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PIERCING FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A PIERCING?
At Athame, we only perform piercings on those aged 16+ (10 and above for lobe piercings) even with parental consent. Genital and nipple piercings are strictly 18+ for all genders. We require ID for anyone getting a piercing, as well as parent ID for those under 18. Our age and ID policy is fixed and we can't make special allowances. Failure to bring the correct ID will result in your appointment being cancelled and a £10 cancellation fee being issued. For our full age & ID policy click here.
CAN I GET A PIERCING WITH MY MUM/DAD'S CONSENT?
If you are under 16 we will not perform any piercings on you except lobe piercings, even with parental consent. If you are 16 or 17 we will need your parent's consent and for them to accompany you to your appointment. We can't take the consent of your aunt/uncle/grandma/brother, unless they're your legal guardian. Whoever is accompanying you must also bring ID - passports, driving licence, and citizen cards are all acceptable - failure to do so will result in your appointment being cancelled with a £10 cancellation fee. For our full age & ID policy click here.
DO YOU USE PIERCING GUNS?
Nope! Although they're popular among high street piercers, we never use piercing guns at Athame, as they can cause unnecessary damage to the ear and make healing more difficult. Instead, we use needles. Although it might sound a little frightening, needle piercings are generally less painful than those done with piercing guns, and are easier to heal. We also do not use butterfly back jewellery, and all our piercings are performed initially with implant grade titanium flatback labrets.
WHAT JEWELLERY DO YOU USE?
All jewellery used at Athame Piercings is high-polish implant-grade titanium (certified ASTM F136-13) which contains no nickel, which can be an irritant and is present in a lot of cheap jewellery, including jewellery which claims to be 'surgical steel' or '9ct gold'. For the majority of piercings, we use internally-threaded flatback labrets. For septum piercings, daith piercings, rook piercings, tongue piercings, bridge piercings, eyebrow piercings, navel (belly button) piercings, nipple piercings and intimate piercings we use appropriately-shaped titanium bar and barbell jewellery.
CAN YOU PIERCE WITH A RING?
For the majority of piercings, we won't be able to perform the initial piercing with a ring. This is because rings can put pressure on the tunnel (fistula) created by the needle and cause movement of the jewellery, which in turn can trigger irritation bumps, longer healing times, as well as lots of soreness and pain. We recommend you get the initial piercing with a labret and then swap it out for a ring after it has healed. The only exception to this is daith piercings and septum piercings.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN MY PIERCING?
The best and safest way to clean your piercing is with saline spray and medical gauze 2-3 times a day. Do not use salt water, as this is not sterile and can be abrasive, leading to infection. Avoid using any additional oils, serums, or creams that claim to help your piercing heal faster, as this isn't possible. Check out our full aftercare guide for everything you need to know about keeping your piercing clean and healthy.
HOW LONG DOES (PIERCING) TAKE TO HEAL?
Depending on where your piercing is, healing times will vary dramatically. We've put together a handy guide to piercing healing times here.
DO YOU DO GENITAL PIERCINGS?
The only genital piercings we currently perform are female piercings, such as Christina piercings, vertical clitoral hood (VCH) piercings, and others. We don't currently perform any male anatomy piercings. If you don't see the piercing you want on our booking form, call us on 01785 749206 or email frey@athamepiercings.com
WHAT COVID MEASURES DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE?
We follow all Government-issued COVID guidelines. The studio is also thoroughly disinfected between each client. We ask that if you have symptoms of COVID you reschedule your appointment for a later date when you have tested negative or no longer have symptoms. Please do not attend for walk in appointments if you have symptoms of COVID or have tested positive.
CAN MY MUM / DAD / PARTNER / FRIEND COME IN WITH ME?
Yep! We know getting a piercing can be a little bit scary, so you're welcome to bring someone into the treatment room with you.
THE LAST TIME I HAD A TATTOO / PIERCING I FAINTED, WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN?
Don't worry! You wouldn't be the first person to faint getting a piercing. The comfort and safety of customers is our top priority, and all staff at Athame are fully First Aid trained. We also offer bottled water and a sugary snack to aid with recovery, and you can take as much time as you need. If you're prone to fainting, just let us know in advance and we can build in a little extra time around your appointment.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE DISABILITIES AND SENSORY NEEDS?
Of course. We love piercing and truly believe everyone should be able to get the piercing they want without barriers, so we're doing everything we can to make our studio as accessible as possible. We are on the ground floor and have a wheelchair ramp in place. If you require special accommodations, such as quieter/no music, dimmer lights, or a longer appointment time, please let us know in advance and we'll make sure the studio is ready for you.
To book your
piercing, click here.