Questions You’re Too Scared to Ask About Vagina Piercings

Piercings may no longer be taboo, but some are still shrouded in mystery. Genital piercings, and particularly vagina piercings, aren’t discussed as openly or freely as ear, nose, or lip piercings. The area is far more intimate, and some women may be afraid to ask certain questions. Fear not, we’ve answered all the questions you’re too scared to ask about female genital piercings.

What types of piercings are there?
Professionals use the term “vagina” piercings, but vulva would probably be more accurate. There are tons of different types of piercings out there- vertical and horizontal clitoris piercings, inner and outer labia piercings, and also fourchette and Christina piercings. It ultimately comes down to a women’s anatomy to determine which piercings work best.

How do I find the right piercer?
It’s a lot harder to find a good piercer when it comes to vagina piercings. It’s not like professional piercers can advertise that sort of work on their Instagram. Many of them only have images of that type of work in their portfolios in the shop. Read some reviews, ask friends, and once you’ve found a reputable piercer ask what sort of vagina piercings they’ve done before.

Will it bleed?
Not a ton, but if you rip it out that’s a whole other story.

How old do I have to be?
In Ontario, a person needs to be 18 years or older to get genital or nipple piercings. Even if a person has parental permission, this sort of piercing can’t be given to anyone under 18.

Do I need to shave before?
Nope, piercers are able to work with whatever hair you have down there.

How much does it hurt?
Of course, it hurts, but the pain isn’t unimaginable. Most people find the pressure put on the skin before the needle goes in to be the most painful part of the process.

Will it increase sensitivity?
Some people say it does for them. The piercing may add some spice to your sex life, but it won’t necessarily increase sensitivity to the area. What happens is the piercings increase stimulation to the area.

What aftercare is there?
Trust us, you’ll want to make sure any piercing near your vagina is well taken care of. Luckily it comes with a pretty good self-cleaning system. Some warm water and soap are all it needs. Ask your piercing for a complete list of aftercare tips.

How long until I can have sex again?
Everyone heals at different rates, but piercers say it’s important to wait until it’s healed. Of course, in reality, most people don’t want to wait months. Be careful, avoid touching it with hands as much as possible, and if anything hurts stop immediately.

What about if I get pregnant?
Pregnancy doesn’t impact piercings usually. Most doctors will require patients to remove vagina piercings before giving birth so that nothing gets caught or torn during delivery. If it starts to feel uncomfortable when you’re pregnant take it out, but most women don’t notice pregnancy impacting it.

Contact us if you’re interested in a vaginal piercing!

Constellation Piercings 101

We talk a lot about tattoo trends, but piercings have their own trends in styles too. The last year has seen a huge boom in on particular style- constellation piercings. This style allows for creativity and individuality as people cultivate their own unique cluster of piercings on their ears. Here is everything you need to know about this piercing trend.

Style
Constellation piercings are basically an artful cluster of piercings on the ear. The multiple piercings allow people to go as simple or as creative as they want. Having multiple ear piercings have been a trend for a while, but it’s only recently that it’s gotten the starry name and taken off. It’s a fresh modern take on multiple ear piercings that really is unique to each person.

Location
Part of the reason people love constellation piercings is that they can be anywhere on the ear. For those that don’t want multiple cartilage piercings, having the option for a cool lobe-piercing trend is exciting. The cluster can be anywhere, whether you want it on the earlobe, the cartilage, the inner ear, or up the entire ear, it’s up to you.

Jewelry
The great thing about this trend is that it can be tailored to your ear shape and sense of style. Most people have been opting for smaller, daintier piercings that give an understated minimalist look. Other’s are going for statement shapes like stars, moons, and crosses. People can use any mix of jewelry, such as studs, shapes, rings, and bars, for constellation piercings.

Design
There are endless possibilities and combinations for constellation piercings. Just like the starry constellations, the piercing is named after, each piercing helps create an image. A popular lobe constellation design is a triangle arrangement where three piercings are close together. A more classic one is a linear design where the piercings go up the ear. You can add dimension to the design by alternating between longer rings and shorter studs for a staggering height.

Timeline
There’s no set timeline, but most professional piercers don’t recommend getting a ton of piercings done at once. It can make it harder to heal with all the swelling. Sleeping and other normal tasks may also be uncomfortable with multiple new piercings. It’s best to build them up one at a time.

Pain
How much a piercing hurts depends on where it’s done. Lobe piercings generally tend to hurt the least, while cartilage and inner ear ones hurt more. The good news is that pain from piercings is brief.

Conclusion
Constellation piercings look like a trend that will last awhile. Make sure you always take care of your new piercings my following proper aftercare advice. If you’re interested in getting a new piercing, or a tattoo, contact us or visit our downtown Toronto tattoo shop!.

Everything You Want To Know (And Are Too Scared To Ask) About Nipple Piercings

While the world of tattoos is no longer taboo, the same can’t be said for all piercings. Society has grown to accept more piercings, first ear, then nose and lip piercings. But nipple piercings still remain a source of controversial That’s changing now though, thanks to celebrities like Rihanna and Kendall and Kylie Jenner. If you want this trendy piercing here is everything you should know, and everything you are too scared to ask, about nipple piercings.

You have to be 18
First things first, you have to be 18 years old to get a nipple (or genital piercings). For most other piercings you can get them done at any age with parental consent. With nipple piercings though, because of the area, no reputable piercer will do it to anyone who is no longer a minor.

It’s going to hurt
Nipples are pretty sensitive so yeah, it’s going to hurt to get them pierced. Don’t worry though, because the pain is pretty brief. It may be uncomfortable for a few days after, especially if they rub up against clothing. Try to wear loose items until the piercing heals.

You don’t have to get both pierced
When it comes to nipple piercings you can either get one done or both. The trend used to be just getting one done, but nowadays more people are getting both. It’s completely up to you though. Some piercers recommend starting with one and coming back later for the other to make sure you like it.

Choice between barbell or ring
There are two jewelry options, a barbell or a ring. Most piercers recommend a barbell for the simple reasons that they don’t move as much, heal faster, and don’t get caught on clothing as much as rings. They are also less visible under clothing. The choice is ultimately up to you know.

They take at least 6 months to heal
People heal at their own rate and nipple piercings usually take a few months to a year. Most piercers estimate 6 months on average. Even after it stops feeling tender be sure to follow proper aftercare advice. Don’t touch them (or let others touch them) until they are fully healed. Trust us, you don’t want an infection here.

They won’t always be erect
After a piercing, the nipple may be more prominent due to swelling. This will go down though and the nipple won’t stay erect forever. They should go back to reacting normally after they’re healing. They will be more prominent than they used to be though. After all, there is a piercing there!

The holes close quickly
It’s a good idea to not take out your nipple piercings, especially for long periods, because the holes close really quickly- in a matter of minutes! This is good news if you regret them and want them to heal. It’s bad news if you have to remove them for activities. Luckily you can purchase a retainer, which is a glass piercer to keep the hole open if you need to remove a piercing for medical purposes or sports. If you need to change out your piercing it’s a good idea to go back to your piercer until you feel comfortable doing it yourself.

Keep hands off
A lot of people are getting nipple piercing for the sexiness they bring. While this is great, just make sure you and your partner keep your hands off them for at least 4 weeks. Also, make sure hands are washed before touching them.

Sensitivity is a gray area
A lot of people ask if piercings make nipples more sensitive. It’s a hard question to answer because some people say yes and other’s say no. Piercings theoretically shouldn’t make a nipple more sensitive, just more prominent, which means they may get more stimulation than they used to. But some people report that they do feel more sensitivity after a piercing, so the answer isn’t black or white.

You can still breastfeed
Some women are afraid to get a piercing because they think it will impact breastfeeding. Don’t stress about this, because nipple piercing should have absolutely no effect on breastfeeding. Piercings should be removed before feedings though so that the baby doesn’t swallow or choke on them. There is a minimal risk that scarring will impact breastfeeding but it is very rare.

All genders can get them
Nipple piercings are for everyone. Anybody from any gender, race, religion, and sexuality can get them. Don’t let people judge you into not getting something you want. It’s your body.

Contact us today or visit our downtown Toronto tattoo shop to book your piercing appointment.

Common Questions About Piercings

Piercings are more popular than ever before. As their popularity grows so do the curiosity and questions about them. Here are the most common questions we get asked about piercings.

Q: How old do I have to be to get a piercing?

A: In most places, parental permission is required for people under the age of 16 for piercings. Lobe piercings are the only exception to this and don’t require consent from a parent. Some piercings, like the nipples and genitals, won’t be performed on anyone under the age of 18. Proper identification is required before all piercings so make sure you have valid government ID.

Q: Do I need to make an appointment?

A: It’s always best to call ahead and make an appointment, as top tattoo shops can get busy. However, piercings don’t usually take long so walk-ins are welcome. If you want to avoid waiting you should make an appointment though.

Q: Do piercings hurt?

A: Like tattoos, piercings in certain locations hurt more than others. Lobe piercings are mild in pain but other places like the genitals are extremely high in pain. Even with this, the pain is brief so don’t worry too much. Any questions or concerns you have about can be discussed with your piercer ahead of time.

Q: Should I spin my jewelry as it heals?

A: Spinning jewelry as it heals is something we were all told to do as kids to prevent sticking. It’s actually a bad thing to do though. Most jewelry used in top piercing locations won’t stick to the skin. Spinning just causes more damage to the healing process. Your piercer will go over how to care for your new piercing.

Q: Is everything sterilized and safe?

A: We take sanitation and safety seriously at our top Toronto tattoo shop. We make sure to comply with every health code and law required by the government. Your health and safety are a priority to us. All of our equipment is properly sterilized and we will happily go through and explain and show you these steps.

Q: How long before I can change jewelry?

A: The timeframe for switching out jewelry depends on what type of jewelry you have in and where you got pierced. How fast your individual body heals will also be a factor. Ask your piercer this when you go in. If you want to change it out sooner, or need to for whatever reason, come back in and have a professional do it for you.

Q: What do I do if my piercing gets infected?

A: Following the aftercare advice given to you will reduce your risk of getting an infection. Sometimes it happens though. Your first step should be to contact and visit your piercer. They can help you with what to do next. Don’t take out the jewelry though as this can make the infection worse.

Q: Can I get a piercing if I’m pregnant?

A: Doctors and professional piercers don’t recommend getting any piercings or tattoos while pregnant or nursing. A piercing will put more stress and strain on your body and immune system. While pregnant your body needs to focus on staying healthy for the baby so any unnecessary stress isn’t good. Wait until after you have given birth and are done nursing before coming in for a new piercing.

Q: What will happen to my navel piercing when I get pregnant?

A: Your stomach will grow as the baby grows. This can cause a navel piercing to become uncomfortable, usually around the 6^th month of pregnancy. Today, many places sell large, plastic navel piercings precisely for this reason. Switch this out when pregnant to prevent any issues.

Q: Do you pierce with studs of hoops?

A: The location, your body, and our piercer’s preference will also factor into what type of jewelry used. Starting out with a stud is usually preferred as they heal easier. If you want a bar or ring this can be discussed with our piercer. Ultimately, our piercer has the right to refuse if they don’t feel comfortable putting in a certain piercing.

Q: Can I bring friends with me?

A: We encourage you to bring in friends for moral support. We limit the number of people in the room to two or three, mainly due to space. No kids or pets are allowed though. We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave if we feel they are being too disruptive.

Q: What kinds of piercings do you do?

A: From regular piercings to dermal, we do every type of piercing you could image. No location is off limits either. Our piercer will pierce anything, from the visible to the extremely intimate.

Q: How much do piercings cost?

A: It’s never a simple question to answer. Lots of factors go into determining the price of a piercing. Location, the type of piercing, the jewelry selected and our piercer will also influence the price. Contact us to determine the exact price.

Q: Is your piercer trained and qualified?

A: We would never hire someone that wasn’t. Our piercer is experienced and trained in this field as well as fully certified. We only want to best for our clients.

Contact a Toronto Tattoo Shop today to set up a piercing appointment.

Types of Ear Piercings Explained

The amount of ear piercing options has doubled since your grandmother’s day. Any and every location on your ear is not available for piercing by a top Toronto piercer. Below are the most common types of ear piercing types available today.

Lobe

Your standard lobe piercing is so common now babies even have them. This piercing hurts less than all the rest and heals quickly with proper care.     

Upper Lobe

The upper lobe is often what people get for their second piercing. It is now just as common as the love piercing. It hurts a little more but not by much.     

Anti-Helix/ Snug

Snug, or anti-helix piercings, are located just inside of your outer ear. The area here isn’t as hard making it easier and less painful to get pierced.     

Tragus

The tragus is the cartilage that extends over your inner ear from your head. The cartilage there is really thick making it a painful area to get pierced.     

Anti-Tragus

As the name implies, the anti-tragus is opposite the tragus. This area can be small for many people making it hard or even impossible to get pierced. In addition, it is extremely painful, difficult, and uncomfortable to get pierced.     

Surface Tragus

The surface tragus is the area on the outer part of the tragus. The piercing won’t go through to the inner ear but this piercing is the most painful part of the tragus to get pierced.     

Conch

The conch is the larger concave region on the outer part of the ear. The area is very easy to get pierced due to the large and soft cartilage.

Daith

The daith, pronounced “doth”, area is situated just above the inner ear. The cartilage here is hard making it more difficult to get pierced but it looks great.     

Rook

The rook is the area just below the cartilage. Just a warning, this area is considered one of the most painful places to get pierced.

Helix/ Cartilage

The helix area is the outer part of the ear. Most often it is simply referred to as a cartilage piercing. The pain of the piercing depends on where along the helix you get pierced. The area is hard to heal though due to the low blood flow.

Forward Helix

A forward helix piercing gets placed through the upper, outer cartilage- the part at the front near the head.     

Flat

The flat area is the part of your ear between the upper cartilage and the rook, which is flat as the name implied. This area can take over a full year to heal so take care of it.     

Industrial

An industrial piercing is a rod between two holes on the top part of your ear cartilage. It takes a skilled piercer to get the two holes in the right position so find a good one.     

Gauges

Gauges are a type of piercing that makes large holes in the earlobe. The process requires you to start out slow and then work toward stretching out the ear lobe.  

Come visit us at our Toronto tattoo shop to discuss getting one of the following piercings.

Piercings 101

While getting a piercing might not be as big of a commitment as a tattoo, it still requires consideration and care. Before you go in for your next piercing at a Toronto Tattoo Shop, be sure to read these tips for before and after.  

Before Piercing Tips:

Assess Your Health:

            Certain pre-existing medical conditions will impact how well your body heals after a piecing. Always disclose and discuss these issues with your piercer and/or doctor before you get one done. Diabetes or severe heart issues could impact how long it takes your body to heal. People with metal allergies should also be cautious and ask about the metal of the piercing. Talk to your piercer about any of these health issues and they will advise you on how best to proceed.            

Tools of the Trade:

            Most professional piercers will tell you a needle is better than a gun, and they would be right. Getting pierced with a needle causes less shock to your body and heals faster.            

Select Location:

            Where you get pierced will impact how long it takes to heal. Areas around the mouth tend to heal faster while cartilage piercings will take longer to heal than lobe ones. Ask your piercer about healing times for various locations to help you decide.

After Piercing Tips:

Common Health Complications:

            Many health problems happen because people either don’t follow or stop following the prescribed aftercare tips. Piercings take at least a full 6-8 weeks to heal. Some piercings might naturally be rejected even if you follow all the advice. Contact your piercer if you feel your piercing isn’t healing properly.            

Aftercare:

            Always follow the provided aftercare advice. A new piercing might look red, feel sore, or crust over but that is all apart of the natural healing process. Only touch, rotate or disturb the piercing when it is being cleaned or it is wet. Any oozing or puss might be a sign of infection so contact a doctor or piercer right away.            

General Tips:

It’s always best to be informed so do research before you decide on a piercer or piercing. Check out your piercer’s portfolio to make sure they are skilled and you like their work. And always follow the aftercare advice of the piercer; they are the professionals after all.