Getting a piercing is generally for aesthetics or personal expression, but it all starts with something more like a medical procedure. You’re putting your trust in someone who’s about to use equipment to make a hole in your skin.
Now that’s sunk in, you’ll want to know how you can tell a safe, trustworthy and clean piercing store from one that…isn’t any of these things. It’s an important distinction because you don’t want to feel scared, pressured, unsafe or, worse, end up with a nasty piercing. There are a few ways to spot a good store, so let’s look at the main ones.
Your ideal store should be visibly very clean
It doesn’t have to look like an operating theatre in the shop area, but surfaces should be clean and uncluttered. Staff should be well-presented and have clean clothes, hands and hair, even if it’s in dreads. All piercings should be completed in a clinically clean room. If the piercing is completed at the front of the store we can nearly guarantee it won’t be bacteria free and we suggest you run.. far far away.. All the way to your nearest SK store to be exact.
You should feel welcome immediately
If you’re made to feel uncool, or unwelcome, then this isn’t the place for you (or anyone, for that matter). Whether its your first or your thirty-first piercing, you should be treated with the same respect. Obviously if you already have a few piercings the chat might be a bit different and staff will assume a certain level of prior knowledge, but you shouldn’t be treated better than someone with no piercings.
Squad should be knowledgeable and ask lots of questions
Not all of these questions will make sense! You might be asked whether you have diabetes, skin conditions, if you’re pregnant or if you have any contagious conditions. There are good reasons for these questions, so trust your Squad member. It’s when they don’t ask any questions that you should bail.
You should never feel pressured
If you get to your appointment and you just don’t want to go through with it, then no-one should force you. Similarly, if you want to have a look at the store a couple of times before committing, then that should be fine too. It’s hopefully the start of a relationship, so take it all at your own pace.
Leave a comment