Needles should be single-use only.  Make sure your piercing artist removes new needles from sealed autoclave bags in front of you.  Autoclave bags have color indicators to show that they have been sterilized in an autoclave. However, these indicators can change colors even if the autoclave is not working properly. This is another reason you should ask to see autoclave test records.

Be certain that your piercing artist places fresh ink into a new disposable ink cap to mark your piercing or uses disposable removeable marker tips. Under NO circumstances should ink that has been poured out or used, be poured back into the ink bottle or markers used on more than one person.

All piercing artists should wash their hands and put on a new pair of gloves when prior to starting a piercing. Make sure that any item that may be touched during the piercing process is covered by plastic or barrier film, to avoid cross contamination. Cross contamination is the act of spreading potential pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms from one item or surface to another.  Even if a piercing artist has on new gloves but touches a cross contamination item or surface, you are then in danger of those pathogens being transferred to your freshly broken skin. The best way to prevent cross contamination from one client to the next is by covering all surfaces that a piercer might touch during the piercing process with disposable plastic or barrier film.  Be sure your artist does not touch anything with dirty gloves, and that all items are wiped down with a disinfectant in between clients as an extra precautionary step.

Your piercing artist should be clean in appearance and sober. The furnishings in a studio should also be clean and orderly in appearance. All containers, work stations, and floors should be made of hard non-porous materials so they can be cleaned with a hard surface disinfectant.

Feel free to question the piercer about any of these basic guidelines and procedures. If the piercer is a professional, they will have no problem complying with these standards. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable or if piercer appears evasive when questioned - go elsewhere!

Choosing an Artist
In choosing an artist for a piercing, you should never "price shop."  Piercing prices are based on quality as well as time, and prices will vary from artist to artist, region to region. This is not a trade where there are fixed prices. Look at portfolios showcasing examples of piercings by the artist that will be working on you.  These photos are the best way to determine if the piercer is worth what you pay them or is capable of the style you seek. A professional will refer you to someone else if they feel they can not do the piercing you want correctly. Bargain piercings, however, are often a sign of someone more interested in your money than your health. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don't gamble with your skin. A cheap piercing now, may cost you later to fix or even worse, may cost you your health.