A good piercer welcomes questions. They are a sign that you are an informed client who takes the process seriously. The answers you receive tell you more about a studio than any review.
The most important questions to ask a piercer: what material is the jewellery, is it internally threaded, what sterilisation do you use, will you assess my anatomy before marking, and what aftercare do you recommend? A professional piercer will answer all of these clearly and specifically.
The 10 Questions
1. What material is the starter jewellery?
Acceptable answers: implant-grade titanium ASTM F-136 or F-1295, implant-grade steel ASTM F-138, or solid 14k+ nickel-free gold. Be wary of: surgical steel, medical-grade, or hypoallergenic without a standard specified.
2. Is the jewellery internally threaded?
Internally threaded means a smooth bar threads are inside, on the top's pin. Externally threaded means thread grooves on the bar that drag through the healing channel. Acceptable answer: yes, always internally threaded.
Read more: Internally Threaded vs Externally Threaded
3. Do you use an autoclave?
Acceptable answer: yes, on premises, spore-tested regularly. Ask to see it.
4. Are the needles single-use and sterile?
Acceptable answer: yes, every needle is single-use in a sealed sterile package opened in front of you and discarded immediately after.
5. Will you assess my anatomy before marking?
Acceptable answer: yes, always, with your approval in the mirror before proceeding.
6. Is my anatomy suitable for this placement?
Essential for anatomy-dependent placements: daith, rook, septum, high nostril, vertical labret, industrial. An honest piercer tells you if the placement is not suitable.
7. What do you recommend for aftercare?
Acceptable answer: sterile saline spray (0.9% NaCl) twice daily. If they recommend alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or tea tree oil outdated advice contradicting APP guidelines.
8. How long will this placement take to heal?
A good piercer gives a realistic range with caveats. Be wary of very fast timelines (it will heal in 2 weeks) or vague non-answers.
9. What should I do if something goes wrong?
Acceptable answer: contact information for follow-up, advice on when to come back vs when to see a doctor.
10. Can I see examples of your healed work?
An experienced piercer has a portfolio of healed piercings -- not just fresh ones. A refusal to show healed work is telling.
| Question | Good answer | Concerning answer |
|---|---|---|
| Jewellery material? | ASTM F-136 / F-1295 titanium | Surgical steel, hypoallergenic (vague) |
| Internally threaded? | Yes, always | What does that mean? |
| Autoclave on premises? | Yes, can show you | We send equipment away |
| Single-use needles? | Yes, opened in front of you | We clean them |
| Anatomy check? | Yes, with your approval | I'll just mark it |
| Aftercare? | Sterile saline spray | Alcohol / Tea tree oil / Betadine |
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask for a cartilage piercing?
Most important for cartilage: jewellery material (must be implant-grade titanium), internally threaded, and anatomy assessment before marking. Cartilage is less forgiving of placement errors than soft tissue.
What if a piercer cannot answer my questions?
A piercer who cannot answer basic questions about jewellery material and sterilisation lacks knowledge or is hiding something. Both are reasons to go elsewhere.
Is it rude to ask these questions?
No a professional piercer welcomes informed clients. Any piercer who is defensive about reasonable questions is revealing something about their standards.
What is the APP?
The Association of Professional Piercers is the leading body for professional standards. You can search for APP-member studios at safepiercing.org.
What if I forget to ask everything?
The most important: jewellery material (implant-grade titanium) and aftercare advice (saline only). These two tell you the most about a studio's standards.