Many people have a fear of needles which prevents them from getting a piercing. I believe that this fear can be overcome once you get your first piercing. Most of the pain associated with getting pierced is all in our head. We have repeat clientele that are becoming less nervous with each procedure they get done. It's normal to be nervous prior to getting your piercing but it usually subsides quickly once you get it done. Getting a needle at a doctor is completely different than getting a piercing. It's definitely more exciting to leave our studio with a new piece of jewellery versus a bruise and a band-aid from the doctor!
Many of us have been told to keep spinning the jewellery during the healing stage. The reason for doing this was to prevent the jewellery (cheap ear studs) from adhering to our bodies. Rotating the jewellery isn't recommended as the jewellery most commonly used for body piercings do not grow to our skin. Constantly spinning your jewellery during the day will irritate it more and tear skin cells that are trying to heal on the inside of the piercing. By touching your jewellery you may also be at risk of spinning crusties, dirt, and germs into the fresh piercing. Leaving the jewellery alone during the healing stage is definitely recommended.
Unfortunately not. In my opinion a baby cannot express there concerns if a piercing is hurting or possibly infected. Also the immune system of a baby is weaker than ours allowing more chance for problems to arise. I will only pierce young children's earlobes when they tell me they want it for themselves. In many cases this is over the age of 5 years old. I would also strongly suggest not getting your child's ears pierced with a gun instead. Please read the question below to find out why it's worth the wait for your child's safety.
Our studio is strongly against using a piercing gun for ANY piercing. Piercing guns cannot properly be sterilized and therefore they shouldn't be used. Not being able to properly sterilize the piercing gun instrument leaves you open to possible infections and also the risks of passing bloodborne pathogens such as Hepatitis and MRSA. The stud that pierces you is a dull, blunt piece of jewellery being forced into your ear causing a lot of unnecessary pain and discomfort. Using a single use sterilized needle is much safer and a lot less painful. Would you rather be pierced with a dull object or a sharp one? Many clients have mentioned that their piercings have never properly healed if it was pierced with a gun. This is caused by the damage done to the surrounding tissue during the piercing.
At Thrive Studios we surpass the health board standards and we will continue to uphold the highest guidelines in the industry. Our sterilization area is visible to our clients so you can learn about the sterilization process from beginning to end.
Doing your own personal research is my best advice. Ask around and I'm sure you'll find a bunch of people willing to tell you where they got there work done. Word of mouth is still our number one form of advertising. Be sure to visit multiple studios and find out for yourself why sometimes they cheapest place isn't always best. Be sure that all your questions are answered thoroughly and you feel comfortable. Any reputable studio would be happy to help you out and share any information with you. Ask to see spore test results (read next question to learn more) as we're all required to do them monthly there shouldn't be any reason why they couldn't show you a current document stating that their autoclave passed a spore test. If you don't feel comfortable…leave!
Spore testing is the most common way to ensure that an autoclave is working properly. In short, it works by running a package of living spores through an autoclave cycle. This package is then sent to a laboratory which attempts to incubate it. If anything is still alive, then the autoclave did not achieve sterility. Spore tests actually test the autoclaves ability to kill even the most dangerous and resistant organisms such as HIV, Hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens. Indicator strips are also run with each sterilization load as an extra precaution. These indicator strips turn colour during the sterilization process if the proper heat has been achieved during the cycle. Our strips are available to view at anytime if you wish to see them. Also our weekly spore testing certificate is framed in our lobby for your viewing to ensure you that our equipment is in good working order. Learn more about Spore Tests
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This varies from person to person and it also depends on the piercing to be preformed. We will discuss this with you at the time of your piercing.
NO. That's why I'm here to do the procedure for you. Leave it to the pros and you'll more than likely get a much better result.
While on vacation we usually tend to neglect our new piercing that needs our proper attention. You should stay out of pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean in the beginning stages of healing your piercing. Just wait till you get back from vacation and you'll probably enjoy your vacation a lot more!
We don't recommend bringing your toddler as we cannot properly watch them while you are getting work done. Please arrange for babysitting prior to your appointment. NO PETS whatsoever.
We do allow friends and family in the room with you as moral support. Space is limited to two guests per client however the artist reserves the right to remove anyone from the tattoo room at any time. Children are not permitted in the piercing or tattoo room. All we ask is that your friends remain calm and quiet as piercing and tattooing take a lot a concentration and skill. Please turn off all cell phones as they can be a distraction during the tattoo or piercing process.
Many piercings may seem healed but sometimes this isn't the case. You may stop by our studio anytime to get the advice from your piercer. We will also assist you if you need any jewellery changed as well.
It's possible but it's not common. The jewellery that we most commonly use for initial piercings is made of surgical stainless steel 316 LVM which contains very minimum amounts of nickel. Some clients are allergic to nickel and can still wear quality body jewellery. There are other options as well such as Titanium, Niobium, and Gold just to name a few. Some signs that you could be allergic to nickel would be a slight rash around your button on your pants, or where your belt buckle may touch your skin. Some people develop a rash from wearing a wrist watch or certain types of necklaces and earrings. If you experience any of these issues please let your piercer know so they can discuss with you the best option for your piercing.
The best advice would be to visit your piercer immediately to help find a solution. In most cases piercings become irritated, not infected. An experienced piercer will be able to tell the difference between the two. Don't take out the jewellery if you believe you have an infection as it may trap the infection under your skin and it won't be able to drain. Also do not seek advice from your friends! Just because they have a few piercings do not make them experts in this field. Your piercer can usually help find a solution to the problem and get you back on the right track once again.
As piercing becomes more and more popular, there are a lot more studies being conducted into the proper healing of piercings. Back in the day we were always told to put alcohol or peroxide on everything and it'll heal with no problem…well now that's a thing of the past! Now there are companies that specialize only in piercing aftercare which has helped a great deal in our industry. Prior to your piercing, our piercer will discuss the proper methods of healing with you and also give you a written aftercare sheet for you take home. Most pharmacies have not yet started selling proper piercing aftercare products. Our studio carries a full line of piercing aftercare for your convenience.
Using these products will usually cause longer healing times as they dry out the healing tissue surrounding the piercing. This can cause the fragile skin cells to crack and re-heal once again prolonging the healing process.
If this was true there would be a lot more brainless or paralysed teenagers walking the streets! However as this industry grows rapidly I've seen a lot more unqualified piercers doing a lot more damage rather than safe piercing. Piercing does take a lot of skill and training to ensure proper placement of the jewellery. Each piercing does involve risks but they are significantly reduced if proper aftercare methods are used. It is important to stay in touch with your piercer if you believe something is not right with your piercing. Seek out the best piercer in your town and visit. If you don't feel comfortable in the piercing room you can always leave. Remember it's your body, it's your decision!
Most people experience some sort of attraction towards the same sex after getting their right ear pierced. However this usually happens months afterwards. You will start to feel a great connection with your close locker room friends and get sudden urges to cuddle. Getting your left ear pierced will only show your friends that you're not comfortable with your sexuality and that you're trying to hide your true feelings. Many right eared pierced people will be able to comfort you through this tough time of new and confused feelings. Getting both ears pierced means you're bisexual and you love to show the world how wild and crazy you are. Is there a cure? YES…stop listening to your immature friends!
Yes, I offer both male and female genital piercings. Most people are extremely nervous about getting any genital piercings and rarely can find the answers they are looking for. I suggest making a private consultation with me prior to getting a genital piercing so I can answer all your questions. Often clients will bring a friend or partner to join them during these piercings to make it a more comfortable experience. You can also visit our studio and ask to view our genital piercing portfolio for some ideas. Call anytime for a piercing consultation.
Sorry, there are many studios willing to drop their prices just to beat their competition but we stand firm on our prices offering you the best quality service, sterilization, techniques, knowledge and overall safety. Can you really put a price on your health and well being? Come in for a tour and we'll personally show you the multiple steps that we take in order to provide you the best service in the industry. Sometimes studios may skip multiple steps of sterilization and slack on cleanliness in order to bring you a cheaper price. This usually results in a negative piercing experience and would require immediate attention from a more qualified piercer. Remember that cheaper is not always better!
Many pieces of jewellery that clients will bring in to us are made to be worn after the piercing is healed. Sometimes we can pierce with your own personal jewellery but it will require sterilization prior to the piercing. Some jewellery cannot be sterilized or worn as your first piercing. Using hand me down jewellery from friends and family may contain small scratches or pits which bacteria can grow in. I would suggest visiting us with your jewellery to get the best advice. If your piece of jewellery requires sterilization we would need to reschedule your appointment to the following day. This gives us the proper time to sterilize your jewellery.
There is no way to know for sure. If you have to take your piercing out for surgery or for your job placement you can visit us in order to find the best solution to the problem. Our studio offers retainers that are less visible than jewellery and can keep the hole open during these times.
If you're pregnant or nursing we wouldn't suggest getting pierced or tattooed. Your goal is to provide the best nourishment and staying healthy for your child. Getting pierced or tattooed will put a strain on your immune system which can harm you and your child's well being. Wait a few months after your child birth or after nursing so your immune system can get back on track. You will definitely have much better healing results if you wait.
Most women say that there navel jewellery becomes uncomfortable after the first six months of pregnancy. In most cases during child birth your skin will stretch causing your original piercing to become crooked or shallower than it previously was. Also some doctors may require you to take it out while you're in the hospital and you may have a difficult time inserting it once again. My best suggestion would be to re-pierce your navel after nursing and once your immune system gets back on track.
There is no guarantee. I've seen 1 inch holes close yet I've seen 8 gauge holes stay open. Remember stretching your ears, or any piercing, can result in a permanent change in your appearance. Think of the long term affects and decide if this is right for you. Stop by and discuss with us the proper methods of stretching so you don't do any damage to your freshly stretched piercings.
To properly stretch your ears it takes a lot of time and patience. Stretching too fast may result in tearing leaving scar tissue. It is suggested to stretch slowly about one gauge per month. Remember that there is no guarantee that your stretched piercings will ever return to their natural state. Most people are able to stretch to a 0g and have good results of closing if they want to remove them one day in the future. But again there is no way to know for sure if the hole will close up or not. Make sure you know what you're doing before you make a costly mistake!
Depending on the piercing and/or your anatomy I can pierce with either. I will help you figure out the best option for your piercing.
Definitely. Many people prefer the look of gold and we can order in many different styles for you. If you visit us we can measure the exact size you would need and we'll special order it for you.
I offer free jewellery changes to my clients. I will show you the proper steps how to change your jewellery without any discomfort. I suggest calling ahead to schedule a jewellery change appointment as I may be busy with other clients at the time of your visit. Remember, all booked in clients get priority over walk in appointments.
Sure it's greatly appreciated to receive tips and most artists will happily accept. However, tipping doesn't always have to be money. A simple "thank you" and handshake showing appreciation for the work you just had done will go a long way. Let the artist know how happy you are with your new tattoo or piercing. Telling your friends, giving referrals and being a repeat customer is often enough as a tip. Be creative, some of the best tips we have received have been simple gifts, baked goods, even an occasional coffee. If its cash you decide to show your gratitude with and you can afford it then your artist will be more than happy to accept. To sum it all up, tips are greatly appreciated but not expected.
Yes we do and it seems to be on everyone's wish list. Our gift certificates are can be purchased in any denomination and available at any time. Surprise grandma with one today!
