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FAQS
Are you looking for answers about piercings, bookings, piercing healing times, our store and more?
We cover everything from piercings, aftercare and our studio, so you can feel confident in choosing us for all your piercing needs.
If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

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Do I need to book an appointment or can I walk-in?We welcome walk-in clients, as well as pre-booked appointments. A booking secures a specific time for you and avoids the possibility of waiting, especially as our studio is especially busy at times. We understand that your time is precious and recommend that you make a booking to avoid any potential waiting time. Please note that while we do welcome walk-in clients, but walk-in appointments are not guranateed Book here now...
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How old do I have to be to have a needle piercing?16 years + do not require parental consent. Adorn and Trendez By Adorn Policy Nipple Piercings - Strictly 16+ Tongue Piercing - Strictly 15+ Navel Piercings - Strictly 14+ All People 14 and Under, must have a gurandian present in the piercing room while the minor is pierced. Consent from a parent or legal guardian is required for any needle piercing if you are under the age of sixteen. ID proof of age may be required for the guardian and minor. We also need to ensure that our clients thoroughly understand the aftercare requirements and can take a proactive approach to keeping their piercing safe and healthy. Our team understand that age is an important consideration when choosing to have a piercing. It is recommended that our younger clients and their guardians consider their age and maturity level before making this decision. If our piercer feels that the minor is unable to adhere to the aftercare instructions we may decline the piercing. If the minor is not compliant or is causing distress to other clients we may choose to decline the piercing. Refunds are on a case by case basis and are dependent on time and materials used. We believe that 16-year-olds are capable of making informed decisions about their own bodies, including the decision to have a piercing. However, as a professional piercing studio, we also recognise that teenagers can be unpredictable and make impulsive decisions. As can some adults! Ultimately, the decision to have a piercing is a personal one that involves careful consideration of your individual needs, preferences, and maturity level. Our piercing professionals are trained to make sure that all clients are fully informed about the risks vs benefits of all piercings before they proceed. We always prioritise our clients' safety and well-being, and we encourage clients to communicate openly with our piercing professionals to ensure that they have all the information they need to make an informed decision about their piercing. We offer free check ups for all piercings and encourage you to downsize your piercings once swelling has subsided to mitigate any issues.
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What is included in the price of the piercing?All piercing prices include SS316L surgical steel jewellery, your piercing and your first downsize fitting. We understand that every piercing is different, which is why we recommend upgrading your piercing jewellery to our implant-grade threadless titanium options during your appointment. Our professional piercers recommend this option as it offers a higher level of comfort and safety. Upgrade options range from $10-$40 per piercing, making it an affordable option for those seeking the best possible jewelry. In addition to jewellery, we also offer aftercare solutions to help promote a smooth and successful healing process. Your first downsize fitting is also included, this ensures that your piercing heals correctly and comfortably. More on downsizing here
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My piercing is becoming irritated or infected, how do I care my piercing?Aftercare is VERY important with any piercing. Piercings are prone to irritations and infections during the first two phases of healing. An aftercare guide was explained and given to you at the time of your appointment as well as being available on our website here Please ensure you are following the instructions carefully. Remember that any touching, twisting, turning or picking at the piercing can cause irritation or infection. For information on infections or irritation/piercing bumps see our website here Not downsizing your piercing can also cause irritation. For information on downsizing your piercing see our website FAQs section here All piercings are performed under strict sterile conditions using single-use, pre-sterilised needles and equipment. Please see our safety policy here for more information on our processes. If at anytime you are concerned about your piercing please call or visit our studios, we are open 7 days! Contact us or see our locations here
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I have excessive swelling, what should I do?Swelling is a common experience after getting a piercing. We use jewellery that allows for normal amounts of swelling, if you find the swelling uncomfortable, take action. You can ice the area, elevate your head while sleeping (if you have a face or ear piercing), or take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or voltaren. If you are experiencing painful swelling or if your jewellery is sinking into your piercing, call us or visit the studio immediately Botany 09 250 4004 Takapuna 09 484 0048 To avoid any excessive swelling, it's important to not touch, twist, pick, or play with your piercing. Do not to sleep on your piercing. Make sure to follow the aftercare instructions carefully. Infections, poor aftercare, and reactions to jewellery can also cause excessive swelling, so it's important to be vigilant. Tight jewellery can cause an infection to develop. Once the excessive swelling has subsided, it is important to downsize your jewellery. See more information on excessive swelling here
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Do you pierce children's lobes?At Adorn, we understand that body piercings are deeply rooted in various cultures around the world, this includes ear lobe piercings and sometimes nose piercings for young children. Our professional body piercers are trained to perform piercings with utmost precision and respect, and we always use sterile equipment and follow strict sanitation protocols to ensure your little ones safety. We understand that some younger clients may need more time to make the decision to go through with a piercing, so we always make sure to give them that extra bit of care and attention. This is why we also use two piercers for children's ear piercings to ensure a positive outcome for everyone involved. Please note, these piercings are taken on a case by case basis, if we feel like there is a risk that you or your child can not adhere to proper aftercare instructions we will not preform the piercings. If you have any questions please call your local studio for more details. We also recommend avoiding busy periods between 12-5 in the weekends to avoid your child being overwhelmed with a busy studio. Please also see our FAQs on cartridge vs needle piercings.
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When should I downsize my piercing?At Adorn, we understand the importance of downsizing certain piercings to prevent irritation, migration, or rejection. This is why we always recommend downsizing your piercing once the swelling has subsided. Regular check-ups and downsizing fittings are available for free at Adorn. Our knowledgeable piercing professionals can help you determine when your piercing is ready to be downsized, as incorrect sizing in can lead to further complications. Book your free downsize fitting here - Please note jewellery is not included.
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I'm worried about the pain, can I use numbing cream or anestheticsNaturally, it's understandable to feel nervous before a new piercing, especially if you have not experienced one before. But please keep in mind that our team is highly trained, competent, and experienced, and the pain associated with a piercing is often not as bad as people expect. The pain is very manageable and the process is quick. As a policy, we do not perform piercings on individuals who have applied numbing creams. The use of numbing cream can distort the tissue surrounding the piercing site, which can cause the resulting piercings to become crooked and uneven. The numbing effect of the cream does not extend to the deeper layers of skin, and you may still experience discomfort during the piercing procedure. If you have applied numbing cream before your appointment, we may be unable to pierce you. At Adorn, we prioritise the safety and satisfaction of our clients, and we encourage you to trust in our professionalism and experience to deliver a high-quality piercing service. If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know in advance and we'll be happy to work with you to ensure your piercing experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
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What jewellery is available?At Adorn, all piercing prices include a standard SS316L surgical steel option. However, we highly recommend upgrading to our premium titanium jewellery, which is known for its superior quality and high resistance to irritation and wear. If you want the best possible healing experience and durability, our implant grade titanium jewellery is a great choice. In addition to our standard piercing options in surgical steel and titanium jewellery options, we also offer a wide range of high-quality pieces for you to choose from for your healed piercings. Our extensive range of jewellery encompasses various styles, and allows you to personalise your piercing and accent your unique style. Whether you're looking for statement earrings, classic hoops, or unique studs, you will find something that suits your style at Adorn. We believe that finding the perfect piece of jewellery to match and complement your piercing is an essential part of the overall experience, and that's why we're proud to offer such a comprehensive selection. To comply with the Health and Hygiene laws Adorn does not give refunds on jewellery purchased in-studio. Please see our refund policy for more information
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Do you use guns (cartridge) to pierce, what is the difference between cartridge and needle piercings?Cartridge style piercings are strictly for 12 years and under. Needle piercings are performed by a professional piercers using a hollow needle that creates a clean, high-quality piercing. A piercing needle is sharp, single-use, and sterile, which reduces the risk of infection and ensures a safe piercing experience. Needle piercings provide a higher level of precision and are a more professional and safe way to get pierced, especially if you are looking for a specific placement or style of piercing. Our lobe needle piercings start from $40 including your piercing and flat back jewellery. Gun piercings (cartridge) and the quality of the piercing can vary depending on the skill of the piercer. Gun piercings can be faster and cheaper than needle piercings, which can make them more favourable for younger children, but they carry a higher risk of infection and can cause damage to the skin if not performed correctly. Guns also use a sharp-tipped earring to pierce the skin, which can be more traumatic to the tissue than a piercing needle, leading to longer healing times and increased risk of scarring. The butterfly backed earrings used at some locations do not allow for swelling. At Adorn we are aware that gun piercings are accessible at most chemists, some Lovisa outlets and piercing stores for a very cheap price. We also understand that some clients are needle phobic and prefer this type of piercing. The Ministry of Health Guidelines for Safe Piercing of Skin requires the use of guns ONLY on the soft tissue of the lobe. Unfortunately, Lovisa, chemists and some piercing studios will still pierce the hard cartilage of the ear and nose with this style of equipment. This will cause trauma causing excessive swelling and irritation and scarring to the area. Therefore, Adorn will not pierce anything other than the first and second space of the ear lobe with this style of equipment and only for 12 years and under. Our cartridge style piercings, are surgical steel or titanium studs and have a longer post to allow for swelling. The butterfly backs are not locked into position allowing us to move the butterfly to allow for swelling. Each cartridge is packaged singularly and pre-sterilised. The cartridge is different to a piercing gun as there is no spring mechanism, the cartridge pierces with a swift hand pressure movement allowing for more accuracy for placement. The cartridge is then disposed of and therefore has no risk of cross contamination. We do not load our cartridges into an instrument such as a gun as this cannot be sterilised in between clients. Simply wiping down a gun will not kill contaminants. In conclusion, while needle piercings are safer and more precise than gun piercings, it's important to choose a reputable piercing studio staffed by experienced professional body piercers who can provide you with a high-quality piercing experience and personalised advice on the best option for you. If you have any concerns about a particular method or a specific piercing, we encourage you to speak with our body piercers to discuss your options and find the best solution for your specific needs.
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How long will the session take?Piercing sessions can take 10-15 minutes, please allow an additional 10-15 to choose your piercing and to fill out your consent forms beforehand. If you’d like to make a booking now, see here...
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Can I bring my own jewellery?No, in accordance with the Ministry of Health we can not pierce you with jewellery you have bought somewhere else or have previously used, we pierce with our own high quality jewellery to avoid risk the chance of infection, irritation and to promote healing.
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Can I bring a note from a parent?No, if you are under 16, your parent/guardian will need to provide consent in person or over the phone. ID may be required.
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I’m not allowed visible piercings at school, what can I do?"Adorn offers Bio compatible, flexible bioplast jewellery, in most cases we can pierce with this jewellery to allow for better healing instead of removing a new piercing for school each day.
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Can I bring my friends along?14 and under must have a parent or guardian present while the piercing is performed. This is to ensure both parties understand the aftercare instructions. You may bring a parent, guardian or friend but please limit yourself to one support person as our premises are small and our piercers require concentration. Please also note that this is at our piercers discretion. We require concentration and may only allow the person being pierced in the piercing areas. Please also note we do not allow filming of our piercings as we need to concentrate.
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How long will my piercing take to heal?Healing times vary with different piercings and how long your own body takes to mend. Typical piercing healing times will be told to you during your consultation and can be seen here in our aftercare guide.
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Can I be pierced if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?Yes, if you are comfortable, healthy and understand the aftercare there is no reason why you can't have a piercing while pregnant. It is recommended that you wait for 9-12 months + to have a nipple piercing once breastfeeding has stopped.
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How many piercings can I get at once?Depending on placement, we will perform up to 3 piercings in one session. More than 3 fresh piercings at once can be difficult to care for and compromise your bodies ability to heal in a timely manner.
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What payment options are available?We currently accept, Cash, Visa, MasterCard and offer PayWave abilities. Surcharges apply to PayWave and Credit cards. Afterpay is currently only available at all of our locations. Gift Vouchers are available for purchase in studio.
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Do you sell gift vouchersYes, we sell gift vouchers instudio vouchers these can be redeemded at any of our locations in Auckland and Christchurch
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