Frequently Asked Questions

This is the most often asked question. Unfortunately, this question has no definitive yes or no answer. Every person is different, and experiences pain differently. Here are a few things to note though...

The actual piercing is very fast, usually 1 second or less. Different areas of the body have different sensitivity, and this also varies greatly. Many people compare the feeling to getting a shot or getting blood taken, usually a "quick pinch". from person to person.

Most importantly, how your piercing feels is really up to you, and your frame of mind when you come into the shop. Being a little nervous is of course normal, but being so frantic that you are nearly in tears is really not necessary. Instead of using the hours, days, or weeks before your appointment to get more and more nervous, try instead to prepare yourself mentally and psychically in whatever way possible.

There are piercing "horror stories" out there, mostly stemming from piercings done by non-professionals, which unfortunately can prove to be very traumatic experiences. But, if your piercing is done by a professional, it really should be relatively easy and low-stress, with all of your questions answered beforehand.

Usually, you will be in the shop for 15 to 20 minutes. When you come in, you will be asked to fill out a release form, and you will be given a detailed aftercare sheet. The receptionist will check your I.D. and have you pay, and can answer certain initial questions you may have.

The piercer will then take you back to the piercing room. The procedure itself can take from 10 to 25 minutes, but the actual piercing itself is 1 second or less. The rest of the time is taken up in prepping and marking the area to be pierced, setting up the instruments to be used, inserting and adjusting jewelry, and answering any questions you may have.

This varies videly from person to person, and from piercing to piercing. The following are some common initial healing periods. Please keep in mind though that everyone heals differently, and mostly, the time it takes for your piercing to heal depends on how well you take care of your piercing and yourself. Also, after the initial healing period, there is usually a period of time for the piercing to toughen up that is roughly equal to the inital healing period.

Typical Piercing Healing Times
Navel: 4-6 mos	Tongue: 1-2 mos	Lip, labret, cheek, marilyn, upper labret: 3-4 mos
Tragus: 3-4 mos	Ear rim: 2-3 mos	Nipple: 4-6 mos
Earlobe: 1-2 mos	Bridge: 3-4 mos	Rook: 3-4 mos
Conch: 3-4 mos	Nostril: 2-3 mos	Eyebrow: 2-3 mos
Septum: 2-3 mos	Daith: 4-6 mos	P.A.: 1-2 mos
Frenum: 2-3 mos	Hafada: 2-3 mos	Ampallang: 6-8 mos
Apadravya: 6-8 mos	Guiche: 3-4 mos	Dydoe: 3-4 mos
Hood: 1-2 mos	Inner labia: 1-2 mos	Outer labia: 3-4 mos

If you take care of your new piercing properly, it shouldn't. Sensitivity and soreness are to be expected for the first month or so, but the only time you should really feel pain is if you neglect to take proper care of it, or if you get it bumped or caught on something. It is normal for the ear cartilage to be a little sore for the first month or two after being pierced, and a navel piercing can get very sore and irritated if tight or restrictive clothing is worn across it for the duration of the healing period.

Regular sunlight is usually not a problem, as long as care is taken that no sunscreens or tanning lotions get into the piercing. Tanning beds can pose a problem however, because the concentrated light can heat up the metal of your jewelry very quickly, which can burn you. It is advised that you avoid tanning beds for at least a month after getting your piercing, and after that, that you cover it with a small piece of cotton, or other cloth, while in the tanning booth.

You should avoid chlorine pools for at least the first month. After that, it is best to keep pool swims brief, since chlorine is a fairly harsh chemical, particularly given the high concentrations used in public pools. However, no matter how long your swim, you should always clean your piercing as soon as possible after you're done.

AVOID JACUZZIS AND HOT TUBS, at least for the first few months, unless its your own, and you are sure of it's cleanliness. They are almost always breeding grounds for many bacteria.

Lakes and ponds are questionable, and it is usually recommended that you avoid these, again for the first few months, given that they can also contain bacteria.

The ocean is usually your safest bet. The salt water helps to heal your piercing amazingly fast, but you must be sure that the area you're swimming in is reasonably clean, which, given the Boston area, can sometimes be tricky!

The only time this can be a problem is the first few weeks after getting an oral piercing. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can prolong swelling. Smoking is fine as long as you follow your care instructions and rinse afterward with Listerine. Chewing tobacco is definitely NOT recommended.

First of all, an infected piercing is relatively rare. Most people mistake irritation for infection. Signs of irritation include redness, soreness, dryness, mild discoloration. Signs of infection include: swelling, rash, discolored discharge (greenish or blackish), and fever. It is best to contact your piercer if you think you have an infection. Remember that when you leave our studio after getting your piercing, it is not infected. Its up to you to keep it that way.

We have a very strict age policy at Rites of Passage, for many reasons.

First, the medical reasons. A younger person's body is not fully developed. Many piercings are inappropriate on bodies that are still growing. Many people who had their ears pierced as a baby grow up and find that the holes are very low, often tearing. In many cases, they have to be pierced again.

Furthermore, any piercing done on a minor could legally be looked upon as child abuse. For these reasons, we never pierce anyone under 16, and for 16 and 17 year olds, we will never do tongue, nipple, or genital piercings, regardless of parental consent, in order to avoid possible governmental molestation charges.

Because this is so important to us, we check everyone's I.D. Even the parent that accompanies a 16 or 17 year old minor. Legally, no one else can sign a release form for you. We sympathize with mature teenagers who are really into piercing, but we urge you to wait until you are of proper age. If you do go to someone else who will pierce you regardless of age, chances are they aren't a professional, and you may be endangering yourself.

As of this time, there is no certification or licensing procedure in place for body piercers in Boston. We can only hope that this will change in the near future. Regulating piercing will create a minimum standard for piercers, and will make it easier for a prospective piercee to choose a reputable piercing studio. As a piercee, you shouldn't have to know to ask to see the piercer's autoclave, as it should be mandatory that anyone who chooses to call themselves a professional would have one. We have spent time with various local public health officials, assisting them in drafting different ordinances concerning body piercing.

So, although we are neither "certfied" nor "licensed", all of our piercers are professionally trained, with a minimum of one year's apprenticeship experience prior to piercing professionally. We conform to the standards of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Beware of any piercer who calls himself licensed or certified in the State of Massachusetts. With the exception of Quincy, which has a licensing program pending, there are no local or state certification or licensing agencies yet. Also beware of the piercer who shows a certificate from one of the piercing schools as proof of professionalism. These seminars are wonderful, profided that someone has already completed, or will complete, a miminum one year apprenticeship program. Three of the piercers at Rites of Passage are graduates of the Fakir Musafar Basic Pro Body Piercing Intensives in San Francisco, and the fouth is enrolled to take the July 1997 class, but we have never pretended that these seminars are what make us professionals - that would be our rigourous one year apprenticeship under an experienced professional.

We will never pierce anyone under the influence of alcohol, or any drug. Besides different possible physical side effects, such as prolonged bleeding, it is very dangerous to get pierced even after one or two drinks. Alcohol and other drugs impair your judgement. It is also more likely that you might faint or pass out.

Again, everyone is different, as is each particular piercing. Usually it is OK to change jewelry after 3 to 4 months (6 - 8 weeks for the tongue). Keep in mind that you will want to keep jewelry in your piercing all the time for at least 6 to 12 months if you want to keep the piercing. This is something you should feel free to discuss with your piercer, as situations vary, and he or she will have the best knowledge about your piercings.