Welcome to the FAQ!

Minors
Tattoos
Piercings
Oral Piercings
Stretching
My Own Jewelry
I lost a bead!



MINORS

Tattoos
Although Texas State Law does allow for exceptions to the rule, we do not tattoo anyone under the age of 18.
You MUST bring your ID with you every time you get work done, no questions.

Piercings
We do not pierce under the age of 18 with out correct legal documentation.
According to Texas State Law, minors can only be pierced with specific parental consent.
We require that parent and minor BOTH bring state or government photo identification and original birth certificate or original court orders as proof of legal guardianship. If the parent's name does not match the birth certificate, legal documentation proving name change is required.

We reserve the right to refuse piercing anyone we do not believe will be able to properly care for their piercing.

Obscurities employees will not perform piercings on minors under the age of 16 with exception of earlobes which will not be performed on anyone under the age of 10 years old. We will not pierce below the neckline with the exception of the navel, and reserve the right to refuse to perform any piercings. Navel piercings will not be performed on anyone who does not appear to be fully grown, usually 16 years of age. Sudden growth spurts can interfere with the healing. If you are interested in piercing minors under the age of 10, we recommend you contact your pediatrician to perform the piercing.


TATTOOS

On a Fresh Tattoo...
Take the bandage off within 2 hours.

Wash the tattoo carefully with warm soapy water.   DO NOT SCRUB!

Lightly pat the tattoo until dry… DO NOT RUB!

Apply a very thin coat of Bacitracin or Aquaphor ointment 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days.

Although re-bandaging a tattoo is not recommended, a sterile bandage or dressing should be used.

Be sure and wash the tattoo every night and morning… DO NOT SOAK!

Avoid exposing a fresh tattoo to direct sunlight and refrain from swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks.
Make sure that your bed sheets and linens and clean before you go to bed.

After Initial Healing...
Tattoos heal quickly BUT fading can still be a problem. Apply a non-scented, non-colored hand lotion once a day until dryness stops.  We reccomend Lubiderm, Vaseline Intensive Care, Nivea, etc... Tanning fades tattoos!  Always cover fully healed tattoo with sun block.  DO NOT RUIN YOUR INVESTMENT!!!


Please Note:
If you have ANY questions… Please call us .  214-559-3706 Treat your tattoo with care… Improper care and bad advice can destroy your art!

Please contact a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or an allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction or adverse reaction to that artist and to the Texas Department of Health – Drugs and Medical Devices Division (1-888-839-6676).


PIERCINGS

Cleaning Instructions
Clean Piercing 1 time daily.
DO NOT touch healing piercings with dirty hands!
Prior to cleaning, wash hands thoroughly with antimicrobial soap and hot water.

Cleaning Solutions
Liquid antimicrobial soap
Sea Salt
Avoided Solutions
Povidone Iodine: Betadine, Benzalkonium Chloride: Bactine , Chlorhexidine Gluconate: Hibiclens

DO NOT USE
Isopropyl Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Antibiotic Ointments, such as Bacitracin, Mycitracin®or Neosporin

Soaking Instructions
Wash your hands with an antimicrobial soap.
Remove any crust from the piercing and the jewelry. This is best accomplished by soaking.

Don't worry, a discharge is normal and should be expected. As long as the piercing secretes liquid or forms crust, the piercing is still healing and cleaning procedures should be continued.
Pre-soak solution = ¼ tsp. sea salt mixed with a cup (8oz) of hot distilled water

Soaking is best accomplished by placing a cup of the solution over the piercing for 5-10 minutes. A saturated cotton ball or swab will also work for piercings that are difficult to submerge. (nostril, septum, etc).
Do not rotate jewelry during the soaking. If dry matter still remains after soaking, use a wet cotton swab to remove it. Never pick off crust with your fingernails!

Next, use a liquid antimicrobial soap such as Provon or Satin.
With clean fingers or cotton swab, apply the soap directly to the surrounding area, working in a circular motion away from the piercing.
After the soap has been on the piercing for 30 seconds, flush the piercing thoroughly with clean, running water.

Do not twist or rotate the jewelry during cleaning.

Excessive movement of the jewelry may cause scar tissue to form and prolong the healing process.

Finally, let the piercing air-dry.

Do not use cloth towels, as they often harbor bacteria.  They can also snag the piercing.

Vitamins
A multi-vitamin taken daily with meals has been proven to be quite effective in speeding up the healing process.
Things to remember. Relax.

Check all jewelry daily to make sure the beads are secure, especially labret studs, straight curved and circular barbells

Make sure that your bed sheets and linens and clean before you go to bed.

Beds are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash your bedding weekly and always wear clean clothing.

Eat your vegetables!

The combination of regular exercise and a balanced diet can often be the secret to fast healing.

Relax!

Sleep deprivation and stress can greatly depress your immune system. So take it easy.

Keep It Dry!

A waterproof bandage such as Tegaderm® or Clean Seals® may be worn temporarily when swimming in lakes and pools.

Things you should not do. Don't touch your piercing. This means you and everyone else! Unwashed hands WILL spread bacteria. So, Don't mess with it!

Keep Your Mouth to Yourself.

Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with other's bodily fluids until fully healed.

Pools and Lakes are really BAD.  Public waters such as Jacuzzis, pools and lakes are filthy and should be avoided.

Sex? If you have a genital piercing you must use protection (condoms dental dams) to prevent contact with other's bodily fluids during healing. This applies to you even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

WARNING:  If an infection does occur, the jewelry should be left in to allow drainage. Removal may result in an abscess.

Please Note:
If you have ANY questions… Please call us , 214-559-3706.
Treat your piercing with care… Improper care and bad advice can destroy your art!

Please contact a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or an allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction or adverse reaction to that artist and to the Texas Department of Health – Drugs and Medical Devices Division (1-888-839-6676).

ORAL PIERCINGS

Cleaning Solutions
Liquid Antimicrobial Oral Rinse, such as Tech 2000.
Sea Salt
Get ICE - Don't forget ICE

Avoided Solutions
Mouthwash with Alcohol such as Listerine.
Cleaning Instructions
Dilute mouthwash

If you use Tech 2000, remember to dilute 1 capful to every 4 ounces of water. This is best accomplished by purchasing a 20 ounce bottle of water and adding 5 capfuls. Remember the solution is concentrated. Using full strength can be damaging to your piercing and is extremely wasteful.

The mouth should be rinsed for 30 to 60 seconds, every 3 to 4 hours, during the initial healing period.

Rinse your mouth after every time you eat, every time you drink (something besides water,) and every time you smoke (if you do.)

Suck on Ice
To help reduce swelling, gently suck on clean ice for the first 48 to 72 hours. This will keep the pain and the swelling down.

Do not omit this step!

Optional Instructions
Rinsing with a warm sea salt solution before bedtime can often help to remove any buildup of discharge that will secrete from a fresh piercing.

Sea Salt solution = ¼ tsp. sea salt mixed with a cup (8oz) of hot distilled water.

Swelling, Bruising and Bleeding
The oral cavity is extremely mobile and is very vascular area of the body.   Swelling can be very severe in many cases.   DO NOT WORRY! All of these conditions are normal.

Try to keep movement of the piercing down to a minimum.   Speaking slowly and carefully will limit swelling and will keep soreness down.

THINGS TO DO
Check all jewelry daily to make sure the beads are secure, especially labret studs, straight, curved, and circular barbells. 

Brush your teeth! Rinsing is important BUT normal oral hygiene should also be followed.

Remember to eat cool soft foods. Avoiding hot and spicy things will keep irritation and ultimately swelling to a minimum.

Eat your vegetables!

The combination of regular exercise and a balanced diet can often be the secret to fast healing.

Relax - Sleep deprivation and stress can greatly depress your immune system. So take it easy.

THINGS TO NEVER DO!
Do not bite on the jewelry or click it on your teeth.  Oral piercings can actually rub off enamel and crack teeth!

Don't Mess With IT! This means you and everyone else! Keep those unwashed hands, pens, paper clips, money or whatever else out of your mouth!

Keep Your Mouth to Yourself!

Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with other's bodily fluids until fully healed.

Drinking and Smoking are BAD!

Drinking (alcohol) and smoking should be avoided for the first 3 to 5 days, since it can cause excessive swelling and scarring.
Also, smoking after 3 days can slow the healing. Switching to a lighter cigarette and decreasing the amount you smoke will help dramatically.

Sex? Oral sex and “wet” kissing should be avoided for the initial healing time. This applies to you even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

Please Note:
If you have ANY questions… Please call us , 214-559-3706. Treat your piercing with care… Improper care and bad advice can destroy your art!

Please contact a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or an allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction or adverse reaction to that artist and to the Texas Department of Health – Drugs and Medical Devices Division (1-888-839-6676).


STRETCHING

The most common piercing to be stretched by far are the earlobes, even though, any piercing can be stretched. Stretching a piercing is FREE, but we strongly reccomend that you let us work on your piercing, both for your health and the life of your piercing. Simply jamming larger jewelry into a piercing doesn't work, it causes irritation and might lead to scar tissue or unsightly blowouts. BE PATIENT.  Time plays the biggest part in healing a stretched piercing.  Although no bleeding may be visible, stretching does make microscopic tears in your skin.  Your body does need time to build up and fortify the skin INSIDE the piercing.  Your body also needs time to accomodate the new size of the jewelry.  This takes about 2 to 3 months. Be patient. 

Skipping sizes is not reccomended.

The material the jewelry is made from also plays a large part in stretching your piercing.  We will only use Stainless Steel, Titanium or Glass jewelry to stretch a piercing. 

Organic materials like wood, horn, or bone, and other materials like stone are often worn in stretch earlobes, but are not used for stretching.  Super small cracks, pits or other indentions allow for your body to grow into the micro-imperfections, and upon removal and tear or rip your piercing, causing a blowout. These materials are too porous and cannot be properly cleaned or sterilized.  This could lead to a possible infection.

BE PATIENT. The longer you wait to stretch your piercing, the happier it will be!

MY OWN JEWELRY

We stock the best jewelry there is to offer.  We have Implant Grade Stainless Steel, Titanium, 18K Solid Gold.  All of our jewelry is Internally Threaded. 

If you would like us to use your own jewelry, it must be free of nicks and scratches, and be made of appropriate materials.  We will not use jewelry bought from THE MALL.  It is usually made from inferior marterials and externally threaded.  This is bad for your piercing and bad for your body. If you have any questions about your jewelry, please bring it by the shop and let us take a look at it.  Our professional piercers will let you know if your jewelry is suitable to put in your body.


I LOST A BEAD!

DON'T WORRY!  We have replacement beads for your internally threaded body jewelry.