Piercing Info

Jewelry Selection
Our jewelry designs are carefully chosen for both comfortable wear and safety. The quality of the jewelry is evident upon inspection. Our jewelry for use in new piercings is surgical implant grade materials.

These are the materials we use for piercing:
Stainless Steel ASTM F-138 (316L/LVM): Stainless steel has a non-porous, non-corrosive surface, which tissue and bacteria cannot grow onto. Stainless steel develops an oxidized layer on the surface of the metal which protects the tissue from any of the other Elements which the steel is alloyed with. This is mostly protection from Nickel.
Titanium ASTM F-136 (6AL4V): Titanium is another element which is used in many medical and aerospace applications. Most available Titanium is over 99% pure. It is a lightweight metal which also forms an oxide layer protecting the body from the metal itself. Titanium is also able to be anodized creating a variety of different colors on the surface of the metal. These colors are also subject to fading.
Niobium: Niobium is an inert element which has little reaction with the human body and is not alloyed with other metals. Along with this property, Niobium is able to be anodized which forms an oxidation level on the surface of the jewelry. The layer of oxidaization creates the color we see. This oxidation layer may erode over time due to the chemistry and friction of your body; thus fading the color of the metal and is more common in the lighter colors. This occurs especially in the mouth and genitals.
PTFE (Teflon©), PMMA, and Silicone: Implantable plastics may be used in a piercing instead of acrylic. Polymers of polycarbonate, PTFE (Teflon©) and PMMA and elastomers such as silicone, are among many plastics used in human implants covered by ASTM.

Why can't I get pierced with wood, bone, stone, or acrylic?
These materials are porous and should never be used to pierce with. Healing tissue will grow into any pores on the jewelry and attach. In a worst case senario, the jewelry would have to be cut out of the piercing. Also, these pores are perfect for harboring bacteria that can cause infection. These materials can all be used in jewelry for healed piercings. Acrylic is a semi-porous thermoplastic which may be combined with other chemicals creating a variety of different opacities and colors which may have U/V sensitive properties. Acrylics' emit gases which some individuals may be sensitive to. Therefore, acrylic is recommended for healed piercings only.

What selection do I have for my healed piercing?
Little John's Tattoo has the largest selection of body jewelry in the Piedmont Triad. We have a complete selection of all basic surgical steel. We have gold and white gold jewelry with several different kinds of precious stones such as diamonds and opals. We can custom order anything you could dream up in gold, white gold or platinum, with any kind of precious stones you wish. We have a selection of retainers for when you don't want your piercing to be quite so noticeable or for during surgeries. We also carry exotic organic products among other decorative pieces for collectors and special occasion short term wear.

How do I care for my organic jewelry?
Bone: Use a soft bristle brush, essential oil, and a soft clean cloth to message and clean the jewelry, and ensure the longevity of your bones. Do not soak in water. Do not leave in direct sunlight or extreme hot or cold temperatures for extended periods of time. Recondition once a month with a natural oil such as coconut.
Stone: You can clean your stone jewelry with a madacide or antibacterial soap. Be careful handling your stone in the shower or near tile because if dropped on the wrong surface your stone jewelry may chip or break. Always pack your stone in a soft case for traveling.
Wood: You can also clean your wooden jewelry with madacide or antibacterial soap. You can oil your jewelry with butcher-block oil to bring out the deep color whenever you want. Avoid leaving your wood in direct sunlight.

Jewelry Policies: We do not accept returns, exchanges, or trades on jewelry. We will replace defective items purchased from us. We do not pierce with jewelry that does not come from either our shop or from Foxy Body Jewelry (with dated reciept.)

Aftercare
Oral Piercings: Buy an alcohol free mouthwash such as Biotene or Alcohol Free Crest. Swish 2-3 times a day. Do not over use your mouthwash otherwise the piercing may become irritated. It is best not to smoke, however we know that not every smoker will listen. Try to at least cut back on your smoking. Avoid oral contact with anything irritating: alcohol, spicy, salty, sugary, or highly acidic food and drink. Swish with distilled water everytime you eat, drink, or smoke. No oral sex for two weeks unless you use a dental dam. No drinking from straws for 2 weeks. Drink plenty of cold liquids or let ice melt in your mouth. Most jewelry for oral piercings are long to allow for swelling. After aproximately 2 weeks you may want to purchase a shorter piece of jewelry after the swelling is gone to prevent serious tooth damage. A closer fit will reduce wear on teeth and gums. You keep your longer post, as it may be useful.
Piercings: Clean your piercing 2-3 times a day with either a mild anti-bacterial fragrance-free lotion-free soap like Dial, a mild liquid antimicrobial/germicidal medicated soap Satin, or a sea salt solution such as H2Ocean. Do not over clean your piercing or it may become irritated. Any cream or white colored secretions are normal. This is lymph which is dead skin cells pushing out. Any bright yellow or green secretions are infection and you should see your doctor. If you do have an infection, the jewelry should be left in the piercing to allow for drainage of pus. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close up, resulting in an abscess. Clean your piercing with a q-tip to remove any lymph that has built up on the jewelry. This will keep your jewelry from "sticking". It is not necessary to move your jewelry back and forth unless you wish to do so while your hands are freshly washed and you are cleaning the piercing. It is a common misconception that your jewelry will "stick" if you don't constantly move it. This bad advice causes people to touch thier piercings with their dirty hands all day long and causes infection. Avoid swimming for 2 weeks after you get your piercing. Good nutrition and rest are aslo very important for the success of your healing process. Each body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably. If your piercing is tender or secreting lymph, you should continue the care regimen even if it is past the stated average healing time range.

Make sure you check the jewelry regularly and keep the ends tight at their connections. Wash your hands thoroughly, and then use medical gloves, gauze, or folded tissue to grip without direct contact.
Please come back to show us your results as part of our ongoing process of improvement and development of our techniques and documentation of our work. You play an important role in our quest to make the art and science of piercing safe, accurate, and gentle.

NEVER USE THESE PRODUCTS ON ANY PIERCING: Alcohol, peroxide, betadine, and hibiclens will all severly dry out your healing piercing. Antiseptics and antibiotics, such as neosporin and bacitracin prevent oxygen from reaching the wound and form a sticky residue which can cause complications. They may also slow a clean wound's immune response instead of promoting healthy growth. Resistant germs can form when antiseptics are used repeatedly. There is no topical solution or drug that can heal your body. If irritation is kept to a minimum and the piercing is properly taken care of, your body will heal itself.

What is expected to be normal during my piercing's healing process?
Fresh piercings may bleed, bruise, have discoloration and/or swelling. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed or bruise. These are not indications of any complications. Reduce the intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. Studies show non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) can help minimize swelling. Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging, burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer. Itching is a sign of healing and should not be mistaken for a metal allergy. If you do have an allergy to your jewelry, the piercing will start to enlarge slightly like it is trying to pull away from the metal; you should get an opinion from your piercer. Secretion of blood plama and/or lymph is perfectly normal. Once healed, your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum. This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person, and even if your ear lobe piercings stay open without jewelry, your body piercing may not!

What kind of care do I need to perform for the highest success rate with stretching my piercing?
You should notice that your piercing will be more likely to accept larger jewelry if you work on softening the collagen and elastin bonds in the skin associated with the piercing. After your piercing is healed, remove your jewelry before each time you bathe. Rinse, dry and massage your earlobes with an oil such as cocoa butter, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, or Dermal Life (which we sell here). You are likely to find that the skin is smoother and more elastic after a few days this treatment.

Why Can't I get pierced without a parent or gaurdian if I am under 18?
Underage piercing has become a major legal issue and our piercers could be faced with statuatory charges. No nipple or genital piercings will be performed on anyone under the age of 18 regaurdless of whether or not thier parent or gaurdian is present. Please come prepared with proper identification for both minor and parent and gaurdian. These are acceptable forms of ID: any form of picture ID such as drivers liscence, driving permit, passport, military ID, school ID, or Ident-a-Kid card, birthcertificates are acceptable also (no copies, originals only). If your last names or addresses are different, we must be provided with proof of gaurdianship. This could include medical insurance cards, divorce papers, adoption papers, marriage certificates, or anything other legal document that would match names or addresses.

What kind of sterilization methods do you use at Little John's Tattoo?
Every needle that we use is brand new, bagged, and autoclaved. All our tools are scrubbed, bagged, and autoclaved. We maintain our autoclave in proper working condition and test it monthly with bacterial spore samples in an off site lab to assure that it does kill harmful pathogens and is being used to its fullest capability.

Tipping Etiquette: You are not required to tip your piercer. We strive to treat every client with the same care and attention. Tips are accepted and appreciated.

DISCLAIMER
These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research, and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. Be aware, however, that many doctors have no specific training or experience regarding piercing and may not be educated on how to best assist you.