Although piercing has been a part of life for centuries it is only over the last few decades that modern piercing has begun to evolve. Today, people of all walks of life are getting pierced for a variety of reasons. With the growing acceptance of piercing, a focus on safety, sterility, technique, tools, and appropriate jewelry is essential. Our goal at Scarab Body Arts is to offer the highest quality service and information available for your security and peace of mind. To do this we are continually updating the way we do things, to ensure your piercing experience is not only enjoyable, but safe. All of the jewelry we keep in stock meets APP (Association of Professional Piercers) standards. We only carry internally threaded jewelry and it is made of the finest materials available. All our stainless steel is 316LVM F-138 implant grade, our titanium is 6AL4V ELI F-136, we also carry the highest quality organics, pyrex, and 18K solid gold.
Piercings by John
John has been piercing professionally since 1998. His attention to detail and his personal drive to offer only the best led him to open Scarab Body Arts in 2001. All piercings are done on a walk-in basis, unless custom jewelry has to be ordered for you. You can see some of his work below, but please stop in to take a look at our full portfolio.
Piercing Aftercare
All piercings outside the mouth
Warm/Hot Salt Water Soaks: This will help to stimulate air and blood circulation which accelerates healing by dilating capillaries and blood vessels. It will also help loosen the tissue to help drain bacteria that may be trapped in the piercing. This will also help to reduce irritation in the area.
You should do a warm-hot salt water soak at least once a day to help drain the piercing and generate more blood flow to the area. Seal a clean cup on the area and soak directly for 5-10 minutes. If you can't make a seal with a cup, use a clean paper towel or gauze dipped in the solution, make sure your hands are clean. A good time to soak is after a shower to help clean out soaps, shampoos, face washes, and whatever dirt was on your body from the day before. Rather than worrying about cleaning your piercing all the time, worry more about keeping it clean.
Sea salts are natural antiseptics you can buy at natural food stores, and many food markets. We sell Dead Sea Salt at our studio which we have found to work amazingly well.
Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one 8 oz cup of warm or hot water in a clean cup (A stronger solution is not better as you can dry and irritate your piercing with too much salt). If it stings at all when you soak or gets dry or itchy afterward, you probably have too much salt in the water.
We also carry Simple Care Spray which has been shown to work really well aiding in the healing of piercings. It contains Dead Sea Salt and Neem Oil. It works wonders on problematic piercings. It is also a great alternative to sea salt soaks when you are in a hurry or traveling.
Piercings inside the mouth
Sea salts or Saline can be used on the inside of the mouth as well, and are recommended. The same water/salt ratio.
If you choose a different antiseptic rinse, find one with no alcohol content. We carry Tech 2000 at our studio, but there are others on the market, like Biotene. Do NOT use Listerine. Listerine contains a lot of alcohol, which can irritate your new piercing. It can cause extra swelling and kill off healthy tissue cells during healing).
To keep swelling down, Ibuprofin or Advil are great anti-inflammatories. I suggest taking 2 directly after your piercing and 2 more later that day. Ice, popsicles, ice cream, milkshakes, anything cold, will also help to keep swelling down, but be sure to rinse out with your antiseptic afterward.
Other info
Do not use alcohol, peroxide, Neosporin, Betadine, Bactine, etc.
Those products are overly strong and drying, and they kill off the healthy cells your body needs to heal. Antibiotic ointments (i.e. Neosporin) do not allow for proper air circulation, and they form a sticky residue that easily attracts particles and in which bacteria can grow once the short lived antibiotic properties of the ointment are gone. Ointments do not wash off easily, so you end up washing the ointment instead of your new piercing.
Never touch your piercing.
Do not rotate the jewelry, it will dislodge healed tissue and irritate the piercing with the friction from the movement. Your body will secrete plasma and lymph fluid during healing that will become crusty when it dries - soak it off don't pick it off. Do not touch your piercing.
There is NO reason to EVER take out your piercing during cleanings.
If you have any questions regarding your piercing, please call us. Do Not listen to your freinds, they are not professionals.
