THE JEWELLERY
IS HALF THE PIERCING.
The piercing takes a second. The jewellery stays in you for months — and decides whether the piercing heals cleanly or keeps bothering you. Material, shape, size: here's what you need to know, without jargon.
Why titanium
Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) is biocompatible, nickel-free, doesn't oxidise and is light. Surgical steel is the other option Greek law allows for initial jewellery. Anything else — gold-plated, 'silver', acrylic, cheap pieces from the internet — doesn't go into a fresh piercing. Gold piercing jewellery? Only in a healed piercing and only solid 14k or higher, nickel-free — never plated. Nickel allergy is the most common reason a piercing 'won't heal': the jewellery is to blame, not you.
- Titanium ASTM F-136
- Surgical steel
- Nickel-free
- No plated pieces in fresh piercings
Flat-back labret
The piece with a flat disc at the back — instead of a screw-on ball — is the standard for ear cartilage, lip, nostril. It doesn't catch in hair, doesn't press when you sleep, doesn't rub on teeth. Threadless or internally threaded: both correct, because nothing sharp passes through the piercing.
Downsizing: the step everyone forgets
The first piece is deliberately longer, to make room for the swelling of the first weeks. Once the swelling is gone, the long bar moves, tilts and irritates — and that's how 'bumps' appear. Downsizing is the change to a shorter bar, usually 4–8 weeks later for lip and tongue, 2–3 months for cartilage. It's part of our job — drop by and we'll do it.
When and how to change jewellery
Not before full healing. The first change is done here, so we can see the piercing is ready and you learn how that particular piece opens and closes. After that, on your own — with clean hands and without leaving the hole empty for hours, because it closes fast, especially nose and lip.
Sizes: gauge, length, diameter
Gauge is the thickness of the bar (e.g. 16g = 1.2 mm for ear and nose, 14g = 1.6 mm for navel, tongue, septum). Length is the bar between the ends, and that's where downsizing happens. Diameter is the size of a ring. If you buy jewellery elsewhere, bring it in so we can check the size and material before you put it in.
- 16g · 1.2 mm
- 14g · 1.6 mm
- Length
- Diameter
Ring or stud
A stud for healing, almost always. A ring moves inside the piercing and irritates it — that's why it goes in later. Exceptions are the septum and the daith, which heal fine with a ring in the right diameter.
Can I bring my own jewellery?+
For a fresh piercing, only if it's titanium or surgical steel in the right size — bring it in and we'll check. For a healed one, whatever you like, as long as it isn't nickel.
What does downsizing mean?+
Changing to a shorter bar once the swelling is gone. It prevents irritation and bumps. It's part of the job — drop by.
When can I change jewellery?+
After full healing. We do the first change here.
Do you sell piercing jewellery?+
Yes — titanium for fresh and healed piercings, in the right sizes. Ask what's available.
I'm allergic to nickel. Can I get pierced?+
Yes — titanium is nickel-free. That's why it's what we use.
The jewellery has sunk into the swelling. What do I do?+
Come in straight away — you need a longer bar. Don't wait for it to 'sort itself out'.
TELL US
WHAT'S ON
YOUR MIND.
The appointment is confirmed by the studio.