Frequently Asked Questions

Do you use piercing guns?

We do not use piercing guns. Piercing guns cannot be effectively sterilized for re-use. Piercing guns use sheer force to push semi-sharp jewelry through the body. This causes unnecessary trauma to the tissue resulting in not just more pain, swelling and scar tissue, but can also prolong healing.

We perform all of our piercings with super-sharp, single use needles. They are designed to minimize pain and tissue trauma. The sharper the needle, the less pain during the piercing!

Does it hurt?

In short, yes but it's not too bad. It's similar to getting a shot, but we work fast. We will do our best to make sure we are not putting you through any unnecessary pain or discomfort.

Do I need an appointment?

As of now, we operate primarily by appointment.

How can I schedule an appointment?

Feel free to call us at 616-233-0822 and we can get you scheduled, or get in touch with us via our Contact page.

Can I go swimming after?

We recommend about 3 months without contact on the piercing with lake/river/ocean/pool water, and no submersion in anything. A nice warm rinse once a day in the shower is good for helping irrigate the piercing site. Contact with bath water on the piercing site should also be avoided during the first 3 months or so.

Natural bodies of water like lakes/rivers/oceans have living pathogens that can cause infection, and pools and hot tubs contain chemicals which can very much irritate and cause damage to your piercing.

Can I bring my own jewelry?

We only pierce with brand new jewelry from our facility. If you have jewelry you'd like changed for a healed piercing, we are more than happy to look at it. If it is not something that meets the minimum standards we have for what we'd carry, we will not install it. (ANY JEWELRY BROUGHT IN SHOULD BE PACKAGED IN A CLEAR BAG. PEASE DO NOT REMOVE JEWELRY IN OUR LOBBY OR BRING WORN JEWELRY IN WITHOUT A BAG).

I have sensitive skin. Can I use your jewelry?

We primarily use ASTM F-136 implant grade titanium, ASTM F1295 Implant Grade Titanium, ASTM F-138 implant grade stainless steel, 14k or 18k Solid Gold, lead free borosilicate glass, and niobium. These materials are known for being very biocompatible and safe for healing as well as long-term wear. When it comes to metals; anyone could be allergic to anything. While "hypoallergenic metal" isn't really a thing, what we offer will minimize the risk of an allergic reaction. If we find you are allergic to one of our materials, we will find another option for you. More information can be found in our Jewelry section.

How long does a piercing take to heal?

While some piercings like the septum can be fully healed in around 6 months, others (like ear cartilage) can take well over a year for full healing. There are a lot of factors that come into play with this, so always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

I'm having a hard time with my piercing. What should I do?

Contact us, we are here to help! Even if you didn't receive your piercing from us, feel free to reach out and we'll do our best to help you. If you are showing signs of infection, or think you are having a medical emergency, please seek help from your physician.

Do you pierce babies' ears?

We do not. We believe a child should have a choice in whether or not to pierce their body, as well as the patience to take care of a new piercing. The youngest we feel comfortable piercing a child's ears is 7 years old. For more information, please check our Children's Ear Piercing section.