Get Pierced at Piercology

About 3 years ago, I was in the market for something "life changing". It had been years since I got my first (and only) tattoo, and my navel piercing closed up years before that. I knew that stainless steel was in my future, but how? I did some research online. I wanted to make sure I didn't go to some seedy tattoo parlour, as was the case with my tattoo (which I love, but maybe I should have gone elsewhere?) I wanted a place that was clean, well established, and where the people were trained to touch me. My search led me to Piercology.

Piercology is a professional body piercing studio located in Columbus, OH. Owned by Patrick McCarthy, they have been "poking holes" in people since 1994. The first thing to know about this place is that all they do is pierce. There are no tattoos here! So you know they're focused on providing the best piercing experience possible. As well, something which is really an absolute must if you're in the market for a piercing; they are known to be the first studio in Columbus to pass guidelines set by the APP (the Association of Professional Piercers). The APP is "an international non-profit association dedicated to the dissemination of vital health and safety information related to body piercing, piercers, health care providers and the general public." The piercers at Piercology have also been personally trained by the former president of the APP himself. So what it all boils down to, is Piercology is a safe place to get pierced!

When I called in and told them what I wanted done, I was told I didn't need an appointment. I could just walk right in. (They're open 7 days a week). I remember when I went in, I was extremely nervous. I told the person behind the counter exactly what I wanted, and he showed me some jewelry that I could choose from for my particular piercing. Then I sat in a very plush waiting area (this was in their first/previous location), and anxiously tried to watch TV as they sterilized the equipment and jewelry. In a flash, I was called back to a private piercing room (all piercings are done in private rooms, thank God!).

The piercer I had was male, which would normally freak me out. I'm pretty modest, despite the type of piercing I was about to get. However, he was a complete gentleman, was very professional, and obviously knew what he was doing. He did his best to make sure I was comfortable-he kept asking if I was okay, and always told me exactly what he was doing. The experience did not take very long at all. It went much better than I expected, and honestly by the time I got to the front desk to pay, I couldn't even feel it (the piercing) was there. I was more than willing to leave him a tip (there are tip jars in the piercing rooms). I also made sure to pop onto the website later that afternoon, and thank him publicly for his help in achieving such a positive piercing experience.

You are not on your own after you get your piercing. You do get advice on aftercare, as well as products to clean the piercing if you'd like to buy some (which I would recommend). You can call the shop when you need help, you can also visit their forum on their website (quite an informative website, by the way!), and write to any of the piercers who work there- for tips about pain, jewelry and so on. You can also chat with other pierced customers! As well, if you need larger sized jewelry after your piercing has healed (like I did), then you can always go back and they will be more than willing to help you choose the style and size that's right for you.

I cannot recommend this piercing studio enough!