It is normal to have a few questions before and after getting pierced. On this page, you will find 20 answers to the most frequently asked questions.
#001 | At what age can I get pierced?
In the Netherlands, it is possible to get a piercing at the age of 12. You do need consent from your parents or legal guardians. At the age of 16, you can get pierced without permission. Always bring your ID or passport to your appointment.
#002 | Do you use a piercing gun?
I never use a piercing gun. A piercing gun causes blunt-force trauma, which results in a prolonged healing period for your piercing. It can also shatter the cartilage during the process. The only safe way to get pierced is with a piercing needle.
#003 | Do you use anaesthetics before piercing?
I never use an anaesthetic in the form of cream or liquid before piercing. Numbing creams negatively impact the healing of your piercing. Without a license, I am not allowed to legally use, store, or sell anaesthetics in liquid form.
#004 | Does getting pierced hurt?
It will hurt, as one would expect. How much it hurts depends on a few factors like the placement, your pain threshold, prior experiences with piercings, and so on. The pain will subside for the most part once I finished piercing.
#005 | Which material do you use to pierce with?
During piercing, I mainly use implant grade titanium (TI 6AL-4V ELI ASTM F136). Jewellery made from implant grade titanium meets high quality standards and is also hypoallergenic. On request, I can also pierce with solid gold, niobium, or glass.
#006 | Is the colour gold available to pierce with?
Jewellery made of implant grade titanium comes in the standard colour silver. I also offer these pieces of jewellery in the colour gold and even rose gold! The different colours are done safely through a process called anodizing.
#007 | Can I get a new piercing done with a ring?
It is possible but not advised. It could significantly increase the chances of complications. Examples of this are prolonged healing or a lower probability of healing. Those that are the least affected by this are the earlobe, daith or septum piercings.
#008 | Can I bring my own jewellery?
That is certainly possible for a healed piercing. That will not be possible for a new piercing. In that case, I will use the pieces of jewellery that are in the studio. Every piece of jewellery used during piercing is of high quality and sterile.
#009 | Can the same spot be pierced twice?
It mainly depends on how the pierced tissue has healed. Going through the same spot would not be advised with excessive scarring or an ingrown infection. In that case, it would be best to change the placement of the piercing, even by a little bit.
#010 | How much does a piercing cost?
The price of a piercing depends on the type of piercing, the colour of your jewellery and the type of jewellery used for piercing. To view the starting rate of a particular piercing, please click on “prices” in the navigation bar.
#011 | May I bring someone with me?
It is normal to be nervous about getting your new piercing done. In this case, you may bring a maximum of one person along to your appointment. This way, we can avoid crowding in the studio.
#012 | How can I make an appointment with you?
The fastest and easiest way would be to visit my website and click on “appointments” in the navigation bar. Here you will be able to book your appointment by yourself. The alternative would be to contact me via my website or social media.
#013 | How long does my piercing need to heal?
That depends on the piercing. Piercings in the cartilage of the ear, navel, and nipple take about 6 – 9 months. Nose piercings require 3 – 4 months. Piercings in your earlobe or lip need 7 – 9 weeks. Oral piercings take about 4 – 6 weeks.
#014 | Is downsizing the jewellery important?
It is important to downsize the jewellery after the swelling has subsided. This helps your piercing from healing poorly. The initial jewellery is meant to accommodate the swelling, but not meant to be worn through the entire healing period.
#015 | What should I do if my piercing is infected?
There are too many variables that can result in the poor healing of a piercing. Whatever the case may be, keep the jewelry in and visit your local piercer. With their rich knowledge and experience, they can determine the best course of action.
#016 | What size jewellery fits my piercing best?
This depends a lot on the type of piercing, type of jewellery, your anatomy, and the way it got pierced. You can compare it to buying shoes. There is no such thing as one size fits all. Your local piercer can measure and determine the size you need.
#017 | Can I get pierced during pregnancy?
This is not advised. Your body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy. One of those changes involves your immune system, which gets weaker during pregnancy. A piercing can be considered a few months after giving birth.
#018 | Can my body reject the jewellery?
This is possible. Piercings that go through an area of skin, instead of a body part, have a higher risk of rejection. Examples of these piercings are eyebrow, microdermal or navel piercing. Visit your local piercer if you think that your piercing is being rejected.
#019 | Do you perform a snake eyes piercing?
I do not perform this type of piercing. On the long term this piercing will damage your tongue and teeth. There is also the risk of your body rejecting this piercing. The same applies for the scoop piercing. The only safe tongue piercings are done vertically.
#020 | Can I keep my jewellery in during an MRI?
That depends on what the expert says. Since titanium jewellery is not magnetic, it will not interfere with the MRI scanner. The jewellery, however, can be picked up by the MRI scanner and stand in the way of what they are trying to take a picture of.
#021 | Can I keep my jewellery in during surgery?
That depends a lot on the surgeon, the type of surgery and the placement of your piercing. The jewellery should be removed if your surgeon asks for it. Visit your local piercer if you cannot remove the jewellery or have trouble putting it back in.
