Body Piercing News

It is said by a wise few that all things should be taken in moderation.  In the case of how many body piercings a person should have done at one time, moderation is also best.  While you may feel the urge to try to get a tongue, lip and navel piercing out of the way and get them done in one session, it is truly best (and safer) to wait and do them in separate sessions.

One of the reasons this is the best approach is because no matter how seasoned a piercing devotee you may be, your body goes into a slight form of shock each time you are pierced.  Assuming your body piercer is using sterile body piercing supplies and is properly licensed to do the procedure, by getting pierced you are exposing your body to a procedure that involves puncturing the skin (at least), and usually involves rupturing tiny blood vessels beneath the skin as well.  The loss of blood during any single piercing maybe be minimal, but combined with other piercings done within minutes of each other, can add up.  Also, the regenerative energy necessary for healing is compounded when you have more than one active site on the skin that requires healing.  Your piercer should recommend that  you spread your piercings out over time.  If he/she doesn’t suggest it you should take the initiative and show self-restraint and wait.  You and  your body will be glad you did! 🙂

In the past couple years there has been an explosion of people offering body piercing supplies online.  While at first glance body piercing kits may all appear similar, however, there are VAST differences between them that could not only make or break your piercing experience, but cost you a trip to the emergency room if you buy from the wrong source!

The truth is that almost all body art kits and supplies sold on ebay and amazon are sold by amateurs, or non-piercers trying to make a buck off people that are more green than they are to piercing.  These kits are assembled in kitchens or garages (or other unsanitary places) and thrown into a bag for sale, without any assurances or guarantees of sterility offered.  There are only a few reputable companies that offer body piercing kits and of those, we found only one company that was superior in quality, price and offered free shipping without a large order minimum – offering pre-sterilized body jewelry included in basic piercing kits from as low as only $8.00 shipped.  For more information on this company, click on this link for body piercing kits.   Happy piercing!

You may or may not be aware of this but the body art industry is going through a sweeping change.  Long gone are the days where an artist went from working out of his house to opening a small shop with some flash on the walls and a few chairs.  The hard truth is, if you have a tattoo shop open for business anywhere, the health department inspectors are coming – and if you aren’t doing it right you will either be fined heavily or shut down completely.

In states all over the country laws are changing to protect consumers against dangerous practices that have for years been allowed to go unchecked.  In California, for instance, since the passage of AB-300 (2012) shops have been shut down all over the state for not being in compliance.  Many times, shops are fined for not properly sterilizing body jewelry or for not having sterile body piercing supplies.  If you are curious as to if the shop you are in is permitted by the county health department, ask to see the shop’s permit.  It should be prominently displayed on the wall for anyone to see.  If the shop you are in does not have one on the wall, and will not produce one upon request, run (don’t walk) out of there and find a safe, and legal shop to entrust your body art to.

Today there are many places offering body jewelry; swap meets, liquor stores, smoke shops, etc.  It seems like everybody is trying to jump on the band wagon and make a buck off what is now viewed as a permanent fashion statement instead of a fleeting fad.

The problem is that most sellers of body jewelry do not understand the differences in quality or craftsmanship necessary for a piece to withstand daily wear.  That’s why it’s always a good idea to buy directly from sellers that specialize in body jewelry and body art products, such as the one found here body jewelry that offers the industry’s best replacement guarantee and free shipping with no minimum order anywhere in the USA.  Remember, the difference between a quality piece of body jewelry may be a few dollars but isn’t it worth it to avoid skin irritation or breakage problems later?  Think about it.  We welcome your comments and suggestions!

Across the nation counties and states are tightening regulations designed for a safer body art experience for customers.  From Oregon, California and Nevada to other states eastward, shops are seeing new regulations and procedural changes that can be complicated at times.  The aim of these new regulations is to standardize an industry that for decades has resisted standardization.  The end result, it is hoped, will be a safer experience for customers whether they are getting a body piercing or a new tattoo.

If you own or work in a shop that has been hit with new changes and tightened regulations, you are not alone.  Thousands of shops in California have been impacted by the implementation of AB-300 (a bill passed by the state legislature last year) that calls for increased oversight and regulation of body art establishments.  One of the mandates calls for the use of safe metals and alloy materials for body piercing, like the body piercing supplies offered here.  If you are in doubt if your shop is in compliance, speak to the shop owner for clarification.  Remember, as a body artist it is ultimately your responsibility to be in compliance at all times.  You may also contact your county health department for clarification.

A very misunderstood fact about tattoo shops is what is called the ‘shop minimum’.   While most tattoo shops will not admit to having a ‘shop minimum’, almost all of them do.  What a shop minimum represents is the least amount of money they charge for their body art services.

This is not an  hourly amount (which may be higher) but in plain terms, it’s the least amount of money you will have to show them for them to bother with you.  If this sounds bad, it is, and represents one of the only types of businesses that work this way left.  We found one shop in Southern California that does not charge a shop minimum, nor does it charge by the hour – the price you are quoted is all you will ever pay – and best of all, if you aren’t completely satisfied, they will make it right at no extra charge.  To check this shop out, click on this link here.

Getting a body piercing these days is becoming routine.  With the popularity of piercing soaring, there are many places offering piercing services.  But there can be and usually are vast differences in the quality and prices of various shops that offer piercings.

In states like California and New York, where body art is heavily regulated, you should always go to a shop that is permitted with the county health department and who uses only sterile body jewelry and piercing supplies.  Ask to see the permit of the body artist or shop before you get pierced.  Also, you should receive printed after care procedures after the piercing to insure you are informed of what is needed to heal quickly and without complications.  If you are not sure if the shop you are considering is permitted and legit, go somewhere else that is.

Trust is a very sacred thing when it comes to body art.  If you don’t trust your body piercer or tattoo artist you probably would find someone else to do your body art.  Likewise, the sterility of a body piercing kit or tools used for body piercing are only as good as the company that supplies them.

Whether you are a professional body piercer or are a self-taught piercer who pierces friends and family members at home, you need to make sure that where you are buying your supplies or piercing kit from is a reputable and fully licensed company.  Remember, it doesn’t matter how careful you are (with gloves and proper skin preparation procedures) – if what you are using to pierce, and the body jewelry you are inserting isn’t sterile, you are risking an infection or worse.   For safe piercing tips or questions contact us anytime.  Safe piercing 🙂

If you have been waiting for a legitamate real (walk-in) body piercing school to open, your wait is over.  The world’s first dedicated body piercing school has just opened in Los Angeles, California and is taking student for it’s March 2013 classes.  Founded by master body piercers, the initial course will provide the information and basic materials to successfully body pierce in a shop environment.

For more information on course dates and course requirements click on this link to the body piercing school page.

With increased competition in the body art industry comes cost-cutting moves and ways to try to appeal to a customer’s sense of value.  While some shops run specials or lower their prices, other shops resort to more dangerous ways to cut corners.

In a disturbing trend, many shops are offering to charge less for a body piercing if the customer brings their own body jewelry.  While this may sound (at first) to be a good offer, it is at best increasing the chance of infection and at worst, illegal.  Using a non-sterile piece of body jewelry in a fresh piercing is foolish and increases the chances of serious infection for the client.  If a shop offers you this kind of ‘deal’ you would be advised to run (not walk) away since not only is their ‘deal’ inviting an infection into your near future, but they are operating illegally and probably are not registered with the health department either.  To find guaranteed sterilized body jewelry and quality body piercing supplies click on the link.  And remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true it usually is!