Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of our most commonly asked questions. Click/tap the question to toggle open the answer!

+ What are your COVID-19 policies?

We will be doing our best to stay up-to-date with studio-specific policies on our home page ». At times, we require masks for all entry, and may change specific service offerings on local numbers.

+ Do I need an appointment?

The simple answer: yes.

At this time, walk-ins are not accepted. Appointments are required given how busy our studio stays, and so that we can adequately social distance in response to COVID-19.

If you would like to do more than one piercing, you will need to book more than one appointment. This includes if you would like to book for a group or if one person wants multiple piercings in one sitting.

Appointments can be booked using our online scheduling service » . Appointments cannot be created, rescheduled, or canceled via phone, email, or other avenues, such as Facebook messenger.

+ Can I cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Short answer: Yes! We try to make this fast, simple, and easy by providing you a link to your email and text to alter your appointment as soon as it's made.

Rescheduling without penalty can occur up to 12 hours before an appointment. You will be charged the late cancellation/no-show fee should you cancel or reschedule your appointment within the 12-hour period leading to your appointment.

The only way to cancel or reschedule and avoid the cancellation fee is through the link provided in your email or text that confirms your appointment. Appointments cannot be created, rescheduled, or canceled via voicemail, email, or other avenues such as Facebook/Instagram messenger. Unless you cancel/reschedule using the link, it will not be considered cancelled, and you risk being charged a cancellation fee.

If you need help, you are always welcome to call during business hours so that we can assist you.

Full information about appointments, rescheduling, cancellations, and deposits can be found on our policies + terms page ».

+ How much does a piercing cost? What is the price of jewelry?

We stock such a wide variety of jewelry options for your piercings, thus we break our pricing down into two components — a service fee and the cost of jewelry. To see an overview of pricing, you can visit our pricing breakdown ».

  1. Most of our piercing fees start as low as $50. An extensive list of our piercing fees can be found when booking on our online scheduling service » .
  1. Our jewelry pricing varies widely depending on material, size, and style. There are often too many variables to give a simple answer for the jewelry pricing! For more of a breakdown on what jewelry we offer, you can visit our jewelry page » or give us a call.

With our service pricing, there is often a discount offered for multiple piercings done in the same sitting, though this depends on the placement. You are always welcome to call for details and further quotes. Additionally, other services such as jewelry changes will have small fees. And consultations are always free!

We accept all major debit cards + credit cards, as well as cash, checks, and touchless options. We also offer Monarch gift cards » !

+ Of what material is the jewelry made?

Our most affordable jewelry options are made in the U.S. with ASTM F-136 implant-grade titanium (or niobium where applicable), as is a recommended material by the Assocation of Professional Piercers». We also offer solid 14k and 18k gold options. We have pieces with a variety of lab-grown and natural-grown gems and stones. Other options, such as lead-free glass, are available for certain situations, such as stretched piercings or retainers.

For even more about our jewelry, you can visit our jewelry page » .

+ What do I need to get a piercing?

First, you’ll have to set an appointment! Generally speaking, the only other things required are suitable anatomy for the piercing desired, the ability to consent, and proper identification.

ID(s) must be presented before all piercing and jewelry changing procedures, even for returning clients. We recommend reading our terms + policies » for full information.

For piercings in or around the mouth and nose, we may require a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination For current requirements, please visit our home page ».

Without all proper ID(s), you may lose your appointment and pay the cancellation fee.

+ What IDs or documents do I bring?

For piercings and jewelry changes for any area underneath the mask, we may require COVID information. Please view home page » for up-to-date information.

More detailed info on acceptable forms of identification are detailed on our terms + policies » page. We cannot accept expired IDs under any circumstances.

For ages 18+: Government ID.

  • An unexpired, government-issued ID that has your photo, date of birth, and expiration date
  • Examples include a driver's license, state identification card, passport, or green card.

For ages below 18: Guardian's ID and legal proof of guardianship/proof of minor's age

  • A notarized/government-issued copy of the birth certificate and/or other notarized/government-issued proof of guardianship (such as court papers).
    • Items, such as a minor's ID or social security card, will not suffice.
  • The guardian must also have unexpired, government-issued ID (as described in 18+).
  • Legal guardian must stay present during the procedure
  • If a minor is emancipated, we require legal proof of emancipation and government ID.

+ What are the age requirements for your piercings?

With all clients, the proper IDs are required. The previous section and our terms + policies » cover more on this topic.

We're very experienced with children and are always more than happy to be part of such a memorable experience!

  • Ages 0-4: none; we do not pierce infants and toddlers
  • Ages 5-11: earlobe
  • Ages 12-14: earlobe and basic helix (cartilage of the outer ear)
  • Ages 15-17: most services (including, but not limited to, nostril, industrial, navel, daith, etc.) except for the following: larger gauge, surface/”dermal”, tongue, nipple, or genital piercings
  • Ages 18+: full range of services

Our piercers reserve the right to make ethical decisions with clients about what's best for their bodies.

You are also welcome to schedule a free consultation! This can help alleviate anxiety prior to being pierced, and allow any questions or concerns to be addressed in advance. We've found this to be especially helpful for young children considering piercings.

+ Do you pierce babies' ears?

Our age policy is 5 years and older. There are a few reasons we hold off.

  • Infants and toddlers younger than 5 are often less able to sit still safely for the piercing.
  • At this age they are certainly often less able to follow instructions to care for a healing piercing, like not touching or yanking on it when it aches or itches as it heals.
    • We’ve heard of and seen the aftermath of very small children even ripping their earrings through their ears because they didn’t know what they were doing or didn’t have total control over their limbs yet.
  • Their bodies, including the earlobes and immune system, are developing rapidly, and it poses a unique infection risk.
  • Even if we pierce the ears perfectly straight now, in a few years, those same piercings could be very low or crooked because of how much the body changes in these early stages.
    • We repierce tons of lobes for people who had it done as babies and they’re now very low on the ear lobe and/or crooked.

We certainly would love to be part of this great moment with your family, and we appreciate that you would trust us with your child. In our experience and expertise, we think it’s better to hold off, and we will be happy to be part of that experience at a more appropriate age.

+ Do you pierce (two things) at the same time?

Short answer: You are able to book many piercings in one sitting. We do not offer for any piercings to be done simultaneously, but we find that this does not cause any issue, even for children or difficult piercings.

Piercing tandem often does not save much time or discomfort on your part, even if we had the opportunity to offer this! Adults and children alike receive their piercings one at a time at our studio without issue.

+ Do you allow children in the studio?

We allow minors under age 13 only if the minor is the one receiving a piercing.

You will have to cancel or reschedule to another day if you arrive with a minor under 13. If you arrive with multiple minors, regardless of age, who are not getting pierced, you will have to cancel or reschedule.

Any loud or hyperactive children will be asked to stay outside until they can calm down or to return another day when they are better behaved.

No member of our staff is responsible for watching individuals who require supervision, and you will be held responsible and liable for damages and theft by individuals you bring who would not be held legally responsible.

+ Is there anything that could prevent me from getting pierced?

Lacking IDs. You must have your non-expired, government issued ID to get a piercing, and minors must have specific paperwork to prove that the person with them is their legal guardian.

General Health. If you are currently ill, even if you do not have COVID-19, we will not pierce you, as your body and immune system are under enough stress and has a higher likelihood of healing the piercing poorly. If you have a chronic illness or disability, we encourage speaking to us and/or your healthcare provider before receiving a piercing.

Skin/Tissue Health. If the area which you are requesting to have pierced is experiencing a rash, outbreak, or other condition, we ask that you return for that piercing when that part of the body is healthy and well again — it really is for the best! If you’re unsure, or you feel your situation is more specific, you are always welcome to ask; we are never going to think any less of you for being sure of your health and safety.

Pregnancy/nursing. We will not pierce anyone who is pregnant or nursing. A pregnant/nursing individual’s body is undergoing many changes that can make healing a piercing very difficult. Additionally, in the (albeit unlikely) event a pregnant person were to develop an infection, it could be hazardous to the child/fetus as well.

Anatomy. Everyone's body is very different, and some piercings are anatomy-dependent and require consults prior to getting pierced to ensure your body can accommodate the piercing you're looking to receive. We won't do any piercing that we do not think is safe or would be unlikely to heal well or be comfortable.

Drugs/alcohol. No individual who is in any way impaired in any degree by alcohol and/or other drugs can receive a piercing at our studio. Not only would someone under the influence be unable to appropriately consent to being pierced, but they would also bleed a considerable amount more.

Belligerence. Our piercers reserve the right to turn down any client who is being argumentative, disorderly, or seems not mature or healthy enough to get a piercing on that particular day.

None of these will mean to say that an individual turned down for any reason cannot get pierced at all or cannot receive one at a later date unless otherwise notified.

+ Will you pierce with a clear retainer?

Retainers move around a great deal and could fall out significantly more easily; they are solid glass pieces with only one fixed side, so they are not as secure. We recommend them only for temporary use, and preferably only in healed piercings (unless in lobes or larger gauge piercings).

We also recommend glass retainers if you require something clear or non-metallic. Other materials that are clear, such as plastics and acrylics, are not suitable for your piercing (porous, will break dwn inside the body, cannot be sterilized, etc.).

We do offer, for some piercings, a piece that may look more like a mole or freckle if it needs to be hidden!

+ Will you pierce with a ring?

It depends on the piercing. Some piercings actually heal better with rings or curved pieces, and we will always do them this way! Two great examples would be a septum or a daith.

Even those in which we might use a ring, the jewelry will need some sort of bead or design to keep it from spinning continuously in your fresh piercing and causing it damage.

Most piercings, however, will not start with rings. If you want something close-fitting, small, or cuff-like, it is especially best to wait until your piercing is totally healed before changing to a ring like this!

+ Are infections common? Do I have an infection?

We are not doctors/physicians/healthcare providers. We cannot diagnose infection.

In our experience, piercings done by us will become infected extremely rarely.

We use sterile implements and jewelry, as well as aseptic technique. Additionally, we often guide people through finding the cause of irritations, and with the alleviation of irritants the problem will soon resolve. For this reason, we believe it is likely infection is vastly rarer after receiving a piercing in our studio than is irritation (we cannot know for a fact because we are not healthcare professionals nor claim to be; thus we cannot diagnose infection to know rates of infection). Irritation signs can vary, and may include itchiness, swelling, redness, bumps, mild white/yellow oozing, and bleeding — even on years-old piercings.

According to some medical professionals, some signs of an actual skin infection might appear in ways such as the skin far around the site is overly warm or hot, green or “unnaturally” yellow discharge comes from the site, swollen glands (lymph nodes) near the affected area, or red streaks surround on the skin near the site. (source) (source)

Potential infection is nothing to ignore. Should you suspect one, contact your healthcare provider immediately. If you believe it may be irritation, we will gladly take a look to try to help out and do so for people all the time!

+ Do you pierce with jewelry from… (another place/my original piercing/etc.)?

We will only pierce with jewelry if it is from our studio. Unfortunately, we simply cannot verify the jewelry has never been worn, nor can we know the content/grade of other outside jewelry without a mill certificate or other proof of alloy testing. Therefore, we cannot accept outside jewelry, even if it is “labeled” with a certain metal content or sealed for a brand-new piercing, on anyone.

If the gem/front end of your jewelry was originally purchased from us, we may be able to pierce with it under the stipulation that it has never been worn or has been worn only by you (not a partner, child, friend, other family member, etc.). We will still require that the part that actually travels through the piercing channel (meaning the backing/shaft/ring/labret/etc.) be brand new for the safety and health of your new piercing, ourselves, and our other clients, due to the complex nature of biofilms creating issue with full sterilization.

Any jewelry that is worn, whether you want a piercing or jewelry change, must be dropped off at least on the business day prior to your piercing or change. For example, if you schedule a service for 5:15p on Wednesday, you must bring in the decorative end by 5:55p on Sunday. We must fully reprocess your jewelry to be safe for wear and for our machinery, which is done outside of business hours for everyone's health and safety.

If you are confused by these rules or have further questions, please contact if you're unsure!

+ When can I… (go swimming/take the piercing out/put in a retainer/sleep on it/switch to a ring/etc.)?

We recommend that you do not irritate your piercing or your body further. Our recommendation will almost always be to leave a piercing alone until it is fully healed and not introduce outside irritants.

If submerging the piercing is unavoidable (such as in bathtubs, hot tubs, swimming pools, or natural bodies of water), we recommend using waterproof plasters or bandaging around the entire piercing site. No bandage on the market is 100% consistent and stays waterproof for extended wear, and the safest option will always be not submerging your piercing at all.

If you are worried about your piercing, are curious about options for hiding the piercing, or have other questions, feel free to schedule a consultation! We always want you to be confident in the new you.

+ Will nipple piercings affect breast/chest feeding now or in the future?

We will not perform piercings on someone who is currently pregnant or breast/chest feeding. However, breast/chest feeding for a healed piercing can still be in done in the future! The milk ducts are actually a network of many tiny, pore-like ducts. The likelihood of closing them all off with a piercing is virtually zero.

It is important to note that the nipple jewelry itself absolutely must be removed during actual feedings, as it can pose a choking hazard. Also, some milk may come from the piercing site, but this is not harmful.

+ Are genital piercings safe? Could I lose sensation (or worse)?

There are sadly many misconceptions about piercings generally, but perhaps especially those for genital piercings on all bodies.

If any piercing was to be found truly unsafe for an individual, we simply would not perform.

Genital tissue is, generally, quite elastic and resilient, as well as protected from many contaminants because of our clothing. Because of these factors, genital piercings frankly often heal more quickly and with fewer complications than do other piercings!