DOLLED UP AND DECADENT IN DIAMONDS
We are excited to offer you a quick, pleasurable experience for your piercing needs! Piercings are very quick procedures, and a relatively low commitment since they can be taken out at any time. We know you've got a little edge in your personal style, but which body piercing is the perfect fit for you? From a sterile procedure to aesthetically pleasing results, Pretty In Ink is sure to satisfy your needs.
** NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT REQUIRED **
** Please note that we do not do dermal piercings, we do not pierce people under the age of 16 and numbing cream does not work for piercings. We recommend adding on our handcrafted aftercare kit for optimal aftercare and healing.
** If you are under the age of 18, you must have the following: 1. state issued identification card or passport (to show age) 2. consenting parent or guardian 3. birth certificate showing it is your parent or legal guardianship papers. read more FAQ (at the bottom of the page) and our policies here
001. What piercings do you do?
We do not do dermal implants.
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002. How much do they cost?
Most piercings are $65 with the exception of the nipples (one for $65), industrial bar ($90) and hood ($90).
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003. Do i need an appointment?
If you want to schedule in advance, yes. An appointment with a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit will be taken. If it is a spur of the moment impulse, you are welcome to contact me to see if i have availability between appointments. For the luck of the draw, call or text 301-404-2336 to see if i can fit you in!
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004. Does it hurt?
Yes. Some more than others. Some people are more or less sensitive than others, so there is no way to really say how bad a piercing is going to feel to you. But, the point is this - could you handle a really bad pain for 30 seconds? Well, most piercings last even less time than that, and most piercings are not that bad. Yes, they hurt, but it's over so fast you really don't have much time to think about it. Some will bring a tear to your eye, but I've never heard anyone screaming bloody murder from the next room.
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005. How do i take care of my piercing?
You will want to get dial anti-bacterial non-scented hand soap. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new piercing, wash it using the soap and warm water to remove crusties and dried puss/blood from the surface. Keep it as clean as possible, don't mess with it and make sure the balls are tight. If it is swollen, you may apply ice or take ibuprofin. If you got your piercing in your mouth, you will want to purchase listerine and use it anytime you eat, drink, or smoke.
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006. Do i need to rotate my jewelry?
In my own experience, I do find that it seems most effective to just wash the piercing thoroughly and not worry about rotating the jewelry unless you notice it trying to stick.
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007. My piercing looks infected, should i take it out?
No, that's the last thing you want to do. If your piercing actually is infected, and you remove the jewelry, the bacteria and pus can get locked inside if the hole closes up. The solution to healing an infection is removing it - you need to keep the fistula (piercing hole) open in order to allow the infection to drain.
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008. What is a Keloid and What Can be Done if You Have One?
Sometimes people get a blood or puss filled growth on a new piercing and mistake this for a keloid. It is not. Keloids are actual scar tissue that forms because the body over-defends itself as a result of trauma or surgical incisions. Keloids have to be removed with the help of medical treatment or surgery - you can't just wash them away. People with African-American descent tend to be more prone to keloids, although people of all ethnicities can be susceptible. Keloids also tend to be genetic. If you are prone to keloiding, piercings are strongly urged against. Tattoos can also lead to keloiding, although piercings and surgical modifications seem to be the most likely culprits
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009. I have a little bump around my piercing! What is it and what can i do?
Please make sure you have a quality surgical stainless steel, niobium or titanium CBR in the piercing (not from Claires), if you don't--have a professional replace yours with one immediately. Second, you need to clean your piercing properly and do about 3 sea salt soaks every day until the bump is completely gone. Cleansing and sea salt soak instructions are here.
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010. When is my piercing healed?
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Earlobes: 4-8 months
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All other ear piercings (cartiledge): 6-8 months
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Nostril: 4-6 months
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septum: 2-4 months
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tongue and mouth piercings: 3-6 weeks
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navel: 6-12 months
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nipples: 3-6 months​
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011. When can i change my piercing?
Ear Cartilage: 3-4 months, Ear Construction, Industrial: 3-6 month, Earlobe (up to 12g): 6-8 weeks, Earlobe (over 12g): 2-3 months, Erl (nose bridge): 2-3 months, Eyebrow: 2-3 months, High Nostril: 4-6 months, Inverse Lip: 2-3 months, Lip/Labret/Monroe: 6-8 weeks, Navel: 4-6 months, Nostril: 3-4 months, Philtrum: 6-8 weeks, Septum: 6-8 weeks, Single Point Piercing: 3-4 months, Surface Piercing (Surface Bar): 6-9 months, Surface Piercing (Tygon): 8-12 months, Tongue: 4-6 weeks, Vertical Lip: 6-8 weeks
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KEEPING YOUR PIERCING
general aftercare instructions
CLEANING SOLUTIONS
We recommend using the all natural solution in our "pretty and pierced" aftercare kit available for purchase at the shop. If you chose against it, a sterile saline is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare.
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CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
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WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
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SALINE rinse as needed during healing. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
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If your piercer suggests using soap, gently lather around the piercing and rinse as needed. Avoid using harsh soaps, or soaps with dyes, fragrances, or triclosan.
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RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing, However, you do want to make sure that all balls are secured tightly after each cleaning.
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DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
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​Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising. (Feel free to take ibuprofen to reduce swelling and assist with initial pain.)
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During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
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Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
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A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
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Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.
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WHAT TO AVOID
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​Avoid moving jewelry in an unhealed piercing, or picking away dried discharge with your fingers.
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Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiciens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, as these can damage cells.
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Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
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Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.
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Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
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Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
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Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
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Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
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Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygenic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage. These are available at most drugstores.
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Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, hair products etc.
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Don't hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.​
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