Piercing Advice from Addicted 2 Tattoos

Below is Piercing information that might help you make a better decision about your next piercing. Not sure what piercing the name describes? Click here.

Under 18?

We have a special form that must be filled out (by a parent or guardian) and notarized (by an official state notary) before a piercing can be completed in our shop. Parent and child must present ID with picture and this form to the notary and complete/sign the form. Minors with no photo identification can get one by going to their local police department and applying for a Florida ID for a small fee. Usually a birth certificate must be presented to obtain this.

Download our Minor Consent form here. (PDF format document)

We cannot accept forms from other shops. The form must have our business identification on it. It must be presented before service can be performed. If this is the minor's first piercing, it is advisable that the parent or guardian be present during the piercing. If it is not the minor's first professional piercing, it is not necessary for the parent or guardian to be present. The same applies to tattooing.

How young is too young?

State statutes state that it is unlawful for any professional piercer to pierce someone under the age of 14. This applies to all piercings, regardless of whether it is done with a gun or a sterile needle. At Addicted 2 Tattoos we believe that 16 is the earliest a person should be getting pierced due to the fact that minors are still growing and may not be mature enough to make the decision to get a piercing. We are aware that there are several places around town that will pierce anyone. We do not recommend their services to anyone.

We also feel that getting a piercing done by a "piercing gun" is probably putting one's self at great risk because these machines are not sterile and are used again and again on whomever walks into the shop. Most people who use these "guns" do not wear gloves, do not work in a clean environment, and have no special training. A professional, trained, piercer knows what to look for on each type of piercing and will always advise a client about the pros and cons

How old is too old?

We don't think anyone is too old for a piercing. The only thing that must taken into account is the general health of the individual and what medications they may be taking.

Important Health Considerations

Sometimes it is inappropriate to perform even the most standard piercing. A piercer should politely refuse to perform a piercing that could be dangerous, ill suited, unsuccessful, or for which they are not trained. The following are examples for which a second opinion, in some cases from a piercing-friendly physician, may be needed before proceeding:

An individual with heart valve disease (such as mitral valve prolapse) should consult their physician for prophylactic antibiotics.

An individual has a heart murmur, diabetes, hemophilia, auto-immune disorder, or other medical condition(s) that may negatively influence the piercing procedure or the healing process.

There is an obvious skin or tissue abnormality that may include but is not limited to rashes, lumps, bumps, scars, lesions, moles, freckles, and/or abrasions.

The client wants to pierce irregular, or surgically-altered anatomy, or the client is unsuited due to occupational, recreational, or environmental factors.

Surface-to-surface, or other frequently unsuccessful (commonly rejected by the body) piercings.

The client has impending plans to become pregnant and wishes to get a nipple, navel, or other piercing.

It is advisable to refrain from piercing during pregnancy to allow the body to focus on the important, complex, and demanding task that it is handling already.

Piercing and Heart Conditions

It is our suggestion that a piercer not pierce any client who has a pre-existing heart condition without a doctor's consent and proof of a preventative antibiotic. (We also believe this holds true for getting a tattoo.)

These pre-existing heart conditions include but are not limited to:

Any client with an artificial (prosthetic) heart valve.

Any client with damaged (scarred) heart valves caused by a medical condition, i.e. rheumatic fever.

Any client with congenital heart defects or heart valve defects such as MVP, heart murmur, Valvular Stenosis, Valvular Regurgitatin, or Atresion of one of the valves.

Risks: The major risk for those clients with heart conditions is Bacterial Endocarditis. This is a serious infectin of the heart's inner lining (endocardium) or the heart valves. This can damage or even destroy your heart valves. Although rapid diagnosis, effective treatment, and prompt recognition of complications can lower the risk of mortality, prevention is still the best option.

The American Heart Association (AHA) indicates that taking your prescription prophylactic antibiotics one hour before receiving a piercing or Etching will provide an effective prophylaxis against infection.

Prevention is the Key
If you have to take antibiotics before seeing the dentist for a routine teeth cleaning, you need to see your doctor and ask them about taking antibiotics before receiving a body piercing. (Piercing is much more invasive than getting your teeth cleaned.) After you speak with your doctor, we suggest that you bring in a note from your doctor approving your piercing, as well as the filled prescription of antibiotics. We care about you and your health and well being, and want every piercing to be safe and fun.

Which piercing is the best?

The easiest and most common piercing is the lower ear lobes. Even though some cultures encourage piercing infants ear lobes, we feel that a person should be old enough to make this choice for themselves. Babies and young children delight in rough play and often will have piercings torn out during these times. Also, children are prone to lose their piercing jewelry and do not fully understand the importance of self hygiene. Please wait until the child is at least 16 years old to get a piercing.

The next most common piercings are those on the face and head. Tongues, ear cartilage, noses, eye brows and labret (centered below the bottom lip). If a piercing is performed on an appendage, chances are that it will not be rejected by the body. Cartilage piercing on ears and noses are more painful and take longer to heal.

For more information about piercing and types, please visit this site:
http://www.tribalectic.com/Body_Piercing_Aftercare.asp

Another site famous for piercing information and links is:
http://www.bmezine.com

How long does it take to heal?

Healing times:

Ampallang – 4 to 8 months

Apadravya – 4 to 8 months

Cheek – 2 to 3 months

Chest – 6 to 9 months

Clitoral Hood (horizontal) 2 to 8 weeks

Clitoral Hood (vertical) 4 to 6 weeks

Clitoris – 2 to 6 weeks

Conch – 2 to 4 months

Daith – 2 to 4 months

Dydoe – 2 to 3 months

Ear Cartilage – 2 to 4 months

Earl – 2 to 3 months

Eyebrow – 6 to 8 weeks

Foreskin – 6 to 8 weeks

Forchette – 2 to 3 months

Frenum – 2 to 3 months

Guiche – 2 to 3 months

Hand Web – 6 to 9 months

Labia (inner) 4 to 6 weeks
Labia (outer) 2 to 3 months

Labret - 6 to 10 weeks

Lingual Frenulum – 6 to 8 weeks

Lip – 6 to 10 weeks

Lorum – 2 to 3 months

Madison – 6 to 9 months

Monroe – 2 to 3 months

Navel – 6 to 9 months

Neck Side – 6 to 9 months

Nipple – 4 to 6 months

Nostril – 2 to 3 months

Prince Albert – 4 to 6 weeks

Pubic – 2 to 3 months

Rook – 2 to 3 months

Scrotum – 2 to 3 months

Septum – 4 to 6 weeks

Suitcase – 2 to 3 months

Tongue – 4 to 6 weeks

Triangle – 2 to 3 months

What's the strangest question we've had?

We got a call in the shop one day, a woman caller, wanting information about genital piercings. She asked about hood piercings, labia piercings, and clitoral piercings. She also asked us "since you're down there already, can you give me a pap smear, while you're at it?"

We thought she was kidding, but apparently not! She was quite serious.

Disclaimer: These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and are true to the best of our expert knowledge.