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!

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.

Lettering Tattoos 101

Lettering tattoos are classic and timeless. They range from bold to delicate, large to small. Whether it’s a single letter, a solitary word, or a phrase, this style of tattoo is one of the most gorgeous and most popular.

They’re also the one’s you see most often on those “biggest tattoo fails” list.

Make sure you don’t end up on there by following these tips.

Size Matters

Size matters, especially when it comes to tattoos. Even the most experienced and skilled tattoos artist’s work will smudge and bleed over time. It’s a natural part of a tattoo aging. Most of the time it won’t impact the design, but for a small script, smudging can make it unreadable. The point of lettering tattoo is to be able to read it. Make sure you pick a font and size that will still be readable even after years.

Fonts Carry Meaning

Just like with symbols, certain fonts carry certain meanings. So if you fall in love with a certain style, make sure you know what others will interpret it as. For example, gothic calligraphy is often associated with prisons and gangs.

Double, Triple, Check Grammar and Spelling

The easiest way to land on that list of tattoo mistakes is not checking grammar and spelling. It’s up to you to double and triple check this, not your tattoo artist. Tattoos are permanent, so don’t end up looking permanently stupid with a spelling mistake on your arm. It’s a good idea to have someone else look it over to catch mistakes before getting it tattooed on.

Translate Properly

It’s incredibly popular nowadays to get tattoos in other languages. We get it, some language just looks prettier than English. Just please, PLEASE, make sure you translate it correctly. That goes for spelling and grammar too! Don’t rely on Google Translate or your cousin that took one semester of Latin, either. Make sure you get a native speaker to help you out. Otherwise, you’ll end with a Chinese symbol that says “trash”.

Pick the Right Font

Picking the right font for your letting tattoo is important. Ever see one where at first glance something looked off? Even with the right size, spelling, and grammar, some fonts can make certain words look like something else. You’ve probably seen those tattoos where an innocent work gets turned into something dirty because of the font choice. Once you get stenciled, take a step back and make sure it’s clear as to what it says.

Choose Placement Wisely

Placement is always important. A single word can fit almost anywhere, but phrased need more room. Phrases tend to look good length wise on arms and backs. While it is possible to get a bracelet style, with it wrapping around an arm or leg, be prepared for people to awkwardly twist your arm going “wait, what does it say?”

The Meaning

Tattoos don’t have to have meanings, but lettering tattoos more than any other style usually do. Whether it’s an inspirational word, a favorite phrase, or a loved one's name, these tattoos can have a special hold. Be prepared for people to ask what the meaning behind your tattoo is- but you don’t have to tell them!

Pick the Right Artist

We always stress getting the right artist because that can make all the difference. Artists usually specialize in certain styles. People often forget that lettering isn’t just a design; it’s a style too. Make sure you look at artist portfolios to see past lettering work. It might look simple, but it’s one of the hardest styles since there is little room for error. A skilled and experienced artist can give you advice on placement, design, font, size and other elements so that your tattoo looks its best.

Contact a Toronto Tattoo Shop today to get your new lettering tattoo!

All of the Tattoos and Piercings Kylie Jenner Has

You can hardly go a week without hearing something about Kylie Jenner. She’s become a cultural icon of coolness and youth culture. From her makeup line to her endless love life, people love to talk about her. More than anything it’s her body they talk about- Plastic surgery, fashion, and body modification.

When you live a life in the public eye it’s pretty hard to keep things secret, especially permanent fixtures like tattoos and piercings. Thankfully, Kylie is pretty open. She documents her growing collection of body modifications on Instagram and Snapchat.

Here are all of the known Kylie Jenner piercings & tattoos:

Piercings
Kylie Jenner is constantly doing new photo shoots and red carpet appearance. This can make it hard to know which of her piercings are real and which are just for those. We do know she hasn’t just limited herself to ear piercings though.
Here are all her known piercings:

• Industrial piercings: In 2015 Kylie posted a picture on Instagram revealing a stunning industrial piercing in her right ear.
• Daith piercing: Kylie sports a beautiful ring in her daith in her right ear.
• Forward Helix Piercing: Also in her right ear, Kylie sports a small dainty forward Helix ring.
• Lobe Piercings: It looks like Kylie has one lobe piercing in both ears
• Cartilage Piercings: Kylie has multiple cartilage piercings. In her right ear she has one about mid-helix. Her left ear has at least five cartilage/helix piercings, which she debuted with piercing spelling “KYLIE”. It looks like she upped that number to 8 now.
• Nipple Piercings: Kylie Jenner’s nipple piercings continue to make headlines. They’re constantly being coyly flashed on her social media. They look so good that they actually convinced her big sister Kendall to get her own too.

Tattoos
Many people don’t realize that Kylie Jenner actually has quite a few tattoos. She prefers smaller, minimalist ones so they can be easy to miss. She got her first one for her 18^th birthday and hasn’t looked back.

Here’s a list of her known ink:

1. Ankle “t”

Kylie has a small lower case “t” on her ankle. It was done as a tribute to her on-and-off again (now seemingly permanently off) boyfriend Tyga. Tyga himself rocks a large Kylie tattoo on her arm. We wonder how he’s going to cover that up now that the breakup is final.

2. Back of Arm Heart

The first tattoo Kylie ever got was a small red outline of a heart on the back of her left arm. This tattoo was supposedly also a tribute to her Tyga, although this isn’t verified.

3. Hip “Sanity”

Only 3 months after her first tattoo Kylie Jenner went under the needle again. Hey, they do say it’s addicting. Her second tattoo was another red piece. It featured the phonetic spelling of the word “sanity” (\′sa-nƏ-tè\) on her right hip. Due to the placement, size, and color of this ink though people often joke about it looking like a best-before date stamp on an egg.

4. Arm “Mary Jo”

Kylie definitely seems to be fond of red tattoos. Her third tattoo was another scarlet one, this time something a little more personal. She got her grandmother’s name “Mary Jo” on her left bicep in February 2016. To add an extra level of sentiment, the tattoo was done in her late grandfather’s handwriting.

5. Finger “M”

Yup, you guessed it, another red one! In May 2016, Kylie got a squiggly “M” tattoo done on the inside of her pinkly finger. This was done with her BFF Jordyn Woods. We’re not always a fan of couple tattoos, but getting matching ink with your best friend does sound sweet. They do say boyfriends come and go (sometimes the same one, looking at you Tyga) but friendship is forever!

6. Hip “Before”

In July 2016 Kylie added to her “sanity” hip tattoo. She put the word “before” in the area so that the tattoo now reads “before sanity”.

7. Leg “Butterfly”

You’d think Kylie Jenner would have learned that boyfriends aren’t forever. That didn’t stop her from getting matching butterfly tattoos with her new boyfriend Travis Scott. It’s a minimal butterfly design (this time not in red!) on her lower left leg. The tattoos seems to reference Travis Scott’s new single “Butterfly Effect” which people suspect is about Kylie.
Contact us to get your next Kylie Jenner inspired tattoo or piercing!

Freckle Tattoos 101

Freckles were once a prime target for bullying. But today, they have become so popular that people have taken to getting them tattooed on. This rising tattoo trend, called “freckling”, has become the latest hit.

History

It’s hard to point to the start of most trends. Montreal-based cosmetic tattoo artist Gabrielle Rainbow is usually given credit to this trend. After hearing about her friend growing tired of drawing on freckles Rainbow got the idea of tattooing them on. After trying them out on herself she now has a long list of clients begging for this trend.

What Are They?

Cosmetic tattooing uses semi-permanent ink. Dots are placed on the face in a natural looking pattern. People can get a light dusting or a full face. They can last anywhere from 2-3 years but it depends on the person.

Why Get Them?

People who have freckles might spend so much effort covering them up. It’s people who don’t have them that have flocked to this trend. Most cosmetic tattoo artists say their main clients are people who get light freckling in the sun but want it all year round. Often time people bring in pictures of their favorite celebrity for inspiration (Kylie Jenner is a favorite). When done right it’s impossible to tell them apart from real ones.

Disadvantages of Them

There’s often a rift between tattoo artists and cosmetic tattoo artist. Tattoo artists are hesitant about this trend but say it’s safe. Be warned, semi-permanent tattoos don’t last forever so they aren’t always worth their price tag. Make sure you find a reputable cosmetic tattoo artist that has done freckling before. Otherwise, you’ll end up with wonky, fake looking freckles.

Conclusion

Freckle tattoos might go out of style but luckily they aren’t permanent. Plus, you’ll look super cute while you have them. Contact our Toronto Tattoo Shop if you want to take the leap from semi-permanent tattoos to permanent ones.

Options For Regrettable Tattoos

Tattoo artists always hate when they hear stories about people regretting their tattoos. As more people are getting them it’s only fitting that the rate of regret and removal increased too. Whether it’s design, time, or a bad artist, the reason for regret are numerous. Luckily, so are the options for removal.

Laser Removal

Laser removal is the most popular option for completely removing a tattoo. The ink is targeting with pulses of concentrated light that break down the ink. The bad news it that it takes at least 10 treatments for the tattoo to be fully removed. This is less if you only go in for a partial fading. The more treatments you get the more your skin gets damaged which means blisters, scabs, and scarring are all possible side effects of laser removal. This process is incredibly painful and it’s pretty pricey. Colored ink, especially blues and greens, are significantly harder to remove also.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

IPL is another treatment option that is gaining popularity. It’s similar to laser removal. A high-intensity light is emitted from a wand onto the targeted areas. This method is a lot less painful than laser but unfortunately, it is also more expensive. It’s relatively new so specialists aren’t sure about recommending it or not yet.

Dermabrasion

This is an old school removal option that isn’t used much today. It involved “sanding” or “blasting” away the top layers of skin through abrasive friction. If it sounds painful that’s because it is. It’s also not super effective, which is part of the reason it’s not even offered in most places anymore.

Tattoo Creams

Tattoos creams claim to lighten and fade tattoo ink. If this sounds too good to be true because it is. Most of them don’t work or at least don’t work effectively enough to match their hefty prices. Chances are they won’t work but if you really want to try them there aren’t really any side effects other than a loss of money.

Cover Up

Cover-ups are a good option for some people. A skilled artist that specializes in or has experience with cover-ups can give you a new ink to replace the bad one. If done well you can’t even see the old one at all. Cover-ups are only good if it’s the design, not the idea or placement of the tattoo, that you regret. A good cover-up can be expensive depending on the size and detail needed. Look at artist portfolios to make sure you’re not getting another bad one. Colored tattoos are harder to cover up and may require some laser fading first.

Restoration

Ink fades and spreads as time goes on causing some people to fall out of love with their tattoo. In this case, restoration might be the option for you. Top tattoo artists can go over old pieces and bring them back to life. Be sure to find an artist that specializes in this.

Conclusion

Tattoo regret is unfortunate but there are tons of reasons people regret tattoos. In order to avoid regret always research your artist, make sure you love your design, and think about the long term. Thankfully, there are far more options out there for removal than there used to be. Contact our Toronto tattoo shop today to set up an appointment for cover-ups or restoration.

Nose Piercings Explained

What was once a symbol of punk, goth, and general rebellion has now become a common trend. Nose piercings are continuing to advance and gain popularity at our Toronto Tattoo Shop. There are eight main nose piercings styles today.

Nostril

Standard nostril piercings are the most traditional and common nose piercings people get. Situated in the crease of your nose, a nostril piercing consists of a single hole. It can be done on either side depending on your preference. Either a stud or a ring can be placed in this area.

High Nostril

As you would expect based on the name, a high nostril piercing is just above a standard nostril piercing. Some people even get both to have a layered look. This piercing isn’t as simple as a nostril piercing due to it being tricky to reach.     

Septum

Septum piercings have gained popularity lately. The septum is the region of your nose separating the two nostrils. A ring is usually worn here, giving the wearer an appearance of a bull. The good news about this piercing though is that it can be flipped upwards to hide it when desired. Just a warning, the septum is made of thick cartilage so getting it pierced can be very painful.    

Bridge

Bridge piercings are located at the top, the bridge, of the nose. They’re technically surface piercings as no cartilage or bone is actually pierced. Because of them being surface piercings they are susceptible to migration. That is when the body pushed the piercing out as it heals away from it.     

Vertical Tip

Also known as the rhino, vertical tip piercings are very unique. A piercing runs vertically from the tip of the nose to just under the nose. It’s a rare type of piercing so find a skilled piercer to make sure it’s done properly.     

Septril

Septril piercings are a combination of a gauged septum and a half vertical tip. The tip is pierced and linked internally to the gauged septum. The gauging septum process can take years to achieve and is extremely delicate. It’s a time-consuming, expensive, and painful process. Make sure you get an experienced piercer to do it so it is successful.     

Gauge

Gauged can be placed either in the septum or in the nostrils. Like ear gauges, the process must happen slowly. Gauges will grow through a long period of time from small to large. The look is one of the most unique nose piercing. It is not a process that can be undone so be sure before going through with it.     

Nasallang

Nasallang piercings look simple but they are anything but that. This piercing goes through both nostrils and the septum. A barbell piercing is typically worn. This process is extremely difficult and painful due to the tri-piercing it requires.     

Interested in any of these nose piercings? Contact our Toronto Tattoo Shop today to set up an appointment in our downtown Toronto tattoo shop with our amazing in-house piercer.

Factors That Impact How Long A Tattoo Will Take

            

The biggest question on people’s mind when they start to consider getting a tattoo is, how long will it take? Artists at our Toronto Tattoo Shop get asked that all the time and the answer every time is “it all depends”. There are a number of different factors that impact how long it will take for your tattoo to be completed and we’ve covered them all here.            

Complexity

            Simply put, the more complex the tattoo the more time under the needle. High levels of detail require more time to get the right shading and shape necessary to make the image come to life- and look good! The last thing you want is a rushed tattoo job.

Style

            Certain styles take longer than others. Pointillism and realism portraits typically take longer than simple line work or minimalist ink. The color pallet of your tattoo also impacts the length. Black and grey ink is usually faster than color ink, which requires the ink to be layered multiple times to get the correct vibrancy.

Size

            Size is probably the biggest factor when it comes to determining how long your tattoo is going to take. Small tattoos clearly will take less time. Larger tattoos can take multiple sessions over weeks or years to complete.            

Artist

            The more comfortable and practice a tattoo artist has with a certain style, or in general, will impact their speed at inking. Check out their portfolio and be sure to ask them how long certain pieces took to get an idea.

After Care (For Multiple Sessions)

            If you decided to go with a large, multi-session piece it’s key to listen to your tattoo artists after care plan. The longer it takes for your skin to heal, the longer you have to wait in-between each session.

There’s no magical timeline for tattoos but after you decide on the location, size and design of your tattoo your tattoo shop should be able to give you the best estimate of the time until completion. Book an appointment with one today to start planning!