Frequently Asked Questions - Piercings:
How old do you have to be to get pierced?
Standard Earlobes start at just 3 years old! For all of the other piercings we offer, and the minimum age restrictions, please visit: https://www.TheBodyOdysseyArts.com/Piercings
What do I need to bring if my minor child wants a piercing?
Anyone younger than 18 is considered a minor. For details on each piercing and the minimum age requirements, please click on:
https://www.TheBodyOdysseyArts.com/Piercings/Under18Piercings
In order to get them pierced in the state of TN, the following is required:
- Accompanied the ENTIRE TIME by the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s).
- Parent / Legal Guardian Photo ID
- Proof of Parental Relationship (Child's Birth Certificate)
(If adopted, then adoption paperwork + everything else listed above)
Why would your Piercer tell me they can’t do my piercing?
Any piercer that tells you your anatomy isn’t quite right for a certain piercing absolutely has your best interest at heart! If our Piercer doesn’t think that piercing you in that particular location will heal properly, then they will tell you, and recommend something else that might be very similar to the look you were going for in the first place!
Please know that it is in no way an insult, or that we don’t want to pierce you! Every body is different, and we only want what is the absolute best for our clients!
Can I bring in my own jewelry, and you just do the Piercing?
Unfortunately, we will not pierce with jewelry from outside of our shop, because we have contracts with major body jewelry companies that only authorized piercing studios can carry, so that way we have control over the quality of the materials that we use.
How much are your piercings?
Our piercings start at just $50, and that includes the service AND the jewelry!
To view a full list of the piercings we offer, and the prices they are, simply click on: https://www.TheBodyOdysseyArts.com/Piercings
Can I just buy the jewelry without having a piercing done there?
Of course! We have a wide selection of body jewelry to choose from, with everything pretty much being around $25-$35 a piece. We also have the clear “retainer” jewelry for a lot of piercings available at just $5, and sometimes we have clearance jewelry starting at just $2!
Do I need an appointment to get pierced?
You do not need an appointment; we accept Walk-In's all the time! However, if you would like to get an idea on our Piercer’s availability, or prefer to actually have an appointment set up, simply click on: https://www.TheBodyOdysseyArts.com/Piercings/ScheduleAPiercing
What type of jewelry do you pierce with?
All of our piercings are done with ASTM F 136 Implant-Grade Titanium jewelry from companies that ONLY sell to approved piercing studios in the USA. The posts we pierce with are 100% authentic Titanium, and are completely nickel-free and safe to use for customers with a nickel allergy.
When can I change out my jewelry?
Every piercing is different for different people, so it is not possible for us to give you an exact time as to when you can change it out, but our Piercer will let you know the timeframe that is typical if all goes well. Most piercings are fine to change after 4-6 weeks, but some require 6 months to even a year.
How should I care for my new piercing?
We will give you a care sheet with Do’s and Dont’s, but basically the most important thing is to NEVER EVER EVER move your piercing!!! (Unless you are cleaning it.)
When you twist or touch or move your piercing around, you are introducing bacteria to not just the jewelry, but to all the layers of your skin as well. No matter how clean you think you are, it is extremely risky to touch or mess with your piercing. Always wash your hands & keep your environment extremely sterile any time you go to clean it.
And ONLY clean your piercing with actual piercing aftercare products. (We recommend NeilMed because it has zero additives, fragrances, preservatives, alcohol, or other harsh additives found in standard first-aid washes.) You can purchase it from us for just $10 during your visit.
Never use anything that has alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, or benzalkonium chloride (found in many over-the-counter “piercing care” products.) Never use anything too harsh like Bactine, witch hazel, tea tree oil, rubbing alcohol, or any type of thick ointment, lotion, or soap like Neosporin or Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly. All these things do to a fresh piercing is trap bacteria, kills healthy cells, and blocks the oxygen needed for tissue repair and proper healing.
And, this should go without saying, but never try to create your own concoction. (No, salt and water mixed together does not make saline piercing aftercare LOL.)
I think my piercing is infected. What should I do?
It is 100% normal to experience pain, swelling, redness, bruising and discharge/crusting on your piercing as it heals. This can continue for many weeks following your piercing, and is totally normal. (Thin, clear or pale yellow fluid that dries into crusties is called lymph fluid, and is a normal part of the healing process.)
It is very easy to confuse an infection with simple irritation. Irritation is often caused by snagging or bumping the piercing, sleeping on it, or using too harsh cleaning products, or simply not keeping it clean enough.
However, if your piercing is showing signs of a true infection, it will worsen over time and display multiple symptoms simultaneously. A true infection is often signs such as thick yellow/green discharge, spreading redness, extreme throbbing pain, swelling that engulfs the jewelry, or severe signs like fever, chills, or red streaks extending from the piercing site. If you are having issues such as these, then consult with your healthcare professional immediately.
*Never remove the jewelry (without being directed to do so by a professional) because removing it can cause the hole to close, trapping the infection inside of the tissue.
*If you have any questions or concerns at all, definitely reach out to us, either in person, or through text: (615)-800-2425
What is the importance of Downsizing my jewelry? When should I do it?
Initial piercings are done with jewelry that is much longer than normal to accommodate the natural swelling/inflammation process. As the piercing starts to heal, and the swelling goes down, that extra length becomes a hazard that can easily be caught on clothing, earbuds, hair, food, blankets, pillows, washcloths, etc.
If it gets pushed on, pulled, snagged, or slept on, the jewelry is more likely to collect crust, bacteria, hair & body products, etc, pulling them back into the wound. Your body will naturally try to push the jewelry out, which leads to migration, rejection, crooked piercings, infections, and piercing bumps.
Shorter jewelry reduces excess movement that can easily irritate the delicate tissues inside the piercing channel, so it is a CRUCIAL step in your Piercing Aftercare that you come back to downsize the jewelry once your piercing is healed.
(Typically 2-4 weeks for Oral Piercings, 6-8 weeks for Ear and Body Piercings, and up to 10 weeks or longer for Nose/Cartilage Piercings.)
I have a question about my piercing, but I didn’t have it done by you. Can I still come in?
Absolutely! Our Piercer is extremely knowledgeable, and will be more than happy to take a look at what you’ve got, and answer any questions or concerns you may have!