I love seeing the smile on a client’s face when they see their brand new piercing. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing you’ve helped someone feel good about themselves.
I started learning to pierce when I was 19. A Whole 10 years ago now! I had little apprenticeships at a couple of different shops. After that, I never really found anywhere that was right for me so I opened my own studio in 2015 and have been here ever since.
Oh blimey, that was a long time ago…. I think it was a helix piercing.
Since I was little, tattoos and piercings always interested me.
Working as a waitress or in retail just wasn’t for me. I’ve always been creative, it’s where I thrived in school/college so I wanted to earn a living doing something more fun, more creative, something I could enjoy.
I know how happy and confident I always felt after getting a brand new piercing and thought how cool it would be to give the same feeling to someone else. I started following some amazing piercers online and it just inspired me even more to pursue a career in body piercing.
Most of my clients get in touch online, via Facebook or email but even face to face. We usually do a little consultation, to know what their goals are, what kind of budget they have to work with, what styles they’re drawn.
Once they are in the studio with me, we take a look at the area they would like pierced and if anatomy allows this piercing to be carried out, we have a good look through the jewellery on offer. I will advise styles and sizes that will work with their anatomy and budget.
Once jewellery is all picked out, I briefly go over aftercare so they are aware of what will need to be done to take care of the piercing before they go ahead with the piercing. I then give them a consent form to fill out. If everything is okay with the form then we will head back to the piercing area.
I will wash my hands and pop gloves on in front of the client as I think it is important for them to know and see that everything is clean and sterile. I then go ahead and unwrap any tools, needles and jewellery that I will need from their sterile packets.
Everything I will need is laid out on the tray and ready to go. I wash my hands again, pop a new pair of gloves on and then talk my client through what will happen and make sure that they know that they are in control, they can ask me to stop if they need to (and is safe to do so) and that I will never do anything without telling/asking them first.
If they are happy to proceed, I will wipe the area with an alcohol swab, mark the area with either a sterile toothpick and gentian violet or a disposable skin marker, show them in the mirror and see what they think. I will move it as many times as they like to make sure they leave with a smile.
Once they’re happy with the placement, we will clean the area with iodine (if suitable) or use a gauze drape around the area and then get ready to pierce! I talk them through every step of the way, making sure they’re ready and they’re doing okay. I talk them though their breathing to keep them calm until we’re all done. After the piercing is complete, every client is offered water and a sugary drink and sweet or two and asked to sit for a moment whilst I clean up.
Once I am 100% sure the client is all good, we go over to the front desk and go over aftercare in detail. Each client is given a written aftercare sheet that I go through verbally before they leave and give the customer the option to purchase NeilMed Sterile Saline.
In most cases, we book a check up appointment to see how the piercing is getting on and for a downsize if it’s needed. I make sure every single client knows that they can contact me with any questions at any time, if they need me. Sometimes we take a quick picture of the piercing and then they are off on their way.
I really love to do flat piercings, especially when the client has the perfect anatomy for more than one in the area. Or stacked lobes are fun too!
I love seeing the smile on a client’s face when they see their brand new piercing. It’s such an amazing feeling knowing you’ve helped someone feel good about themselves. Kids are probably some of the best clients, some of them get so excited afterwards and it’s adorable!
Honestly, I absolutely love my job so there’s nothing I particularly dislike about it.
Maybe not being able to give someone the piercing they have their heart set on due to not having the appropriate anatomy for the piercing.
Again, making people smile, giving someone their confidence back etc. When someone asks me to come up with a whole ear project, that’s the best! Also, being your own boss has some perks too!
At the moment, I have 14 piercings, most in my ears.
For me, piercings, just like tattoos, make me feel more confident and just more, me.
I’ve had a few memorable moments. I think my top 3 are…
I had a lovely older gentleman come in wanting his ear pierced. He had never had a piercing before so was pretty excited about it. Just an earlobe he wanted. When we were done, he said he was really happy with it. He then told me that he had a terminal illness and this was on his bucket list.
I had a younger lady come in to me to take back control of her body. Her previous partner wouldn’t allow her to have piercings or tattoos so when the relationship ended, she got everything she had always wanted to get pierced. We did a couple on the ears, a nostril and her navel over the course of a year or so. I’ll never forget when she looked in the mirror and cried and said thank you for giving her confidence back.
A mum and daughter had booked in for matching piercings to celebrate the mum going into remission from cancer. It was a really nice moment to be a part of.
To be the best I can. Never stop learning and stay happy doing what I do.
To do more ear projects but I’d love love love, to do a witchy theme or a space theme!
