Body Piercing Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you accept walk-ins for piercings?
We do, It’s always best to call or email ahead to make an appointment.
Click HERE to book now!
- How old do I have to be to get a piercing at Revolution Ink?
You must be at least 18 years of age with a valid I.D. (drivers license, military, passport or state issued I.D.) to be pierced without parental consent.
- What if I’m under 18 and want a piercing?
Legally, we require any patrons under the age of 18 to be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian as well as a proof of legal guardianship (i.e. birth certificate, court ordered legal documents, etc.). Our body piercers will not perform certain piercings on minors under the age of 16. To have a child’s ears pierced we require that you call or email to set up an appointment and that your child must be old enough to have a conversation with our body piercer about the procedure and agree that they want to have it done. If you bring your child and they are upset and/or crying we will not be able to pierce them. We want to make the whole experience as relaxed and enjoyable as we can for your tiny humans! We do not pierce babies ears. Ever. EVER.
What to do before you come in for a piercing:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Make sure to be well rested.
- Do not drink heavily the night before it can thin your blood and cause excess bleeding, even the next day!
- Try to not drink a lot of caffeine before coming in as they will also thin your blood.
- If you feel like you are sick or getting sick wait until you feel completely better. Your immune system is already under stress and getting a piercing will only make it worse and hinder your healing process.
- Ask your doctor if you have any medical concerns.
- Make sure to have your state issued I.D.
- Bring a hair tie or bobby pins if you have long hair that may get in the way.
- The area being pierced will be cleaned before the procedure so if you are getting a facial piercing try to not wear makeup or be ready to have the area scrubbed clean of makeup. (And DO NOT reapply makeup to the freshly pierced skin afterwards!)
- If you are getting a piercing that will be under your clothing make sure to wear something comfortable that will not constrict the piercing and make it easy to get to and pierce.
- Please make sure to shower beforehand and if you are getting an oral piercing brush your teeth!
- Eat a meal at least 6 hours before being pierced.
- We will not pierce you if you come in drunk. It’s actually illegal!
- Will it hurt?
Any type of body modification will have discomfort! Everyone has their own specific pain threshold and the pain level will depend on the area being pierced. Our needles are so sharp and the actual piercing is so quick that by the time you feel it – it’s over! The best way to prepare yourself (mentally) is to expect it to hurt but not to get yourself worked up.
- Can you numb my skin before you pierce me?
Correctly done body piercing is so quick and fluid that there is no need for an anesthetic! Topical anesthetics can really only do so much without your skin being broken before it’s applied - it would be a waste of time and money to try and numb the area for a procedure.
- Can I take pain medication before I get pierced?
Pain medication thins your blood and will actually cause excess bleeding during the procedure. So does alcohol! If possible please refrain from taking pain medication until after being pierced.
- Can all of my friends come and watch?
Please no! We understand some people need a little moral support (which is completely okay) however our body piercers choose to allow no more than one extra person back into the piercing room during the procedure – we will make exceptions for very few cases such as a child who would like both parents to be in the room. We like to have a calm, low energy during our body piercing experience to ensure that you and our piercer are both relaxed and not distracted – we do not like trying to pierce a moving (or snapchatting) target!
- What is your body jewelry made of?
Our basic body jewelry (which is included in the price of all of our piercings) is made of hand polished 316L surgical stainless steel and we offer upgrades in all styles of body jewelry made of ASTM F-136 implant grade titanium for those who may be hyper-sensitive. We also have surgical grade silicone and glass retainers for those looking for jewelry to wear to work or during medical procedures! If there is a specific type of jewelry you are looking for once your new piercing has healed we are able to custom order just about anything – stop in and talk with one of our body piercers to place an order!
- How much do your piercings cost?
See our price list, HERE!
- Can you re-pierce something that I’ve already had pierced?
In order for a re-piercing to be successful, your skin must be stable. If your skin is still red/pink, sore or you still have a discharge coming from the pierced area it’s best to wait until your skin has healed completely! In general it’s best to wait at least two months depending on your body’s specific healing rate. If you feel like you have a bit of scar tissue in the area you are wanting to have re-pierced we suggest massaging the area daily for 5-10 minutes at at time using an oil (such as carrot seed, cedarwood, or geranium essential oils diluted down with coconut or vitamin e oil...just to name a few) to help break up your scar tissue so it’s easier for your body to absorb! This page has some wonderful tips and tricks on using oils to help reduce scar tissue!
- Why is it better to be pierced by hollow needles rather than a piercing gun?
We could go on for days with all of the reasons why getting your ears pierced via piercing gun in the mall (or anywhere for that matter) is terrible – but we’ll try and break it down.
The technicians they stick behind these torture devices have usually little to almost no training on technique, or even more horrifying, bloodborne pathogens and cross contamination. The most important part of working with blood and bodily fluids is having knowledge, understanding and practicing safe sterilization techniques. Most companies that offer ear piercing wipe the gun with an alcohol towelette and are ready for their next victim which is NOT sterile. Our body piercers have apprenticed under a body piercer with 15+ years of experience and have been in the body modification for over 5 years. We use a mixture of disposable and surgical stainless tools and our needles are NEVER EVER EVER reused. Any surgical stainless tools that are used during a procedure go through a series of soaks, then they are scrubbed, bagged and dated then ran through our autoclave. The next time you are thinking about swinging through the mall to get a “drive-thru” piercing by an 18 year old who was trained by piercing a teddy bear - do yourself a favor and google Hepatitis C/piercing gun statistics. You’re welcome!
Another main concern with piercing guns is the fact that they cause so much trauma to your skin! The gun forces a blunt stud earring through your skin literally causing your skin to rip to make room for the jewelry. OUCH. Once the jewelry is through it pinches the butterfly back tight onto the ear leaving little to no room for swelling. This is why they always tell you to play with your jewelry and spin it – so your body doesn’t try to eat the jewelry! We use super sharp hollow needles that glide through the skin effortlessly to create the perfect sized hole to fit your new body jewelry. As with any new piercing the jewelry will have a little extra room to allow your body to slightly swell and breath properly ensuring a quick happy healing process!
Obviously some people can heal fine from being pierced by a gun - but why risk you or your child's health?
- I have to have an MRI/CAT scan and my physician has instructed me that I must take out my body jewelry, why is this?
Many studies have shown that it is generally not necessary to remove body jewelry for an MRI, X-ray or any other type of scan unless the jewelry is in the area of examination and can get in the way while reading test results. High quality jewelry is non-ferromagnetic (non-magnetic) and will not react to the MRI equipment, however low quality jewelry could be a problem. Metallic jewelry will be visible in scan test results and can actually blur CAT or CT images – so it is always best just to be safe and remove the jewelry. If you are concerned that your body may close up in the time your jewelry is removed we do have implant grade silicone and glass retainers that may be worn, after consulting with your physician.
As with any body modification done at Revolution Ink, we will do absolutely everything we can to ensure a quick easy healing process for you. However you are in charge of following the provided aftercare instructions and taking care of your new piercing. There are no written or implied guarantees if you do not take care of your piercing. And remember – everyone heals differently. Be patient and listen to your body!
We do, It’s always best to call or email ahead to make an appointment.
Click HERE to book now!
- How old do I have to be to get a piercing at Revolution Ink?
You must be at least 18 years of age with a valid I.D. (drivers license, military, passport or state issued I.D.) to be pierced without parental consent.
- What if I’m under 18 and want a piercing?
Legally, we require any patrons under the age of 18 to be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian as well as a proof of legal guardianship (i.e. birth certificate, court ordered legal documents, etc.). Our body piercers will not perform certain piercings on minors under the age of 16. To have a child’s ears pierced we require that you call or email to set up an appointment and that your child must be old enough to have a conversation with our body piercer about the procedure and agree that they want to have it done. If you bring your child and they are upset and/or crying we will not be able to pierce them. We want to make the whole experience as relaxed and enjoyable as we can for your tiny humans! We do not pierce babies ears. Ever. EVER.
What to do before you come in for a piercing:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Make sure to be well rested.
- Do not drink heavily the night before it can thin your blood and cause excess bleeding, even the next day!
- Try to not drink a lot of caffeine before coming in as they will also thin your blood.
- If you feel like you are sick or getting sick wait until you feel completely better. Your immune system is already under stress and getting a piercing will only make it worse and hinder your healing process.
- Ask your doctor if you have any medical concerns.
- Make sure to have your state issued I.D.
- Bring a hair tie or bobby pins if you have long hair that may get in the way.
- The area being pierced will be cleaned before the procedure so if you are getting a facial piercing try to not wear makeup or be ready to have the area scrubbed clean of makeup. (And DO NOT reapply makeup to the freshly pierced skin afterwards!)
- If you are getting a piercing that will be under your clothing make sure to wear something comfortable that will not constrict the piercing and make it easy to get to and pierce.
- Please make sure to shower beforehand and if you are getting an oral piercing brush your teeth!
- Eat a meal at least 6 hours before being pierced.
- We will not pierce you if you come in drunk. It’s actually illegal!
- Will it hurt?
Any type of body modification will have discomfort! Everyone has their own specific pain threshold and the pain level will depend on the area being pierced. Our needles are so sharp and the actual piercing is so quick that by the time you feel it – it’s over! The best way to prepare yourself (mentally) is to expect it to hurt but not to get yourself worked up.
- Can you numb my skin before you pierce me?
Correctly done body piercing is so quick and fluid that there is no need for an anesthetic! Topical anesthetics can really only do so much without your skin being broken before it’s applied - it would be a waste of time and money to try and numb the area for a procedure.
- Can I take pain medication before I get pierced?
Pain medication thins your blood and will actually cause excess bleeding during the procedure. So does alcohol! If possible please refrain from taking pain medication until after being pierced.
- Can all of my friends come and watch?
Please no! We understand some people need a little moral support (which is completely okay) however our body piercers choose to allow no more than one extra person back into the piercing room during the procedure – we will make exceptions for very few cases such as a child who would like both parents to be in the room. We like to have a calm, low energy during our body piercing experience to ensure that you and our piercer are both relaxed and not distracted – we do not like trying to pierce a moving (or snapchatting) target!
- What is your body jewelry made of?
Our basic body jewelry (which is included in the price of all of our piercings) is made of hand polished 316L surgical stainless steel and we offer upgrades in all styles of body jewelry made of ASTM F-136 implant grade titanium for those who may be hyper-sensitive. We also have surgical grade silicone and glass retainers for those looking for jewelry to wear to work or during medical procedures! If there is a specific type of jewelry you are looking for once your new piercing has healed we are able to custom order just about anything – stop in and talk with one of our body piercers to place an order!
- How much do your piercings cost?
See our price list, HERE!
- Can you re-pierce something that I’ve already had pierced?
In order for a re-piercing to be successful, your skin must be stable. If your skin is still red/pink, sore or you still have a discharge coming from the pierced area it’s best to wait until your skin has healed completely! In general it’s best to wait at least two months depending on your body’s specific healing rate. If you feel like you have a bit of scar tissue in the area you are wanting to have re-pierced we suggest massaging the area daily for 5-10 minutes at at time using an oil (such as carrot seed, cedarwood, or geranium essential oils diluted down with coconut or vitamin e oil...just to name a few) to help break up your scar tissue so it’s easier for your body to absorb! This page has some wonderful tips and tricks on using oils to help reduce scar tissue!
- Why is it better to be pierced by hollow needles rather than a piercing gun?
We could go on for days with all of the reasons why getting your ears pierced via piercing gun in the mall (or anywhere for that matter) is terrible – but we’ll try and break it down.
The technicians they stick behind these torture devices have usually little to almost no training on technique, or even more horrifying, bloodborne pathogens and cross contamination. The most important part of working with blood and bodily fluids is having knowledge, understanding and practicing safe sterilization techniques. Most companies that offer ear piercing wipe the gun with an alcohol towelette and are ready for their next victim which is NOT sterile. Our body piercers have apprenticed under a body piercer with 15+ years of experience and have been in the body modification for over 5 years. We use a mixture of disposable and surgical stainless tools and our needles are NEVER EVER EVER reused. Any surgical stainless tools that are used during a procedure go through a series of soaks, then they are scrubbed, bagged and dated then ran through our autoclave. The next time you are thinking about swinging through the mall to get a “drive-thru” piercing by an 18 year old who was trained by piercing a teddy bear - do yourself a favor and google Hepatitis C/piercing gun statistics. You’re welcome!
Another main concern with piercing guns is the fact that they cause so much trauma to your skin! The gun forces a blunt stud earring through your skin literally causing your skin to rip to make room for the jewelry. OUCH. Once the jewelry is through it pinches the butterfly back tight onto the ear leaving little to no room for swelling. This is why they always tell you to play with your jewelry and spin it – so your body doesn’t try to eat the jewelry! We use super sharp hollow needles that glide through the skin effortlessly to create the perfect sized hole to fit your new body jewelry. As with any new piercing the jewelry will have a little extra room to allow your body to slightly swell and breath properly ensuring a quick happy healing process!
Obviously some people can heal fine from being pierced by a gun - but why risk you or your child's health?
- I have to have an MRI/CAT scan and my physician has instructed me that I must take out my body jewelry, why is this?
Many studies have shown that it is generally not necessary to remove body jewelry for an MRI, X-ray or any other type of scan unless the jewelry is in the area of examination and can get in the way while reading test results. High quality jewelry is non-ferromagnetic (non-magnetic) and will not react to the MRI equipment, however low quality jewelry could be a problem. Metallic jewelry will be visible in scan test results and can actually blur CAT or CT images – so it is always best just to be safe and remove the jewelry. If you are concerned that your body may close up in the time your jewelry is removed we do have implant grade silicone and glass retainers that may be worn, after consulting with your physician.
As with any body modification done at Revolution Ink, we will do absolutely everything we can to ensure a quick easy healing process for you. However you are in charge of following the provided aftercare instructions and taking care of your new piercing. There are no written or implied guarantees if you do not take care of your piercing. And remember – everyone heals differently. Be patient and listen to your body!