Is this your first piercing? If so, you probably have lots of questions, and that's totally okay. We have given hundreds of people their first piercings, and we are with you every step of the way. We've prepared a full page of information on what to expect when you get and take care of your new jewelry.
We also offer a full line of products to help with the process -- a 6-hour numbing cream to make the process nearly painless, as well as saline to keep the area clean and sterile.
We have a blog post with a handy guide for the most common locations and names for all kinds of facial peircings!
Check them out here.
They can, especially depending on the area being pierced, but the sensation is very brief. During the healing process, the most common sensation is itching. We also offer a 5% Lidocaine ointment that can numb an area for up to 6 hours, although for more cartilaginous areas (inside the ear, for example) it may not be as effective.
The piercing itself costs $40, with jewelry starting at $30 per piece.
Cthulhu Tattoo & Piercing adheres to the highest standards of sterility and sanitation. We thoroughly clean and sterilize the area, and use high quality jewelry that has been sterilized prior to insertion. With proper care after the process, including cleaning and monitoring for infection, piercings are a safe and common form of personal expression.
Bring a valid government ID, because Florida Health Department regulations state you must be 18 years or older to get a piercing. You will need to sign a waiver and consent form before we perform any work. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign and notarize a permission form.
Click here to download minor consent form.
Cthulhu is pronounced "ku-THOO-lu." Click below to hear it out loud!
Because a piercing (literally) pierces the skin and exposes tissues beneath the surface, improper care of a piercing can lead to infection. With proper care, a piercing will heal well and feel like a part of your body before long.
A piercing takes time to heal. During that time, it's essential that you keep the area clean (details below.) Unless there is a major problem with the jewelry, such as infection, rash, or at the advice of a doctor or your piercer, you should leave the jewelry inserted at all times.
Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching the piercing, especially during healing. Use saline to rinse the jewelry during healing. It may be easier to apply the saline to gauze depending on the location of the piercing. Your piercer may recommend soap, in which case use a mild fragrance-free soap and rinse thoroughly after lathering. Dry by patting (not wiping) with a disposable paper product, for sterility and safety.
If you experience an infection, rash, or severe swelling, contact your piercer or a doctor immediately.
You may experience some bleeding, swelling, tenderness or bruising around the area of the piercing.
You may notice some further discoloration (like bruising or redness), itching, or secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form a crust around the jewelry. The skin around the piece may tighten on the jewelry as it heals.
Keep the jewelry clean as best you can by avoiding oral contact, submersion in water, beauty and personal care products, or any other non-sterile handling.
Your jewelry may or may not move freely in the piercing. Don't force it. If you fail to clean your piercing as a part of your daily routine, you may accumulate some normal (but stinky) secretions.
As a general rule of thumb, do not remove your jewelry unless you intend to remove it forever. Piercings can close very quickly -- even within hours -- making it impossible to reinsert. If you need to remove the piercing temporarily for any reason, such as an MRI, contact your piercer so that temporary plastic jewelry can be used to maintain the piercing.
Clean the jewelry regularly (with clean hands), and check threaded parts for tightness.
Use saline for regular rinsing and cleaning, unless advised otherwise by your piercer. Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, or any other harsh products (including Bactine) as these can damage skin cells. Avoid ointments as these can prevent air circulation which is necessary to healthy skin.
