piercing. Improper anatomy is the most common reason our piercers decline piercings for clients. Industrial piercings, navel piercings and some genital piercings are extremely anatomy dependent, and if pierced on a client with improper anatomy to support the piercing, can lead to rejection, migration, tearing and the piercing not healing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u00a0For example, with a navel piercing, the client needs to have a sufficient \\u201cfold\\u201d or amount of tissue on the top (or bottom- for reverse navel piercings) of their navel so that the piercing has sufficient tissue to support the jewelry without being too shallow.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">During your appointment our piercers will ensure that the area you\\u2019d like pierced is suitable for the piercing you wish to get, and offer alternatives (like different shaped jewelry, alternative placements, etc.) if there are alternatives that we believe would be suitable for you. If no alternative is possible, or you don\\u2019t wish to proceed with an alternative, we will simply not do the piercing. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\\u2019s something that you would like to do that day instead, but if a piercer decides to decline a piercing, just know that we are doing it for the health and safety of our clients. Declining piercings is not something we like to do, obviously we want you to feel your best and be able to get any piercing you\\u2019d wish to have, but we always want to ensure that we are only performing piercings that would be safe for our clients!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I am bringing in my child for an ear piercing and I have a younger child who would like to observe the process. Can I bring them to the appointment?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced, however we do not allow children as guests to any appointments. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u00a0While we do offer children\\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. We have found that, for most children, seeing the process beforehand doesn\\u2019t do much to help in the moment of actually getting pierced themselves, as it is a very different experience seeing a sibling or friend get pierced, versus actually sitting in the chair themselves. We are working on putting together a video explaining the piercing process so that children can view this video to better prepare themselves for their appointments without actually being present during another child\\u2019s appointment. Until then, we do have a wonderful 3D tour of our studio that can be helpful for children to get comfortable with the environment they will be in that you can view on our website.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I have to have an MRI\\\/Surgery\\\/Medical Procedure that requires me to remove my jewelry, what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer jewelry removal services! If your piercing is well healed you can schedule a removal close to the date of your procedure and have us remove any jewelry you would like, there is a $20 service fee for removals.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your piercings are fresh, you cannot get an appointment close to the time of your procedure, or you\\u2019re at all worried about your piercings closing up during the time they will need to be removed we offer Pyrex piercing retainers that are safe for wear during an MRI and most medical procedures. The retainers are $15 each. Not all piercings have retainers that are available, so it\\u2019s best to check with us prior to booking an appointment to be sure we have a suitable retainer for your piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019ve moved away since getting pierced\\\/I got pierced while visiting Sacramento; how can I find a studio near me that has compatible jewelry\\\/comparable standards and services?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Safepiercing.org has a super handy \\u201cFind a Piercer\\u201d page where you can search for an APP certified studio near you!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\\\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing at another studio, but I\\u2019m having issues healing my piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><br \\\/><br \\\/><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Kids Piercing\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my child\\u2019s piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> legal custodial guardian. <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\\\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\\\/guardian <\\\/span><b>MUST<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">currently valid, state issued ID <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">that has their birthdate and photo on it and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I am bringing in my child for an ear piercing and I have a younger child who would like to observe the process. Can I bring them to the appointment?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced, however we do not allow children as guests to any appointments. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u00a0While we do offer children\\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. We have found that, for most children, seeing the process beforehand doesn\\u2019t do much to help in the moment of actually getting pierced themselves, as it is a very different experience seeing a sibling or friend get pierced, versus actually sitting in the chair themselves. We are working on putting together a video explaining the piercing process so that children can view this video to better prepare themselves for their appointments without actually being present during another child\\u2019s appointment. Until then, we do have a wonderful 3D tour of our studio that can be helpful for children to get comfortable with the environment they will be in that you can view on our website.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can my group come in to all get piercings together?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Coming in to get piercings with your group of friends, family, etc. is a great way to create memories and we love working with groups! Please keep in mind that we have a small studio so if you come in with a large group we may take you a few at a time to choose jewelry or get pierced. The amount of people allowed in the jewelry or piercing rooms at any given time will depend on the piercer working and what is being pierced\\\/how difficult a piercing it will be to get or be performed. Groups of three or 4 can typically stay together for the entire experience, while groups 5 + may need to wait in the lobby and come back a couple at a time to choose jewelry and get pierced. We do not recommend group appointments for children under 14 years old and we do not recommend group appointments for multiple children all getting their first ear piercings together. Often these appointments can be overwhelming and can lead to one or more of the children deciding not to get pierced, or can put pressure on a child who is unsure or too scared to be pierced to say yes in front of their friends, and we never want anyone to feel pressured during their appointment. If you have a group of 5 or more people who all want to get pierced we would VERY MUCH appreciate it if you noted in your appointments or gave us a call to let us know so that we can prepare the studio space as much as possible for your group. We will always do our best to accommodate groups and make the experience fun and easy, but please keep in mind that we often have more than one piercer working at once and their clients need to be seen in the order their appointments are booked. If you wish to be the only clients in the studio during your appointments please reach out to set this up ahead of time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What are the age limits for getting a piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> legal custodial guardian. <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\\\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\\\/guardian <\\\/span><b>MUST<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a currently valid photo ID and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Non-earlobe piercings available to minors-<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Upper cartilage (no industrials) 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Nostril 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Septum 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Eyebrow (traditional only, no surface or dermal) 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Navel 16+<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Absolutely no nipple or genital piercings offered for minors, even with parent permission; It is the law!\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you offer certain piercings for minors?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\\\/span><b><i>absolutely<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not offered and are<\\\/span> <b><i>illegal<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\\\/span><b><i>ever. <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">several<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why do you offer infant piercings?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some studios do not offer piercings for infants for a variety of reasons. Maybe they don\\u2019t have a piercer with experience with infants, maybe they only want to pierce older children who can give their own personal consent for the piercing, maybe they don\\u2019t have a clientele who have a cultural connection to infant piercing, either way, it\\u2019s a very personal decision for each studio and each piercer within a studio to make. Here at The Exotic Body our shop owner, Michael Hare decided to offer infant piercings to allow a safe, professional experience for those clients who want their infants to have their ears pierced. We know that there are large cultural groups who have a deep, historically rooted connection to infant piercings and we want to ensure that those people have the opportunity to connect to their cultures and hold tradition in a way that is as safe and professional as possible. Some clients simply prefer to have their child\\u2019s ears pierced before they are old enough to remember the experience; sometimes due to an unfortunate traumatic experience with piercing they experienced themselves, sometimes just due to personal preference. We are never going to judge a client for the choices they make for their family and children, we are simply going to offer the best possible experience for those piercings to happen. Our experience is that the clients who really want these piercings to happen will find a way to make them happen, most people know someone who was pierced by their mom\\\/aunt\\\/cousin\\\/etc in a kitchen or bathroom, taken to a mall kiosk as an infant, or decided to purchase a piercing gun themselves and offer piercings to their friends and family; these are all extremely unsafe environments and often result in improperly performed piercings in non-sterile environments that can lead to crooked, embedded, and\\\/or infected piercings, so our decision to offer infant piercings comes from a place of harm reduction. If you have further questions regarding infant piercing please feel free to give us a call or email us and we would be happy to discuss further!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why do you only pierce infants between 3-9 months old?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We don\\u2019t offer infant piercings after 9 months as the developmental stage that infants enter around 9 months usually includes more awareness around where pain comes from in the body and they will start to reach for and tug on jewelry during the healing process, which can cause them to not heal and may cause trauma to the piercing, especially if they end up pulling the jewelry out. They are also typically too large to swaddle at that age and we only ever pierce infants who are swaddled, so that their limbs are contained in a safe, positive way instead of holding a child\\u2019s arms down (so they don\\u2019t reach for or grab the needle during the process) which can be traumatizing to everyone involved. If you have missed the 3-9 month window for your infant we find that the 5 year age range is best to start again so that they can fully comprehend that they cannot touch their jewelry for the 12 weeks they will need to keep the jewelry in and are old enough that we can explain the entire process to them so they can give their own informed consent to be pierced.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My child wants a non-earlobe piercing, what piercing would be best for them to get?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This is a very personal question that we have a hard time really answering for clients. You should have honest discussions with your child about the process, healing and aftercare involved, and potential for scarring at the piercing site if they decide to remove the piercing later. If your child still decides they would like to get a non-earlobe piercing you should then review the types of piercings offered by our studio. Of the piercings offered to minor clients in our studio, the septum is by far the easiest to heal- only a couple of saline rinses a day for about 4 weeks and clients rarely have problems. Septum piercings also produce no visible scar, as the entirety of the piercing site is inside the nose and depending on the jewelry chosen, can often be completely hidden from sight if needed by flipping the jewelry up inside the nose. Daith, rook and navel piercings are some of the more difficult piercings that we offer to minors to heal- they take around 9 months to fully heal and require a lot more maintenance as far as aftercare. All of these considerations should be taken before booking an appointment and if you have any questions please reach out and we will be happy to help!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you use piercing guns?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \\u201cIt is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. We consider unsafe any procedure that places vulnerable tissue in contact with either non-sterile equipment or jewelry that is not considered medically safe for long-term internal wear. Such procedures place the health of recipients at an unacceptable risk. For this reason, APP members may not use reusable ear piercing guns for any type of piercing procedure. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While piercing guns may seem to be a quick, easy and convenient way of creating holes, they have major drawbacks in terms of sterility, tissue damage and inappropriate jewelry design.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>REUSABLE EAR PIERCING GUNS CAN PUT CLIENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF PREVIOUS CLIENTS<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. <\\\/span><b>PIERCING GUNS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TISSUE DAMAGE. <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as \\u201cblunt force trauma.\\u201d At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect. This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. <\\\/span><b>MISUSE OF EAR PIERCING GUNS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Even though many manufacturers\\u2019 instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun practitioners do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow establishments using piercing guns to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of public health.\\u201d<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Where can I learn more about safe piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We always encourage clients to do their own research! Having your own knowledge about the industry and the piercing process is incredibly helpful! Check out Safepiercing.org for tons of info from the Association of Professional Piercers.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min jewelry selection<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min performing piercing\\\/changing jewelry\\\/stretching\\\/ etc.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How much will it hurt?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This is the toughest question for us to answer! Every person experiences the piercing process differently; some clients have no problem getting a new piercing, but find the healing process to be arduous and uncomfortable, some clients find that some piercings are easier than others, and sometimes a piercing that you may have done more than once can feel different each time it\\u2019s performed. Technique, client preparation and general health, stress levels and diet, nerves, and so many more factors can affect how a piercing feels. We find that the most common ways clients describe the piercing process is \\u201cit feels like a pinch\\u201d, \\u201cit feels similar to getting a vaccination\\u201d, and \\u201cit feels like a lot of pressure\\u201d. We typically find that clients\\u2019 idea of what the piercing will feel like when they are imagining it in their minds is usually worse than the actual experience, we often hear \\u201coh, I thought that would be so much worse\\u201d after a piercing is completed. Typically the piercing portion of the procedure is over in just a few short seconds, most of the time of your appointment will be for choosing jewelry, completing paperwork, cleaning and marking, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The most important thing to remember is that we\\u2019re here for you, to walk you through the process, to help you work through any fear you may be feeling, and to support you through the piercing and healing process. If you would be more comfortable bringing a guest with you to your appointment please do so!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Will you numb the area before performing the piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Topical numbing agents are not recommended when getting a piercing for a number of reasons. First, topical numbing agents only work on the top layers of skin, it\\u2019s not like a local anesthetic administered in a medical setting, you will absolutely still feel the piercing. Second, products that numb the skin change the elasticity and texture of the skin which can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare my child for their piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We suggest having a discussion with your child and going over how the appointment will go, what they can expect as far as pain, what they will need to do or avoid while taking care of their piercings, expectations for jewelry that you will allow them to wear, and their overall readiness.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">During your child\\u2019s appointment you and the child will enter the front door and wait in our lobby for your piercer. When they are ready for you they will come greet you and bring you back to the jewelry room. In the jewelry room we will typically ask the child if they would like their ears pierced and we need to hear from them that this is something they want to do. We will then show you and the child some jewelry options. Please be sure to communicate to your piercer if there are specific designs or materials you would not like the child to be offered- for example if you only want your child to wear gold or if you would prefer something smaller or larger, if you need to stick to a specific budget, etc. so that there isn\\u2019t anything that we\\u2019re going to bring out that\\u2019s way out of your comfort zone. If you don\\u2019t have anything specific in mind the piercer will show you both some options and you can choose or you can allow your child to choose. The piercer will then choose appropriately sized backings for the initial piercing (these backings will be long to accommodate swelling and can be downsized in 6 weeks if you wish). Once jewelry is selected the piercer will send you and the child back to the lobby where you will fill our paperwork, go over aftercare with our front counter staff and ring up. If you need aftercare products we have those available, just let the counter staff know and they can add them to your total. While you are handling all of that in the lobby the piercer will sterilize the jewelry and set up their room for the piercing. We use autoclave sterilization for all of our jewelry and tools. Once the piercer is ready for you we will bring you and the child back to the piercing room. Each piercer has a little bit of a different setup and technique, but in general they will prep the skin for the piercing, mark the location of the piercing so that you and the child can check it out and make sure it\\u2019s where you\\u2019d like it to be, then perform the piercing. The piercing needle will create the piercing hole, then we use a tool called an insertion taper to feed the jewelry into the piercing site and secure the gem or design top onto the backing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Typically the earlobe piercing is not very painful, but remember pain is relevant and each person experiences it differently. Some children say \\u201cit just feels like a pinch\\u201d, others have compared it to a vaccination, some children really do not handle the pain well and only one piercing is performed that day, and that\\u2019s okay too, we can always reschedule for another day when they\\u2019re ready to come back and do the other one. Some children are totally fine with the piercing process, some children are not, even when those children were super excited and seemed ready beforehand, sometimes they change their mind and that\\u2019s okay. Occasionally children will cry after or during getting a piercing, sometimes the tears are because they feel it hurts a lot, but more often than not they are a release of anxiety or pent up emotion surrounding the piercing and unrelated to a physical sensation of any kind (even some adults react this way; piercing can be emotional and often we hold a lot of that emotion inside) Please keep in mind that while the experience might seem mundane or quick and easy to you, children are often entering this type of establishment for the first time and so many factors can add up to make them become nervous once they get here. We never charge cancellation or rescheduling fees, so if your child decides they\\u2019re not ready just let us know, it\\u2019s not a big deal, we want them to be ready \\ud83d\\ude42<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Taking care of piercings for the full healing time is a big responsibility. We recommend that you as the parent are checking with your child and assisting with cleaning as needed to ensure thorough cleaning is happening regularly. Your child should not swim while healing a piercing, so if you have swim teams, summer camps, swimming lessons, etc. planned please wait until these events are over before booking your appointment. Most sports leagues\\\/teams will not allow children to wear earrings during practice, games or tournaments. This is to prevent injury to the child; we encourage you to follow all rules set in place by coaches, leagues, teams, etc. We often get parents who ask about covering piercings with bandages for sports seasons; best case scenario with bandaging- it hides the piercing as a temporary solution for a game or practice with no issues, worst case scenario- bandage adhesives can stick to jewelry\\\/still healing tissue and pull\\\/tug when being removed and the adhesives themselves can cause adverse reactions to a piercing wound while healing, and you run the risk of the child\\u2019s jewelry getting caught, tugged or ripped from their body, we have seen clients where this happened even with bandages covering the jewelry, so please carefully weigh the options when deciding how to handle jewelry during sports.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If budget, aesthetic style, materials or type of jewelry is important to you for any reason you should have some idea of this before coming into the appointment. It\\u2019s always tough on everyone- the piercer, the child, and the parent- when parents come in and let their child pick \\u201canything they want\\u201d and then have to backtrack because the price is too high, it\\u2019s not a metal you\\u2019d like them to wear, the design is too big, etc. it often causes conflict and puts pressure on the child and parent in the moment and we never want that. If, for example, you only want your child to choose from the more basic, cheaper options or you\\u2019d prefer they only wear solid gold with no stones, or you\\u2019re okay with stones as long as they\\u2019re a neutral color, etc. please communicate that to your piercer so that we can help avoid any issues in the jewelry room by choosing pieces you\\u2019d like to see. If you\\u2019re unsure what you\\u2019d like to see your child in the piercer would be happy to make suggestions and pull items for you to check out. If you would like to discuss jewelry options prior to your appointment you\\u2019re welcome to give us a call to discuss what we would suggest.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All of our jewelry is either implant grade titanium or solid gold, so you don\\u2019t need to worry about which option is safe, because they both are! We specialize in gold jewelry so we have the most options available in yellow, rose, or white gold, but our\\u00a0 titanium collection has a plethora of lovely pieces you and your child will love as well, so you really can\\u2019t go wrong. Titanium pieces start at about $20 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $25-37 range and Gold starts at about $70 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $90-150 range. Each piece of jewelry will need a backing to go with it, these are implant-grade titanium and cost $16.50 each. We do offer gold backings, but they are most commonly worn in healed piercings, as the initial length backings are only worn for a short period of time before being downsized. Gold backings start at $85 each. Children\\u2019s earlobe piercings ages 5-13 are $50 each, Children 14 + are able to get earlobe, simple upper cartilage piercings, nostril and septum piercings and the piercing fees are $40 each (septum piercings are $50 each). Children aged 16 + can also get more advanced upper cartilage piercings and navel piercings- the piercing fees are $40 each.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why should I bring my child to get pierced at The Exotic Body versus another piercing shop?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Exotic Body was Sacramento\\u2019s First body modification shop! We have been serving the Sacramento area since 1990 and have a long history of offering high quality, safe piercings performed by professional, educated piercers. We are an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certified shop, meaning we have to adhere to the APP\\u2019s strict standards regarding piercers education, shop cleanliness, jewelry quality and many more factors. We only ever carry jewelry that has been approved by the APP and guarantee all of our jewelry for life! You can be sure you\\u2019re in good hands with our piercers; they\\u2019re always learning new and better ways to take care of our clients! We love our clients and we love working at The Exotic Body, so we\\u2019re always going to ensure that we are doing our absolute best to be inclusive, educated, professional, and only offer the best of the best. We never like to speak badly of any other establishments; we can\\u2019t speak to their education, quality or safety of their processes or jewelry, so we can\\u2019t tell you if another shop is \\u201cgood\\u201d or \\u201cbad\\u201d we can only offer our perspective that shops who care the most about their clients and will offer you the safest piercing experience typically prioritize client health over profits and shouldn\\u2019t be carrying low quality jewelry, offering out-of-date aftercare advice or having other body modification professionals, like tattoo artists, cosmetologists, and even nurses offer piercings <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">without proper training<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. Knowing the latest sterilization techniques, proper use of PPE, and anatomy are all things these types of professionals should be knowledgeable in, but that doesn\\u2019t always include the necessary education to be able to offer a piercing safely. We appreciate these professionals and all the hard work they put into their respective career fields, but you should always be looking for someone with specific <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">PIERCING<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> training to be performing a piercing on your body; your health is important!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our piercers love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. We take great care to ensure your child is comfortable and feels safe with us. Our piercers are gentle, kind and always here to support you and your child through the experience. We will fully explain the process to your child and let them know that they can decide not to get pierced at any time, to help them feel safe and not pressured if they decide they would like to wait. We really want to ensure that the child feels they are in control of the situation and have lots of support and care. We\\u2019re always here for checkups, downsizes, and jewelry changes so your child can build a trusting relationship with their piercer, which can help alleviate any fears if an issue comes up or if you\\\/the child decides to change up their look with new jewelry.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u00a0If you have questions about the process, would like to speak with a piercer before hand, or need more understanding of healing, aftercare and jewelry options before you\\u2019re able to make your choice we\\u2019re <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">ALWAYS<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> here to help; please feel free to give us a call or send us an email or DM on social media so that we can help you feel as prepared as possible and mitigate any issues before your appointment is booked; we find the more knowledgeable and informed a parent and child are the smoother the process goes and everyone is more likely to leave happy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Which staff member should I choose for my child\\u2019s appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Finding a piercer you trust is important! Each piercer in our studio has different techniques, bedside manner, and personality; we want you to feel comfortable and safe with your piercer, so if you have something specific in mind for who you might want to pierce you, please check out our About Us page to learn more about each staff member. Not sure who to choose? ALL of our staff members are highly educated, care deeply about our clients and want you to have the best experience possible, so you\\u2019re in good hands no matter who you choose!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What size jewelry will the initial piercing be?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Kids&#8217; earlobe piercings are typically pierced with 18g or 16g jewelry, the length of the post will depend on the child\\u2019s anatomy.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What does \\u201cdownsizing\\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What size needle do you use?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer a variety of different piercings that are all pierced with different sized needles. The smallest gauge size that we offer is 18g. The most common sizes that we use in the studio are 18g-10g. Earlobes and nostrils are typically pierced with an 18g needle, but may also use 16g and occasionally a 14g needle, depending on the client\\u2019s long term piercing goals and anatomy. Cartilage piercings, like helix, daith, conch or rook piercings are typically pierced with 16g, 14g, or 12g needles, also depending on the clients long term piercing goals and anatomy. Sometimes we will use a slightly larger needle than the jewelry worn inside the piercing, to allow for an easier time healing- this technique varies client to client, is incredibly anatomy dependent and not used by all of our piercers. Our piercers are highly educated on which needle size and jewelry size is best for each piercing placement and always take individual anatomy into consideration.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Kids earlobe piercings are typically pierced with 18g or 16g needles.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What tools do you use to perform a piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each piercer in our studio performs their piercings with different techniques. Piercers often learn a certain way of piercing from a mentor or program they attend and as they work with clients, familiarize themselves with tools\\\/jewelry\\\/anatomy, and grow and progress through their careers, learn different styles, techniques and tips and tricks to perform piercings. We pride ourselves on always being educated on new techniques, processes and seeking out learning opportunities whenever we can. Piercers in our area often host classes, meetings, and industry events where we are able to meet up with other professionals in our industry to learn from them, discuss advancements, tips and tricks, and new ways of working with clients to provide better and better experiences. One of the things we love about the piercing industry is the constant forward movement and advancements made by incredible professionals in the industry. Companies that produce tools and jewelry are always looking for new and better ways to create their products, piercers are constantly educating themselves and learning from pioneers in the industry who are always looking to improve their craft. We love the passion and dedication of professionals in all areas of the body modification industry and always look to others for education and inspiration. Each piercer in our studio is familiar with a variety of techniques to perform each piercing they offer, so that they can always make the best decision based on each client, their long term piercing goals, anatomy, healing considerations and overall comfort. We have piercers who use freehand piercing techniques, utilizing less tools and working more with their hands for pressure and guidance of needles and jewelry. We have piercers who always utilize tools that have been tried, tested and improved over decades of work in the industry. Sometimes a freehand style piercer will employ the use of a tool during a specific piercing for a client based on anatomy or placement of a piercing and sometimes piercers who typically use tools will forgo the tool in a situation where it may hinder the ease of access or not provide the correct kind of pressure\\\/guidance for needles or jewelry into a piercing because of placement or anatomy concerns.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every piercer who works at The Exotic Body is always going to choose a technique, tool, process or setup for your piercing based on what they determine would be the best used for your individual situation, placement, anatomy, and long term piercing goals.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some examples of tools used in our studio include: needle receiving tubes, forceps, hemostats, brass ring pliers, clamps and placement rings (just to name a few). We have advanced sterilization, reprocessing and handling procedures for all of our tools so you can be sure that every single item used for your piercing is high quality and sterilized completely. We use autoclave sterilization techniques and have highly trained staff to process, package and store each tool to the proper sterilization standards required by state and federal laws, and the APP.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What jewelry options do you have for children?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All of our jewelry is either implant grade titanium or solid gold, so you don\\u2019t need to worry about which option is safe, because they both are! We specialize in gold jewelry so we have the most options available in yellow, rose, or white gold, but our\\u00a0 titanium collection has a plethora of lovely pieces you and your child will love as well, so you really can\\u2019t go wrong. Titanium pieces start at about $20 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $25-37 range and Gold starts at about $70 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $90-150 range. Each piece of jewelry will need a backing to go with it, these are implant-grade titanium and cost $16.50 each. We do offer gold backings, but they are most commonly worn in healed piercings, as the initial length backings are only worn for a short period of time before being downsized. Gold backings start at $85 each.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Children\\u2019s earlobe piercings ages 5-13 are $50 each, Children 14 + are able to get earlobe, simple upper cartilage piercings, nostril and septum piercings and the piercing fees are $40 each (septum piercings are $50 each). Children aged 16 + can also get more advanced upper cartilage piercings and navel piercings- the piercing fees are $40 each.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know exactly what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing, the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my child\\u2019s piercing appointment if I need to pick something out for them to be pierced with?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my own jewelry?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not allow clients to bring in outside jewelry. The APP has very stringent guidelines regarding what types of metals can and cannot be used in studios with their certification. We must be able to verify at the manufacturing level the quality of the jewelry being used. Most fashion jewelry available to clients is not considered body safe and is often the wrong size for long term wear in the body. We also use autoclave sterilization machines in our studio and most fashion jewelry cannot be autoclaved, meaning we could not sterilize it before use. If you have jewelry that is from a brand that we carry that was purchased at another studio you can reach out to verify that we would be able to install that piece for you, but please be aware that we will not install jewelry that has scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How much will jewelry cost? Why isn\\u2019t the price of jewelry included in the cost of the piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our pricing breakdown is as follows:\\u00a0 Piercing Fee + Cost of Jewelry<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Please see our pricing page for a comprehensive list of piercings offered and their associated piercing fees\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing fees cover the cost for our piercer to perform the piercing, setup, sterilization and any tools\\\/products used to perform the piercing<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry costs vary depending on the type of jewelry you choose. We currently offer 39 different types of piercing services and each of those different piercing types has its own specifications, sizes, jewelry options, etc. We typically offer several different jewelry styles for each piercing type and we typically offer those jewelry styles in both gold and titanium in a variety of sizes so that we have something for everyone and their individual anatomy. Sizing plays a huge role in jewelry pricing, so while we can guess what you\\u2019ll need based on the most common sizes\\\/styles for the piercing you\\u2019d like to get, we wouldn\\u2019t know exactly what you\\u2019ll need until you meet with your piercer and they can physically look at the piercing site.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing jewelry is not one-size-fits-all, for earlobe piercings for an example we offer hundreds, if not thousands of different options for jewelry that you could get pierced with, some start as low as $20 each, some cost thousands of dollars each and we carry everything in between. Even in healed piercings the sizing can vary significantly for each piercing placement depending on thickness of tissue, piercing placement, any movement or change to the angle that happened during healing, and several other factors. Using nostril rings as an example- we have some clients who can wear an 18g \\u00bc inch sized ring, those can cost as low as $25 each in titanium, but other clients may need something larger in diameter or want something thicker, like 16g or they may want gold, in which case the cheapest option we would have would be closer to $180 each, see the price difference? It\\u2019s for this reason that we do not typically give exact price quotes over the phone or on our website, we just don\\u2019t know exactly what you\\u2019ll need. We can offer general guidance and price ranges, but the exact price isn\\u2019t typically something we can tell you beforehand in most cases.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some general pricing guidelines for jewelry are as follows:<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Is threadless jewelry secure?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Threadless jewelry is newer to the industry, so you may not be as familiar with it as traditional threaded body jewelry. Threadless jewelry was popularized in the late 90s after being introduced to the piercing industry through NeoMetal jewelry. The bulk of our stud style jewelry is threadless, also sometimes called push-pin jewelry, though we do have a selection of threaded pieces available as well. Most large or heavy designs are a threaded style so that they do not put excess pressure on the pin of threadless jewelry, which can lead to the pin snapping. Threadless jewelry is held in place via a tight tension between the pin (which is attached to the design end of the jewelry) and the backing, which is hollow inside. This tension is designed in a way that the jewelry would only come apart by using some force to pull the two ends apart, but should not come apart otherwise. When we install jewelry we ensure the pin is bent in such a way that the connection between the end and the backing is very tight and secure. If you catch or snag your jewelry or remove it for any reason the pin can get straightened out, which causes the tension hold to loosen and can lead to the front and back separating, so if you remove your jewelry for any reason you should ensure that the pin has some resistance when being pushed into the backing to make sure it\\u2019s nice and secure!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How do you know that the jewelry that you carry is high quality?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From safepiercing.org- \\u201cChoosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. Jewelry size and style must be of appropriate length or diameter for your unique anatomy and the placement of the piercing. Jewelry that is too tight does not allow for air and blood circulation or for the expulsion of normal secretions from the piercing. Ill-fitting jewelry increases the likelihood of swelling, embedding, and other complications if too small, or catching and excessive trauma, if too large. Must be of an appropriate gauge (thickness). The body may treat jewelry that is too thin in gauge like a splinter, resulting in migration or rejection. Must be of a style suited to your build and the location of the piercing. Rings are best for some areas, straight or curved bars for others, and specialty jewelry\\u2014such as a nostril screw or labret stud\\u2014for specific placements.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u00a0Of the numerous materials available, few have been proven appropriate for wear in fresh body piercings. Some metal alloys (mixtures) have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and\\\/ or the International Standards Organization (ISO). Other materials, such as gold and obsidian (natural glass) have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds\\u2014and sometimes thousands\\u2014of years. The material worn in a healing piercing: Should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization, Should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn\\u2019t cause irritation, allergy, or infection.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry companies that we purchase from have documentation called Mill test certificates. A mill certificate is a quality assurance document used in the metals industry to quantify the chemical and physical properties of a material. It states that a product made of metal (titanium, steel, aluminum, brass, or other alloys) complies with the specifications of the order. It provides test results to assure compliance with the specified standards. The standards for biomaterials are specified by international organizations including ASTM and ISO and may be referred to by national standards bodies such as ANSI for trade and regulatory purposes.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The APP is also in the process of creating their Body Jewelry Verification Program; a program designed to allow for clearer and easier to understand standards and a resource for piercers and clients to know which body jewelry companies follow these standards. From safepiercing.org- \\u201cThe interpretation of Mill Certificates is difficult and confusing for APP members, those applying for membership, or those trying to work within the APP\\u2019s standards. We are faced with this issue constantly when interacting with piercers, regulators, and inspectors and their questions regarding quality jewelry. It is our belief that creating this program would help simplify and clarify this process.\\u201d Currently the APP is working through Phase 1: Titanium and Steel. Once Phase 1 is successfully implemented they will work through phases 2 &amp; 3 which will include gold and platinum and glass.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Because of these standards and documentation we feel extremely confident that the jewelry that we carry is of the highest quality. We also work with manufacturers who offer warranties on their jewelry, so if something were to happen with a client\\u2019s jewelry we would be able to get a repair or replacement taken care of right away!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What do I do if my child loses their jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Exotic Body is not responsible for lost jewelry. If you snag your jewelry, remove it, the pieces become unthreaded, unseated fully or separated and the jewelry falls out we will not replace it. Keeping your threaded balls tight and your ends seated in their backings once they have been installed tightly is your responsibility. You should check the ends regularly to ensure they have not gotten loosened in any way. If you need to replace a lost piece of jewelry you can book a jewelry purchase appointment. If your jewelry was purchased in the last year we should be able to look it up in our system and find you an exact match and get it installed. If you think you are able to reinstall the jewelry yourself and we are able to find the piece in our system you are welcome to arrange a porch pickup for your piece; please call or email us to set up a porch pickup.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What if my child\\u2019s jewelry breaks?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry brands that we carry at The Exotic Body have a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty, so if a piece ever breaks we would be happy to get it repaired or replaced (this process varies by brand, so please reach out if this happens). You will need to bring in the broken jewelry so that we can visually inspect it and send it in for repairs if that is the policy of that brand. Please reach out as soon as it happens so that we can get it taken care of right away.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Where can I purchase more jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer jewelry purchase appointments so that you can come in and purchase a new piece of jewelry that you can be sure is completely safe and high quality. We have pieces from a number of brands including, Industrial Strength, BVLA, Pupil Hall, Buddha Jewelry Organics, Tawapa, and Body Gems, plus more! Our jewelry collection has thousands of pieces in lots of different styles, designs and shapes, plus we offer custom ordering from a number of brands! Most jewelry companies that offer high quality body jewelry do not ship directly to clients, so if you find something that you\\u2019d love from a brand that we carry we would be happy to place an order for you with them, just reach out!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Fashion jewelry, often seen in places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc. Is typically meant only for temporary wear and should not be left in piercings long term. Jewelry companies that are not associated with piercing studios do not have to follow the same regulations that a body piercing facility have to follow and often include designs with gauge sizes considered too small for safe wear, externally threaded pieces, and can include non-body safe materials like nickel or silver. Please exercise caution when purchasing and wearing these types of jewelry; unsafe jewelry can cause irritations, tearing and damage to an otherwise healthy piercing, even after it is healed, and can lead to the piercing needing to be removed entirely. If you decide to wear fashion jewelry and notice a reaction you should remove the jewelry immediately and return to wearing the piece that was purchased from us.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you were pierced elsewhere and that facility used jewelry that is causing an irritation, discomfort or a reaction you\\u2019re welcome to book a checkup or jewelry purchase appointment so that we can find something suitable and safe for your piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you ever have sales or promotions?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We typically always have some type of promo or discount running on various types of piercing or jewelry depending on the time of year. Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date with these events, so be sure to follow us @theexoticbody so you never miss an opportunity! In the past we have offered back to school discounts for kids piercings, bring a friend and get discounted piercings for each of you, and even fundraiser events where you can receive a special discount for participating! We also occasionally send out email or text coupons, so be sure you\\u2019re subscribed to those in our Square Appointments account :)\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What if my child needs to hide\\\/cover their piercing for work\\\/school\\\/sports, etc?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer several different options for more discreet piercing jewelry. Depending on the piercing; we have pieces that look like freckles, flat disks, and very small jewelry options. These types of jewelry are not typically suitable for very fresh piercings, so we recommend not getting a new piercing during a time when you may need to conceal it. We also carry glass retainers, typically made for medical procedures, like MRIs and surgeries. These glass retainers are typically made for temporary wear and we cannot perform a fresh piercing with retainers. You should not wear glass retainers while playing sports. If your sports team requires you to not wear jewelry during play you should remove jewelry or cover it in an acceptable manner according to team\\\/league rules.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My child\\u2019s piercing is healed, can I remove the jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from healed piercings and have the piercings stay open for weeks, months, even years, while other clients remove jewelry and find that their piercings have closed in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. There is no way for us to predict which of these types of clients you will be, so taking out jewelry from a piercing is always a risk. Sometimes the piercing doesn\\u2019t close all the way, but may shrink to a smaller gauge size or even partially close on one side, preventing jewelry from being able to be reinserted safely at home. Anytime the skin would need to be punctured or poked back through, even a small layer of skin, would be considered a piercing, so you shouldn\\u2019t use anything other than a piercing needle to reopen that piercing; this should be done in a sterile environment by a professional, it is a re-piercing at this point. We have tools called insertion tapers that are made for slowly stretching back open a piercing that has begun shrinking down in gauge sizes, but not all piercings are able to use this technique to be reopened, that would be at your piercers discretion. The jewelry we carry is typically not meant to be changed often, we recommend choosing something you really love so that you can wear it for months or years. If you ever want to change up your jewelry we have thousands of options in a variety of designs, metals, and stones to choose from, just book a jewelry purchase appointment to come in and choose something!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My child got pierced at another studio, but they need to downsize\\\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My child got a piercing at another studio, but they\\u2019re having issues healing their piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What if my child gets one ear pierced and decides not to pierce the second one?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The very first time a child gets a piercing is an exciting experience, but it can also come with some anxiety, fear, and other emotions. Please keep in mind that the more you can explain the process to your child the more they will be prepared for their appointment. Telling your child that the piercing \\u201cwon\\u2019t hurt\\u201d or trying to minimize their fears before the appointment often leads to a buildup of emotions that are released after the first piercing happens and they realize that there will indeed be some pain involved. Sometimes one piercing happens and the child isn\\u2019t prepared for the amount of pain involved or decides that it was too much for them to proceed with the second ear piercing. We have had parents tell their children that they are \\u201cnot allowed\\u201d to only have one ear pierced, that is not the case in our studio. If your child expresses to us that they do not want to proceed with the second piercing we will not perform the second piercing. You\\u2019re welcome to spend some time talking with the child, attempting to soothe them, doing some breathing techniques, etc. but we will not proceed until the child feels comfortable to do so. We will NEVER hold a child down, lie to a child about the piercing or the process, surprise them with the piercing, or do anything to mislead them. Informed consent is important in these situations and if a child realizes that they are not as ready as they thought they were it\\u2019s always okay to stop at any time. We can always package up your jewelry and reschedule for another day. Sometimes it takes more than one appointment to get both piercings done and that\\u2019s okay. There will be no additional fees, no cancellation fees, no rescheduling fees, etc. and we are HAPPY to reschedule to ensure your child feels the most comfortable. If you, as the parent, are unwilling to allow your child to make the choice not to proceed in the event that they only have one piercing finished please wait to schedule your appointment until you are sure your child is ready and you understand that we will not proceed for any reason if the child is not ready to.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Jewelry\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b><i>How much will jewelry cost? Why isn\\u2019t the price of jewelry included in the cost of the piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our pricing breakdown is as follows:&nbsp; Piercing Fee + Cost of Jewelry<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Please see our pricing page for a comprehensive list of piercings offered and their associated piercing fees&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing fees cover the cost for our piercer to perform the piercing, setup, sterilization and any tools\\\/products used to perform the piercing<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry costs vary depending on the type of jewelry you choose. We currently offer 39 different types of piercing services and each of those different piercing types has its own specifications, sizes, jewelry options, etc. We typically offer several different jewelry styles for each piercing type and we typically offer those jewelry styles in both gold and titanium in a variety of sizes so that we have something for everyone and their individual anatomy. Sizing plays a huge role in jewelry pricing, so while we can guess what you\\u2019ll need based on the most common sizes\\\/styles for the piercing you\\u2019d like to get, we wouldn\\u2019t know exactly what you\\u2019ll need until you meet with your piercer and they can physically look at the piercing site.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing jewelry is not one-size-fits-all, for earlobe piercings for an example we offer hundreds, if not thousands of different options for jewelry that you could get pierced with, some start as low as $20 each, some cost thousands of dollars each and we carry everything in between. Even in healed piercings the sizing can vary significantly for each piercing placement depending on thickness of tissue, piercing placement, any movement or change to the angle that happened during healing, and several other factors. Using nostril rings as an example- we have some clients who can wear an 18g \\u00bc inch sized ring, those can cost as low as $25 each in titanium, but other clients may need something larger in diameter or want something thicker, like 16g or they may want gold, in which case the cheapest option we would have would be closer to $180 each, see the price difference? It\\u2019s for this reason that we do not typically give exact price quotes over the phone or on our website, we just don\\u2019t know exactly what you\\u2019ll need. We can offer general guidance and price ranges, but the exact price isn\\u2019t typically something we can tell you beforehand in most cases.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some general pricing guidelines for jewelry are as follows:<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/03\\\/Jewelry-Prices.pdf\\\"><span style=\\\"text-decoration: underline;\\\"><em><strong>Jewelry Prices<\\\/strong><\\\/em><\\\/span><\\\/a><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>\\u201cWhy is it so expensive?\\u201d<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We try to keep our piercing fees similar to what other studios of a similar caliber are pricing theirs at. Sure, there may be cheaper options around, but keep in mind that these studios may not be APP certified, carry less safe body jewelry, and have less stringent sterilization methods (or none at all!) Our piercers are educated on the latest body piercing techniques, kept up to date on all licenses and required training (like bloodborne pathogens training, CPR, etc.) and must follow strict cleaning, sterilization and preparation procedures outlined by the APP and our studio owner.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our jewelry prices are determined by their manufacturers and brands. We purchase our jewelry at competitive rates from verified manufacturers who are able to prove the integrity of their products and processes so we only ever offer the highest quality jewelry that we can be sure is body safe. Our jewelry is made of implant grade materials- usually titanium or gold- and high quality synthetic and genuine stones. We carry one of the largest selections of jewelry that we\\u2019ve ever seen in a studio! We have thousands of options available, from very basic to extremely ornate, even custom orders are available, so we have something for everyone! We guarantee our jewelry, so if it ever breaks we would be happy to send it out for repairs or get a replacement (this process varies by brand, please reach out if this happens to you and make sure to keep your jewelry so that we can check it out and send it in for repairs if needed).<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our price breakdown is as follows-<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing Fee-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> (typically ranging from $40 (for basic piercings)- $140 (for more advanced genital piercings)&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> this price varies depending on the jewelry items you choose. At the time of your appointment your piercer will work with you to choose a suitable size and design for your initial piercing.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">*Most initial jewelry sizes will be larger than what most people will want to wear in their healed piercing, this is done to ensure the piercing site has enough room to accommodate swelling and most of the time jewelry can be downsized after initial swelling subsides- typically 6 weeks from the initial piercing date.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aftercare- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We carry everything you\\u2019d need to take care of your piercing. We recommend NeilMed saline wound wash mist or wipes and Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap for taking care of piercings and we have these available in multiple sizes. Saline is $7 for the smaller size or $11.75 for the larger size. Soap is $4 for the small size and $6.95 for the larger size. NeilMed wipes are $11.25.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We prefer cash payments, and have an ATM available in the lobby if you would like to withdraw cash. We also accept debit, credit and mobile payments. There is a $5 fee applied to all debit, credit or mobile payments. We also accept AfterPay using their App or physical card- all you need to do is use your Afterpay app or card when ringing up.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What is the cheapest option for jewelry for my piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer \\u201cPiercing Bundles\\u201d for clients who want to get pierced with our most basic jewelry available. During these types of appointments we will show you the jewelry you will be pierced with, size you for a backing (if applicable) and sterilize the jewelry. (if you decide that you would wish to be pierced with something else during your appointment just let your piercer know and they will show you more options- but please keep in mind these options will be more expensive)&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry included in these bundles are as follows-<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Basic Bundle-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercings Available-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry Includes<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> -1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\\\/3mm\\\/4mm)<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$76 each<\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Aftercare Bundle-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercings Available- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">(earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret)<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry Includes- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\\\/3mm\\\/4mm)<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aftercare Includes- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1 small Dr.Bronners Soap &amp; 1 small NeilMed Saline Wound Wash<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$86 each<\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>How do you know that the jewelry that you carry is high quality?<\\\/i><\\\/b><br><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From safepiercing.org- \\u201cChoosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. Jewelry size and style must be of appropriate length or diameter for your unique anatomy and the placement of the piercing. Jewelry that is too tight does not allow for air and blood circulation or for the expulsion of normal secretions from the piercing. Ill-fitting jewelry increases the likelihood of swelling, embedding, and other complications if too small, or catching and excessive trauma, if too large. Must be of an appropriate gauge (thickness). The body may treat jewelry that is too thin in gauge like a splinter, resulting in migration or rejection. Must be of a style suited to your build and the location of the piercing. Rings are best for some areas, straight or curved bars for others, and specialty jewelry\\u2014such as a nostril screw or labret stud\\u2014for specific placements.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">&nbsp;Of the numerous materials available, few have been proven appropriate for wear in fresh body piercings. Some metal alloys (mixtures) have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and\\\/ or the International Standards Organization (ISO). Other materials, such as gold and obsidian (natural glass) have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds\\u2014and sometimes thousands\\u2014of years. The material worn in a healing piercing: Should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization, Should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn\\u2019t cause irritation, allergy, or infection.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry companies that we purchase from have documentation called Mill test certificates. A mill certificate is a quality assurance document used in the metals industry to quantify the chemical and physical properties of a material. It states that a product made of metal (titanium, steel, aluminum, brass, or other alloys) complies with the specifications of the order. It provides test results to assure compliance with the specified standards. The standards for biomaterials are specified by international organizations including ASTM and ISO and may be referred to by national standards bodies such as ANSI for trade and regulatory purposes.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The APP is also in the process of creating their Body Jewelry Verification Program; a program designed to allow for clearer and easier to understand standards and a resource for piercers and clients to know which body jewelry companies follow these standards. From safepiercing.org- \\u201cThe interpretation of Mill Certificates is difficult and confusing for APP members, those applying for membership, or those trying to work within the APP\\u2019s standards. We are faced with this issue constantly when interacting with piercers, regulators, and inspectors and their questions regarding quality jewelry. It is our belief that creating this program would help simplify and clarify this process.\\u201d Currently the APP is working through Phase 1: Titanium and Steel. Once Phase 1 is successfully implemented they will work through phases 2 &amp; 3 which will include gold and platinum and glass.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Because of these standards and documentation we feel extremely confident that the jewelry that we carry is of the highest quality. We also work with manufacturers who offer warranties on their jewelry, so if something were to happen with a client\\u2019s jewelry we would be able to get a repair or replacement taken care of right away!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What is \\u201cimplant grade Titanium\\u201d<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Titanium is a lightweight, silver colored metal that is great for people with concerns about nickel sensitivity. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The only type of Titanium recommended for use by the Association of Professional Piercers is Titanium that is certified to meet ASTM or ISO standards for surgical implant applications.<\\\/span> <span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Pure and alloyed qualities have long been used for both piercings and surgical implants, and very few long-term allergies and other complications have been reported.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Here at The Exotic Body we believe in only using the highest quality body jewelry we can get. All of our Titanium jewelry is implant grade and only purchased from manufacturers where we are able to verify the validity of their mill certs (documents provided to us by the jewelry brands that come from the manufacturers, allowing us to verify the source materials). The APP (Association of Professional Piercers) is beginning to roll out a Jewelry Verification Program, it is still in it\\u2019s early stages, but we will only be carrying jewelry from companies who will be part of this verification program when it is fully implemented, so you can be sure all of our jewelry is being verified by multiple, reputable sources!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>How is implant grade Titanium different from \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cSurgical steel\\u201d is one of the most commonly mis-understood names for metals in the industry. The term \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d is not used by body jewelry manufacturers and is instead a marketing term coined by jewelry sales companies. High quality steel jewelry does exist, we even have a few pieces still in stock here, but this type of steel is an implant grade, body safe, stainless steel that is<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant and much less commonly used than Titanium. These designations are important because they let us know that there is a regulating body (ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials, though this agency is now an international organization as well!) verifying the quality of the jewelry at the manufacturing level, before even entering our studio.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Why 14k gold not 18k?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We often get clients who ask why most high quality body piercing studios carry 14 karat gold and not 18 karat or 24 karat gold. We use 14k gold because it is more durable than 18k or 24k gold. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1 karat = 1\\\/24th of the alloy is pure gold, while the rest of the alloy is other materials- so the higher the number of karats, the more pure gold is inside the alloy. Completely pure gold (24k) is much too soft for body jewelry, as it can bend and be scratched easily, so a stronger alloy is used, like 18k or 14k. <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">So what other metals are used in alloys of 14 and 18k gold?<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> The most common metals seen in these alloys often include zinc, copper, silver and nickel. The APP does not allow the use of jewelry that uses nickel as a material in the composition of a gold alloy, as many people have an allergy to nickel; instead to get that white gold color so many people love, our white gold jewelry gets its color from Palladium, an element with much less chance of having an allergy to.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i><\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><b><i>Titanium (or steel) vs gold safety<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/li>\\n<\\\/ul>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When choosing jewelry for your new piercing we offer both titanium and gold jewelry for most of our piercings (we do carry some implant grade steel options, but not very many, as we have mostly switched over to titanium). We specialize in gold jewelry, so we have the most options in yellow, rose, or white gold, but often clients ask \\u201cwhich is better?\\u201d or \\u201cwhich is safer?\\u201d When it comes down to it, technically titanium has a higher biocompatibility than gold, which is why it is more commonly used in medical environments (plus it\\u2019s much cheaper to build a medical device out of titanium than solid gold!), for body piercing however, this difference is not as much of an issue, so we say, <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">both<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">! Gold has been used for centuries in body piercing techniques and jewelry and was the standard material used in many cultures for a very long time throughout history! In our studio, because every piece of jewelry comes from reputable, verifiable, sources we can confidently say that either gold or titanium would be a perfectly suitable choice for your new piercing. An allergy to gold or&nbsp; titanium is extremely rare, but if you have a family history of metal allergies to either gold or titanium, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor prior to getting a piercing so that you can verify whether this could be a potential problem for you.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What is threadless (or push-pin) jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When it comes to studs, we have the most options available in threadless style, sometimes called push-pin. Threadless jewelry is two pieces, the front and the backing, that utilize a tight, tension hold to ensure the pieces stay together. Threadless jewelry has a completely flush connection between the front end and the backing which helps in preventing buildup and skin trying to heal\\\/grow between seams. The front end has a small pin that is bent slightly and then pushed into the backing, creating a tight connection. Threadless jewelry is great for many reasons, but one of our favorite reasons is that if the jewelry were to get caught somewhere and pull very hard it is more likely that the front and back would separate, instead of pulling on the tissue, which can lead to tearing.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Is threadless jewelry secure?&nbsp;<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Threadless jewelry is newer to the industry, so you may not be as familiar with it as traditional threaded body jewelry. Threadless jewelry was popularized in the late 90s after being introduced to the piercing industry through NeoMetal jewelry. The bulk of our stud style jewelry is threadless, also sometimes called push-pin jewelry, though we do have a selection of threaded pieces available as well. Most large or heavy designs are a threaded style so that they do not put excess pressure on the pin of threadless jewelry, which can lead to the pin snapping. Threadless jewelry is held in place via a tight tension between the pin (which is attached to the design end of the jewelry) and the backing, which is hollow inside. This tension is designed in a way that the jewelry would only come apart by using some force to pull the two ends apart, but should not come apart otherwise. When we install jewelry we ensure the pin is bent in such a way that the connection between the end and the backing is very tight and secure. If you catch or snag your jewelry or remove it for any reason the pin can get straightened out, which causes the tension hold to loosen and can lead to the front and back separating, so if you remove your jewelry for any reason you should ensure that the pin has some resistance when being pushed into the backing to make sure it\\u2019s nice and secure!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What size jewelry will my initial piercing jewelry be?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What does \\u201cdownsizing\\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I bring in my own jewelry?&nbsp;<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not allow clients to bring in outside jewelry. The APP has very stringent guidelines regarding what types of metals can and cannot be used in studios with their certification. We must be able to verify at the manufacturing level the quality of the jewelry being used. Most fashion jewelry available to clients is not considered body safe and is often the wrong size for long term wear in the body. We also use autoclave sterilization machines in our studio and most fashion jewelry cannot be autoclaved, meaning we could not sterilize it before use. If you have jewelry that is from a brand that we carry that was purchased at another studio you can reach out to verify that we would be able to install that piece for you, but please be aware that we will not install jewelry that has scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I bring in jewelry that I previously purchased from The Exotic Body?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">A fresh backing must be used in any new piercing, but the tops can be reused. Any jewelry, including tops and backings, that has been previously purchased from us can be removed and installed into other <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">healed<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> piercings, as long as the jewelry does not have scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues. A fresh backing <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">must<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be used in any new piercing. Rings can only be reused in <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">healed <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">piercings. Seam rings that have been bent out of and back into shape multiple times do tend to eventually lose their shape, so we wouldn\\u2019t recommend clients do this a lot; if you want a ring style that better accommodates being moved between piercings we would recommend a clicker style.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know exactly what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing, the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my piercing appointment if I need to pick something out to be pierced with?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Why can\\u2019t I start out my piercing with a ring?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>When can I change my piercing to a hoop\\\/ add a chain or charm?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Your piercing should be fully healed before attempting to change the shape of the jewelry or add anything that dangles from the jewelry, like a chain or charm. We give our clients recommended healing times for their piercings based on the most likely time it ill take you to heal the piercing in a specific area, but these healing times do not account for personal health and hygiene habits, any instances of irritation or infection or improper care of the piercing for any period of time. If your piercing is still sore or tender to the touch, there is still redness in the tissue surrounding the piercing site, or you have an irritation bump we do not recommend changing to a hoop or adding a chain or charm, wait until these symptoms subside or you could make the situation worse\\\/prolong the healing time even more or cause the piercing site to never completely heal. We know you can\\u2019t wait to get the piercing jewelry you\\u2019ve been dreaming of, but patience is the most important aspect if you are encountering any issues with healing, you\\u2019ll get there eventually; just stay diligent with aftercare, wait it out, and as always, come see us for a check up if needed!<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>My piercing is healed, can I remove the jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from healed piercings and have the piercings stay open for weeks, months, even years, while other clients remove jewelry and find that their piercings have closed in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. There is no way for us to predict which of these types of clients you will be, so taking out jewelry from a piercing is always a risk. Sometimes the piercing doesn\\u2019t close all the way, but may shrink to a smaller gauge size or even partially close on one side, preventing jewelry from being able to be reinserted safely at home. Anytime the skin would need to be punctured or poked back through, even a small layer of skin, would be considered a piercing, so you shouldn\\u2019t use anything other than a piercing needle to reopen that piercing; this should be done in a sterile environment by a professional, it is a re-piercing at this point. We have tools called insertion tapers that are made for slowly stretching back open a piercing that has begun shrinking down in gauge sizes, but not all piercings are able to use this technique to be reopened, that would be at your piercers discretion. The jewelry we carry is typically not meant to be changed often, we recommend choosing something you really love so that you can wear it for months or years. If you ever want to change up your jewelry we have thousands of options in a variety of designs, metals, and stones to choose from, just book a jewelry purchase appointment to come in and choose something!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What if I need to hide\\\/cover my piercing for work\\\/school\\\/sports, etc?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer several different options for more discreet piercing jewelry. Depending on the piercing; we have pieces that look like freckles, flat disks, and very small jewelry options. These types of jewelry are not typically suitable for very fresh piercings, so we recommend not getting a new piercing during a time when you may need to conceal it. We also carry glass retainers, typically made for medical procedures, like MRIs and surgeries. These glass retainers are typically made for temporary wear and we cannot perform a fresh piercing with retainers. You should not wear glass retainers while playing sports. If your sports team requires you to not wear jewelry during play you should remove jewelry or cover it in an acceptable manner according to team\\\/league rules.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>I have to have an MRI\\\/Surgery\\\/Medical Procedure that requires me to remove my jewelry, what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer jewelry removal services! If your piercing is well healed you can schedule a removal close to the date of your procedure and have us remove any jewelry you would like, there is a $20 service fee for removals.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your piercings are fresh, you cannot get an appointment close to the time of your procedure, or you\\u2019re at all worried about your piercings closing up during the time they will need to be removed we offer Pyrex piercing retainers that are safe for wear during an MRI and most medical procedures. The retainers are $15 each. Not all piercings have retainers that are available, so it\\u2019s best to check with us prior to booking an appointment to be sure we have a suitable retainer for your piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What jewelry options do you have for children?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All of our jewelry is either implant grade titanium or solid gold, so you don\\u2019t need to worry about which option is safe, because they both are! We specialize in gold jewelry so we have the most options available in yellow, rose, or white gold, but our&nbsp; titanium collection has a plethora of lovely pieces you and your child will love as well, so you really can\\u2019t go wrong. Titanium pieces start at about $20 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $25-37 range and Gold starts at about $70 each, with the most common options for kids being in the $90-150 range. Each piece of jewelry will need a backing to go with it, these are implant-grade titanium and cost $16.50 each. We do offer gold backings, but they are most commonly worn in healed piercings, as the initial length backings are only worn for a short period of time before being downsized. Gold backings start at $85 each.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Children\\u2019s earlobe piercings ages 5-13 are $50 each, Children 14 + are able to get earlobe, simple upper cartilage piercings, nostril and septum piercings and the piercing fees are $40 each (septum piercings are $50 each). Children aged 16 + can also get more advanced upper cartilage piercings and navel piercings- the piercing fees are $40 each.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Where can I purchase more jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer jewelry purchase appointments so that you can come in and purchase a new piece of jewelry that you can be sure is completely safe and high quality. We have pieces from a number of brands including, Industrial Strength, BVLA, Pupil Hall, Buddha Jewelry Organics, Tawapa, and Body Gems, plus more! Our jewelry collection has thousands of pieces in lots of different styles, designs and shapes, plus we offer custom ordering from a number of brands! Most jewelry companies that offer high quality body jewelry do not ship directly to clients, so if you find something that you\\u2019d love from a brand that we carry we would be happy to place an order for you with them, just reach out!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Fashion jewelry, often seen in places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc. Is typically meant only for temporary wear and should not be left in piercings long term. Jewelry companies that are not associated with piercing studios do not have to follow the same regulations that a body piercing facility have to follow and often include designs with gauge sizes considered too small for safe wear, externally threaded pieces, and can include non-body safe materials like nickel or silver. Please exercise caution when purchasing and wearing these types of jewelry; unsafe jewelry can cause irritations, tearing and damage to an otherwise healthy piercing, even after it is healed, and can lead to the piercing needing to be removed entirely. If you decide to wear fashion jewelry and notice a reaction you should remove the jewelry immediately and return to wearing the piece that was purchased from us.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you were pierced elsewhere and that facility used jewelry that is causing an irritation, discomfort or a reaction you\\u2019re welcome to book a checkup or jewelry purchase appointment so that we can find something suitable and safe for your piercing.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What is the smallest gauge size that you carry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The smallest gauge size that we carry is 18g. When jewelry is thinner than 18g the likelihood of rejection, migration and tearing are significantly higher. Thinner jewelry can sometimes get pushed out of the body, like a splinter. The body recognizes jewelry as a foreign object and has to heal around and regulate itself with the piece of jewelry still inside, which is why piercings take longer to heal than surface wounds. When jewelry is too thin the body has a harder time accepting it and will more often work to remove the foreign object from the body, which can lead to rejection of the jewelry completely. We often get clients who would like 20g jewelry (typically for nostril or ear piercings), as they would like a smaller, daintier look for their jewelry. 20g and 22g jewelry is common among fashion jewelry brands and is typically not considered body safe. 20g and 22g hoops are especially common and jewelry this thin can start to have what is called the \\u201ccheese wire effect\\u201d causing tearing and migration. Think of the thin wires used in a cheese cutting device, they are extremely thin and feel sharp to the touch and are dragged through the hard surface of the cheese, cutting and tearing the cheese; now think of how that process would look in your body- ouch! This effect can also happen with jewelry that is too tight, causing pulling and tearing to the piercing site which can permanently change the placement, angle and health of the piercing. We always recommend that rings, chains and other pieces have enough room to sit comfortably against, not pushing or pulling on, the tissue around your piercing.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Why do you only have a few items available on your online store?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are constantly working on adding more items to our online store, however our online store will never offer every item we have in stock. We stock a number of brands, with thousands and thousands of individual items and we don\\u2019t have the staff to maintain a large online store presence without taking away from the experience for our in-shop clients. Piercing jewelry is also not a \\u201cone size fits all\\u201d type of shopping experience; sure there are some things we use more often for certain piercings than others, and we can always guess at sizes, but we don\\u2019t offer returns on body jewelry (we never reuse jewelry that has potentially been inside of a person\\u2019s body) so if you end up purchasing an incorrect size or an incompatible piece of jewelry there\\u2019s not really anything we can do. We have also had clients purchase jewelry and then break it in the process of trying to install it themselves, at which point we are unable to send it back to the manufacturers for repairs, and we never want to see that happen. We offer checkups, insertions, removals, and jewelry purchase appointments for these reasons and we always recommend coming in to see a professional so we can avoid any of these issues. If you are looking to purchase a replacement piece for something that you have purchased here and we are able to find the exact item in our sales system we can always let you know the size, style, materials, etc. of a piece you purchased from us and we would be happy to offer a porch pickup for those items if you feel absolutely confident that you will be able to install the piece yourself.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>How do custom orders work?&nbsp;<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer custom orders from a number of brands. How customized the piece can be depends on the brands. Some brands, like BVLA and Industrial Strength have a plethora of metal, stone and size options, so they have the highest chance at being the most flexible when it comes to changing up an existing design to fit your size or aesthetic needs. Custom orders from BVLA begin being made when the order is placed and can take several months to arrive, so keep this in mind when deciding to place an order. Industrial Strength has slightly less customization options than BVLA and they specialize in titanium (though they have begun to expand their gold selection) but we can get custom orders from them a lot faster. Brands like Pupil Hall, who offer \\u201cdrops\\u201d of their jewelry do not offer custom orders, as their jewelry is typically released once or twice a year and we are put on a waitlist for these drops. Instagram is a great place to check out the different brands we offer and see which items we carry from those brands. If you see a brand that we carry and find something on their site that we do not carry in store feel free to reach out to see if we can get it ordered for you! If you decide to cancel a custom order after the order has started the manufacturing process you are required to pay a 15% cancellation fee per item.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can you ship jewelry to me?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We can! We have some items available in our online store that can be shipped to your location. If you would like to purchase something from us that you don\\u2019t see in our online store please reach out! If we have the item in stock we can get an invoice sent over and ship it out as soon as it\\u2019s paid. If we don\\u2019t currently have that item in stock and that brand offers custom orders we will set that up for you, the wait times vary significantly between brands, so you may need to have some patience, but we can get exactly what you need!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Do you offer gift cards?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do! Just check out our online store to purchase a gift card or stop by during regular business hours. Gift cards can also be purchased on our Square Appointments profile through the Square site or App.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I buy jewelry as a gift?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We love when friends, family, or partners want to purchase jewelry as a gift, but it can be tricky unless you\\u2019re prepared! Piercing jewelry is not one size fits all, so if you are planning on purchasing jewelry as a gift you will need to know the correct size\\\/fit to purchase for them. Stud style jewelry is inserted into a backing that has a gauge size and length, so you will need to know both of these sizes when making a purchase ( or just purchase the top and let them purchase the backing another time). Hoops are the most difficult to purchase for someone else unless they already wear a hoop in that piercing and you know the exact size and style. Hoops have a gauge size and a diameter, so you will need to know both of these sizes when purchasing a hoop. The closure and style of a ring can affect how the ring fits in the piercing, so unless you are purchasing something very similar to something they already wear it can be hard to know exactly how the ring will sit in the piercing, so please keep this in mind.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sounds too complicated? We suggest buying your special someone a gift card unless you\\u2019re VERY sure that you have the sizing correct!<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\\\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\\\/ curations?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\\\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Why are ear stylings so expensive?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Styled or curated ears you see on social media- tiktok, pinterest, instagram, etc. have typically been built up over the course of several appointments and months or years of choosing and collecting jewelry to achieve the final look. Occasionally clients will come in and do an overhaul of their jewelry collection to achieve a new or upgraded look, but these clients have typically saved and prepared for their appointments knowing that it will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a lot of jewelry at once. Our gold studs start at about $70 each for the most basic options with no stones and go up from there; we even have individual pieces that cost upwards of $1000, so depending on the look you\\u2019re going for it can get very expensive. Patience is key when building a jewelry collection, find pieces you love, save and invest in timeless pieces you really love and that will work well with other pieces and build your collection a piece or two at a time and you\\u2019ll get there eventually! Think of it like building up a wardrobe of high quality clothing- most people don\\u2019t buy their entire wardrobe in one shopping trip, they find their style and work to find pieces that will work with what they already have and invest in pieces they really love over time.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What do I do if I lose my jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Exotic Body is not responsible for lost jewelry. If you snag your jewelry, remove it, the pieces become unthreaded, unseated fully or separated and the jewelry falls out we will not replace it. Keeping your threaded balls tight and your ends seated in their backings once they have been installed tightly is your responsibility. You should check the ends regularly to ensure they have not gotten loosened in any way. If you need to replace a lost piece of jewelry you can book a jewelry purchase appointment. If your jewelry was purchased in the last year we should be able to look it up in our system and find you an exact match and get it installed. If you think you are able to reinstall the jewelry yourself and we are able to find the piece in our system you are welcome to arrange a porch pickup for your piece; please call or email us to set up a porch pickup.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What if my jewelry breaks?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry brands that we carry at The Exotic Body have a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty, so if a piece ever breaks due to a manufacturing error we would be happy to send it back to the brand for repairs\\\/replacement; this process varies by brand so please reach out so that we can discuss best options for your piece. You will need to bring in the broken jewelry so that we can visually inspect it and send it in for repairs if that is the policy of that brand. Please reach out as soon as it happens so that we can get it taken care of right away. Manufacturers warranties do not cover user error, such as- taking jewelry in and out and snapping the pin, snagging jewelry and bending\\\/ breaking part of it, bending rings open and closed incorrectly causing them to become misshapen, etc. If something like this happens we would be happy to check it out and see if it\\u2019s something we can help you get fixed, but we cannot guarantee it can be fixed. Some brands offer repair services for a cost- typically the cost materials and a repair fee, but not all brands offer this service and whether or not a piece can be repaired depends entirely on the extent of damage. If you have any concerns about your jewelry please reach out to us so that we can discuss options for you and your specific case.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What if I end up not liking my new piercing\\\/jewelry?&nbsp;<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you decide that you end up not liking how a piercing looks on you all you need to do is remove the jewelry and keep the wound clean while it heals closed. If you have trouble removing the jewelry you can always come in for a jewelry removal appointment.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If the placement of your new piercing seems off please reach out as soon as you notice it so that we can get you scheduled for a re-piercing with your piercer. Re-piercings need to be performed by the same piercer who performed your initial piercing (if for some reason you\\u2019d prefer to see a different piercer please reach out, we need to set up re-piercing appointments with other piercers differently from our normal appointments)<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you end up purchasing jewelry and decide you don\\u2019t like the style, shape, size, etc. you\\u2019re welcome to keep it in good condition and we can re-sterilize it for another piercing location another time. Since body jewelry is worn inside the body we are unable to reuse backings or surface bars for fresh piercings, but we can always move a top or ring to a different location in a healed piercing as long as it is not damaged in any way.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer refunds on body jewelry. The Exotic Body is not responsible for <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">lost<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> jewelry, but if for some reason your jewelry breaks (like a stone falls out or a pin breaks, etc.) we will replace\\\/repair it based on its manufacturer\\u2019s warranty, you will just need to bring the piece in for us to send it to them for replacement\\\/repair.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>My jewelry is embedded in my body, what do I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your jewelry has sunk down into your piercing, you have swelled at the piercing site to an extent that the skin is covering the jewelry in any way or you no longer see the jewelry in your body, but it has not fallen out or been removed please make an appointment to come in right away or see a medical professional. Depending on the extent of the embedding we should be able to remove the jewelry in the studio, but there have been cases where we have referred a client to the emergency room. Embedded jewelry is an emergency and should not be ignored. Sometimes we are able to get a much longer or larger piece of jewelry to put into the piercing and save the piercing, sometimes it means the piercing will need to be removed and healed, depending on the extent of the embedding, the health of the piercing and the circumstances that led to the piercing becoming embedded in the first place.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>I think I\\u2019m having an allergic reaction to the jewelry; what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Allergic reactions to implant grade jewelry are rare, but they do happen! Most often clients who think they have a metal allergy have been exposed to low quality metals like nickel and aluminum. All of our jewelry is made from implant grade titanium, steel or gold. All of our white gold jewelry is colored white using palladium, not nickel, which a lot of people are allergic to! Gold plated or painted jewelry that is simply sold as \\u201cgold\\u201d jewelry can cause allergic reactions if the plating or paint flakes or rubs off, exposing the skin to the lower quality metals underneath.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cSurgical steel\\u201d is one of the most commonly mis-understood names for metals in the industry. The term \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d is not used by body jewelry manufacturers and is instead a marketing term coined by jewelry sales companies. Clients will sometimes come in for a piercing and say they can \\u201conly wear solid gold\\u201d because they\\u2019ve had an allergic reaction to \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d in the past; the good news is that high-quality titanium and steel jewelry does exist! We have a few pieces of implant grade steel in stock here, but this type of steel is different from those marketed as \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d because it is <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">implant grade<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, body safe, stainless steel that is<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant. In our studio we primarily use implant grade titanium instead of steel.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have not had any clients come in with an allergy to the titanium that we carry, but we do have a few regular clients who are allergic to gold! If you get a new piercing and you immediately experience <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">swelling, a rash, redness, itching, peeling, dark spots, or blistering we encourage you to come in for a checkup so we can determine if you are possibly allergic to your jewelry. Allergic reactions typically happen immediately and don\\u2019t pop up later into the healing process, so if things were going well and then all of a sudden you experience these symptoms there is likely another cause, but you should still come in for a check up!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Will oral piercings damage my teeth\\\/gums?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All oral piercings pose a risk to your overall oral health and can do damage to teeth and gums. There are some things that you can do to help minimize your risk of damage, but there is no way to guarantee that damage will not occur. If you decide to get an oral piercing you should know that you are opening yourself up to the risk of tooth and gum damage. Some piercings pose less of a risk than others, but all piercings in and around your mouth have the potential to cause oral damage.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Having a good oral hygiene routine is extremely important before you decide to get an oral piercing. Regular cleanings, brushing your teeth several times daily, flossing regularly and rinsing your mouth daily are all important steps to ensure your oral health and the health of oral piercings. Poor oral hygiene can lead to issues healing a piercing and can also prevent the piercing from ever healing completely.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The size of oral piercing jewelry greatly impacts your potential for damage. All oral piercings will swell when first pierced, most of them substantially, so we always oversize the initial jewelry to accommodate for this and avoid any kind of embedding. It is CRUCIAL that you downsize your oral jewelry in a timely manner, so you need to ensure that you are able to get yourself to a reputable piercer within your downsize timeframe to have your jewelry resized. Properly fitting jewelry helps to minimize the risk of oral damage, but depending on placement and individual anatomy, will not completely eliminate the risk; even perfectly fitted jewelry will rub on teeth and gums for certain piercing placements.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Vertical labret and philtrum piercings are a good idea if you would like to get an oral piercing, but you are concerned about the long term effects to your teeth and gums. Vertical labret and philtrum piercings do not enter the inside of the mouth and are instead pierced fully through the exterior structures of the lip, providing a safer option for clients who want to minimize the risk for oral damage. Vertical philtrum and labret piercings are in high-movement areas, so they can be difficult to get used to and can be difficult to heal for some clients; you will need to avoid playing with your jewelry and ensure to downsize the jewelry so that it is an appropriate size for long term wear after initial swelling goes down.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>My piercing is healed, but I still see buildup or \\u201ccrusties\\u201d around the jewelry, why is that?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">You should be cleaning your piercing areas as often as you cleanse other parts of your body. Just like you take regular showers\\\/baths or wash your face you should be cleaning your piercings regularly, even after they are healed. The buildup and residue seen on most clients jewelry is usually skin cells, dirt and oil, makeup or fibers from clothing\\\/bedding, this buildup should be able to be removed with regular washing with a mild soap and warm water. Saline washes are great for a quick rinse, but typically can\\u2019t remove all buildup or residue on a piercing and should be used in conjunction with a regular mild soap wash. Some clients eventually stop seeing those \\u201ccrusties\\u201d on their piercings, some clients always have some type of buildup they need to remove regularly.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>My piercing\\\/jewelry smells bad, why is that?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sometimes clients will complain that their piercing area or jewelry smells bad. This is pretty normal! Many people experience this, even with well healed piercings! The most common piercings we hear about are stretched lobes, septum and nostril piercings. Septum and nostril piercings are in the nose, so it makes sense that these piercings are complained about the most! The body creates oils, mucus, new skin cells, and other bodily fluids and sometimes these fluids have a scent to them. Washing your piercings regularly can help mitigate the problem. High quality jewelry can also help. Low quality jewelry is more likely to have chips and scratches; which can collect buildup and bacteria, which can lead to the jewelry smelling more.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>PERMANENT JEWELRY&nbsp; FAQ:<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>How long will my permanent jewelry stay on?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Your pieces will stay on for as long as you&#8217;d like! If for some reason you would like to remove your jewelry, simply cut the chain and save it if you&#8217;d like me to re-weld it in the future.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What if my chain breaks? <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Because your piece has no clasp and is measured to perfectly fit your wrist, ankle or neck, it should not break. However, if it does break, please save your chain and I&#8217;m happy to re-weld it for you for just the $20 service fee. These chains are strong but they aren\\u2019t indestructible. Feel free to inspect your permanent jewelry before you leave to make sure you are satisfied. If the chain is missing, a new chain will need to be purchased.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I go through airport security with permanent jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Absolutely! TSA should not ask you to remove fine jewelry, so you&#8217;ll be able to take your permanent jewelry with you on all your adventures!<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I get an MRI with a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Your permanent jewelry should be removed before an MRI. Save your chain and I can re-weld it for you!<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Who should not get permanent jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Those with pacemakers should not get permanent jewelry because of the welding process. Allergies to solid gold and titanium are rare, but those with allergies should not get permanent jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>I&#8217;m a minor. Can I get a piece of permanent jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> I&#8217;m happy to weld a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace on anyone over the age of 10. Those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Can I give permanent jewelry as a gift?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Absolutely! Because permanent jewelry is measured to fit each client individually I would recommend purchasing a gift card for the desired amount at Exoticbody.com<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Please reach out to Samantha@exoticbody.com if you have any other questions!<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>TOOTH GEMS FAQ<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>How long will my tooth gem stay on?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Tooth gems are semi-permanent. Your oral hygiene, tooth health and lifestyle all play a part in how long the gem will stay on. We have clients who have had their tooth gems on for upwards of a year!&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What kind of adhesive do you use?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We use a dental grade UV adhesive that is completely safe and long lasting.&nbsp;<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>How can I remove my tooth gem?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We recommend booking an appointment with your dental office for removal<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>What design options do you carry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer solid gold and gem options in a variety of designs. We carry simple, single stone options, butterflies, hearts, stars, dollar signs, even sports team logos! Feel free to reach out if you have a specific design in mind and we can check with our retailers to see if we can get it ordered for you! <\\\/span><b><i><\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><b><i>\\n<\\\/i><\\\/b><p><b><i><\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><b><i>Will my tooth gem damage my teeth?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p>\\n<p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Tooth gems are totally safe and will not cause damage to teeth! We use a dental grade UV adhesive to adhere the gem design to your teeth, so there\\u2019s never any risk of chipping, cracking or other damage to your oral health.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\\n<p><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Piercing Process\\\/Aftercare\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b><i>Why should I get pierced at The Exotic Body versus another piercing shop?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have been serving the Sacramento area since 1990 and have a long history of offering high quality, safe piercings performed by professional, educated piercers. We are an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certified shop, meaning we have to adhere to the APP\\u2019s strict standards regarding piercers education, shop cleanliness, jewelry quality and many more factors. We only ever carry jewelry that has been approved by the APP and offer manufacturers warranties on our jewelry! You can be sure you\\u2019re in good hands with our piercers; they\\u2019re always learning new and better ways to take care of our clients! We love our clients and we love working at The Exotic Body, so we\\u2019re always going to ensure that we are doing our absolute best to be inclusive, educated, professional, and only offer the best of the best! We never like to speak badly of any other establishments; we can\\u2019t speak to their education, quality or safety of their processes or jewelry, so we can\\u2019t tell you if another shop is \\u201cgood\\u201d or \\u201cbad\\u201d, we can only offer our perspective that shops who care the most about their clients and will offer you the safest piercing experience typically prioritize client health over profits and shouldn\\u2019t be carrying low quality jewelry, offering out-of-date aftercare advice or having other body modification professionals, like tattoo artists, cosmetologists, and even nurses offer piercings <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">without proper training<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. (there are definitely professionals out there who have been trained in piercing AND other body modification techniques!) Knowing the latest sterilization techniques, proper use of PPE, and anatomy are all things these types of professionals should be knowledgeable in, but that doesn\\u2019t always include the necessary education to be able to offer a piercing safely. We appreciate these professionals and all the hard work they put into their respective career fields, but you should always be looking for someone with specific <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">PIERCING<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> training to be performing a piercing on your body; your health is important!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How is an APP studio\\\/piercer different from another studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The APP <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. The APP has strict requirements for individual piercers and studios who wish to be a part of their organization including personal, environmental and education requirements. Members are required to be first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and CPR certified. They must abide by the APP\\u2019s code of conduct- which requires members to follow strict safety standards regarding sterilization, technique, studio setup, professionalism and conduct with clients, discrimination and jewelry quality. The APP is dedicated to gathering and distributing the most current education for its members so that they are always up to date on technique, sterilization and safe practices. The APP holds a conference once a year where piercers, studio staff and studio owners can gather and take classes. The conference is about a week long with classes offered throughout the entire day on various techniques, safety procedures, discussion of important topics like aftercare, research and client relations and so much more. We always have members of our staff in attendance at conferences so we can ensure our studio is the most up-to-date on current educational and safety standards. State and Federal laws regarding body piercing are often not created or regulated by those with knowledge of the body modification industry and large companies are often able to use political means to ensure the regulations are fitted to protect the means by which they are currently operating rather than keeping up with industry advancements. This can lead to companies and smaller, non-APP regulated businesses using out-of-date practices, skimping on sterilization and sanitation, and offering sub-par jewelry. Regulations regarding the training of piercing professionals vary largely by area and often have hours requirements as low as a single hour required before staff are permitted to work on clients. We believe every client deserves to be pierced by currently educated, professional piercers and encourage you to check out safepiercing.org for more information regarding the APP and safe piercing in general!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Where can I learn more about safe piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We always encourage clients to do their own research! Having your own knowledge about the industry and the piercing process is incredibly helpful! Check out Safepiercing.org for tons of info from the Association of Professional Piercers.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min jewelry selection<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min performing piercing\\\/changing jewelry\\\/stretching\\\/ etc.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019ve heard that some piercings cannot be performed on all clients, why is that? What would the reasons be for a piercer declining to pierce me?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Not all piercings are suitable for every client. Many factors can contribute to a piercer deciding to decline a piercing. Improper anatomy is the most common reason our piercers decline piercings for clients. Industrial piercings, navel piercings and some genital piercings are extremely anatomy dependent, and if pierced on a client with improper anatomy to support the piercing, can lead to rejection, migration, tearing and the piercing not healing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example, with a navel piercing, the client needs to have a sufficient \\u201cfold\\u201d or amount of tissue on the top (or bottom- for reverse navel piercings) of their navel so that the piercing has sufficient tissue to support the jewelry without being too shallow. Industrial piercings require a sufficient amount of tissue along the ridge line of the upper ear and a very flat section for the bar to stretch across so that the bar does not push on or indent the tissue, which can lead to permanent scarring and grooves forming.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">During your appointment our piercers will ensure that the area you\\u2019d like pierced is suitable for the piercing you wish to get, and offer alternatives (like different shaped jewelry, alternative placements, etc.) if there are alternatives that we believe would be suitable for you. If no alternative is possible, or you don\\u2019t wish to proceed with an alternative, we will simply not do the piercing. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\\u2019s something that you would like to do that day instead, but if a piercer decides to decline a piercing, just know that we are doing it for the health and safety of our clients. Declining piercings is not something we like to do, obviously we want you to feel your best and be able to get any piercing you\\u2019d wish to have, but we always want to ensure that we are only performing piercings that would be safe for our clients!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you offer certain piercings for minors?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\\\/span><b><i>absolutely<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not offered and are<\\\/span> <b><i>illegal<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\\\/span><b><i>ever. <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">several<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you use piercing guns?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \\u201cIt is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. We consider unsafe any procedure that places vulnerable tissue in contact with either non-sterile equipment or jewelry that is not considered medically safe for long-term internal wear. Such procedures place the health of recipients at an unacceptable risk. For this reason, APP members may not use reusable ear piercing guns for any type of piercing procedure. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While piercing guns may seem to be a quick, easy and convenient way of creating holes, they have major drawbacks in terms of sterility, tissue damage and inappropriate jewelry design.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>REUSABLE EAR PIERCING GUNS CAN PUT CLIENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF PREVIOUS CLIENTS<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. <\\\/span><b>PIERCING GUNS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TISSUE DAMAGE. <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as \\u201cblunt force trauma.\\u201d At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect. This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. <\\\/span><b>MISUSE OF EAR PIERCING GUNS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Even though many manufacturers\\u2019 instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun practitioners do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow establishments using piercing guns to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of public health.\\u201d<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How much will it hurt?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This is the toughest question for us to answer! Every person experiences the piercing process differently; some clients have no problem getting a new piercing, but find the healing process to be arduous and uncomfortable, a lot of clients find that some piercings are easier to handle than others, and sometimes a piercing that you may have done more than once can feel different each time it\\u2019s performed. Technique, client preparation and general health, stress levels and diet, nerves, and so many more factors can affect how a piercing feels. Piercings performed in more sensitive areas, like nipple and genital piercings, tend to elicit more of a reaction from clients during the piercing process. We find that the most common ways clients describe the piercing process is \\u201cit feels like a pinch\\u201d, \\u201cit feels similar to getting a vaccination\\u201d, and \\u201cit feels like a lot of pressure\\u201d. We typically find that clients\\u2019 idea of what the piercing will feel like when they are imagining it in their minds is usually worse than the actual experience, we often hear \\u201coh, I thought that would be so much worse\\u201d after a piercing is completed. Typically the piercing portion of the procedure is over in just a few short seconds, most of the time of your appointment will be for choosing jewelry, completing paperwork, cleaning and marking, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The most important thing to remember is that we\\u2019re here for you, to walk you through the process, to help you work through any fear you may be feeling, and to support you through the piercing and healing process. If you would be more comfortable bringing a guest with you to your appointment please do so!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Will you numb the area before performing the piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Topical numbing agents are not recommended when getting a piercing for a number of reasons. First, topical numbing agents only work on the top layers of skin, it\\u2019s not like a local anesthetic administered in a medical setting (which piercers are not qualified to administer or offer), so you will absolutely still feel the needle pierce the tissue. Second, products that numb the skin change the elasticity and texture of the skin which can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings. Please do not apply topical numbing agents prior to your piercing appointment, our piercers are trained to work with normal, unaltered tissue and anatomy and applying these products, especially when the piercer is unaware, can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What if I pass out?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our piercers are all trained in how to handle clients fainting during or after a piercing. There are many reasons people may faint, feel dizzy or get lightheaded during a piercing. It\\u2019s best to eat at least 4 hours prior to getting a piercing, and we recommend clients eat something with sugar or protein. Clients should also be hydrated prior to getting a piercing, and be sure to drink lots of water after as well, especially in the summer months. We keep our studio a little cooler than most businesses to help keep clients cool and relaxed. We are prepared with water bottles and ice packs in the event that you do pass out and will ensure that you are feeling back to normal before leaving the studio. Please be aware that clients who faint during a piercing procedure will often have fainting symptoms again later in the day and may faint a second time later in the day after the first time they pass out, so please be extra careful when doing any other activities after getting pierced.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why does it take so long for a piercing to heal?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Healing a piercing is similar to healing a wound. The depth, complexity, type of tissue, general health and care of the area all factor into how long a piercing will take to heal. Unlike healing a surface wound however, healing a piercing is a bit more complex as the body is attempting to heal with a foreign object (jewelry) inside it. Healing a piercing takes time, patience, and dedication! Be gentle on yourself if you run into problems related to healing, it happens to lots of people (even piercers!). Sometimes you can be doing everything right- get pierced by a reputable, professional piercer, use high-quality jewelry, keep up with aftercare diligently, etc.- and still have a hard time healing, and that\\u2019s okay! Stress, diet, health, lifestyle, and many other factors, some you may not even think about, can have an effect on healing. We\\u2019ve had clients have a hard time healing piercings due to stress from finals, moving, family issues, etc. We\\u2019ve had clients have a hard time healing because they got sick unexpectedly or have a condition that they didn\\u2019t realize could impact healing a piercing- like a connective tissue disorder, eating disorder, or even anemia- to name a few.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercings are performed in a variety of locations. Some piercings are in very vascular areas, some piercings are in soft tissue, some piercings are in cartilage, some piercings are in high-movement areas, some are not; all of these factors can have an impact on healing times. Cartilage piercings can take 9 months to a year to heal fully and some clients may continue to feel tenderness in these areas even after they are considered \\u201chealed\\u201d depending on the jewelry type\\\/size\\\/style and other lifestyle factors- in most cases the tenderness will eventually subside, it may just take some time, be patient \\ud83d\\ude42<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How many piercings can I get in one appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The complexity and difficulty of receiving or healing a piercing will greatly affect how many piercings we would recommend getting at once. Piercings like earlobes, simple cartilage piercings, nostrils and septums are typically easier to heal than piercings like daiths, rooks, oral piercings, industrials, etc. Multiple piercings in one area, like double or triple helix and nostril piercings or piercings in high movement areas like navels, tongue, and surface\\\/dermal piercings may be best performed one at a time to allow the body to focus on healing each piercing. You should avoid sleeping on a fresh piercing, especially cartilage piercings,\\u00a0 so if you are a side sleeper we would recommend piercing one ear at a time and allowing some time for it to heal before piercing the other side.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All in all, it really depends on which piercings you will be getting as far as what we would recommend, but just for time constraints we typically only allow a client to get 3 to 4 piercings during a single appointment. For piercings that require extra precision in marking, like paired nostrils, lips and eyebrow piercings we ask that you don\\u2019t get any other piercings in that appointment, nobody wants these piercings to be rushed!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Are there piercings that you will not perform? Why?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There are piercings that our studio does not offer. Some are due to safety concerns related to healing, long term wear or damage to the body, or age restrictions we have in place. Any time we will not perform a piercing on a client it is for that client\\u2019s safety.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sometimes clients don\\u2019t have the anatomy necessary for us to safely perform the piercing they would like to get. The most common piercings this occurs with are navel and industrial piercings. These piercings require specific anatomy for them to heal properly and if they are performed on a client with unsuitable anatomy the chance of rejection, migration, and issues healing greatly increases. Remember, we are here to help and we always want you to get the piercings that you want, so if a piercer declines to pierce you they are doing so because they do not feel it is safe. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\\u2019s what you would like, but we will not perform a piercing on a client if we do not think they have the appropriate anatomy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Another reason we might decline a piercing is due to age restrictions we have in place. We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\\\/span><b><i>absolutely<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not offered and are<\\\/span> <b><i>illegal<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\\\/span><b><i>ever. <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">several<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some piercings are not considered safe and should not be performed by any piercer for any reason. Less reputable studios often offer these piercings at client request with no regard for the long term effects on the clients health and healing. For example \\u201cfrog eyes\\u201d or \\u201cscoop\\u201d piercings- a tongue piercing performed with a curved barbell placed horizontally in the tongue, piercings performed in dangerous areas like mandibular, uvular, hand or feet piercings, or piercings performed in tissue that cannot support jewelry like eyelids or finger webbing; these are not considered safe piercings and should not be performed by any piercer, for any reason.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At our studio we do not offer double tongue piercings or cheek piercings. There are definitely very skilled, very educated piercers out there who may be offering these piercings without issue, but they take a lot of anatomy consideration, education and a very, very skilled piercer to be performed safely, <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">if they can be performed safely at all <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">(this is a widely debated topic in the piercing community), and should only be performed by a piercer who is specialized in these specific piercings. We recommend doing <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">extensive<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> research and finding a piercer who offers these piercings as a specialty and has lots of experience and a portfolio of these piercings <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">specifically<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> before choosing to get these piercings.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cPlay Piercings\\u201d are piercings that are performed for the experience of receiving the piercing and are very very temporary (typically removed almost immediately) Play piercings are not performed with the intention of wearing the jewelry. A common example of play piercing is the corset piercing, typically performed in rows on each side of the back and then a ribbon or tie is laced through the rings. We do not offer play piercings in our studio and encourage any person interested in performing or receiving these types of piercings to do extensive research and seek out a professional who offers this type of service.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t all of the piercers in your studio offer the same services?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We sometimes have piercers working in our studio who are working during a piercing apprenticeship- all piercings performed while an apprentice is practicing are special piercings booked in advance by our staff and are performed under the supervision of the apprentice\\u2019s mentor. Apprentices work for years and slowly build up their range of offerings, for example we may have a piercer who is still working on more advanced piercings as part of an apprenticeship but are open and offering regular services they have already mastered. Any piercer who is available for a service to be booked by clients has experience and education to fully perform that piercing. If a service is not available to be booked by a specific piercer they likely just don\\u2019t offer that piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare for my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\\u2019s VERY important that you arrive at your appointment having eaten and hydrated! We ask that clients eat within 4 hours of their appointment to make sure you\\u2019re feeling your best for the piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Plan ahead to account for possible traffic, having a downtown location means traffic is very unpredictable and events shut down portions of streets regularly. Paid street parking is available in front of the shop or you are welcome to park in our driveway. Please do not park in adjacent business\\u2019 parking lots, their parking is for their clients and you risk being towed.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Think about the piercing(s) you\\u2019ll be receiving and dress appropriately. If you\\u2019re getting a piercing that would require you to undress partially it\\u2019s always a good idea to wear clothing that can be easily removed and don\\u2019t wear too many layers. Don\\u2019t wear white if you are getting a piercing that has a tendency to spot bleed, like genital piercings or nipple piercings.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Think about what jewelry you might like to see in your piercing; we have a massive selection, with thousands and thousands of different pieces, and new ones coming in all the time! The more info you can give your piercer regarding the visual aspect of your piercing the easier it will be for them to pull pieces for you. If you\\u2019d like to check out some of the jewelry\\\/brands we carry, check out our Instagram @theexoticbody where we have lots of photos of jewelry, both on and off of clients.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Review any relevant policies or information related to your piercing at exoticbody.com or reach out with any questions that you may have.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you experience any symptoms of illness, or are feeling generally unwell prior to your appointment please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can reschedule you to another date.<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Who should I bring with me to my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Bringing a friend, partner, or family member along to your piercing appointment can be a fun way to bond, ease nerves or allow someone who may be thinking about getting a new piercing to see the process before deciding! We love when clients bring in a guest to their appointments, we just have a few suggestions to make the process fun for everyone involved. Consider your guest\\u2019s level of comfort in the environment; if you\\u2019re asking someone to be your guest at your appointment, especially if you want them to be in the room while you\\u2019re being pierced,\\u00a0 you should ensure they will be comfortable enough to watch the procedure happen and feel comfortable in a piercing shop environment (some people get nervous with how much the studio looks like a medical office or they may not be comfortable seeing needles and tools). Consider <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">your<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> comfort level and relationship with the person if you are getting a piercing in a more private area like nipples or genitals (if you want to bring a friend but not have them in the room during the piercing they\\u2019re welcome to wait in the lobby!). Consider how your guest feels about the piercing itself, there\\u2019s nothing worse than an unsupportive partner or friend making the experience more difficult, making negative comments, or telling the client they don\\u2019t want them to get pierced to begin with; if YOU want the piercing and YOU are excited you shouldn\\u2019t bring someone along who is discouraging or negative about the experience, it\\u2019s your body after all and someone who cares about you shouldn\\u2019t make you feel badly about a decision you\\u2019ve made for yourself &#8211; if your guest is being particularly negative or very vocal that they aren\\u2019t supportive we will ask them to wait in the lobby. Guests at piercing appointments should be supportive, comforting, and someone you trust.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">An especially difficult situation we sometimes find ourselves in is when minor clients come in with parents who have reluctantly agreed to let their child get a piercing when they aren\\u2019t really happy about it or would rather them not have it. Obviously any minor getting a piercing must be accompanied by their parent\\\/guardian and their parent needs to give permission for the piercing to happen, but we have experienced situations where the parent has agreed to let the child get a piercing they want and the parent clearly doesn\\u2019t like it and sometimes they will vocalize this; whether it\\u2019s a dislike of piercings in general or thinking a piercing will not look good on their child, to our staff, which can put us in an uncomfortable situation where the parent expects us to discourage the child from getting pierced or pick a side in an argument that is <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">really<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not our place to be a part of in the first place. We see this most often with older teenagers who may want facial piercings, upper cartilage piercings or navel piercings. This is a discussion that should be happening <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">prior to your appointment <\\\/span><\\\/i><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">between you and your child<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. If you as the parent are really uncomfortable with your child getting a piercing you need to weigh the decision <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">prior<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> to agreeing to bring them in. We get that parents and children often have different ideas about piercings,\\u00a0 when <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">and if<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> someone should get certain piercings, or the look of piercings in general; some parents don\\u2019t want their children to have any piercings until they are 18 and can make the decision themselves and that\\u2019s totally okay, but if you do decide to allow your child to get a new piercing and then get to the appointment and vocalize how much you don\\u2019t like the piercing or how much you don\\u2019t want them to get pierced it puts a lot of pressure on you, the child and staff.<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> We can\\u2019t tell you when the right time to allow your child to get a piercing is, that\\u2019s an incredibly personal decision you and your family need to make for themselves, but if you do agree to bring your child in and get a piercing we would please ask that you have thoroughly discussed everything beforehand and are <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">sure<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> you want them to have the piercing and you are in <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">full support<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">.<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> If you have questions about the process, would like to speak with a piercer before hand, or need more understanding of healing, aftercare and jewelry options before you\\u2019re able to make your choice <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">we\\u2019re <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">ALWAYS<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> here to help<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">; please feel free to give us a call or send us an email or DM on social media so that we can help you feel as prepared as possible and mitigate any issues before your appointment is booked; we find the more knowledgeable and informed a parent and child are the smoother the process goes and everyone is more likely to leave happy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you would like to bring in multiple guests or get pierced in a group we would appreciate it if you let us know ahead of time. We have a small studio space and the piercers need space to work so we sometimes need time to prepare if you are coming in a group. Please keep in mind that depending on the piercers comfort level, the size of the group and the number of piercings being performed we may ask that only one guest accompany you into the jewelry or piercing room.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Minors are not permitted as guests during appointments. Please arrange for any necessary childcare prior to your appointment. We know that some families are interested in bringing along younger siblings to observe the process of getting their ears pierced prior to booking an appointment for the younger child; wh<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">ile we do offer children\\u2019s services, their time in the studio is highly monitored and controlled. Since we have biohazard areas and delicate equipment throughout the studio, this is an environment we need to be very careful in and we would never want to endanger our clients, their children, or our staff. We need you to be focused on the child who will be receiving a piercing and oftentimes they\\u2019ll really need your support too; getting pierced for the first time can be very intimidating for young children, even when they were very excited leading up to the appointment. With an appointments only system we can allow clients to schedule days, weeks, even months in advance, so be sure to plan your appointment around your availability to have childcare for other siblings, if you arrive to an appointment with a child as a guest we will not be able to see you. Clients are not permitted to hold children while being pierced, this puts you, the child and our piercer in danger.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\\\/ curations?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\\\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What if I end up not liking my new piercing\\\/jewelry?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you decide that you end up not liking how a piercing looks on you all you need to do is remove the jewelry and keep the wound clean while it heals closed. If you have trouble removing the jewelry you can always come in for a jewelry removal appointment.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If the placement of your new piercing seems off please reach out as soon as you notice it so that we can get you scheduled for a re-piercing with your piercer. Re-piercings need to be performed by the same piercer who performed your initial piercing (if for some reason you\\u2019d prefer to see a different piercer please reach out, we need to set up re-piercing appointments with other piercers differently from our normal appointments)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you end up purchasing jewelry and decide you don\\u2019t like the style, shape, size, etc. you\\u2019re welcome to keep it in good condition and we can re-sterilize it for another p, barbells, or dermal\\\/surface bars for fresh piercings, but we can always move a top or ring to a different location in a healed piercing as long as it is not damaged in any way.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer refunds on body jewelry. The Exotic Body is not responsible for <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">lost<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> jewelry, but if for some reason your jewelry breaks (like a stone falls out or a pin breaks, etc.) we will replace\\\/repair it based on its manufacturer\\u2019s warranty, you will just need to bring the piece in for us to send it to them for replacement\\\/repair.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What size will my initial piercing jewelry be?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings, or piercings that use barbells) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What does \\u201cdownsizing\\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Why can\\u2019t I start out my piercing with a ring?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style. We have found that clients tend to have significant healing issues when pierced using rings, so we do not offer them for most piercings.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>When can I change my piercing to a hoop\\\/ add a chain or charm?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Your piercing should be fully healed before attempting to change the shape of the jewelry or add anything that dangles from the jewelry, like a chain or charm. We give our clients recommended healing times for their piercings based on the most likely time it will take you to heal the piercing in a specific area, but these healing times do not account for personal health and hygiene habits, any instances of irritation or infection or improper care of the piercing for any period of time. If your piercing is still sore or tender to the touch, there is still redness in the tissue surrounding the piercing site, or you have an irritation bump we do not recommend changing to a hoop or adding a chain or charm, wait until these symptoms subside or you could make the situation worse\\\/prolong the healing time even more or cause the piercing site to never completely heal. We know you can\\u2019t wait to get the piercing jewelry you\\u2019ve been dreaming of, but patience is the most important aspect if you are encountering any issues with healing, you\\u2019ll get there eventually; just stay diligent with aftercare, wait it out, and as always, come see us for a check up if needed!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can\\\/should I re-pierce a location I had pierced previously?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every persons\\u2019 body is different and the circumstances under which your jewelry was removed, as well as when it was originally performed and how it healed, play a big role in the health of the tissue. We typically recommend that clients wait at least double the length of time the jewelry was in their body before coming back in to get re-pierced. Typically re-piercing in the same spot is not an issue, but it can be depending on several different factors. Depending on the severity of the scar tissue your piercer may elect not to perform the piercing or they may suggest an alternative placement that may end up being better suited to your situation. If you\\u2019re not sure whether a piercing location would be a good idea to re-pierce we would suggest making a check up appointment so that a piercer can do an examination and let you know.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Will oral piercings damage my teeth\\\/gums?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All oral piercings pose a risk to your overall oral health and can do damage to teeth and gums. There are some things that you can do to help minimize your risk of damage, but there is no way to guarantee that damage will not occur. If you decide to get an oral piercing you should know that you are opening yourself up to the risk of tooth and gum damage. Some piercings pose less of a risk than others, but all piercings in and around your mouth have the potential to cause oral damage.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Having a good oral hygiene routine is extremely important before you decide to get an oral piercing. Regular cleanings, brushing your teeth several times daily, flossing regularly and rinsing your mouth daily are all important steps to ensure your oral health and the health of oral piercings. Poor oral hygiene can lead to issues healing a piercing and can also prevent the piercing from ever healing completely.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The size of oral piercing jewelry greatly impacts your potential for damage. All oral piercings will swell when first pierced, most of them substantially, so we always oversize the initial jewelry to accommodate for this and avoid any kind of embedding. It is CRUCIAL that you downsize your oral jewelry in a timely manner, so you need to ensure that you are able to get yourself to a reputable piercer within your downsize timeframe to have your jewelry resized. Properly fitting jewelry helps to minimize the risk of oral damage, but depending on placement and individual anatomy, will not completely eliminate the risk; even perfectly fitted jewelry will rub on teeth and gums for certain piercing placements.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Vertical labret and philtrum piercings are a good idea if you would like to get an oral piercing, but you are concerned about the long term effects to your teeth and gums. Vertical labret and philtrum piercings do not enter the inside of the mouth and are instead pierced fully through the exterior structures of the lip, providing a safer option for clients who want to minimize the risk for oral damage. Vertical philtrum and labret piercings are in high-movement areas, so they can be difficult to get used to and can be difficult to heal for some clients; you will need to avoid playing with your jewelry and ensure to downsize the jewelry so that it is an appropriate size for long term wear after initial swelling goes down.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My child wants a non-earlobe piercing, what piercing would be best for them to get?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">This is a very personal question that we have a hard time really answering for clients. You should have honest discussions with your child about the process, healing and aftercare involved, and potential for scarring at the piercing site if they decide to remove the piercing later. If your child still decides they would like to get a non-earlobe piercing you should then review the types of piercings offered by our studio. Of the piercings offered to minor clients in our studio, the septum is by far the easiest to heal- only a couple of saline rinses a day for about 4 weeks and clients rarely have problems. Septum piercings also produce no visible scar, as the entirety of the piercing site is inside the nose and depending on the jewelry chosen, can often be completely hidden from sight if needed by flipping the jewelry up inside the nose. Daith, rook, tragus, and navel piercings are some of the more difficult piercings that we offer to minors to heal- they take around 9 months to fully heal and require a lot more maintenance as far as aftercare. All of these considerations should be taken before booking an appointment and if you have any questions please reach out and we will be happy to help!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What is the smallest gauge size that you carry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The smallest gauge size that we carry is 18g. When jewelry is thinner than 18g the likelihood of rejection, migration and tearing are significantly higher. Thinner jewelry can sometimes get pushed out of the body, like a splinter. The body recognizes jewelry as a foreign object and has to heal around and regulate itself with the piece of jewelry still inside, which is why piercings take longer to heal than surface wounds. When jewelry is too thin the body has a harder time accepting it and will more often work to remove the foreign object from the body, which can lead to rejection of the jewelry completely. We often get clients who would like 20g jewelry (typically for nostril or ear piercings), as they would like a smaller, daintier look for their jewelry. 20g and 22g jewelry is common among fashion jewelry brands and is typically not considered body safe. 20g and 22g hoops are especially common and jewelry this thin can start to have what is called the \\u201ccheese wire effect\\u201d causing tearing and migration. Think of the thin wires used in a cheese cutting device, they are extremely thin and feel sharp to the touch and are dragged through the hard surface of the cheese, cutting and tearing the cheese; now think of how that process would look in your body- ouch! This effect can also happen with jewelry that is too tight, causing pulling and tearing to the piercing site which can permanently change the placement, angle and health of the piercing. We always recommend that rings, chains and other pieces have enough room to sit comfortably against, not pushing or pulling on, the tissue around your piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What size needle do you use?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer a variety of different piercings that are all pierced with different sized needles. The smallest gauge size that we offer is 18g. The most common sizes that we use in the studio are 18g-10g. Earlobes and nostrils are typically pierced with an 18g needle, but may also use 16g and occasionally a 14g needle, depending on the client\\u2019s long term piercing goals and anatomy. Cartilage piercings, like helix, daith, conch or rook piercings are typically pierced with 16g, 14g, or 12g needles, also depending on the clients long term piercing goals and anatomy. Sometimes we will use a slightly larger needle than the jewelry worn inside the piercing, to allow for an easier time healing- this technique varies client to client, is incredibly anatomy dependent and not used by all of our piercers. Nipple piercings are typically performed with 14g or 12g needles, though a 16g is occasionally used for clients with very small anatomy. Genital piercings vary significantly from piercing to piercing and can range from 16g-10g depending on the placement, clients\\u2019 anatomy and long term piercing goals, if you have questions regarding the size of needle\\\/jewelry that would be used during your piercing this is something you should discuss with your piercer during an anatomy check or jewelry selection. Our piercers are highly educated on which needle size and jewelry size is best for each piercing placement and always take individual anatomy into consideration.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What tools do you use to perform a piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each piercer in our studio performs their piercings with different techniques. Piercers often learn a certain way of piercing from a mentor or program they attend and as they work with clients, familiarize themselves with tools\\\/jewelry\\\/anatomy, and grow and progress through their careers, learn different styles, techniques and tips and tricks to perform piercings. We pride ourselves on always being educated on new techniques, processes and seeking out learning opportunities whenever we can. Piercers in our area often host classes, meetings, and industry events where we are able to meet up with other professionals in our industry to learn from them, discuss advancements, tips and tricks, and new ways of working with clients to provide better and better experiences. One of the things we love about the piercing industry is the constant forward movement and advancements made by incredible professionals in the industry. Companies that produce tools and jewelry are always looking for new and better ways to create their products, piercers are constantly educating themselves and learning from pioneers in the industry who are always looking to improve their craft. We love the passion and dedication of professionals in all areas of the body modification industry and always look to others for education and inspiration. Each piercer in our studio is familiar with a variety of techniques to perform each piercing they offer, so that they can always make the best decision based on each client, their long term piercing goals, anatomy, healing considerations and overall comfort. We have piercers who use freehand piercing techniques, utilizing less tools and working more with their hands for pressure and guidance of needles and jewelry. We have piercers who always utilize tools that have been tried, tested and improved over decades of work in the industry. Sometimes a freehand style piercer will employ the use of a tool during a specific piercing for a client based on anatomy or placement of a piercing and sometimes piercers who typically use tools will forgo the tool in a situation where it may hinder the ease of access or not provide the correct kind of pressure\\\/guidance for needles or jewelry into a piercing because of placement or anatomy concerns.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every piercer who works at The Exotic Body is always going to choose a technique, tool, process or setup for your piercing based on what they determine would be the best used for your individual situation, placement, anatomy, and long term piercing goals.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some examples of tools used in our studio include: needle receiving tubes, forceps, hemostats, brass ring pliers, clamps and placement rings (just to name a few). We have advanced sterilization, reprocessing and handling procedures for all of our tools so you can be sure that every single item used for your piercing is high quality and sterilized completely. We use autoclave sterilization techniques and have highly trained staff to process, package and store each tool to the proper sterilization standards required by state and federal laws, and the APP.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How long should I wait before swimming after getting a new piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not recommend swimming while healing a piercing. If you must swim due to a prior commitment, swim team, etc. we would recommend waiting until after you are finished swimming to get a new piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Should I wait to play sports\\\/exercise\\\/work out after getting a new piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Playing a sport or working out doesn\\u2019t necessarily need to be avoided, but can put strain on your body and your healing piercing. You should think through all of the steps of your routine before starting and be sure to avoid activities that may put you at risk of bumping, snagging, or putting pressure on the piercing site.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">A thorough cleaning is necessary after breaking a sweat! Make sure to clean off the area and gently dry the piecing after your workout.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Another thing to consider with sports is the rules of the game! Many sports leagues do not allow their players to wear body jewelry. We see this happen a lot specifically with children who play soccer. Both Recreational and Competitive leagues near Sacramento require children to remove their earrings prior to playing games, so plan around soccer season if your child will be playing!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019ve heard that sea salt soaks are good for healing piercings. Should I make and use my own sea salt soaks on my healing piercings?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Making your own salt soaks is no longer a recommended practice from the APP. It is incredibly difficult to get the ratios of water and salt correct and can lead to issues with healing, dry skin, and salt crystal buildup; not to mention it would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to create a product in a sterile environment at home- the water may not be clean, bowls and cups may have soap residue from dishwashers, and countertops may have chemical residue from cleaners, so it\\u2019s best to leave these types of things to professionals in controlled environments and purchase something pre-packaged.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From- safepiercing.org <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">&#8211; \\u201cPackaged sterile saline is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from the APP. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline labeled for use as a wound wash. Contact lens saline, eye drops, and other saline products should never be used on a body piercing. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient.\\u00a0 <\\\/span><b>Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing.\\u201d<\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Are there any products I should avoid around my piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation. Avoid Bactine, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long-term wound care. Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I have to have an MRI\\\/Surgery\\\/Medical Procedure that requires me to remove my jewelry, what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer jewelry removal services. If your piercing is well healed you can schedule a removal close to the date of your procedure and have us remove any jewelry you would like; there is a $20 service fee for removals.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your piercings are fresh, you cannot get an appointment close to the time of your procedure, or you\\u2019re at all worried about your piercings closing up during the time they will need to be removed we offer Pyrex piercing retainers that are safe for wear during an MRI and most medical procedures. The retainers are $15 each. Not all piercings have retainers that are available, so it\\u2019s best to check with us prior to booking an appointment to be sure we have a suitable retainer for your piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Surface and dermal piercings are not something that we can remove and re-insert, in most cases, and retainers are not available for these types of piercings. If you have a surface or dermal piercing and you need to have it removed for a medical procedure you will likely need to heal the piercing site and have it re-pierced at a later date.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Implant grade titanium and gold are technically safe to wear during MRI procedures, however in our experience most MRI technicians and medical centers still ask that you remove your jewelry. If you are unsure if your jewelry needs to be removed you should reach out to your practitioner or medical facility and should always follow any rules or practices they have regarding jewelry removal.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What if I need to hide\\\/cover my piercing for work\\\/school\\\/sports, etc?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer several different options for more discreet piercing jewelry. Depending on the piercing; we have pieces that look like freckles, flat disks, and very small jewelry options. These types of jewelry are not typically suitable for very fresh piercings, so we recommend not getting a new piercing during a time when you may need to conceal it. We also carry glass retainers, typically made for medical procedures, like MRIs and surgeries. These glass retainers are typically made for temporary wear and we cannot perform a fresh piercing with retainers. You should not wear glass retainers while playing sports. If your sports team requires you to not wear jewelry during play you should remove jewelry or cover it in an acceptable manner according to team\\\/league rules.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019m having trouble avoiding sleeping on my piercing, is there anything I can do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you are trying to heal ear piercings that are difficult to avoid sleeping on, we recommend investing in a donut pillow or an airplane neck pillow, that have holes in the center where you can place your ear while sleeping to avoid direct contact with your pillow\\\/bed during healing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My piercing doesn\\u2019t seem to be healing, what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The most common reasons that piercings have difficulty healing are improper aftercare, improper\\\/low quality jewelry, touching the piercing site, or personal health concerns. If your piercing was performed at The Exotic Body we can guarantee that the jewelry is of the highest quality and should be properly sized by your piercer during the appointment. Occasionally clients will swell more than anticipated and this can cause their jewelry to be too tight, too small, or it can also begin to embed in the piercing site, if any of those things occur please make a check up appointment right away. If you were pierced elsewhere we would be happy to take a look at the jewelry that you have and make suggestions if we think a change is necessary. You should avoid being pierced at places that offer unsafe or improper jewelry for initial piercings; including hoops in most cartilage piercings, \\u201cbutterfly\\u201d backed pieces, externally threaded pieces, or jewelry made of materials that are not suited for an initial piercing like silver, <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">non-implant grade<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> or \\u201csurgical\\u201d steel, or plated\\\/painted\\\/fake gold products, these studios\\\/businesses do not have your best interest in mind if they are offering subpar jewelry for your piercings. Remember, piercing jewelry is<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> inside your body<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, you should only use safe, high quality jewelry for piercings.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Please refer to our Aftercare tab on the top of our home page for in-depth aftercare recommendations. You should be diligent with aftercare for the entirety of your healing period and then keep the piercing site clean regularly for the entire lifespan of the piercing; bodily fluids, dirt, makeup and other contaminants can build up even after the healing process is over and cause the piercing site to become inflamed and irritated, if this occurs we recommend going back to the aftercare you were using before and continuing it until the problem subsides.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The number one cause of infection is introducing bacteria to the piercing site through touch contact. You should avoid touching your piercing unless you are actively cleaning it and should only ever clean the piercing site with clean hands in a clean environment.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Personal health and hygiene play a huge role in healing piercings. Illness, major stress, or injury during the healing process can lead some clients to have a more difficult time healing their piercings. Obviously you cannot control most of these elements, but doing your best to limit your exposure to illness or injury and taking extra good care of yourself during the healing process can help the process go a lot more smoothly. Regular showering\\\/bathing and hair washing (or keeping potentially dirty hair away from the piercing site as much as possible) is important. Oral hygiene is very important for oral piercings, so if you are someone who may struggle to keep good oral hygiene we suggest trying to get yourself into a better habit prior to getting the piercing or avoiding oral piercings altogether. If you are healing from a surgery we suggest not getting a piercing until you are fully healed. If you suffer from regular or chronic illnesses, have a medical condition that may affect your ability to heal a wound, we suggest discussing piercing with a medical professional prior to making an appointment and communicating any important information that they give you regarding healing that you feel comfortable sharing with your piercer.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How do I know when it\\u2019s time to give up on a piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At any point that you decide you no longer want your piercing you can remove the jewelry with clean hands. If you are unable to remove the jewelry yourself feel free to make a jewelry removal appointment and one of our piercers will be happy to assist you. Do not remove jewelry if you suspect that you have an infection. Removing jewelry in the presence of an infection may result in an abscess. Quality body jewelry or a retainer of an appropriate size, style, and material should be left in place so the infection can drain.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you have a piercing that is not healing and you have taken every appropriate step to ensure it has the best chance possible (high quality, appropriately size and style jewelry, diligent aftercare, avoiding touching or sleeping on the piercing site, checkups with your piercer, etc.) and you have given it plenty of time for the issue to subside (months, not weeks in most cases) but it\\u2019s still not healing properly, it may be time to retire the piercing. It\\u2019s okay, in most cases, to get the area repierced at a later date, so you can try again once the area has had enough time to heal and rest ( we recommend clients wait at least double the length that they had the piercing in their body for to try again- so for example if you had the piercing for 6 months you should wait at least a year before trying to pierce that location again)\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your piercing is causing you a ton of pain, irritation or is interfering with your daily life it may be time to retire the piercing. Having that super cool piercing or jewelry is only cool if it is not doing you harm, trust your body if it says NO, give yourself the chance to heal and rest and try again if you wish, but sometimes piercings (even performed and taken care of properly) don\\u2019t work out, it happens to a lot of people, even piercers!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My jewelry is embedded in my body, what do I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your jewelry has sunk down into your piercing, you have swelled at the piercing site to an extent that the skin is covering the jewelry in any way or you no longer see the jewelry in your body, but it has not fallen out or been removed, please make an appointment to come in right away or see a medical professional. Depending on the extent of the embedding we should be able to remove the jewelry in the studio, but there have been cases where we have referred a client to the emergency room or another medical professional. Embedded jewelry is an emergency and should not be ignored. Sometimes we are able to get a much longer or larger piece of jewelry to put into the piercing and save the piercing, sometimes it means the piercing will need to be removed and healed, depending on the extent of the embedding, the health of the piercing and the circumstances that led to the piercing becoming embedded in the first place.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My piercing is rejecting, what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \\u201cIf the jewelry moves closer to the surface or the tissue gets narrower between the openings of a piercing, this is termed \\u201cmigration.\\u201d If the piercing migrates past a point of remaining viable or comes all the way to the surface, this is termed \\u201crejection.\\u201d For safety and longevity, a piercing should have at least 5\\\/16\\u201d inch (almost 8 mm) of tissue between the entrance and exit holes.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">A body piercing should be abandoned if the tissue between the entry and exit progressively gets smaller or thinner over time plus any of the following:<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The skin between the openings is flaking or peeling, red or inflamed, and\\\/or hard and calloused-looking<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There is 1\\\/4\\u201d of tissue or less between the openings<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Just a thin filament of nearly transparent tissue is left, and the jewelry can be seen through the skin<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you think your piercing is migrating or rejecting please make a check up appointment right away!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I think I have\\\/am developing a keloid; what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Clients often reach out because they have a bump on\\\/near their piercing site and they are worried they are developing a keloid. From The National Institute of Health &#8211; \\u201c<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Keloids present clinically as <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">firm, rubbery nodules in an area of prior injury to the skin. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In contrast to normal or hypertrophic scars, keloidal tissue extends beyond the initial site of trauma. Patients may complain of pain, itching, or burning.\\u201d Keloids can vary in how they look but they all share the same characteristics and are relatively much more rare than other types of bumps that can form near a piercing, which are much more common. Keloid scarring is currently considered to be a genetic trait and will generally have presented itself in childhood cuts or other injuries; your parents will also likely experience keloid scarring if you are a person who is susceptible, otherwise it is likely another type of bump. A bump that is truly a keloid will need the assistance of a doctor or dermatologist to remove and no amount of aftercare or piercing guidance will solve the problem.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The most common type of bump we see form near piercing sites is referred to as a \\u201cpiercing bump\\u201d or sometimes an \\u201cirritation bump\\u201d. These bumps typically form due to an irritant or trauma to the piercing site and are typically treatable. The most likely causes of a piercing bump include- the angle at which the piercing was performed or the jewelry is currently sitting in the body is rubbing on the piercing site and causing excess friction\\\/irritation, bumping, snagging, or sleeping on a healing piercing, not cleaning properly or enough, improper jewelry (too thin, too tight, incorrect shape- like a ring), sickness or stress, and buildup from dirt, oils or makeup. Other factors can cause these bumps to form as well, so if you see one of these pop up near your piercing be sure to go over everything with your piercer so they have the most information possible to help determine the source of the problem.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Most commonly when a client comes in with a piercing bump we are able to determine some small misstep in aftercare, usually clients are doing things *almost* right, and a small change is all it takes to get the bump to go away. Sometimes we will add extra length to the backing for a short time to take any pressure off of the bump itself so that it can go down before downsizing at a later date.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">You should not use any products on a healing piercing except soap and water and a saline wound wash. There are numerous sites, articles and posts online and on social media talking about \\u201cpiercing hacks\\u201d and quick fixes, but the reality is there is no magic cure for piercing bumps, it just takes time and care. You should not use tea tree oil, aspirin pastes, or piercing bump solutions\\\/ointments sold online. From Safepiering.org- <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cOINTMENTS ARE NOT PREFERRED FOR TOPICAL TREATMENT OF PIERCINGS. They are occlusive and limit oxygen circulation to the area, which can delay healing of this type of wound. They leave a sticky residue that makes cleaning the healing tissue more difficult.\\u201d You should not attempt to pop or cut off the piercing bump.We strongly encourage you to come in and see a piercer if you are experiencing any excess swelling, get a piercing bump, or think you may be developing a keloid so that we can take a look and discuss things with you to see what could be going on.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I think I have an infection; what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><b>\\u00a0<\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you believe you may have an infection we recommend reaching out to a medical professional <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">immediately<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">.<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Signs of infection include: Severe redness, swelling or tenderness at the procedure site, red streaks going from procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, purulent drainage from the site. Discharge from the site may be green\\\/yellow and have a foul odor.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I think I\\u2019m having an allergic reaction to the jewelry; what should I do?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Allergic reactions to implant grade jewelry are rare, but they do happen! Most often clients who have a metal allergy or past experience with jewelry irritating their skin have been exposed to low quality metals like nickel and aluminum. All of our jewelry is made from implant grade titanium, steel or gold. All of our white gold jewelry is colored white using palladium, not nickel, which a lot of people are allergic to! Gold plated or painted jewelry that is simply sold as \\u201cgold\\u201d jewelry can cause allergic reactions if the plating or paint flakes or rubs off, exposing the skin to the lower quality metals underneath.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cSurgical steel\\u201d is one of the most commonly misunderstood names for metals in the industry. The term \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d is not used by body jewelry manufacturers and is instead a marketing term coined by jewelry sales companies. Clients will sometimes come in for a piercing and say they can \\u201conly wear solid gold\\u201d because they\\u2019ve had an allergic reaction to \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d in the past; the good news is that high-quality titanium and steel jewelry does exist! We have pieces made from implant grade steel in stock here, but this type of steel is different from those marketed as \\u201csurgical steel\\u201d because it is <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">implant grade<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">, body safe, stainless steel that is<\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> ASTM F-138 compliant or ISO 5832-1 compliant.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We don\\u2019t have any regular clients with an allergy to the titanium that we carry, but we do have a few clients who are allergic to gold! If you get a new piercing and you immediately experience <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">swelling, a rash, redness, itching, peeling, dark spots, or blistering we encourage you to come in for a checkup so we can determine if you are allergic to your jewelry. Allergic reactions typically happen immediately and don\\u2019t pop up later into the healing process, so if things were going well and then all of a sudden you experience these symptoms there is likely another cause, but you should still come in for a check up!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I have a piercing that\\u2019s torn; is there a way to fix it?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If your fresh piercing gets snagged and tears, please make a checkup appointment right away so that a piercer can check it out and assess the damage. With fresh piercings there is a higher chance of being able to heal the torn tissue, sometimes involving removing jewelry, healing and repiercing, sometimes involving extra diligent aftercare and possibly different jewelry, depending on the degree of the tear and the circumstances surrounding how it happened.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you have a healed piercing that has torn over time, whether due to wearing heavy earrings, snags, or tissue changes that can happen with age, the chances of being able to heal the tear are smaller. Sometimes removing the jewelry can allow the piercing to heal, sometimes with well healed piercings the tear is more permanent. A medical professional is sometimes able to repair torn lobes by stitching them closed, allowing them to heal and re-piercing once they are well healed, but this is not always the case. If you are interested in this process you should reach out to a medical professional.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>Can you heal stretched piercings back to their original size?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from a piercing that has been in place for years and have the piercing close up, sometimes even when jewelry has been removed from the area for months or even years the piercing will stay open, it completely depends on your body. Depending on the size that your ears have been stretched to, they may heal over time and shrink down to smaller sizes, but they may never fully close all the way back up. Sometimes a medical professional is able to close stretched lobes by stitching them closed, but this is not always the case. If you are interested in this process you should reach out to a medical professional.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing a long time ago that was placed incorrectly, what can I do to correct the placement?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from a piercing that has been in place for years and have the piercing close up, sometimes even when jewelry has been removed from the area for months or even years the piercing will stay open, it completely depends on your body. The most common piercing we have clients ask about changing after it\\u2019s been healed for a long period of time is incorrectly placed or badly healed earlobe piercings. You can always stop wearing jewelry in your piercing and see if it closes up. If your piercing remains open even after months or years of not wearing jewelry the only other solution to get it to close would be to visit a medical professional; sometimes the piercing can be stitched closed, though this is not always the case.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Other solutions for piercings that are not well placed or spaced from other existing piercings include stretching the piercing or adding an additional piercing to create a stacked or cluster effect with the jewelry. If you would like to discuss options for a piercing you dislike the placement of you can always come in for an appointment and see what suggestions a piercer has for you!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My piercing is healed, can I remove the jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every body is different. Some clients can remove jewelry from healed piercings and have the piercings stay open for weeks, months, even years, while other clients remove jewelry and find that their piercings have closed in a matter of days, sometimes even hours. There is no way for us to predict which of these types of clients you will be, so taking out jewelry from a piercing is always a risk. Sometimes the piercing doesn\\u2019t close all the way, but may shrink to a smaller gauge size or even partially close on one side, preventing jewelry from being able to be reinserted safely at home. Anytime the skin would need to be punctured or poked back through, even a small layer of skin, would be considered a piercing, so you shouldn\\u2019t use anything other than a piercing needle to reopen that piercing; this should be done in a sterile environment by a professional, it is a re-piercing at this point. We have tools called insertion tapers that are made for slowly stretching back open a piercing that has begun shrinking down in gauge sizes, but not all piercings are able to use this technique to be reopened, that would be at your piercers discretion. The jewelry we carry is typically not meant to be changed often; we recommend choosing something you really love so that you can wear it for months or years. If you ever want to change up your jewelry we have thousands of options in a variety of designs, metals, and stones to choose from, just book a jewelry purchase appointment to come in and choose something!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My piercing is healed, but I still see buildup or \\u201ccrusties\\u201d around the jewelry, why is that?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">You should be cleaning your piercing areas as often as you cleanse other parts of your body. Just like you take regular showers\\\/baths or wash your face, you should be cleaning your piercings regularly, even after they are healed. The buildup and residue seen on most clients jewelry is usually skin cells, dirt and oil, makeup or fibers from clothing\\\/bedding, this buildup should be able to be removed with regular washing with a mild soap and warm water. Saline washes are great for a quick rinse, but typically can\\u2019t remove all buildup or residue on a piercing and should be used in conjunction with a regular mild soap wash. Some clients eventually stop seeing those \\u201ccrusties\\u201d on their piercings, some clients always have some type of buildup they need to remove regularly.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>My piercing\\\/jewelry smells bad, why is that?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sometimes clients will complain that their piercing area or jewelry smells bad. This is pretty normal! Many people experience this, even with well healed piercings! The most common piercings we hear about are stretched lobes, septum and nostril piercings. Septum and nostril piercings are in the nose, so it makes sense that these piercings are complained about the most! The body creates oils, mucus, new skin cells, and other bodily fluids and sometimes these fluids have a scent to them. Washing your piercings regularly can help mitigate the problem. High quality jewelry can also help. Low quality jewelry is more likely to have chips and scratches; which can collect buildup and bacteria, which can lead to the jewelry smelling more. A piercing or jewelry having a smell does not always mean that it\\u2019s dirty or that your jewelry is poor quality, some people are just more sensitive than others when it comes to scent, so you may just be noticing it more than others. Every body is different, some have higher levels of PH or oil or sweat production, all of these factors can affect your jewelry having a smell, just keep the area clean and if you really dislike it you can always retire the piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\\\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing at another studio, but I\\u2019m having issues healing my piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Permanent Jewelry\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b><i>How long will my permanent jewelry stay on?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Your pieces will stay on for as long as you&#8217;d like! If for some reason you would like to remove your jewelry, simply cut the chain and save it if you&#8217;d like me to re-weld it in the future.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What if my chain breaks? <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Because your piece has no clasp and is measured to perfectly fit your wrist, ankle or neck, it should not break. However, if it does break, please save your chain and I&#8217;m happy to re-weld it for you for just the $20 service fee. These chains are strong but they aren\\u2019t indestructible. Feel free to inspect your permanent jewelry before you leave to make sure you are satisfied. If the chain is missing, a new chain will need to be purchased.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I go through airport security with permanent jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Absolutely! TSA should not ask you to remove fine jewelry, so you&#8217;ll be able to take your permanent jewelry with you on all your adventures!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I get an MRI with a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Your permanent jewelry should be removed before an MRI. Save your chain and I can re-weld it for you!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Who should not get permanent jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Those with pacemakers should not get permanent jewelry because of the welding process. Allergies to solid gold and titanium are rare, but those with allergies should not get permanent jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>I&#8217;m a minor. Can I get a piece of permanent jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> I&#8217;m happy to weld a permanent bracelet, anklet, or necklace on anyone over the age of 10. Those under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I give permanent jewelry as a gift?<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> Absolutely! Because permanent jewelry is measured to fit each client individually I would recommend purchasing a gift card for the desired amount at Exoticbody.com<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Please reach out to Samantha@exoticbody.com if you have any other questions!<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><br \\\/><br \\\/><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Tooth Gems\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p>Tooth Gems<\\\/p><p><img class=\\\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24231\\\" src=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/Tooth-Gem-500x156.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"500\\\" height=\\\"156\\\" \\\/><\\\/p><p><b><i>How long will my tooth gem stay on?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Tooth gems are semi-permanent. Your oral hygiene, tooth health and lifestyle all play a part in how long the gem will stay on. We have clients who have had their tooth gems on for upwards of a year!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What kind of adhesive do you use?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We use a dental grade UV adhesive that is completely safe and long lasting.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>How can I remove my tooth gem?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We recommend booking an appointment with your dental office for removal<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p><p><b><i>What design options do you carry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer solid gold and gem options in a variety of designs. We carry simple, single stone options, butterflies, hearts, stars, dollar signs, even sports team logos! Feel free to reach out if you have a specific design in mind and we can check with our retailers to see if we can get it ordered for you! <\\\/span><b><i><br \\\/><br \\\/><\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Will my tooth gem damage my teeth?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Tooth gems are totally safe and will not cause damage to teeth! We use a dental grade UV adhesive to adhere the gem design to your teeth, so there\\u2019s never any risk of chipping, cracking or other damage to your oral health.<\\\/span><\\\/p>\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Our Studio\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"<p><b><i>Where is your shop located?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are located at <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">807 30th St. Sacramento, CA 9581.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The closest cross streets are H street and 30th street.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><img class=\\\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-24275\\\" src=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/Screenshot-2022-07-11-170535-500x409.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"500\\\" height=\\\"409\\\" \\\/><\\\/p><p><b><i>Where should I park?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There is paid street parking directly in front of our studio on 30th street on our block and on the blocks before and after. There is intermittent free parking on H street and I street, but spots are often full or nearly full. You are welcome to park in the driveway directly next to our studio at any time. Please do not park in adjacent businesses, their parking is for their customers only and you risk being towed.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every client getting a new piercing or stretching their piercing to a larger size will need to bring a currently valid, state issued ID that has their birthdate and photo on it. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What do I need to bring to my minor piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> legal custodial guardian. <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\\\/guardian. There are no exceptions. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\\\/guardian <\\\/span><b>MUST<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be present for the entirety of the appointment and be actively supervising their child. The parent must also be able to provide a <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">currently valid, state issued ID <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">that has their birthdate and photo on it and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child. We cannot accept temporary IDs or driver&#8217;s licenses. We cannot accept school IDs or Workplace IDs, the ID must be state issued, like an ID card from the DMV, a driver\\u2019s license, military ID, or a passport.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How can I prepare for my piercing appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\\u2019s VERY important that you arrive at your appointment having eaten and hydrated! We ask that clients eat within 4 hours of their appointment to make sure you\\u2019re feeling your best for the piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Plan ahead to account for possible traffic, having a downtown location means traffic is very unpredictable and events shut down portions of streets regularly. Paid street parking is available in front of the shop or you are welcome to park in our driveway. Please do not park in adjacent business\\u2019 parking lots, their parking is for their clients and you risk being towed.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Think about the piercing(s) you\\u2019ll be receiving and dress appropriately. If you\\u2019re getting a piercing that would require you to undress partially it\\u2019s always a good idea to wear clothing that can be easily removed and don\\u2019t wear too many layers. Don\\u2019t wear white if you are getting a piercing that has a tendency to spot bleed, like genital piercings or nipple piercings.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Think about what jewelry you might like to see in your piercing; we have a massive selection, with thousands and thousands of different pieces, and new ones coming in all the time! The more info you can give your piercer regarding the visual aspect of your piercing the easier it will be for them to pull pieces for you. If you\\u2019d like to check out some of the jewelry\\\/brands we carry, check out our Instagram @theexoticbody where we have lots of photos of jewelry, both on and off of clients.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Review any relevant policies or information related to your piercing at exoticbody.com or reach out with any questions that you may have.<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you experience any symptoms of illness, or are feeling generally unwell prior to your appointment please reach out to us as soon as possible so we can reschedule you to another date.<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><b><i>What is the APP?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The APP is also known as The Association of Professional Piercers. They have an amazing website with tons of amazing information you should check out at <\\\/span><a href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/safepiercing.org\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">https:\\\/\\\/safepiercing.org<\\\/span><\\\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. Governed by a voluntarily elected Board of Directors, the APP is a united group of piercing professionals that freely shares information to help fellow members, piercers, health care professionals, legislators, health inspectors, and the general public get the best and most up-to-date information about body piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From safepiercing.org-<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><img class=\\\"alignnone  wp-image-24288\\\" src=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/APP-Info-500x367.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"808\\\" height=\\\"593\\\" \\\/><\\\/p><p><b><i>How is an APP studio\\\/piercer different from another studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The APP <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">is an international health and safety organization. It is a nonprofit voluntary alliance dedicated to the dissemination of information about body piercing. The APP has strict requirements for individual piercers and studios who wish to be a part of their organization including personal, environmental and education requirements. Members are required to be first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and CPR certified. They must abide by the APP\\u2019s code of conduct- which requires members to follow strict safety standards regarding sterilization, technique, studio setup, professionalism and conduct with clients, discrimination and jewelry quality. The APP is dedicated to gathering and distributing the most current education for its members so that they are always up to date on technique, sterilization and safe practices. The APP holds a conference once a year where piercers, studio staff and studio owners can gather and take classes. The conference is about a week long with classes offered throughout the entire day on various techniques, safety procedures, discussion of important topics like aftercare, research and client relations and so much more. We always have members of our staff in attendance at conferences so we can ensure our studio is the most up-to-date on current educational and safety standards. State and Federal laws regarding body piercing are often not created or regulated by those with knowledge of the body modification industry and large companies are often able to use political means to ensure the regulations are fitted to protect the means by which they are currently operating rather than keeping up with industry advancements. This can lead to companies and smaller, non-APP regulated businesses using out-of-date practices, skimping on sterilization and sanitation, and offering sub-par jewelry. Regulations regarding the training of piercing professionals vary largely by area and often have hours requirements as low as a single hour required before staff are permitted to work on clients. We believe every client deserves to be pierced by currently educated, professional piercers and encourage you to check out safepiercing.org for more information regarding the APP and safe piercing in general!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why should I get pierced at The Exotic Body versus another piercing shop?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have been serving the Sacramento area since 1990 and have a long history of offering high quality, safe piercings performed by professional, educated piercers. We are an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) certified shop, meaning we have to adhere to the APP\\u2019s strict standards regarding piercers education, shop cleanliness, jewelry quality and many more factors. We only ever carry jewelry that has been approved by the APP and offer manufacturers warranties on our jewelry! You can be sure you\\u2019re in good hands with our piercers; they\\u2019re always learning new and better ways to take care of our clients! We love our clients and we love working at The Exotic Body, so we\\u2019re always going to ensure that we are doing our absolute best to be inclusive, educated, professional, and only offer the best of the best! We never like to speak badly of any other establishments; we can\\u2019t speak to their education, quality or safety of their processes or jewelry, so we can\\u2019t tell you if another shop is \\u201cgood\\u201d or \\u201cbad\\u201d, we can only offer our perspective that shops who care the most about their clients and will offer you the safest piercing experience typically prioritize client health over profits and shouldn\\u2019t be carrying low quality jewelry, offering out-of-date aftercare advice or having other body modification professionals, like tattoo artists, cosmetologists, and even nurses offer piercings <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">without proper training<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. (there are definitely professionals out there who have been trained in piercing AND other body modification techniques!) Knowing the latest sterilization techniques, proper use of PPE, and anatomy are all things these types of professionals should be knowledgeable in, but that doesn\\u2019t always include the necessary education to be able to offer a piercing safely. We appreciate these professionals and all the hard work they put into their respective career fields, but you should always be looking for someone with specific <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">PIERCING<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> training to be performing a piercing on your body; your health is important!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Where can I learn more about safe piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We always encourage clients to do their own research! Having your own knowledge about the industry and the piercing process is incredibly helpful! Check out Safepiercing.org for tons of info from the Association of Professional Piercers.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you use piercing guns?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From Safepiercing.org &#8211; \\u201cIt is the position of the Association of Professional Piercers that only sterile disposable equipment is suitable for body piercing, and that only materials which are certified as safe for internal implant should be placed inside a fresh or unhealed piercing. We consider unsafe any procedure that places vulnerable tissue in contact with either non-sterile equipment or jewelry that is not considered medically safe for long-term internal wear. Such procedures place the health of recipients at an unacceptable risk. For this reason, APP members may not use reusable ear piercing guns for any type of piercing procedure. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While piercing guns may seem to be a quick, easy and convenient way of creating holes, they have major drawbacks in terms of sterility, tissue damage and inappropriate jewelry design.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>REUSABLE EAR PIERCING GUNS CAN PUT CLIENTS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE BLOOD AND BODY FLUIDS OF PREVIOUS CLIENTS<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. <\\\/span><b>PIERCING GUNS CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT TISSUE DAMAGE. <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Though slightly pointy in appearance, most ear piercing studs are quite dull. Piercings must therefore be accomplished by using excessive pressure over a larger surface area in order to force the metal shaft through the skin. The effect on the body is more like a crush injury than a piercing and causes similar tissue damage. Medically, this is referred to as \\u201cblunt force trauma.\\u201d At the least, it can result in significant pain and swelling for the client, at the most in scarring and potentially increased incidence of auricular chondritis, a severe tissue disfigurement. <\\\/span><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When used on structural tissue such as cartilage, more serious complications such as auricular chondritis, shattered cartilage and excessive scarring are common. Gun piercings can result in the separation of subcutaneous fascia from cartilage tissue, creating spaces in which fluids collect. This can lead to both temporary swelling and permanent lumps of tissue at or near the piercing site. These range from mildly annoying to grossly disfiguring, and some require surgery to correct. <\\\/span><b>MISUSE OF EAR PIERCING GUNS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. <\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Even though many manufacturers\\u2019 instructions and local regulations prohibit it, some gun practitioners do not stop at piercing only the lobes, and may pierce ear cartilage, nostrils, navels, eyebrows, tongues and other body parts with the ear stud guns. This is absolutely inappropriate and very dangerous. Despite these pronounced risks associated with gun piercing, most areas allow establishments using piercing guns to operate without supervision. Recent legislation has begun to prohibit the use of guns on ear cartilage and other non-lobe locations, and the state of New Hampshire has made all non-sterile equipment illegal, but these changes are not yet nationwide. It is our hope that, with accurate and adequate information, consumers and the legislatures will understand and reject the risks of gun piercing in the interests of public health.\\u201d<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019ve heard that some piercings cannot be performed on all clients, why is that? What would the reasons be for a piercer declining to pierce me?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Not all piercings are suitable for every client. Many factors can contribute to a piercer deciding to decline a piercing. Improper anatomy is the most common reason our piercers decline piercings for clients. Industrial piercings, navel piercings and some genital piercings are extremely anatomy dependent, and if pierced on a client with improper anatomy to support the piercing, can lead to rejection, migration, tearing and the piercing not healing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">For example, with a navel piercing, the client needs to have a sufficient \\u201cfold\\u201d or amount of tissue on the top (or bottom- for reverse navel piercings) of their navel so that the piercing has sufficient tissue to support the jewelry without being too shallow. Industrial piercings require a sufficient amount of tissue along the ridge line of the upper ear and a very flat section for the bar to stretch across so that the bar does not push on or indent the tissue, which can lead to permanent scarring and grooves forming.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">During your appointment our piercers will ensure that the area you\\u2019d like pierced is suitable for the piercing you wish to get, and offer alternatives (like different shaped jewelry, alternative placements, etc.) if there are alternatives that we believe would be suitable for you. If no alternative is possible, or you don\\u2019t wish to proceed with an alternative, we will simply not do the piercing. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\\u2019s something that you would like to do that day instead, but if a piercer decides to decline a piercing, just know that we are doing it for the health and safety of our clients. Declining piercings is not something we like to do, obviously we want you to feel your best and be able to get any piercing you\\u2019d wish to have, but we always want to ensure that we are only performing piercings that would be safe for our clients!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Are there piercings that you will not perform? Why?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There are piercings that our studio does not offer. Some are due to safety concerns related to healing, long term wear or damage to the body, or age restrictions we have in place. Any time we will not perform a piercing on a client it is for that client\\u2019s safety.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sometimes clients don\\u2019t have the anatomy necessary for us to safely perform the piercing they would like to get. The most common piercings this occurs with are navel and industrial piercings. These piercings require specific anatomy for them to heal properly and if they are performed on a client with unsuitable anatomy the chance of rejection, migration, and issues healing greatly increases. Remember, we are here to help and we always want you to get the piercings that you want, so if a piercer declines to pierce you they are doing so because they do not feel it is safe. We would be happy to help you decide on another piercing if that\\u2019s what you would like, but we will not perform a piercing on a client if we do not think they have the appropriate anatomy.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Another reason we might decline a piercing is due to age restrictions we have in place. We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\\\/span><b><i>absolutely<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not offered and are<\\\/span> <b><i>illegal<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\\\/span><b><i>ever. <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">several<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some piercings are not considered safe and should not be performed by any piercer for any reason. Less reputable studios often offer these piercings at client request with no regard for the long term effects on the clients health and healing. For example \\u201cfrog eyes\\u201d or \\u201cscoop\\u201d piercings- a tongue piercing performed with a curved barbell placed horizontally in the tongue, piercings performed in dangerous areas like mandibular, uvular, hand or feet piercings, or piercings performed in tissue that cannot support jewelry like eyelids or finger webbing; these are not considered safe piercings and should not be performed by any piercer, for any reason.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At our studio we do not offer double tongue piercings or cheek piercings. There are definitely very skilled, very educated piercers out there who may be offering these piercings without issue, but they take a lot of anatomy consideration, education and a very, very skilled piercer to be performed safely, <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">if they can be performed safely at all <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">(this is a widely debated topic in the piercing community), and should only be performed by a piercer who is specialized in these specific piercings. We recommend doing <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">extensive<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> research and finding a piercer who offers these piercings as a specialty and has lots of experience and a portfolio of these piercings <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">specifically<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> before choosing to get these piercings.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u201cPlay Piercings\\u201d are piercings that are performed for the experience of receiving the piercing and are very very temporary (typically removed almost immediately) Play piercings are not performed with the intention of wearing the jewelry. A common example of play piercing is the corset piercing, typically performed in rows on each side of the back and then a ribbon or tie is laced through the rings. We do not offer play piercings in our studio and encourage any person interested in performing or receiving these types of piercings to do extensive research and seek out a professional who offers this type of service.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t all of the piercers in your studio offer the same services?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We sometimes have piercers working in our studio who are working during a piercing apprenticeship- all piercings performed while an apprentice is practicing are special piercings booked in advance by our staff and are performed under the supervision of the apprentice\\u2019s mentor. Apprentices work for years and slowly build up their range of offerings, for example we may have a piercer who is still working on more advanced piercings as part of an apprenticeship but are open and offering regular services they have already mastered. Any piercer who is available for a service to be booked by clients has experience and education to fully perform that piercing. If a service is not available to be booked by a specific piercer they likely just don\\u2019t offer that piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What are the age limits for getting a piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">California law regarding piercing states that any person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> legal custodial guardian. <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings, and family friends do not count, even if they were given permission by the parent\\\/guardian. <\\\/span><b><i>There are no exceptions<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">. We cannot accept written notes, phone calls, emails, or video calls, the parent\\\/guardian <\\\/span><b>MUST<\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be present for the<\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> entirety<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> of the appointment and be <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">actively supervising<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> their child. The parent must also be able to provide a currently valid photo ID and fill out a legal release document where you will need to designate your relationship to the child.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Non-earlobe piercings available to minors-<\\\/span><\\\/p><ul><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Upper cartilage (no industrials) 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Nostril 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Septum 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Eyebrow (traditional only, no surface or dermal) 14+<\\\/span><\\\/li><li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Navel 16+<\\\/span><\\\/li><\\\/ul><p><b><i>Absolutely no nipple or genital piercings offered for minors, even with parent permission; It is the law!\\u00a0\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you offer certain piercings for minors?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We love being able to work with children and teens to help them have a safe, professional piercing experience. Not all piercings are suitable for younger clients and each of those piercings has its own reasons. Nipple and genital piercings are <\\\/span><b><i>absolutely<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> not offered and are<\\\/span> <b><i>illegal<\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> for children and teens to receive, no exceptions, <\\\/span><b><i>ever. <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer Industrial piercings to minors. Industrial piercings are some of the hardest piercings to heal, even for adults, so we do not feel that minors are typically capable of healing these types of piercings well. If your child has already received and healed <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">several<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> upper cartilage piercings very, very well, you may reach out to discuss an industrial piercing with one of our piercers, but they may still decline the piercing if they do not feel the child is ready; keep in mind that we rarely make this exception. We do not offer oral piercings to minors. Oral piercings are not easy to heal, require constant care, and often do damage to teeth and gums, we feel that clients should wait until they are 18 years old before getting oral piercings (and do plenty of research beforehand, so you know what to expect as far as care and potential oral damage).\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why do you offer infant piercings?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some studios do not offer piercings for infants for a variety of reasons; maybe they don\\u2019t have a piercer with experience with infants, maybe they only want to pierce older children who can give their own personal consent for the piercing, maybe they don\\u2019t have a clientele who have a cultural connection to infant piercing, either way, it\\u2019s a very personal decision for each studio and each piercer within a studio to make. Here at The Exotic Body our shop owner, Michael Hare decided to offer infant piercings to allow a safe, professional experience for those clients who want their infants to have their ears pierced. We know that there are large cultural groups who have a deep, historically rooted connection to infant piercings and we want to ensure that those people have the opportunity to connect to their cultures and hold tradition in a way that is as safe and professional as possible. Some clients simply prefer to have their child\\u2019s ears pierced before they are old enough to remember the experience; sometimes due to an unfortunate traumatic experience with piercing they experienced themselves, sometimes just due to personal preference. We are never going to judge a client for the choices they make for their family and children, we are simply going to offer the best possible experience for those piercings to happen. Our experience is that the clients who really want these piercings to happen will find a way to make them happen; most people know someone who was pierced by their mom\\\/aunt\\\/cousin\\\/etc in a kitchen or bathroom, taken to a mall kiosk as an infant, or decided to purchase a piercing gun themselves and offer piercings to their friends and family; these are all extremely unsafe environments and often result in improperly performed piercings in non-sterile environments that can lead to crooked, embedded, and\\\/or infected piercings, so our decision to offer infant piercings comes from a place of harm reduction. If you have further questions regarding infant piercing please feel free to give us a call or email us and we would be happy to discuss further!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why do you only pierce infants between 3-9 months old?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We don\\u2019t offer infant piercings after 9 months as the developmental stage that infants enter around 9 months usually includes more awareness around where pain comes from in the body and they will start to reach for and tug on jewelry during the healing process, which can cause them to not heal and may cause trauma to the piercing, especially if they end up pulling the jewelry out. They are also typically too large to swaddle at that age and we only ever pierce infants who are swaddled, so that their limbs are contained in a safe, positive way instead of holding a child\\u2019s arms down (so they don\\u2019t reach for or grab the needle during the process) which can be traumatizing to everyone involved. If you have missed the 3-9 month window for your infant we find that the 5 year age range is best to start again so that they can fully comprehend that they cannot touch their jewelry for the 12 weeks they will need to keep the jewelry in and are old enough that we can explain the entire process to them so they can give their own informed consent to be pierced.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer tandem piercings? (piercings performed by two piercers simultaneously)<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At this time we do not offer any tandem piercing services.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Which staff member should I choose for my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Finding a piercer you trust is important! Each piercer in our studio has different techniques, bedside manner, and personality; we want you to feel comfortable and safe with your piercer, so if you have something specific in mind for who you might want to pierce you, please check out our About Us page to learn more about each staff member. Not sure who to choose? ALL of our staff members are highly educated, care deeply about our clients and want you to have the best experience possible, so you\\u2019re in good hands no matter who you choose!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each of our piercers have piercings that they do or do not offer. Sometimes a piercer doesn\\u2019t feel comfortable performing a specific piercing or working with certain age ranges and we never ask our piercers to do something they\\u2019re not 100% comfortable and confident doing. If you don\\u2019t see a staff member listed when you try to book an appointment for a specific piercing it\\u2019s likely that they do not offer that piercing, but feel free to give us a call if you need any help booking!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How many piercings can I get in one appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The complexity and difficulty of receiving or healing a piercing will greatly affect how many piercings we would recommend getting at once. Piercings like earlobes, simple cartilage piercings, nostrils and septums are typically easier to heal than piercings like daiths, rooks, oral piercings, industrials, etc. Multiple piercings in one area, like double or triple helix and nostril piercings or piercings in high movement areas like navels, tongue, and surface\\\/dermal piercings may be best performed one at a time to allow the body to focus on healing each piercing. You should avoid sleeping on a fresh piercing, especially cartilage piercings,\\u00a0 so if you are a side sleeper we would recommend piercing one ear at a time and allowing some time for it to heal before piercing the other side.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">All in all, it really depends on which piercings you will be getting as far as what we would recommend, but just for time constraints we typically only allow a client to get 3 to 4 piercings during a single appointment. For piercings that require extra precision in marking, like paired nostrils, lips and eyebrow piercings we ask that you don\\u2019t get any other piercings in that appointment, nobody wants these piercings to be rushed!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How long does a piercing take to get?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Typical appointment itinerary breakdown-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min jewelry selection<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10min paperwork and ringing up (during this time your piercer will setup the piercing room and sterilize your jewelry)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">10 min performing piercing\\\/changing jewelry\\\/stretching\\\/ etc.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can my group come in to all get piercings together?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Coming in to get piercings with your group of friends, family, coworkers, etc. is a great way to create memories and we love working with groups! Please keep in mind that we have a small studio so if you come in with a large group we may take you a few at a time to choose jewelry or get pierced. The amount of people allowed in the jewelry or piercing rooms at any given time will depend on the piercer working and what is being pierced\\\/how difficult a piercing it will be to get or be performed. Groups of three or 4 can typically stay together for the entire experience, while groups 5 + may need to wait in the lobby and come back a couple at a time to choose jewelry and get pierced. We do not recommend group appointments for children under 14 years old and we do not recommend group appointments for multiple children all getting their first ear piercings together. Often these appointments can be overwhelming and can lead to one or more of the children deciding not to get pierced, or can put pressure on a child who is unsure or too scared to be pierced to say yes in front of their friends or siblings, and we <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">never<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> want <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">anyone<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> to feel pressured during their appointment. If you have a group of 5 or more people who all want to get pierced we would VERY MUCH appreciate it if you noted in your appointments or gave us a call to let us know so that we can prepare the studio space as much as possible for your group. We will always do our best to accommodate groups and make the experience fun and easy, but please keep in mind that we often have more than one piercer working at once and their clients need to be seen in the order their appointments are booked. If you wish to be the only clients in the studio during your appointments please reach out to set this up ahead of time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why don\\u2019t you see clients who are late to their appointments?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Just like with any business that offers services on an appointment only basis we have to honor the appointments booked by ALL clients; if you are late to your appointment your piercer may not be able to complete your requested services without running into another clients timeslot. We have a strict time limit on our appointments of 5 minutes, which is communicated to clients in our confirmation message, as well as listed in several locations on our website; we make this abundantly clear so that there is no confusion on the day of your appointment and we are able to stay on track and honor every clients reservation. Piercings themselves take a short amount of time to perform, but choosing jewelry, sterilizing the jewelry, setting up and tearing down piercing stations between clients, paperwork, ringing up, and cleaning and marking the areas to be pierced all take time too. We have timed out how long our services typically take, as well as time necessary for us to perform necessary cleaning between clients and paced our appointments to accommodate this time. If you are running late we would appreciate a heads up; we can check out appointments around your timeslot and see if there is any way for us to fit you in, but we cannot guarantee this, so please be kind to our counter staff if you arrive late and are turned away, they are just following policy to keep everyone safe.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my service animal to my appointment?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Service animals that assist an individual with a disability are the <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">only<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> animals that are permitted in a body art facility. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the studio. You may not bring an animal in a carrier or hold your animal during your appointment, even as a guest. We work very hard to maintain as clean of an environment as possible, including some sterile areas in the studio and pet dander, fur and other contaminants associated with animals may compromise those areas. Pets also have no way of knowing which areas to avoid that may contain bio-hazards and may wander into areas that could compromise their health as well. It would be helpful if you are able to note in your appointment that you plan to bring a service animal with you so that we are better prepared to accommodate you and your service animal.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you have a waitlist for daily appointments?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not keep a waitlist for clients once our day books up. If you have an emergency (like an embedded or rejecting piercing) we will do our best to fit you in between clients, but we cannot always accommodate in every situation so please reach out and we will do our very best to help out and fit you in if we can.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">When clients no-show for their appointments we are already well into the appointment slot so we would be unable to see another client at that time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">While we do occasionally get cancellations they are typically very close to the appointment time and most of the time clients are unable to arrive on time to fill in the spot. If you don\\u2019t see an appointment available the same day we usually have one available the following day, so you wouldn\\u2019t have to wait long to be seen.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer ear styling\\\/ curations?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are currently in the process of creating a specific service for jewelry styling\\\/curation that will be a bit more tailored and allow us to spend more time with each client, but for now if you would like to come in and work with a piercer to change up your jewelry look all you need to do is book a jewelry appointment. If you think you may need extra time to choose jewelry or you have a lot of piercings that will need new jewelry please reach out so we can set you up with a longer appointment to accommodate.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why are ear stylings so expensive?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Styled or curated ears you see on social media- tiktok, pinterest, instagram, etc. have typically been built up over the course of several appointments and months or years of choosing and collecting jewelry to achieve the final look. Occasionally clients will come in and do an overhaul of their jewelry collection to achieve a new or upgraded look, but these clients have typically saved and prepared for their appointments knowing that it will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a lot of jewelry at once. Our gold studs start at about $70 each for the most basic options and go up from there; we even have individual pieces that cost upwards of $1000, so depending on the look you\\u2019re going for it can get very expensive. Patience is key when building a jewelry collection, find pieces you love, save and invest in timeless pieces you really love and that will work well with other pieces and build your collection a piece or two at a time and you\\u2019ll get there eventually! Think of it like building up a wardrobe of high quality clothing- most people don\\u2019t buy their entire wardrobe in one shopping trip, they find their style and work to find pieces that will work with what they already have and invest in pieces they really love over time.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How do you know that the jewelry that you carry is high quality?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">From safepiercing.org- \\u201cChoosing jewelry for a new piercing is obviously quite different from shopping for a ring to wear on your finger. Because body jewelry is worn inside a wound and is in contact with your internal tissues, only certain products are suitable. Jewelry size and style must be of appropriate length or diameter for your unique anatomy and the placement of the piercing. Jewelry that is too tight does not allow for air and blood circulation or for the expulsion of normal secretions from the piercing. Ill-fitting jewelry increases the likelihood of swelling, embedding, and other complications if too small, or catching and excessive trauma, if too large. Must be of an appropriate gauge (thickness). The body may treat jewelry that is too thin in gauge like a splinter, resulting in migration or rejection. Must be of a style suited to your build and the location of the piercing. Rings are best for some areas, straight or curved bars for others, and specialty jewelry\\u2014such as a nostril screw or labret stud\\u2014for specific placements.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">\\u00a0Of the numerous materials available, few have been proven appropriate for wear in fresh body piercings. Some metal alloys (mixtures) have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and\\\/ or the International Standards Organization (ISO). Other materials, such as gold and obsidian (natural glass) have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds\\u2014and sometimes thousands\\u2014of years. The material worn in a healing piercing: Should be able to withstand the heat and pressure of autoclave sterilization, Should be inert and compatible with the body so it doesn\\u2019t cause irritation, allergy, or infection.\\u201d<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry companies that we purchase from have documentation called Mill test certificates. A mill certificate is a quality assurance document used in the metals industry to quantify the chemical and physical properties of a material. It states that a product made of metal (titanium, steel, aluminum, brass, or other alloys) complies with the specifications of the order. It provides test results to assure compliance with the specified standards. The standards for biomaterials are specified by international organizations including ASTM and ISO and may be referred to by national standards bodies such as ANSI for trade and regulatory purposes.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The APP is also in the process of creating their Body Jewelry Verification Program; a program designed to allow for clearer and easier to understand standards and a resource for piercers and clients to know which body jewelry companies follow these standards. From safepiercing.org- \\u201cThe interpretation of Mill Certificates is difficult and confusing for APP members, those applying for membership, or those trying to work within the APP\\u2019s standards. We are faced with this issue constantly when interacting with piercers, regulators, and inspectors and their questions regarding quality jewelry. It is our belief that creating this program would help simplify and clarify this process.\\u201d Currently the APP is working through Phase 1: Titanium and Steel. Once Phase 1 is successfully implemented they will work through phases 2 &amp; 3 which will include gold and platinum and glass.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Because of these standards and documentation we feel extremely confident that the jewelry that we carry is of the highest quality. We also work with manufacturers who offer warranties on their jewelry, so if something were to happen with a client\\u2019s jewelry we would be able to get a repair or replacement taken care of right away!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How much will jewelry cost? Why isn\\u2019t the price of jewelry included in the cost of the piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our pricing breakdown is as follows:\\u00a0 Piercing Fee + Cost of Jewelry<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Please see our pricing page for a comprehensive list of piercings offered and their associated piercing fees.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing fees cover the cost for our piercer to perform the piercing, setup, sterilization and any tools\\\/products used to perform the piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry costs vary depending on the type of jewelry you choose. We currently offer 39 different types of piercing services and each of those different piercing types has its own specifications, sizes, jewelry options, etc. We typically offer several different jewelry styles for each piercing type and we typically offer those jewelry styles in both gold and titanium in a variety of sizes so that we have something for everyone and their individual anatomy. Sizing plays a huge role in jewelry pricing, so while we can guess what you\\u2019ll need based on the most common sizes\\\/styles for the piercing you\\u2019d like to get, we wouldn\\u2019t know exactly what you\\u2019ll need until you meet with your piercer and they can physically look at the piercing site.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing jewelry is not one-size-fits-all, for earlobe piercings for an example we offer hundreds, if not thousands of different options for jewelry that you could get pierced with, some start as low as $20 each, some cost thousands of dollars each and we carry everything in between. Even in healed piercings the sizing can vary significantly for each piercing placement depending on thickness of tissue, piercing placement, any movement or change to the angle that happened during healing, and several other factors. Using nostril rings as an example- we have some clients who can wear an 18g \\u00bc inch sized ring, those can cost as low as $25 each in titanium, but other clients may need something larger in diameter or want something thicker, like 16g or they may want gold, in which case the cheapest option we would have would be closer to $180 each, see the price difference? It\\u2019s for this reason that we do not typically give exact price quotes over the phone or on our website, we just don\\u2019t know exactly what you\\u2019ll need. We can offer general guidance and price ranges, but the exact price isn\\u2019t typically something we can tell you beforehand in most cases.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some general pricing guidelines for jewelry are as follows:<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><img class=\\\"alignnone  wp-image-24117\\\" src=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/Jewelry-Prices-J-354x500.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"509\\\" height=\\\"719\\\" \\\/><\\\/p><p><b><i>What is the cheapest option for jewelry for my piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer \\u201cPiercing Bundles\\u201d for clients who want to get pierced with our most basic jewelry available. During these types of appointments we will show you the jewelry you will be pierced with, size you for a backing (if applicable) and sterilize the jewelry. If you decide that you would wish to be pierced with something else during your appointment just let your piercer know and they will show you more options- but please keep in mind these options will be more expensive. If you would like to browse multiple options for jewelry for your new piercing please book a regular piercing appointment.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry included in these bundles are as follows-<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Basic Bundle-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercings Available-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry Includes<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> -1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\\\/3mm\\\/4mm)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$76 each<\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Aftercare Bundle-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercings Available- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">(earlobe, helix, flat, conch, tragus, nostril, philtrum, labret)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry Includes- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1 Initial length backing &amp; 1 threadless titanium bezel set cz gem end (available in 2mm\\\/3mm\\\/4mm)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aftercare Includes- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1 small Dr.Bronners Soap &amp; 1 small NeilMed Saline Wound Wash<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>Total Bundle Cost -$86 each<\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Premium Bundle-<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercings Available<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">&#8211; septum, industrial, orbital<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry Includes-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> 1 Initial size fixed bead ring (septum\\\/Orbital) <\\\/span><b><i>or <\\\/i><\\\/b><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1 Initial size barbell (industrial)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b>Total Bundle Cost= $85 each<\\\/b><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in my own jewelry?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not allow clients to bring in outside jewelry. The APP has very stringent guidelines regarding what types of metals can and cannot be used in studios with their certification. We must be able to verify at the manufacturing level the quality of the jewelry being used. Most fashion jewelry available to clients is not considered body safe and is often the wrong size for long term wear in the body. We also use autoclave sterilization machines in our studio and most fashion jewelry cannot be autoclaved, meaning we could not sterilize it before use. If you have jewelry that is from a brand that we carry that was purchased at another studio you can reach out to verify that we would be able to install that piece for you, but please be aware that we will not install jewelry that has scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues. We will not re-use any body jewelry that has been previously worn in a piercing for a fresh piercing.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I bring in jewelry that I previously purchased from The Exotic Body?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">A fresh backing must be used in any new piercing, but the tops can be reused. Any jewelry, including tops and backings, that has been previously purchased from us can be removed and installed into other <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">healed<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> piercings, as long as the jewelry does not have scratches, bends, or is marred in any way, as these imperfections can cause bacteria buildup and lead to infection and healing issues. A fresh backing <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">must<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> be used in any new piercing. Rings can only be reused in <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">healed <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">piercings. Seam rings that have been bent out of and back into shape multiple times do tend to eventually lose their shape, so we wouldn\\u2019t recommend clients do this a lot; if you want a ring style that better accommodates being moved between piercings we would recommend a clicker style.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I come in to browse your jewelry before my appointment?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We have a small selection of jewelry in our lobby cases, but the bulk of our collection is located in our jewelry room, which is only accessible to clients who are accompanied by a staff member. Our front counter staff is not trained to sell jewelry to clients, with the exception of grabbing a quick replacement for something already purchased and on file from a previous appointment and they cannot install jewelry on a client. We can sometimes arrange a porch pickup if you know <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">exactly<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> what you will need (metal type, stone type and size, size specifications including gauge size, length, and diameter, threaded or threadless style, etc.) or are purchasing a replacement for something previously purchased from us that we can look up in your file. In the case of a porch pickup we will be unable to install the jewelry for you, so be sure you feel confident in your ability to install the jewelry yourself without breaking or losing it. We offer jewelry purchase appointments where you will have time to browse our collection with the help of a piecer so we can ensure you find suitable jewelry for your piercing. You do not need to book a jewelry purchase appointment when coming in to get a new piercing; the time necessary to choose jewelry is included in your appointment time. We also have an Instagram page with hundreds of photos of jewelry we carry, both on and off clients, so you can look for pieces and get a general idea of our collection there! You can find our Instagram page @theexoticbody\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Should I book a jewelry purchase appointment in addition to my piercing appointment if I need to pick something out to be pierced with?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing appointments include time necessary to perform an anatomy check, choose and sterilize jewelry and perform the piercing. We have timed out our appointments to have plenty of time for all of the steps necessary for a new piercing, so there\\u2019s no need to have an additional appointment for choosing jewelry.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What do I do if I lose my jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The Exotic Body is not responsible for lost jewelry. If you snag your jewelry, remove it, the pieces become unthreaded, unseated fully or separated and the jewelry falls out we will not replace it. Keeping your threaded balls tight and your ends seated in their backings once they have been installed tightly is your responsibility. You should check the ends regularly to ensure they have not gotten loosened in any way. If you need to replace a lost piece of jewelry you can book a jewelry purchase appointment. If your jewelry was purchased in the last year we should be able to look it up in our system and find you an exact match and get it installed. If you think you are able to reinstall the jewelry yourself and we are able to find the piece in our system you are welcome to arrange a porch pickup for your piece, we will not be able to assist with installing jewelry with a porch pickup so you should be confident that you can install it yourself; please call or email us to set up a porch pickup.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What if my jewelry breaks?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The jewelry brands that we carry at The Exotic Body have a manufacturer&#8217;s warranty, so if a piece ever breaks we would be happy to get it repaired or replaced (this process varies by brand, so please reach out if this happens). You will need to bring in the broken jewelry so that we can visually inspect it and send it in for repairs if that is the policy of that brand. Please reach out as soon as it happens so that we can get it taken care of right away.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>\\u201cWhy is it so expensive?\\u201d<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We try to keep our piercing fees similar to what other studios of a similar caliber are pricing theirs at. Sure, there may be cheaper options around, but keep in mind that these studios may not be APP certified, carry less safe body jewelry, and have less stringent sterilization methods (or none at all!) Our piercers are educated on the latest body piercing techniques, kept up to date on all licenses and required training (like bloodborne pathogens training, CPR, etc.) and must follow strict cleaning, sterilization and preparation procedures outlined by the APP and our studio owner. Our piercing or service fees are used to cover the cost of supplies and technology necessary to properly sterilize, prepare and perform a piercing as well as a percentage that is paid to our piercers for their experience and expertise in performing the piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our jewelry prices are determined by their manufacturers and brands. We purchase our jewelry at competitive rates from verified manufacturers who are able to prove the integrity of their products and processes so we only ever offer the highest quality jewelry that we can be sure is body safe. Our jewelry is made of implant grade materials- usually titanium or gold- and high quality synthetic and genuine stones. We carry one of the largest selections of jewelry that we\\u2019ve ever seen in a studio! We have thousands of options available, from very basic to extremely ornate, even custom orders are available, so we have something for everyone! We carry jewelry from manufacturers who provide warranties on their jewelry, so if it ever breaks we would be happy to send it out for repairs or get a replacement (this process varies by brand, please reach out if this happens to you and make sure to keep your jewelry so that we can check it out and send it in for repairs\\\/replacement if needed).<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our price breakdown is as follows-<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing Fee-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> typically ranging from $40 (for basic piercings) &#8211; $140 (for more advanced genital piercings); Children\\u2019s piercings are $50 each.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Jewelry-<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> this price varies depending on the jewelry items you choose. At the time of your appointment your piercer will work with you to choose a suitable size and design for your initial piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><img class=\\\"alignnone  wp-image-24117\\\" src=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/exoticbody.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/Jewelry-Prices-J-354x500.jpg\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"510\\\" height=\\\"720\\\" \\\/><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">*Most initial jewelry sizes will be larger than what most people will want to wear in their healed piercing, this is done to ensure the piercing site has enough room to accommodate swelling and most of the time jewelry can be downsized after initial swelling subsides- typically 6 weeks from the initial piercing date.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Aftercare- <\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We carry everything you\\u2019d need to take care of your piercing. We recommend NeilMed saline wound wash mist or wipes and Dr. Bronners unscented baby soap for taking care of piercings and we have these available in multiple sizes. Saline is $7 for the smaller size or $11.75 for the larger size. Soap is $4 for the small size and $6.95 for the larger size. NeilMed wipes are $11.25.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We prefer cash payments, and have an ATM available in the lobby if you would like to withdraw cash. We also accept debit, credit and mobile payments. There is a $5 fee applied to all debit, credit or mobile payments. We also accept AfterPay using their App or physical card- all you need to do is use your Afterpay app or card when ringing up.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why do you only have a few items available on your online store?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are constantly working on adding more items to our online store, however our online store will never offer every item we have in stock. We stock a number of brands, with thousands and thousands of individual items and we don\\u2019t have the staff to maintain a large online store presence without taking away from the experience for our in-shop clients. Piercing jewelry is also not a \\u201cone size fits all\\u201d type of shopping experience; sure there are some things we use more often for certain piercings than others, and we can always guess at sizes, but we don\\u2019t offer returns on body jewelry (we never reuse jewelry that has potentially been inside of a person\\u2019s body) so if you end up purchasing an incorrect size or an incompatible piece of jewelry there isn\\u2019t anything we can do. We have also had clients purchase jewelry and then break it in the process of trying to install it themselves at home, at which point we are unable to send it back to the manufacturers for repairs, and we never want to see that happen. We offer checkups, insertions, removals, and jewelry purchase appointments for these reasons and we always recommend coming in to see a professional so we can avoid any of these issues. If you are looking to purchase a replacement piece for something that you have purchased here and we are able to find the exact item in our sales system we can always let you know the size, style, materials, etc. of a piece you purchased from us and we would be happy to offer a porch pickup for those items if you feel <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">absolutely<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> confident that you will be able to install the piece yourself.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Where can I purchase more jewelry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer jewelry purchase appointments so that you can come in and purchase a new piece of jewelry that you can be sure is completely safe and high quality. We have pieces from a number of brands including, Industrial Strength, BVLA, Pupil Hall, Tawapa, Quetzalli, and Body Gems, plus more! Our jewelry collection has thousands of pieces in lots of different styles, designs and shapes, plus we offer custom ordering from a number of brands! Most jewelry companies that offer high quality body jewelry do not ship directly to clients, so if you find something that you\\u2019d love from a brand that we carry we would be happy to place an order for you with them, just reach out!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Fashion jewelry, often seen in places like Etsy, Amazon, Target, etc. Is typically meant only for temporary wear and should not be left in piercings long term. Jewelry companies that are not associated with piercing studios do not have to follow the same regulations that a body piercing facility have to follow and often include designs with gauge sizes considered too small for safe wear, externally threaded pieces, and can include non-body safe materials like nickel or silver. Please exercise caution when purchasing and wearing these types of jewelry; unsafe jewelry can cause irritations, tearing and damage to an otherwise healthy piercing, even after it is healed, and can lead to the piercing needing to be removed entirely. If you decide to wear fashion jewelry and notice a reaction you should remove the jewelry immediately and return to wearing a high quality, body safe piece purchased from a reputable jewelry company or piercing studio.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you were pierced at another studio or business that used jewelry that is causing an irritation, discomfort or a reaction you\\u2019re welcome to book a checkup or jewelry purchase appointment so that we can find something suitable and safe for your piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How do custom orders work?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer custom orders from a number of brands. How customized the piece can be depends on the brands. Some brands, like BVLA and Industrial Strength have a plethora of metal, stone and size options, so they have the highest chance at being the most flexible when it comes to changing up an existing design to fit your size or aesthetic needs. Custom orders from BVLA begin being made when the order is placed and can take several months to arrive, so keep this in mind when deciding to place an order. Industrial Strength has slightly less customization options than BVLA and they specialize in titanium (though they have begun to expand their gold selection) but we can get custom orders from them a lot faster. Brands like Pupil Hall, who offer \\u201cdrops\\u201d of their jewelry do not offer custom orders, as their jewelry is typically released once or twice a year and we are put on a waitlist for these drops. Instagram is a great place to check out the different brands we offer and see which items we carry from those brands. If you see a brand that we carry and find something on their site that we do not carry in store feel free to reach out to see if we can get it ordered for you! If you decide to cancel a custom order after the order has started the manufacturing process you are required to pay a 15% cancellation fee per item.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can you ship jewelry to me?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We can! We have some items available in our online store that can be shipped to your location. If you would like to purchase something from us that you don\\u2019t see in our online store please reach out! If we have the item in stock we can get an invoice sent over and ship it out as soon as it\\u2019s paid. If we don\\u2019t currently have that item in stock and that brand offers custom orders we will set that up for you; the wait times vary significantly between brands, so you may need to have some patience.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer gift cards?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do! Just check out our online store to purchase a gift card or stop by during regular business hours. Gift cards can also be purchased on our Square Appointments profile through the Square site or App.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Can I buy jewelry as a gift?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We love when friends, family, or partners want to purchase jewelry as a gift, but it can be tricky unless you\\u2019re prepared! Piercing jewelry is not one size fits all, so if you are planning on purchasing jewelry as a gift you will need to know the correct size\\\/fit to purchase for them. Stud style jewelry is inserted into a backing that has a gauge size and length, so you will need to know both of these sizes when making a purchase (or just purchase the top and let them purchase the backing another time). Hoops are the most difficult to purchase for someone else unless they already wear a hoop in that piercing and you know the exact size and style. Hoops have a gauge size and a diameter, so you will need to know both of these sizes when purchasing a hoop. The closure and style of a ring can affect how the ring fits in the piercing, so unless you are purchasing something very similar to something they already wear it can be hard to know exactly how the ring will sit in the piercing, so please keep this in mind.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Sound too complicated? We suggest buying your special someone a gift card unless you\\u2019re VERY sure that you have the sizing correct!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer discounts for students?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We sometimes attend events where we will give out special Student VIP cards! If you attend one of these events and are given one of these cards they are $10 off piercing fees or 15% off titanium jewelry, otherwise we do not offer any kind of student discount. If you are a school ambassador, club leader, or administration staff member who is interested in giving out our student VIP cards for an event please reach out!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer a military discount?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer a military discount.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you ever have sales or promotions?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We typically always have some type of promo or discount running on various types of piercing or jewelry depending on the time of year! Our Instagram is the best place to stay up to date with these events, so be sure to follow us @theexoticbody so you never miss an opportunity! In the past we have offered back to school discounts for kids piercings, bring a friend and get discounted piercings for each of you, and even fundraiser events where you can receive a special discount for participating! We also occasionally send out email or text coupons, so be sure you\\u2019re subscribed to those in your Square Appointments account :)\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Why do you charge a fee for using debit\\\/credit cards and mobile payments?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There are a lot of studios out there still operating on a cash-only basis and we understand that this can be limiting and often frustrating for their clients. We want to offer a variety of payment methods to our clients, however being a small business does have its limitations as far as what we are able to offer. In order for us to offer card payments, mobile payments, or afterpay we have to pay large processing fees. To be able to continue to offer these payment types we opted to charge a service fee. We have an ATM available in our lobby with a much smaller fee than our card fee that is available for clients to use if they wish to avoid the service fee.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What size jewelry will my initial piercing be?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The gauge size of your jewelry will depend on which piercing you are getting, individual anatomy and long term piercing goals. Your piercer will discuss your piercing goals, check your anatomy and choose a gauge size appropriate for you for each piercing. The smallest gauge size we offer is 18g. We will typically pierce any upper cartilage piercings on the ear in 16g as the smallest size.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">With the exception of a few piercings (like septum and daith piercings, or piercings that use barbells) we start all of our piercings off with a stud. Studs are generally considered easier to heal with than rings for several reasons. Most piercings will need to start with a larger size jewelry than most clients will wear in their healed piercings, the ring sizes we would need to use to accommodate swelling are large enough that they have a much higher tendency to get caught and snagged during daily wear. Rings also apply pressure to two spots on the piercings, instead of a single pressure point that is created with a stud style.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What does \\u201cdownsizing\\u201d mean? Why is it necessary?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We start most piercings out with a larger piece of jewelry than most clients will want to wear in their healed piercings, to accommodate for swelling that occurs with a fresh piercing. After about 6 weeks, once initial swelling is down for a period of days, you should come in to change the jewelry to a more appropriate size to prevent the piercing healing at an angle, snagging the larger jewelry, etc.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What size needle do you use?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We offer a variety of different piercings that are all pierced with different sized needles. The smallest gauge size that we offer is 18g. The most common sizes that we use in the studio are 18g-10g. Earlobes and nostrils are typically pierced with an 18g needle, but may also use 16g and occasionally a 14g needle, depending on the client\\u2019s long term piercing goals and anatomy. Cartilage piercings, like helix, daith, conch or rook piercings are typically pierced with 16g, 14g, or 12g needles, also depending on the clients long term piercing goals and anatomy. Sometimes we will use a slightly larger needle than the jewelry worn inside the piercing, to allow for an easier time healing- this technique varies client to client, is incredibly anatomy dependent and not used by all of our piercers. Nipple piercings are typically performed with 14g or 12g needles, though a 16g is occasionally used for clients with very small anatomy. Genital piercings vary significantly from piercing to piercing and can range from 16g-10g depending on the placement, clients\\u2019 anatomy and long term piercing goals, if you have questions regarding the size of needle\\\/jewelry that would be used during your piercing this is something you should discuss with your piercer during an anatomy check or jewelry selection. Our piercers are highly educated on which needle size and jewelry size is best for each piercing placement and always take individual anatomy into consideration.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What is the smallest gauge size that you carry?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The smallest gauge size that we carry is 18g. When jewelry is thinner than 18g the likelihood of rejection, migration and tearing are significantly higher. Thinner jewelry can sometimes get pushed out of the body, like a splinter. The body recognizes jewelry as a foreign object and has to heal around and regulate itself with the piece of jewelry still inside, which is why piercings take longer to heal than surface wounds. When jewelry is too thin the body has a harder time accepting it and will more often work to remove the foreign object from the body, which can lead to rejection of the jewelry completely. We often get clients who would like 20g jewelry (typically for nostril or ear piercings), as they would like a smaller, daintier look for their jewelry. 20g and 22g jewelry is common among fashion jewelry brands and is typically not considered body safe. 20g and 22g hoops are especially common and jewelry this thin can start to have what is called the \\u201ccheese wire effect\\u201d causing tearing and migration. Think of the thin wires used in a cheese cutting device, they are extremely thin and feel sharp to the touch and are dragged through the hard surface of the cheese, cutting and tearing the cheese; now think of how that process would look in your body- ouch! This effect can also happen with jewelry that is too tight, causing pulling and tearing to the piercing site which can permanently change the placement, angle and health of the piercing. We always recommend that rings, chains and other pieces have enough room to sit comfortably against, not pushing or pulling on, the tissue around your piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What tools do you use to perform a piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Each piercer in our studio performs their piercings with different techniques. Piercers often learn a certain way of piercing from a mentor or program they attend and as they work with clients, familiarize themselves with tools\\\/jewelry\\\/anatomy, and grow and progress through their careers, learn different styles, techniques and tips and tricks to perform piercings. We pride ourselves on always being educated on new techniques, processes and seeking out learning opportunities whenever we can. Piercers in our area often host classes, meetings, and industry events where we are able to meet up with other professionals in our industry to learn from them, discuss advancements, tips and tricks, and new ways of working with clients to provide better and better experiences. One of the things we love about the piercing industry is the constant forward movement and advancements made by incredible professionals in the industry. Companies that produce tools and jewelry are always looking for new and better ways to create their products, piercers are constantly educating themselves and learning from pioneers in the industry who are always looking to improve their craft. We love the passion and dedication of professionals in all areas of the body modification industry and always look to others for education and inspiration. Each piercer in our studio is familiar with a variety of techniques to perform each piercing they offer, so that they can always make the best decision based on each client, their long term piercing goals, anatomy, healing considerations and overall comfort. We have piercers who use freehand piercing techniques, utilizing less tools and working more with their hands for pressure and guidance of needles and jewelry. We have piercers who always utilize tools that have been tried, tested and improved over decades of work in the industry. Sometimes a freehand style piercer will employ the use of a tool during a specific piercing for a client based on anatomy or placement of a piercing and sometimes piercers who typically use tools will forgo the tool in a situation where it may hinder the ease of access or not provide the correct kind of pressure\\\/guidance for needles or jewelry into a piercing because of placement or anatomy concerns.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Every piercer who works at The Exotic Body is always going to choose a technique, tool, process or setup for your piercing based on what they determine would be the best used for your individual situation, placement, anatomy, and long term piercing goals.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Some examples of tools used in our studio include: needle receiving tubes, forceps, hemostats, brass ring pliers, clamps and placement rings (just to name a few). We have advanced sterilization, reprocessing and handling procedures for all of our tools so you can be sure that every single item used for your piercing is high quality and sterilized completely. We use autoclave sterilization techniques and have highly trained staff to process, package and store each tool to the proper sterilization standards required by state and federal laws, and the APP.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Will you numb the area before performing the piercing?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Topical numbing agents are not recommended when getting a piercing for a number of reasons. First, topical numbing agents only work on the top layers of skin, it\\u2019s not like a local anesthetic administered in a medical setting (which piercers are not qualified to administer or offer), so you will absolutely still feel the needle pierce the tissue. Second, products that numb the skin change the elasticity and texture of the skin which can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings. Please do not apply topical numbing agents prior to your piercing appointment, our piercers are trained to work with normal, unaltered tissue and anatomy and applying these products, especially when the piercer is unaware, can lead to tearing and crooked or mis-aligned piercings.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What if I pass out?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Our piercers are all trained in how to handle clients fainting during or after a piercing. There are many reasons people may faint, feel dizzy or get lightheaded during a piercing. It\\u2019s best to eat at least 4 hours prior to getting a piercing, and we recommend clients eat something with sugar or protein. Clients should also be hydrated prior to getting a piercing, and be sure to drink lots of water after as well, especially in the summer months. We keep our studio a little cooler than most businesses to help keep clients cool and relaxed. We are prepared with water bottles and ice packs in the event that you do pass out and will ensure that you are feeling back to normal before leaving the studio. Please be aware that clients who faint during a piercing procedure will often have fainting symptoms again later in the day and may faint a second time later in the day after the first time they pass out, so please be extra careful when doing any other activities after getting pierced.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>What if I end up not liking my new piercing\\\/jewelry?\\u00a0<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you decide that you end up not liking how a piercing looks on you all you need to do is remove the jewelry and keep the wound clean while it heals closed. If you have trouble removing the jewelry you can always come in for a jewelry removal appointment.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If the placement of your new piercing seems off please reach out as soon as you notice it so that we can get you scheduled for a re-piercing with your piercer. Re-piercings need to be performed by the same piercer who performed your initial piercing (if for some reason you\\u2019d prefer to see a different piercer please reach out, we need to set up re-piercing appointments with other piercers differently from our normal appointments)<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">If you end up purchasing jewelry and decide you don\\u2019t like the style, shape, size, etc. you\\u2019re welcome to keep it in good condition and we can re-sterilize it for another p, barbells, or dermal\\\/surface bars for fresh piercings, but we can always move a top or ring to a different location in a healed piercing as long as it is not damaged in any way.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We do not offer refunds on body jewelry. The Exotic Body is not responsible for <\\\/span><i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">lost<\\\/span><\\\/i><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\"> jewelry, but if for some reason your jewelry breaks (like a stone falls out or a pin breaks, etc.) we will replace\\\/repair it based on its manufacturer\\u2019s warranty, you will just need to bring the piece in for us to send it to them for replacement\\\/repair.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>I\\u2019ve moved away since getting pierced\\\/I got pierced while visiting Sacramento; how can I find a studio near me that has compatible jewelry\\\/comparable standards and services?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Safepiercing.org has a super handy \\u201cFind a Piercer\\u201d page where you can search for an APP certified studio near you!<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>I got pierced at another studio, but I need to downsize\\\/change the jewelry; can I book an appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Please keep in mind that we can only downsize existing jewelry that is compatible with the jewelry that we carry so your jewelry must be internally threaded or threadless jewelry, otherwise you would need to purchase an entire new piece of jewelry.<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>I got a piercing at another studio, but I\\u2019m having issues healing my piercing; can I book a check up appointment at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">We are always happy to help any client, regardless of where their piercing was performed! Just book a checkup appointment and we will be happy to take a look at your piercing and give any advice or make any jewelry changes necessary.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>Do you offer piercing apprenticeships?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">At The Exotic Body we only take on apprentices from within our staff, so that we can ensure that every mentor\\\/apprentice relationship is a good fit. Apprenticeships are offered at the piercers discretion and are only offered to staff members who have worked with us for at least one year. Having industry knowledge, experience with clients, policies, and jewelry are all key components of a successful apprenticeship, so we facilitate this by offering apprenticeships to counter staff after their one year working anniversary, if that is something they are interested in and if we have a piercer who is looking to take on an apprentice.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><b><i>How does a piercing apprenticeship work? What do your apprentices do at your studio?<\\\/i><\\\/b><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing apprenticeships look different at every studio, but typically cover the same fundamental foundations in piercing education. Typically, at our studio, apprentices are required to observe their mentor work with clients for a number of hours before ever working with clients themselves (typically at least 100 hours). Once the mentor believes the apprentice is ready to work directly with clients we have them start with tasks like jewelry changes, downsizings, and checkups, all with mentor supervision and client permission; these first steps help our apprentices learn to work with the tools, jewelry, and cultivate their professional personality and bedside manner; in addition they work with their mentor on cleaning and marking the client and setup of the piercing procedure areas. Once apprentices are ready to begin piercing clients we schedule special appointments where the piercing fee is waived for clients who are willing to allow an apprentice to practice piercing. Typically we begin with more basic piercings- like earlobe, nostril, and helix piercings, and work up to more difficult piercings- like septum, daith, navel and nipple piercings, but this process looks different for every apprentice, as every piercer has their own strengths and weaknesses; some piercers are excellent at lining up septum or nipple piercings, while others are amazing at finding just the right angle to nail a nostril piercing, everyones different!\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Piercing apprenticeships can take years to fully complete. As our apprentices work through their repertoire of piercings and complete the necessary tasks and practice to the point of being able to confidently perform a piercing they begin offering that piercing as a regular piercer, so that they can work with clients regularly, build up their portfolio, and support themselves financially. We never allow an apprentice to perform piercings on their own until they have FULLY completed their education regarding that specific piercing including being able to troubleshoot any potential issues that could happen during a piercing appointment, so you can feel confident that any piercer you book with is fully educated and capable of safely and professionally performing a piercing.\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">*If you\\u2019re interested in getting pierced by one of our apprentices, keep an eye out on our social media pages where we usually post what piercings we are looking for!*\\u00a0<\\\/span><\\\/p><p>\\u00a0<\\\/p>\"}}]}<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FAQ Some of our Frequently Asked Question Custom Jewelry Orders Custom orders are available from several of our brands! If you have a vision for a jewelry piece and a little bit of patience we can arrange a custom order for you! This process can take several months to complete, depending on the specifics of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4810","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.0 (Yoast SEO v24.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>FAQ - Exotic Body<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/exoticbody.com\/faq\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FAQ\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FAQ Some of our Frequently Asked Question Custom Jewelry Orders Custom orders are available from several of our brands! 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