Thinking About Getting a Piercing?
Ybor City Tattoo Company uses only the highest quality jewelry for piercing. All of our jewelry meets ATSM F136 standards. We only pierce with implant-grade titanium and pure 14 karat gold. We offer internally threaded and threadless jewelry which allows you to upgrade your piercing from the start.
Have questions or want to schedule an appointment? Call us at (813) 443-0706!
WALK-INS WELCOME.
FAQs
IS IT SAFE TO GET A PIERCING?
For most people, piercings are safe as long as each artist and the entire studio strictly adheres to universal precautions and blood borne pathogen safety. You can be assured that Ybor City Tattoo Company requires each artist to hold client safety as the first and foremost priority. We have the highest level of sterilization possible and go above and beyond all local health codes and laws. We do have a consent/waiver form which identifies certain instances when it would not be appropriate for an individual to receive a piercing, but these are rare instances.
DOES IT HURT?
Yes it hurts, but there are lots of people walking around with piercings so it’s not unbearable. There are many sensations used to describe it depending on each person and what area is being worked on. Some people even like it!
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS?
You must be 18 years or older to get a piercing due to the Florida Health Department rules and regulations. Piercings may be done on 16 – 18 year olds with a guardian or parent present. The parent or guardian of the individual must show valid ID and fill out a waiver. We enforce this policy strictly and require proper verification of parent or guardianship prior to rendering any services. Please contact us prior to booking an appointment to find out exactly what documents will be required for this verification process. For any piercing, you must present a valid drivers license or current state photo ID which must be photocopied by law. You (and your parent/guardian if you’re a minor) must also read and sign a waiver/consent form.
Piercing Aftercare
CLEANING SOLUTIONS
Use one or both of the following solutions for healing piercings:
- Packaged sterile saline (with no additives, read the label) is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare.
- If sterile saline is not available, a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative. Dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon (.75 to 1.42 grams) of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz/250 ml) of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better; a saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR PIERCING
- WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
- SALINE soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings, it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution.
- If your piercer suggests using soap, gently lather around the piercing and rinse as needed. Avoid using harsh soaps, or soaps with dyes, fragrances or triclosan.
- RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
- DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.
WHAT IS NORMAL?
- Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness or bruising.
- During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
- Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
- A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
- Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person. If you like your piercing, keep jewelry in – do not leave it empty.
WHAT TO AVOID
- Avoid moving jewelry in an unhealed piercing or picking away dried discharge with your fingers.
- Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiclens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
- Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.
- Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
- Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing and other complications.
- Avoid all oral contact, rough play and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
- Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.
- Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygenic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). These are available at most drugstores.
- Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.
- Don’t hang charms or any other objects from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR NEW PIERCING, DON’T HESITATE TO ASK US!
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Our Hours
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Wednesday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Thursday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Friday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm