FAQ

Piercing Healing Times:

Below is a list of average healing times for various piercings. Individual experiences may vary. Please consult your piercer for additional information.

2-3 Weeks

• Tattoos

6-8 Weeks:

• Clitoral Hood
• Earlobe
• Eyebrow
• Eyebrow (Anti)
• Foreskin
• Inner Labia
• Labret Lip
• Monroe
• Philtrum
• Prince Albert
• Septum
• Single Points
• Tongue

2-4 Months

• Branding
• Nostril
• Scarrification

3-4 Months:

• Bridge
• Frenum
• Guiche
• Lorum
• Nipple
• Outer Labia
• Scrotum
• Triangle

6-9 Months:

• Ampallang
• Anti-Tragus
• Apadravya
• Cheek
• Conch
• Daith
• Dydoe
• Ear Cartilage
• Ear Heart
• Helix
• Industrial
• Navel
• Pubic
• Rook
• Snug
• Spiral
• Surface Piercings
• Tragus

• Age Requirements:
  •  Tattoos
    • To be tattooed in the state of Massachusetts you must be 18 with a valid government issued I.D.(such as a permit, drivers license, passport or armed forces card.)
    • HBA will also accept a birth certificate with other photo I.D.
  • Piercings
    • Click here for our Age & Id policies.
• Children:
  • Tattoos-NA
  • Piercings
    • We will do earlobes on children under 13 at the artists discretion, so please call ahead of time.
• Genital Piercings:
  • We will not do genital or nipple piercing on anyone under the age of 18.

• Age Requirements:
  •  Tattoos
    • To be tattooed in the state of Massachusetts you must be 18 with a valid government issued I.D.(such as a permit, drivers license, passport or armed forces card.)
    • HBA will also accept a birth certificate with other photo I.D.
  • Piercings
    • Click here for our Age & Id policies.
• Children:
  • Tattoos-NA
  • Piercings
    • We will do earlobes on children under 13 at the artists discretion, so please call ahead of time.
• Genital Piercings:
  • We will not do genital or nipple piercing on anyone under the age of 18.

• HBA does not use piercing guns.
• Piercing guns cannot be sterilized.
• Since the piercing gun cannot be properly cleaned you could be exposed to blood borne disease carried by any previous customer.
• Jewelry used in combination with the piercing gun is low quality and may result in health complications such as allergic reactions.
• HBA has additional materials available for anyone at the shop if they wish to learn more about the dangers of piercing guns.

The body modification industry is full of professional and talented artists who have your health and safety as a top priority. With the growing popularity of tattooing & piercing, and the growing number of shops, this is unfortunately not always the case. There are those who would sacrifice your health & safety, and cut corners to earn a quick buck. It is important for you to be informed on how to protect yourself.

• Other shops can do it for less, why shouldn’t I go there?
  • A better question to ask is why is it less expensive at that shop?
  • There are shops that would use equipment and procedures that save them money but increase health risks to you.
  • Would you go to a hospital that costs less but provided you questionable care and endangered your health and safety?
  • To provide and maintain properly working equipment and supplies is expensive, which is a factor in raising the price of a procedure.
  • If something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
  • HBA only uses supplies which are sterile or single use disposable as well as implant grade materials such as: 316LVM F-138 Surgical Steel, Titanium, Glass, 18k Nickle free Gold, and inks / pigments.

• Whats going to happen? (start to finish)
  • You will fill out paper work and provide the appropriate identification.
  • For piercings, our front end staff will help you find the perfect jewelry for your modification.
  • The artist will set up their work station and obtain the properly sterilized equipment they will need for the procedure.
  • The artist will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have at that time.
  • The procedure will be preformed.
  • Aftercare will be explained to you after or during the procedure. You will also be provided your own written copy for reference.
• Are people going to be watching?
  • This depends on you, if you would like privacy during your procedure, ask your artist and they will make the appropriate accommodations.
• Can people be there with me during my procedure?
  • Yes, but they must listen to the artists instructions at all times while in the tattooing or piercing rooms.
  • Many surfaces are considered clean and will become contaminated if you; or anything you are carrying makes contact with them.
  • Never touch anything within the artists room.
  • If you are less than 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must accompany you.
• Can someone hold my hand?
  • This depends on the artist, and the actual procedure.
  • Physical contact might not be possible if it hinders the artist’s ability to work.
  • Just ask and your artists will let you know if it is ok.
• How long does this take?
  • A piercing will take less than a second. Literally. For most procedures setup and the after care discussion will take longer than the procedure its self.
  • A tattoo is completely dependent on the size and complexity of the piece.
  • For tattoos if you are receiving a large piece, you should be prepared to sit for long periods of time. Feel free to ask your artist for breaks if you begin to feel uncomfortable.
  • When receiving a modification it is always a good idea to have a decent meal and wear comfortable clothes.
• I am getting light headed or nauseous during my modification, what do I do?
  • Immediately tell your artist!
  • This is nothing to be embarrassed about and happens all the time.
  • The entire HBA staff is trained in first aid and will know how to help you.
• Tipping my artist?
  • Tipping is customary, not required, and is greatly appreciated.

I want my modification removed, what do I do?

• • Piercings
    • This will depend on the type of piercing in question.
    • The best thing to do is call HBA and ask about your piercing.
    • If it is a easy removal the artist will tell you over the phone on how to properly remove the jewelry.
    • If the piercing is more complex or in a sensitive area, the artist will have you come into the shop and safely remove the jewelry.
  • Tattoos
    • Tattoos should be considered a permanent modification and should not be entered into lightly.
    • Laser removal is not guaranteed to remove a tattoo completely, and may require multiple sessions.
    • Laser removal may be expensive.
    • Laser removal is painful.
  • My piercing is infected
    • Contact HBA immediately if you suspect infection of a piercing.

• Standard practice
  • Disposable gloves are used for all procedures, and are changed multiple times throughout each procedure to avoid contamination of the client and surfaces in the work area.
  • All other products used in the procedure; ie. gauze, ointments, ink caps, or razors are single use disposable.
  • All needles are single use disposable. They are pre-sterilized off site by the manufacturer before use and in front of the client, disposed of in a appropriate sharps container after the procedure.
  • Any instruments that are not single use disposable (ie. forceps or receiving tubes), are soaked with a hard surface disinfectant, moved to an ultra sonic to remove any debris and then sterilized in a properly tested autoclave before reuse.
  • All jewelry used in new piercings is first cleaned in the ultrasonic to remove any polishing compounds, packaged with a heat sealer, and then sterilized in a properly tested autoclave.
• Autoclave explained
  • Autoclaves achieve sterilization through the use of intense steam-heat and pressure over an extended period of time.
  • Any autoclave being used for sterilizing equipment should be tested (called a spore test) by an independent lab at least once a month.
  • At HBA we test our autoclave weekly.
  • In addition we use a combination of package indicators which react to heat exposure and integrators which react to time, temperature, and pressure to monitor every autoclave load.

• Is this going to leave a scar?
  • Any time tissue is punctured there is potential for scarring to occur.
  • Not following the aftercare instructions given to you by your artist will greatly increase the chances of scarring.
  • In the event a piercing begins to grow out (move towards the surface) contact your piercer to have it removed.

• Are color tattoos more expensive?
  • Tattoos are priced by time not by the color of the ink.
• How much does this cost?
  • For appointments HBA requires a $75 deposit, which will be put towards the cost of your tattoo.
  • Please call the shop to speak with our artists about pricing.
• How much do custom drawings cost?
  • If you decide you do not wish to be tattooed and have already made a deposit, you will receive the drawing the artist has finished, and HBA will keep the deposit as a drawing fee.
  • The drawing fee only applies if you made a deposit and do not follow through with your tattoo.
• Cover ups (Scars, Tattoos, Stretch marks)?
  • Generally the artist will be able to create a cover up for scars, other tattoos, and stretch marks as long as the areas are completely healed.
  • If there is excessive scarring or tissue damage to a certain area a cover up may not be possible.
  • For all cover ups you should meet the artist in person for an evaluation.
  • During the evaluation the artist will be able to determine what options are available for you.
• You have your own image or design.
  • You may bring in any picture or design you want, though the image may have to be altered before being rendered as a tattoo.
  • Certain images and / or drawings may not be copied exactly as they are seen due to tattoo size and location.
  • The artist may use the exact sample, but will most likely try to find a way to customize the piece, and make it unique for you.
  • The more examples you bring in, the better understanding the artist will have of what you want.

• Modifications and the work place.
  • You should always check with your Human Resource department before getting any modifications to see if you are in violation of code with your employer.
• Things to consider
  • Is the piercing or tattoo easily covered when you are at work?