Download
this file in Adobe Acrobat Format
You have decided to have your body pierced and you are asking yourself,
"I want it done now, so where do I go?" In this era of bloodborne
diseases you MUST be very careful who you have perform your piercing!
This guide is brought to you by the The Association of Professional Piercers
to assist you in making a better-informed decision regarding your piercing
because
IT'S YOUR CHOICE!
This is meant to be a guideline and to aid you in having a safe piercing
experience.
See their autoclave (sterlizer)
An autoclave is a device that sterilizes the jewelry, tools and equipment
necessary to perform your piercing/s by eliminating bacteria and its spores.
The most effective units available to studios use a combination of steam
and pressure. (”Dry Heat” is NOT considered appropriate for
sterilization.) Absolutely no studio should be in operation without this
vital piece of equipment!
Spore test Results
A spore test (biological indicator) is the only way to know that an autoclave
is working properly. Biological indicators actually test the autoclave’s
ability to kill even the most dangerous & resistant organisms such
as HIV, Hepatitis, etc. The studio should keep recent results on file
and be willing to show them to you.
Piercing Set-up
Ask if you can watch them set-up for a piercing and be in the room when
they set up for yours. The piercer should first wash and glove their hands.
The equipment should be sealed in individual sterilized packages and placed
on a tray. The piercer should change gloves if they touch anything in
the room other than you and the sterile equipment. All needles should
be in individual sterile packages and should be opened while you are present.
NEVER let a piercer use a needle on you that was soaked in a liquid. All
needles should be disposed of in a sharps container (usually a small red
box marked "biohazard") after they have been used on a single
client.
Do they provide aftercare guidelines?
The aftercare for your piercing should be explained to you and provided
in writing. Read this sheet BEFORE you have the piercing done! If it tells
you to treat your piercing with harsh soap, ointment, alcohol, or hydrogen
peroxide, the studio is not keeping up with industry standards.
Piercers
Don't be misled into believing piercing is easy. It takes time and dedication
to acquire the ability to correctly place and skillfully perform piercings.
Piercers either serve an apprenticeship or are self-taught. Apprenticeships
will generally last from 6 months to two years. Those who are self-taught
will ideally have sought guidance from others in the field. Continued
education is the hallmark of any conscientious piercer. It is perfectly
acceptable and advisable to inquire about how long your piercer has been
piercing, how they learned to pierce, and what they have done to keep
their knowledge base current, i.e., courses on Anatomy, Aftercare, Aseptic
Technique, etc.
Is the studio well-kept and clean?
Are the walls washed and the carpet vacuumed? Is the staff bathed and
neat? Is the restroom kept clean and tidy? Ideally, studios should have
5 separate areas: the counter, waiting room, piercing room(s), bathroom,
and a separate sterilization room.
Does the studio have a license to operate?
In most cases a license to operate means that the studio meets minimum
requirements and has passed some sort of inspection. To find out if your
area has established standards and inspections, call your local Health
Department. If a studio is operating unlicensed in an area where licenses
are required, report them to your local health department or city business
license division.
Portfolios
Look at their piercing photo portfolio. Are piercings placed to accent
the anatomy or do they look awkward and poorly matched to the individual?
If the portfolio features unusual looking placements, are there pictures
of healed piercings, showing the actual viability of the placement?
Age Requirements
Regardless of any local legislation being more lenient, the following
is an appropriate minimum standards policy on piercing minors: For any
piercing of a minor, a parent or legal guardian must be present to sign
a consent form. Proof positive, state issued photo identification is required
from the legal guardian, and a bona fide form of identification from the
minor. In the event the parent has a different last name and/or address
from the child, court documentation is needed to prove the relationship,
i.e., divorce papers, or a remarriage certificate. Under no circumstances
is it acceptable or appropriate for a piercer to perform piercing on the
nipples or genitals of an individual under 18 years of age.
Are they piercing with ear piercing guns?
A number of states have made it illegal to use a gun on body piercings
and with good reason. Most ear guns can't be sterilized in an autoclave
and therefore don’t meet the criteria for APP piercers' use of sterile
disposable equipment.
Use your instincts
If you don't feel comfortable with the studio or the piercer you should
leave. "I should have listened to my gut feeling" is something
you should never have to say.
Use your head
Don’t act impulsively or be swayed by a low price. You generally
get what you pay for (but some unskilled piercers charge plenty). Get
referrals on a piercing shop/piercer from knowledgeable friends and/or
the local health department.
APP Membership
All APP Members will have a certificate that should be hanging on the
studio's wall. The certificate has an expiration date on it; make sure
it is current.
Although individual studio requirements vary, most will expect you to:
Bring valid photo identification
Be completely sober
Be bathed with hair trimmed or tied back (where applicable)
Have eaten within 4 hours
If you are getting a genital or nipple piercing wear suitable, clean underwear/garments/bras
If possible, avoid Aspirin or other blood thinners
Have considered any potential health issues i.e. individual who require
antibiotics prior to dental work should see their doctor prior to being
pierced.
Studio Etiquette
At the counter: Don’t handle your piercings (even
if they are healed) as you may spread bacteria to the studio’s common
areas thereby endangering both staff and fellow patrons.
Bring worn jewelry in a baggie or other sealed container.
Never place worn jewelry on the counter or display.
In the restroom: Don’t handle your piercings (see
above).
It is never appropriate to change your jewelry in the restroom or other
locations in the studio.
If you want your jewelry changed at the studio, it should be done by one
of the piercers, in the piercing room.
In the piercing room: Allow your piercer to direct
you to an area where personal belongings may be placed BEFORE setting
anything down.
Camera flashes can be very distracting during the performance of a piercing.
Check with your piercer before taking pictures.
Turn off your cell phone.
Shopping for jewelry
When referring to size of jewelry there are two measurements. One is
the width (of a ring) or length (of a bar) called the "diameter"
of the jewelry.
The other is the thickness of the jewelry, which is the "gauge."
The smaller the gauge numbers the thicker the jewelry.
Generally speaking it is advisable to purchase your jewelry at the time
of the piercing. Your piercer will need to select the jewelry best suited
to your anatomy. Many studios will not insert jewelry purchased elsewhere
in either a fresh or healed piercing as quality can not be verified. If
the piercer insists on a certain style or size because that is the only
item they have in stock, consider being pierced in a studio with a larger
inventory.
Taking care of your piercing
The best aftercare will depend on various factors. Each body is unique
and every piercing is different. There are a number of things you can
do to help your body to heal your piercing. Some of them are:
Keep your hands off the piercing! Dirty (unwashed) hands
are the worst enemy for piercings. During the course of a day your hands
become covered with germs. If you touch the piercing, even just near the
area, you will deposit bacteria at the piercing site, possibly causing
an infection.
Eating Correctly: It is a proven fact that if you eat
a healthful, balanced diet your body functions better and heals faster.
In most cases, taking vitamin C and zinc will promote healing.
Sea Salt: Applying a very mild, warm sea salt water
soak (saline) to your piercing can help your body to heal your piercing.
It may also reduce the risk of an infection by helping remove bacteria
from the area.
Liquid Soap: It is widely accepted that a mild liquid
soap used to gently wash the piercing followed by thorough rinsing is
suitable for most piercings. Ask your piercer for suggestions on products
that are available in your area. Usually once or twice a day works best;
don’t overclean the piercing. Also, don’t use multiple cleaners
at the same time. (Soap plus sea salt water is ok.)
NEVER use the following:
Hydrogen Peroxide or Alcohol: Over the years piercing
industry professionals have learned that these products are far too strong
and cause more problems than they help.
Antibiotic ointments, gels and creams: These products
trap dirt and germs inside a piercing and prevent oxygen from reaching
the wound. They may work well for cuts and scrapes but are not good for
piercings. |
) 
