A piercing had been on my mind for a couple months, but I didn't know where I wanted one, so I decided to put it off for a while. I researched different places in Mississauga and Toronto, but never decided on a place to get it done. I'd heard too many bad stories about careless, shoddy locations, and procedures to just pick a place without a recommendation.
At A Glance Author Chi Contact Chi@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Sean Studio Artistic Impressions Location Niagara Falls When I came to this site, I was debating mentally over a bridge, septum or nipple piercing. I'm currently looking for a job, however, and I figured that I would lay off covering my face with piercings until later. I did like the look and the discreetness of the nipple piercing, though, so I figured that when I found a good place, that would be what I got.
Then, August 29th, for my friend's 16th birthday, she, myself, and a five other people were taken to Niagara Falls to sightsee. However, what my friend wanted most was an eyebrow piercing, so we found this respectable-looking place, and went inside. I had done some research prior to that day on places that did piercings in Niagara Falls. There were maybe five listed under piercing & tattoos, and only Artistic Impressions, and one other seemed like a good place to try.
When we found the store, it looked small from the outside, but once we were inside, it was revealed to be completely different.
My first impression was that it was a very clean, professional location. There was a pop machine by the door, a waiting area with a couch and some magazines, and then the desk and the front room. The front desk had a pricing chart, and a display case of the different rings, bars, spacers, etc. The actual piercing/tattooing rooms were off a hallway, that was decorated with tattoo designs, leading to the back of the store.
A couple of my friends had filled out their forms already, and had been briefed on their specific piercings. Everyone seemed very assured by the friendly staff.
Seven of us went into the store, and after watching the impressively sterile procedure done on my friends, I decided upon getting my right nipple pierced.
It only cost 35$, and was virtually painless. The needle went in smoothly - as did the ring. He wasn't rough, and I felt at ease the whole time I was sitting in the chair, even though it was such a sensitive area of the body.
His assurance that the piercing wouldn't be painful turned out completely true - even a day later, pain is minimal, and there isn't any redness or swelling.
Sean, the guy who did it, was really friendly and nice, but also professional, and knowledgeable, and that was very calming to the process. He explained everything about the piercing - cleaning it, healing time, etc.
The room was clean and organized, and didn't look remotely like the shady places I'd seen elsewhere. I liked the fact that there was a "Bill of Piercing Rights" on the wall, and I can assure that each one was followed.
Before each of our (five) piercings, he washed his hands thoroughly, used new latex gloves, and disinfected the skin surrounding the area to be pierced. After each piercing, we witnessed the used needle being bent, and thrown away - it was very comforting to those who hadn't been pierced before.
He told us each "big breath in... hold it... big breath out" and pierced on the "big breath out". I actually found I wasn't concentrating on the area being pierced as much as breathing out, so I only noticed a sharp pinch feeling. After each piercing, he asked us if we were okay, and then we went out front to pay.
He gave us a sheet on the care of our specific piercings, and told us what to avoid. He also offered to sell us Dragon Mist spray to clean them with, and my friend got 5$ off because it was her birthday.
Sean was very personable, and was excellent at relieving any tension that we might have been feeling. He was also experienced at piercing, and took a lot of care to do everything properly.
The other girls who got piercings to their eyebrow, tongue, tragus, and navel all agree that it is a reputable location, and we would recommend Artistic Impressions to anyone looking for a good piercing or tattoo in Niagara Falls.
We realize now how lucky we were to come to Sean for our piercings - we'd all heard horror stories from friends about unclean equipment and misplacement, but ours all turned out exactly how we expected, and we're all very pleased with Sean's work - it would definitely, without a doubt be worth trekking all the way back to Niagara Falls to get another piercing.