DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR MINOR PIERCINGS

1. You need a state or government issued photo ID to be pierced. (Texas State Law)
2. If you are under the age of 18 (16 or 17) you will still need a state or government issued ID to be pierced, your parent will need a state or government issued photo ID AND you will need an original copy of your birth certificate with you and your parent’s names on it. (Texas State Law)
3. We do not pierce nipples on minors.
4. We do not pierce anyone under the age of 13.
5. Children are not allowed in the procedure rooms. If you bring one with you, bring someone to watch them in your car.
6. All initial piercing jewelry is made of 316L Surgical Steel.
7. We do not use piercing guns because they can’t be sterilized, they are traumatic to the tissue and the jewelry used with guns does not meet Texas Health guidelines.
8. If we suspect you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we will decline to pierce you.
9. If you have Mitral Valve Prolapse you need to be pre-medicated and have a note from your doctor to be pierced.
10. If you are pregnant we will not pierce you. Based on vast experience, we have found that due to stress of healing from childbirth new mothers should wait 5 months postpartum with c-section to be pierced. You will end up with a better piercing if you let your body focus on one thing at a time.
11. Nursing mothers should wait at least 1 full year after milk production stops before considering nipple piercings.
12. If you are diabetic you may need to have a note from your doctor or just be aware of your sugars. If you have control of your sugars you have a better chance of getting pierced.

Thank you for considering us for your child’s future body piercing! In order to pierce a minor there are a few items that are required by the Texas Health & Human Services.

• Minor must be at least 14 years of age.
• The Minor must be accompanied by a Biological Parent or Legal Guardian.
• The Parent or Guardian must have a State or Government Issued photographic I.D.
• The Minor must have a State or Government Issued photographic I.D. In the case of Earlobe Piercing the photo I.D. must be issued by a 3rd party and contain the name and photo of the child.
• We have to be provided with an original Birth Certificate or Guardianship Papers showing the name of the Parent/Guardian present and also the name of the minor.
• The Parent/Guardian must remain present while the minor is getting pierced.
• ALL DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE ORIGINAL AND NOT COPIES. WE ARE UNABLE TO USE PHOTOGRAPHS OF I.Ds OR OTHER DOCUMENTS.

Some examples of photographic I.D. that we can use for a minor are:

• State issued I.D. card or Drivers License
• School I.D.
• Passport.

Webster’s dictionary defines etiquette as, “the forms or codes to be observed in social or official life; conventional decorum; the code of polite society.” Strip away all the fancy words and you’re left with ‘common decency’ and basic manners. For some reason there seems to be a belief that piercing studio etiquette differs from the commonly accepted set of guidelines by which most people conduct themselves, it doesn’t.

Just so that we are clear: When you are visiting your piercer you should conduct yourself with the sense of decorum that you do when you’re in any other business.

Going to a tattoo/piercing shop is no different that patronizing a five star restaurant. You are the customer (although we prefer the term ‘client’) and we are going to try to make your experience the best one we possibly can. On the other hand, we have the right to expect you to conduct yourself in a civil, polite and respectful manner in return.

Your goal and our goal is the same: To get you the perfect piercing in the most pleasant way possible. With a little etiquette from everyone, it’s not hard to do. To help make your piercing experience the best one it can be, here’s a list of some ‘Dos’ and some ‘Don’ts’ for your next visit to your piercer:

1. DO tip your piercing artist! This should be a no-brainer. Unfortunately it’s not. If you didn’t know that tipping a piercing artist is customary, YOU DO NOW! They depend, heavily, on tips to support themselves. You wouldn’t NOT tip a waiter unless the service was really bad, would you? It’s second nature for you to tip a waiter, he is in a service business just like your piercing artist.
2. This impression means so much more than any fancy meal, so hasn’t he/she earned at least the recognition that a waitperson gets? If you receive exceptional service, show your appreciation by tipping. As a general rule, tipping 15% is a MINIMUM, 15-20% is normal and anything more is considered tipping heavily. If you don’t have the extra money to tip, at least explain that to your artist (they’ll understand and appreciate it) if you can, bring them a tip the next time you have a few extra dollars. Clients who are known to tip always get a little extra ‘love’ from their artist.
3. DO NOT come in to Iron Ink Tattoo if you’ve been drinking or if you’re under the influence of something. Show your piercing artist some respect and come sober. Nobody likes dealing with drunks. If your breath smells of alcohol you’re not going to get a piercing. Not from anyone reputable, anyway. If you’re wasted, you won’t make a good decision on what to get and you’ll bleed.
4. DO NOT try to bargain with your artist! You wouldn’t go to the grocery store or a restaurant and try to talk a clerk or a waiter into lowering the price.
5. DO NOT brag, to a piercing artist, about how cheap you got your other piercings. You will not earn any ‘brownie points’ and it SURE won’t get you a better deal on a piercing from the artist you’re bragging to. If you are quoted a price, that IS the price- the owner has probably set it and if the artist has any leeway to adjust the price, bragging won’t help. Most “cheap” piercings are cheaply done- bragging about paying $20 for a piercing is likely to elicit a critique of your piercing that is less than flattering. If you want a professional piercing, be prepared to pay a professional price.
6. DO maintain personal hygiene and physical decorum. Unfortunately, this has to be said for some people’s sake. There’s nothing more unpleasant than having to work on someone who smells. You wouldn’t go to the doctor without bathing, so do the same for your piercing artist.Don’t make us send you home.
7. DO NOT try to force your artist to make social conversation if they don’t seem receptive to it. Some artists like to talk and others don’t. You want the best piercing you can get, so let your artist work in the way that he/she is comfortable. Your artist will appreciate the consideration and it’ll be reflected in the work.
8. DO NOT bring a “cheering section” to the studio. Many shops will not let ANYONE accompany you into the piercing area, and many state laws prohibit it. Very few artists’ want a bunch of your friends crowding the work area while he/she is trying to pierce.
9. DO NOT bring children to the piercing studio, state laws prohibit it. Your piercing artist will really appreciate it if you can find a ‘sitter’ for the kids so that you can come to the studio alone. piercing studios are not a place for children. There are too many hazards for children to be exposed to, it’s an adult environment and they can be very distracting to you, your artist and the other clients.
10. Turn your cell to silent, if it goes off in the middle of the piercing, and distracts the artist, that mess up is on you.

1. Feeling ‘green’ or ‘funny.’ Tell your artist right away (don’t try to tough it out) so that he/she can deal with it. Your artist is prepared for it and knows how to handle it.
2. Any concerns you might have about getting Pierced. Your artist is there to work with you and make the experience as easy as it can be.
3. Any medical issues you have (i.e. pregnancy, diseases, medication).

This may all seem to be common sense but the reality is that piercing artists deal with breaches of this etiquette all day, every day. Unfortunately, as a result, many artists deal with it by becoming sarcastic, and sometimes surly. Do yourself, and your artist, a favor the next time you go into a tattoo/piercing studios and use your common sense. A little common courtesy and etiquette can go a long way towards making your entire piercing experience much more rewarding and pleasant.  It’s a small price to pay for a big reward.