Piercing

Body Piercing Policies

At Cactus Tattoo, our staff are dedicated to providing you with the best service, in a positive, friendly and safe environment. It is our goal to continually improve the quality of our work and ensure customer satisfaction.

AGE REQUIREMENTS

In conjunction with Minnesota State Law and our insurance provider: All customers must be at least 18 years old for all the following piercings. LIP, LABRET, UPPER LABRET, MONROE, ANGEL, TONGUE, NIPPLES, HOOD, LABIA, PRINCE ALBERT, FRENUM and SEPTUM

You must be at least 16 years old and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the following piercings: NAVEL, EYEBROW, NOSTRIL, INDUSTRIAL, ROOK, DAITH, CONCH, HELIX, FORWARD HELIX, SNUG, TRAGUS, LOBES* *Lobes may be pierced on children who are at least 8 years old and accompanied by parent or legal guardian. It is up to our piercer to decide whether the child is ready for the responsibility of taking care of a piercing. Children who do not seem up to the challenge may be turned away.

All minors must come with a parent or legal guardian and provide proper identification. If the LAST NAMES and/or ADDRESSES on their identification cards do not match more information will be required: a piece of mail, proof of residence, birth certificate, or insurance cards. The parent or legal guardian is also required to sign the consent form provided by Cactus Tattoo. Court documented guardianship papers are required if accompanying adult is not a parent. Parent or legal guardian and minor must also bring required identification stated below:

REQUIRED IDENTIFICATION

If you would like to receive a piercing, you MUST present one of the following VALID forms of identification:
1. State-issued driver’s license or state-issued identification card
2. Passport
3. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
4. Military identification card issued by the United States Department of Defense
5. Tribal identification card

If your state ID or driver’s license is expired, you MUST bring the white renewal papers with you. If you do not bring one of these forms of identification you will not get pierced. No exceptions. Social Security Cards, insurance cards, school IDs, and birth certificates do not qualify as valid IDs.

MINORS GETTING LOBE PIERCINGS ONLY

When a minor child wants to receive a piercing their parent and/or guardian must be present. You will need the minor’s Birth Certificate as well as some type of photo ID. This can be a school ID, a yearbook photo, or some other photo that proves parent/child connection. This must be accompanied by the Parent’s Valid ID as stated above. Anyone under the age of 18 is required by Minnesota state law to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Our piercers, at Cactus Tattoo, will not pierce anyone obviously intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We reserve the right to deny service to any one we believe to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. This is for your safety as well as the safety of our body piercers.

Hints & Tips

HEALING TIMES

Everyone is unique and will go through their healing time at different speeds. We have compiled a list to give you an idea of a healing time to expect for each piercing we do. It is important to continue cleaning your piercing for the entire heal time. If your piercing does not seem healed after the estimated timelines continue cleaning your piercing and consult your piercer.

EAR LOBES: 2-4 months
NAVEL, NIPPLE, NOSTRIL: 3-6 months
EAR CARTILIDGE: 3-6 months
SEPTUM: 2-4 months
LIP, LABRET, ANGEL, MONROE: 2-4 months
GENITAL: 1-2 months
TONGUE: 2-4 weeks

CLEANING WITH A SEA SALT SOLUTION

Sea salt and water is a safe and natural way to cleanse and heal your piercing. Because the human body is made up of mostly salt water, we recommend using a sea salt solution to clean piercings safely without irritation. Sea salt solution is gentle enough to allow new skin cells to form promoting a faster healing time. Also, with the correct mixture of sea salt and water it can be used as a natural antiseptic that can draw out irritants in the skin. Chemical products such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, Neosporin, Listerine etc. are too harsh and will potentially irritate your piercing. These harsh products will also prevent new cell growth and likely slow the healing.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHILE HEALING YOUR PIERCING

At first, bruising, soreness, localized swelling, redness and some bleeding can be expected.

Secretion of a yellowish fluid may create a scab like crust on the jewelry while your piercing is healing. The area may also itch and become discolored. Your piercing may seem healed before it actually is. Make sure to continue cleaning it throughout our recommended healing time.

If you are experiencing problems with your piercing, know that most commonly people experience irritations not infections. Signs of infection or irritation are:

1. Heat
2. Excessive soreness
3. Dark smelly discharge
4. Excessive redness
5. Bumps

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms make sure to see a health care professional or stop into the shop right away so we can help fix any problems that may be occurring. If you feel like you may have an infection, do not remove the jewelry without consulting a piercer first. Removing the jewelry can cause the surface cells to close and then seal the infection inside the pierced area, which may cause an abscess. We are always here to help you with any problems or questions you may have, just call or stop in anytime. Also, please consult a doctor if problems persist.

Piercing Aftercare Instruction

At Cactus Tattoo we suggest using a sea salt solution to clean all piercings. We offer three different options of sea salt. The first sea salt option is in a granule form that must be mixed with water to make a sea salt solution. Simply mix a 1/8 of a teaspoon to a ½ a cup (4 oz) of warm water. Make sure the sea salt is non-iodized (iodine free) and use distilled or bottled water when possible. Also remember, a stronger solution will not clean your piercing better but may in fact, irritate it. The second sea salt option is a premixed sea salt solution called H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray. This is a piercing spray, when applied solely; we suggest using it 3-6 times a day. The third option is H2Ocean Healing Soak. The healing soak is a concentrate that is added to a gallon of distilled to create a premixed soak. This would replace the granule sea salt option. We have seen the best results when clients use both sea salt solutions: sea salt soaks morning and night, while using the spray 2-3 times throughout the middle of the day.

AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

1. WASH your hands before cleaning your piercing.
2. Clean your piercing 2-4 times daily with the sea salt solution (1/8 teaspoon to ½ cup WARM water).
3. SOAK your piercing with the sea salt solution for 5-10 minutes at least once a day. You can do this by tipping the cup (works best for Navels & Nipples) onto your skin and holding it flush.
4. If you can not soak your piercing directly from the cup, saturate a cotton ball or gauze pad with the solution and then compress it to your piercing. (If you are using the H2Ocean Piercing Spray-simply spray the piercing down and use a Q tip to remove any scabs or debris.)
5. Once you have soaked/cleaned the piercing then remove any scabs/crusties with a clean Q tip, cotton ball or gauze pad.

TIPS FOR HEALING ALL PIERCINGS

1. Change your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week.
2. Take a multi-vitamin.
3. Wear loose, comfortable clothing over the piercing. Tight clothing can rub and irritate piercings.
4. Ibuprofen, Advil or Aleve (non-aspirin) can help keep the swelling down.
5. Stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water can help keep excess swelling down.
6. Make sure the balls stay tight! Check them every day (with clean hands!). A lost ball can result in a lost piercing. Remember: righty tightly, lefty loosey!
7. Take showers vs. baths. Bath tubs can harbor bacteria.
8. Leave the original jewelry for the duration of healing time. Once your piercing is healed come into the shop and pick from a wide variety of high quality jewelry. Our piercer will help you put new jewelry in free of charge!
9. We have non-metallic jewelry (retainers) options if you need to remove your jewelry for medical procedures.
10. Leave jewelry in your piercing at all times. Even well healed/old piercings can shrink down or close in a matter of hours.

TIPS FOR SPECIFIC PIERCINGS

Ear/Facial Piercings

1. Make sure that anything that comes into contact with your piercing is clean (phones, headphones, pillows, bedding, hats, etc.)
2. Warn your hair stylist of any new piercings that could catch with a comb or other tool.
3. Avoid sleeping directly on your piercing.
4. Wear your hair back and away from your piercing to keep hair products away from the area.

Navel Piercings

1. Sit up straight! Navel piercings can become irritated if you slouch a lot.

THINGS TO AVOID WHILE HEALING YOUR PIERCING

1. Most importantly- keep your hands off your piercing. The only time you should touch your piercing is while cleaning it and always remember to wash your hands before and after.
2. No harsh cleansers, antibacterial soaps, makeup, hair products, beauty products, etc. on your piercing. If any of these do come in contact make sure to rinse and clean with the suggested sea salt solution and follow the directions stated above.
3. Do not use Ear Care Solution on your piercing. This solution is chemically based and is meant for “for external use only.”
4. Lakes, pools, and especially hot tubs are off limits for the duration of your healing time. Tegaderm patches (waterproof & breathable patches) can be worn over your piercing and may help protect it while in water. Although, we do not suggest doing this on a regular basis they may suffice on limited occasions. Tegaderm patches can be purchased at most pharmacies.
5. Do not change out the original jewelry you were pierced with until it has fully healed. Although your piercing may seem fully healed long before the healing process is complete, changing it could irritate and start your heal time all over again. Piercings heal from the outside in, the tissue on the inside is delicate and may be easily irritated. Just be patient, and continue cleaning throughout our suggested heal time.
6. Do not rotate your piercing. Your skin will not get stuck to the metal. Rotating will only cause irritation.
7. Do not touch or play with your piercing. It will interfere with healing and cause irritation.
8. Avoid over cleaning. This can also cause irritation and delay healing.
9. Avoid or cut down on Sun Tanning and Sunless Tanning (Tanning Beds). Sun tanning damages your skin and may cause problems with your piercing. If you do tan make sure to cover the area with a clean fabric to prevent too much exposure to the sun.

Please consult a health care professional at the first sign of an infection.

THINGS TO AVOID WHILE HEALING YOUR PIERCING

1. Most importantly- keep your hands off your piercing. The only time you should touch your piercing is while cleaning it and always remember to wash your hands before and after.
2. No harsh cleansers, antibacterial soaps, makeup, hair products, beauty products, etc. on your piercing. If any of these do come in contact make sure to rinse and clean with the suggested sea salt solution and follow the directions stated above.
3. Do not use Ear Care Solution on your piercing. This solution is chemically based and is meant for “for external use only.”
4. Lakes, pools, and especially hot tubs are off limits for the duration of your healing time. Tegaderm patches (waterproof & breathable patches) can be worn over your piercing and may help protect it while in water. Although, we do not suggest doing this on a regular basis they may suffice on limited occasions. Tegaderm patches can be purchased at most pharmacies.
5. Do not change out the original jewelry you were pierced with until it has fully healed. Although your piercing may seem fully healed long before the healing process is complete, changing it could irritate and start your heal time all over again. Piercings heal from the outside in, the tissue on the inside is delicate and may be easily irritated. Just be patient, and continue cleaning throughout our suggested heal time.
6. Do not rotate your piercing. Your skin will not get stuck to the metal. Rotating will only cause irritation.
7. Do not touch or play with your piercing. It will interfere with healing and cause irritation.
8. Avoid over cleaning. This can also cause irritation and delay healing.
9. Avoid or cut down on Sun Tanning and Sunless Tanning (Tanning Beds). Sun tanning damages your skin and may cause problems with your piercing. If you do tan make sure to cover the area with a clean fabric to prevent too much exposure to the sun.

Please consult a health care professional at the first sign of an infection.

ORAL PIERCING AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

At Cactus Tattoo we suggest using a sea salt solution and/or an alcohol free mouthwash to clean all of your oral piercings.

1. Rinse the inside of your mouth with a sea salt solution (Mix 1/8 teaspoon to ½ cup WARM water) 2-4 times a day. If possible, rinse after you eat, smoke or drink anything other than water. Just swish the sea salt solution like a mouthwash.
2. OR you can rinse with alcohol free mouthwash 2-4 times per day. Do not use any alcohol based mouthwashes to clean your piercing!
3. Clean the outside of your mouth by saturating a cotton ball or gauze pad with the solution and then compress it to your piercing. (If you are using the H2Ocean Piercing Spray-simply spray the piercing down and use a Q tip to remove any scabs.) It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry.

GENITAL PIERCING AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

At Cactus Tattoo we suggest using antimicrobial soap and sea salt solution to clean all of your Genital piercings. The antimicrobial soap we offer is a soap used to help decrease bacterial growth on the skin and help promote healthy healing.

1. Gently wash the area using the antimicrobial soap no more than 1-2 times daily. While showering, lather up a dime sized drop of soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing.
2. Rinse the area thoroughly.
3. After cleansing the area, you may also increase comfort by using a sea salt soak to soothe the area. Soak your piercing with the sea salt solution for 5-10 minutes at least once a day. You can do this by lowering your piercing into the cup of solution or by tipping the cup onto your skin and holding it flush to the area.

TIPS FOR HEALING GENITAL PIERCINGS

1. We suggest waiting about a month before engaging in any sexual activity. It is best to wait until you feel ready and mostly healed. Maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are crucial; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.
2. Clean the areas with the sea salt solution or antimicrobial soap after engaging in sexual activities
3. Use condoms or barriers to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in monogamous relationships.
4. Be sure to urinate, after cleaning the area with soap, to rinse any piercing that is near the urethra.
5. To decrease trauma and increase comfort- Sea salt soaks can comfort and also help remove any scabs.
6. Wear loose, comfortable clothing over the piercing. Tight clothing can rub and irritate piercings.
7. Take showers vs. baths. Bath tubs can harbor bacteria.
8. Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
9. Make sure the balls stay tight! Check them every day. A lost ball can result in a lost piercing. Remember: righty tighty, lefty loosey!
10. Take a multi-vitamin and stay hydrated! Drinking plenty of water can help keep excess swelling down.
11. Genital Piercings can bleed freely especially Prince Alberts and Apadravyas, to be prepared.

Please consult a health care professional at the first sign of an infection.

Piercing Prices:

Please note: these prices DO NOT include the cost of jewelry. Jewelry pricing starts at $15 (per piece) and UP. Please call us with any jewelry or piercing pricing questions. 507-387-6601

Ear Piercings

Earlobe (single)

$25

Earlobes (both)

$40

Helix

$50

Tragus

$50

Conch

$50

Rook

$50

Daith

$55

Forward Helix

$55

Snug

$55

Anti-Tragus

$55

Industrial

$60

Facial Piercings

Nostril

$50

Eyebrow

$50

Septum

$55

Oral Piercings

Lip

$50

Monroe

$50

Labret

$50

Upper Labret (Medusa)

$55

Angle (Vertical Lip)

$55

Tongue

$55

Mid-Body Piercings

Navel

$55

Nipple (single)

$55

Nipples (both)

$95

Genital Piercings

Vertical Hood (VCH)

$60

Labia

$60

Prince Albert

$60

Frenum

$60

Miscellaneous Services

Check-ups and consultations

Free

Jewelry Insertion/Removal

$5

I/R for Multiple piercings

$10

Stretching

$10

Microdermal removal

$10

Jewelry

JEWELRY QUALITY

At Cactus Tattoo, we use only the highest quality of jewelry and guarantee all of our piercings and body jewelry. We use an implant grade 316LVM surgical steel or 6A14V titanium for all piercings. Implant grade metals are meant to be worn in the body and are compatible with human skin.
We pierce with internally threaded (small threaded post on the ball that screws into the threaded hole inside the post) jewelry. Internally threaded jewelry is the safest and most reliable jewelry to wear in your piercing. The ball/threaded end is less likely to fall off because the ends have more threading to stay secure. Although, you must always remember to double-check to make sure your jewelry is screwed on tightly.

Externally threaded jewelry (threading on the bar) can be painful and irritating to the skin. When inserted, the threading on the jewelry goes directly through the skin which can cause pain and may damage or even tear the skin. Externally threaded jewelry also is generally made of a much lesser quality of metal, and therefore we do not suggest anyone to use it, even on a mature healed piercing.

ORGANIC JEWELRY AND SPECIAL ORDERS

Cactus Tattoo has an extensive line of decorative body jewelry including: bone, buffalo horn, wood, stone, glass and more. We carry a variety of plugs and hanging designs for everyone. If we don’t have what you are looking for we can special order it just for you. Our piercers and staff can answer any questions you might have and help you find exactly what you are looking for. Just call, (507) 387-6601 or stop in today!