- Brandon Sommers
- Jun 11
- 7 min read
Classic Ink Tattoo Studio
Getting a piercing is more than just picking out jewelry. You're trusting someone with your health, your appearance, and your safety. Whether you're considering a simple earlobe piercing or something more advanced, choosing the right piercing studio can make the difference between a smooth healing experience and months of complications.
At Classic Ink Tattoo Studio in Bradenton, we believe clients should know exactly what to look for before getting pierced. An educated client is a safer client.
Is Your Piercer Following Proper Sterilization Procedures?
One of the first questions you should ask any piercing studio is how they sterilize their equipment. Professional piercing studios should use medical-grade sterilization equipment called an autoclave. An autoclave uses pressurized steam to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from reusable instruments.
If a studio cannot explain their sterilization procedures or show proof that equipment is sterilized properly, that's a major red flag.
At Classic Ink, all reusable tools and jewelry used in piercings are cleaned, packaged, and sterilized according to Florida Department of Health standards before use.
Are Sterile Gloves Being Used?
Your piercer should never perform a piercing with bare hands or unsterile gloves.
Professional piercers should wear fresh sterile gloves during the piercing procedure and change gloves whenever contamination occurs. Sterile gloves are individually packed in a small sealed packet. These do not come out of a tissue box pressed with 50 other pairs of gloves.
Sterile gloves protect both the client and the piercer and help reduce the risk of infection during the procedure.
If you ever see a piercer touching phones, drawers, keyboards, or other surfaces while wearing the same gloves they're using for your piercing, don't be afraid to ask questions.
Is Everything Single-Use?
Many items used during a piercing should only be used once and then discarded.
These include:
Piercing needles
Disposable barriers
Sterile Gloves
Gauze
Sterile packaging materials
Certain receiving tubes and accessories
Professional piercing studios open sterile needles in front of the client and immediately dispose of them after the procedure.
Needles should never be reused.
What Type of Jewelry Is Being Used?
Not all jewelry is created equal.
Low-quality jewelry can cause irritation, allergic reactions, prolonged healing times, and unnecessary complications.
Look for studios that use high-quality implant-grade materials whenever possible, including:
Implant-grade titanium
Surgical stainless steel
Solid gold (appropriate grades)
The cheapest jewelry option isn't always the best option for your body.
Is the Studio Licensed and Inspected?
In Florida, tattoo and piercing establishments are subject to health and safety regulations.
Before booking an appointment, look for:
A clean and organized environment
Proper sterilization areas
Up-to-date licenses
Health department compliance
Professional record keeping
A reputable studio should be happy to answer questions regarding safety procedures and sanitation protocols.
Does the Studio Provide Aftercare Instructions?
The piercing itself is only part of the process.
Proper aftercare is often what determines whether a piercing heals correctly.
Every client should leave with clear aftercare instructions and a way to contact the studio if questions arise during healing.
At Classic Ink, every piercing client can receive FREE aftercare and aftercare guidance to help promote safe and successful healing.
Why Having Medical Oversight Matters
One thing that makes Classic Ink unique is that our piercing department is managed by our own in-house licensed nurse, Nurse Cathy.
Having a licensed medical professional involved in the piercing process provides an additional layer of education, cleanliness standards, and client support that many studios simply don't offer.
If questions arise during healing, clients have access to knowledgeable guidance from a team that understands both body modification and healthcare best practices.
Walk-Ins and Appointments Available
We understand that some people plan their piercings months in advance while others decide they want one today.
Classic Ink offers:
Piercing appointments two days per week
Walk-in availability throughout the remainder of the week
A clean, professional environment
High-quality jewelry options
Experienced piercing staff
Free aftercare support
Whether you're getting your child's first ear piercing (5 yrs old and up), a nostril piercing, a navel piercing, or something more advanced, our goal is to provide a comfortable experience focused on safety and professionalism.
Looking For a Piercing Studio Near Bradenton?
If you're searching for a professional piercing studio near you, our a majority of our clients come from Bradenton, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Sarasota, Anna Maria and the surrounding areas, take the time to visit the studio, ask questions, and make sure you're comfortable with the process before moving forward.
The right studio will welcome your questions and prioritize your safety every step of the way. Not make you feel rushed or scared.
At Classic Ink Tattoo Studio, we're proud to provide professional piercing services, high sanitation standards, quality jewelry, free aftercare support, and a client-first experience for the Bradenton community.
If you're ready to find a piercing artists at Classic Ink Tattoo Studio, check out our piercers work and learn a bit more about each one.
Piercing Pricing and Description:
Ear Piercings

Start by researching local piercing artists and studios. Look for recommendations from friends, family, Google or social media platforms like Instagram. A strong online presence is often a good indicator of an artist’s experience!
1. Anti-Tragus ($65+)
A piercing through the small flap of cartilage just above the earlobe and directly opposite the tragus. Heal time is up to one year.
2. Conch ($50+)
A piercing through the cartilage in the back portion (behind) the ear. Jewelry used is a 16G internally threaded stud, 3/8-½ in length. Heal time is up to one year.
3. Daith ($50+)
A piercing through the cartilage ridge, nearest the ear canal. Jewelry used is a 16G internally threaded horseshoe. Heal time is up to one year.
4. Flat ($50+)
A piercing in the flat cartilage of the upper ear, between the helix and the forward helix.
Jewelry used is a 16G internally threaded labret stud, 5/16 or 3/8ths in length. Heal time is up to one year.
5. Forward Helix ($45+)
A piercing through the cartilage on the outer rim of the ear, closest to the head.
Jewelry used is a 16G internally threaded stud, 5/16ths in length. Heal time is up to one year.
6. Helix ($40+)
A piercing through the cartilage on the outer rim of the ear. Jewelry used is 20G to 16G internally threaded stud, 5/16ths-3/8ths in length. Heal time is up to one year.
7. Industrial ($65+)
A piercing through two separate points on the outer edges of the ear (helix) connected by a 14g straight barbell, length varies upon anatomy. Heal time is one year.
8. Industrial ($65+)
A piercing through two separate points on the outer edges of the ear (helix) connected by a 14g straight barbell, length varies upon anatomy. Heal time is one year.
9. Lobes ($35-$75+)
A piercing through the fleshy portion at the bottom of the ear. Jewelry used is a 20G stud with butterfly backs for adults, or safety backs for children under 10 and/or first time piercings. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
10. Rook ($50+)
A piercing through the inner cartilage ridge nearest the outer ear. Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded curved barbells, 3/8th in length. Heal time is up to one year.
11. Snug ($50+)
a piercing on the outer ridge of the thickest wall of cartilage. Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded curved barbell, 3/8ths in length. Heal time is up to one year.
12. Tragus ($50+)
A piercing through the cartilage at the front of the ear, near your ear canal.
Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded stud, 3/8th in length. Heal time is up to one year.
Facial Piercings

Start by researching local artists and studios. Look for recommendations from friends, family, or social media platforms like Instagram. A strong online presence is often a good indicator of an artist’s experience and style!
1. Bridge ($80+)
A piercing through the fleshy portion above the nose between the eyes. Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded barbell. Length varies depending upon anatomy. Heal time is 6-12 months.
2. Dimple/Cheek ($60-$100+)
A piercing placed through the cheek area to mimic natural dimples. Jewelry used is typically longer internally threaded labret studs to allow for swelling during healing. Due to anatomy and healing complexity, consultation is recommended prior to piercing. Heal time varies and may take several months to fully heal.
3. Eyebrow ($50+)
A piercing through the fleshy portion both above and below the eyebrow. Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded curved barbell, 3/8th length. Heal time is 4-6 months.
4. Labret ($50+)
A piercing placed below the center of the lower lip and above the chin. Jewelry used is typically 16G internally threaded labret stud in various lengths depending upon anatomy. Heal time is approximately 6–8 weeks.
5. Vertical Labret ($50+)
A piercing that goes vertically through the lower lip and is outside the mouth.
Jewelry used is 16g internally threaded curved barbell, 3/8th in length. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
6. Lip ($50+)
A piercing through the upper, or lower lip. Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded labret stud in various lengths depending upon anatomy. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
7. Medusa ($50+)
a piercing through the philtrum, the small indentation directly above the upper lip (center). Jewelry used is 16G labret stud in various lengths depending upon anatomy. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
8. Madonna/Monroe ($50+)
A piercing through the fleshy portion of the either left (Monroe) or right (Madonna) on the upper lip. Jewelry used is 16G labret stud in various lengths depending upon anatomy. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
9. Nostril ($45+)
A piercing through the cartilage on the nostril portion of the nose. Jewelry used is 18G internally threaded stud 5/16 or 3/8th in length, or 18g screws. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
10. Septum ($65+)
A piercing through the fleshy portion at the bottom of the nose between the nostrils.
Jewelry used is 16G internally threaded horseshoe. Heal time is 6-8 weeks.
11. Snake bites ($100+)
A pair of piercings placed symmetrically on both sides of the lower lip. Jewelry used is typically 16G internally threaded labret studs in various lengths depending upon anatomy and swelling. Heal time is approximately 6–8 weeks.
Body Piercings
1.Navel ($45+)A piercing through the upper ridge of skin surrounding the belly button. Jewelry used is typically 14G internally threaded curved barbell in various lengths depending on anatomy. Heal time is approximately 6-12 month.
2.Nipples ($85+ per set/one nipple $50+)A piercing placed horizontally or vertically through the nipple tissue depending on anatomy and client preference. Jewelry used is typically 14G internally threaded straight barbells. Heal time is approximately 6-12 months.
3.Genitals start at ($125+)Genital piercings are anatomy dependent and performed professionally in a clean and private environment. Jewelry type and sizing vary depending upon the piercing selected and individual anatomy. Consultation is recommended prior to appointment. Heal times vary depending upon piercing type and aftercare.








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