AGE REQUIREMENTS

 

Ankh Tattoo and Piercing reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we feel is not ready, responsible or mature enough to receive and care for a body piercing.  

Children under 6 years of age are not permitted in the shop.         

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian                                                                                     

(see “Minor Identification Requirements” below).

 

• Ear Lobes:   (Please see "Ear Lobe Piercings on Minors" below)

    6 and up

 

• Nostril, Septum, Ear Cartilage, Eyebrow & Navel:    

    14 and up

 

• Lip and Tongue:    

    17 and up

 

• Nipple:                              

    18 and up

 

 

 

IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

We need to know who and how old you say you are. 

 

You can do this by providing a:

1. State Issued Drivers License,

2. State Issued Identification Card,

3. Passport or School ID + Birth Certificate

 

 

MINOR IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.  Both the minor and the adult need to provide proof of relation to each other as well as the age of the minor. 

Basically you need to show us that the minor is old enough to receive the body piercing and that your Mom (Dad or guardian) is actually your parent.  

This can be accomplished by providing:

Matching last names of Parent & Minor on your Drivers Licenses or Passports.

Birth Certificate along with school ID (or year book photo) and accompanying parent's ID.

Birth Certificate, Insurance Card, School Registration Records, Marriage Certificate, Adoption Papers, Foster Parent Documents, etc, etc – we really aren’t that picky.  We just need you to show us how old the minor is and how you two are related.

For Ear Lobes only, we will accept the minor’s Birth Certificate and an accompanying parent's ID.

 

EAR LOBE PIERCINGS ON MINORS

• Thank you for your consideration in taking your child to Ankh Tattoo and Piercing to get his or her ears lobes pierced.  The steps you, as a parent, are taking to ensure their health and safety is commendable.  

• We want this to be a positive experience for both you and your child, and in order to do so we are going to need your help.  First off we want to make sure your child is actually ready to get their ears pierced and not just placating someone else.  Can they be brave?  The piercing itself is just a pinch but the anticipation can be excruciating.  Is he or she mature enough to hold still, follow directions and take care of these piercings when you leave?  If they meet these few requirements we should be golden!

• Please leave younger siblings and rambunctious older siblings at home with a friend or family member. 

• We all perform our best when we are not tired or hungry – get a good night’s rest & eat before coming in.

• We only have a 1/2 hour to get these piercings done before we really need to be back to helping other people.  If your little one is actually ready to get their ears pierced, this is more than enough time to make this a fun and positive experience.

• The cost of ear piercings is $40 plus the cost of body jewelry.  Once we are in the piercing room and all of our sterile supplies have been pulled out the fee will be applied whether we go through with the ear piercing or not.

• Before the big day, and to help prepare yourselves, you and your child are more than welcome to take a tour of Ankh Tattoo and Piercing.

• Come in and meet the body piercer.

• Ask any questions you can think of regarding the procedure and take a peek at the private body piercing room.

• We really do want this to be a fun and positive experience for both of you.

• Please don’t hesitate to address any questions or concerns you may have.

 

FAQ

Do I need an appointment for a body piercing or other body piercing service?

Yes, it is encouraged to call ahead of time to schedule an appointment for any body piercing service. Although walk ins are always welcome please be advised there may be a longer than usual wait without an appointment.

What should I look for when choosing a piercing shop?

You should look for a clean environment with friendly and informative body piercer(s).  Ask lots of questions of your piercer.  Ask to see their autoclave and monthly, passed, spore test.  This will help you to know that their tools are sterile.  Also, ask them where they were trained and ask to see their portfolio.   Most importantly, ask around - word of mouth is usually a great way to find a great piercer.  And checking out the Association of Professional Piercers website won’t hurt either.   www.safepiercing.org

Does it hurt?

Yes, but for less than a second and significantly less than most people anticipate.

Seriously, the anticipation is the most painful part.

We are constantly told “that didn’t hurt nearly as much as I thought it would.”

If a piercing is performed quickly and appropriately the discomfort from the piercing is less uncomfortable than many things we encounter in every day life such as stubbing your toe or biting your tongue.

Can you numb the area to be pierced?

Nope.  Only a licensed medical professional can legally administer injectible anesthetics.  Besides, the logistics of receiving a shot to relieve the discomfort of a shot (piercing) is a little baffling.  We have found that if a piercing is performed by a skilled, professional piercer, the actual piercing is quicker and considerably less painful than the injectable anesthetic is.

Do the piercers at Ankh  Tattoo and Piercing use a piercing gun?

HECK NO!!!  A professional piercer would never use an ear-piercing gun, even on an earlobe.  There are many reasons for this, primarily because piercing guns cannot be adequately sterilized between uses.  Secondly, the jewelry design is inappropriate, even for lobes, as the post is too short to allow for swelling and proper cleaning.  In addition, the backing of the earring traps infectious matter close to the piercing.

What kind of jewelry is safe for piercings?

Providing that the jewelry design is appropriate for the specific piercing, jewelry that is made out of Implant Grade Surgical Stainless Steel or Titanium, pure 14K or 18K gold, or Niobium all work well in new body piercings.  These are the best materials to use to prevent adverse reactions to the new object in your body.  The biggest thing to remember is not all body jewelry is same and remember the old saying “if it seems too good to be true (inexpensive) it probably is”.

What are the chances of getting an infection?

If you are pierced at Ankh Tattoo and Piercing and follow our after suggestions faithfully, the chances of getting an infection are virtually nonexistent.  We take great care to ensure that all piercings are performed in an appropriately clean environment, using sterile equipment.  After that, it’s up to you.  Introducing bacteria to a piercing (i.e.: touching the piercing with unwashed hands) is how most piercings become infected.  There are, however, many conditions that are not infections that may be mistaken as such. They include mistreatment of the piercing, reactions to metal or cleaning agent(s) you are using.  Consult a piercer at Ankh Tattoo and Piercing with any questions or concerns.

Should I “spin” my jewelry when cleaning a new piercing?

No.  Spinning the jewelry can create micro tears which will allow bacteria to enter your piercing via the “crust” that many times forms on your jewelry, as well as dirty fingers. The less you move your jewelry, the quicker your piercing is likely to heal.

Why Ankh Tattoo and Piercing doesn’t suggest cleaning piercings with alcohol, Hibiclens or hydrogen peroxide or ointments.

These items, simply put, are too harsh.  Yes, they’ll kill any bacteria that may be on, or near, your piercing but they will also kill the beneficial, or good, bacteria that your piercing needs to heal properly.  Ointments, such as Neosporin, do not allow your piercing to drain with could trap bacteria hindering the healing process.

Will drinking beer after an oral piercing give you a yeast infection?

Nope.  Alcohol may be an irritant, but a yeast infection is more likely to occur from over cleaning.

Can half of your face go numb/become paralyzed if an eyebrow (or tragus, or tongue, etc.) is pierced incorrectly.

Again, the answer is no.  Nerves tend to “hide” near the bone and under the muscles as protection from minor cuts, burns, bruises, etc.  A piercing should never be so deep that this is a concern.

Can I go swimming in a lake or the pool or sit in the hot tub during the initial healing period?

We don’t recommend this. Lakes, pools, hot tubs, even bathtubs are great harbingers of bacteria and will increase your risk of getting an irritated (at best) or infected piercing.  If taking a bath is your only means of bathing, make sure and clean your tub with a mild bleach solution and rinse thoroughly before entering.

My employer doesn’t allow facial or oral piercings… What should I do?

Many people have this same dilemma.  Often, you can still keep your piercing by simply investing in a retainer (a clear, or flesh-toned Pyrex or quartz piece), that will keep your piercing open, but appear almost invisible to the unsuspecting eye.  Ask about our selection!!!

Can I use my own body jewelry?

Body jewelry needs to be the highest quality, made of the absolute best materials, the  design needs to be specific for the body part, the gauge/length/diameter of the jewelry needs to be perfect for your anatomy and the jewelry needs to be pre-sterilized.  Because body jewelry that has been purchased elsewhere will not fit all of these standards, we will not use body jewelry that has been purchased elsewhere. 

However, if you had previously purchased your jewelry from us (getting something re-pierced for example), bringing in your own jewelry shouldn’t be a problem.  Sterilization fees may apply.