FAQ
Welcome to our FAQ! Here are a few of the topics we cover here:
–Picking out body jewelry
–Shipping/Returns/Online Shop Policy
–Piercing Minor Policy
–Healing/Common healing procedure
–Breastfeeding Info
–Autoclave Testing Info
–Tattoo aftercare/Common healing procedure
I have a ______ piercing, how do I know what size I need?
Because anatomy and piercings can vary widely, there is not a standard size for each piercing. If you are unsure of what size you need, going to your piercer and checking with them is your best bet.
I have a specific question, what’s the best way to contact Primal Decor?
We always encourage folks to stop in during regular business hours or call to book appointment time to speak to a piercer or artist with any in-depth questions you may have. You can also send us a message through our Contact Us form or email us anytime at info@primaldecor.com. Our shipping address is 1908 Myrtle Ave Eureka Ca. 95501.
Shipping Policy
How much do you charge for shipping and what shipping services do you use?
We ship all packages at this time through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
If you are trying to estimate when a package will be delivered, please note the following: Credit card authorization and verification must be received prior to processing. USPS deliveries occur Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays.
All packages can be tracked through USPS.com and are shipped first class unless specified as otherwise. If you choose to insure your package at checkout, we only charge what the post office insurance rates are. These start off at $1.75. If you do not insure your package, we cannot send you a replacement if it gets lost in the mail.
Shipping Prices are as follows:
– $2.25 USPS First Class mail with Tracking – Estimated delivery time 5-7 days
– $5.45 USPS Priority mail with Tracking – Estimated delivery time is 3-7 days
Do you Ship Internationally?
Primal Decor is not set up to ship internationally at this time.
What is your Return Policy?
Due to the personal nature of body jewelry Primal Decor does not accept returns.
There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule.
Please make sure you select carefully and contact us if you are unclear or unsure about a purchase so we can assist you. Due to the nature of anatomy, there is no one-size-fits-all for each piercing. Since all bodies are different, it is not possible for us to determine the size, diameter or gauge of the jewelry you will need for your piercing over the phone or internet.
For any questions you may have, feel free to come in or call us anytime during normal business hours. We are here for you and happy to help!
Availability Of In-Stock Jewelry
While we strive to keep track of what we have in stock versus what we offer in our online shop, every once in a while an in-stock piece may actually be out of stock. This typically happens when someone purchases an item in shop. When this happens we will notify you to see if we can order it for you or if you would prefer a refund.
What does the order status mean?
Processing: This means that we are currently reviewing your order and getting it ready for shipment or for custom ordering.
Pending: This means that there was an issue with your payment method, often a PayPal e-check will show a status of pending until the payment has cleared.
Shipped: This means that a shipping label (with tracking information if shipped Priority) was printed for your package.
Cancelled: Your payment has been refunded and the order has been cancelled.
Back Ordered: This is when we did not have your specific piece of jewelry in stock. Back orders are usually shipped within 7-15 business days.
Returned: We have received your return and are processing your exchange or refunding your account.
Exchanged: Your exchange is on its way.
What if I am not 18 yet? Can I get pierced or tattooed if my parent signs?
Yes and No…
In California you cannot get a tattoo until you are 18 years of age. The law passed in 1998. However, piercings are different.
PRIMAL DECOR WILL PIERCE MINORS.
We pierce:
– Nostrils and outer cartilage on 14 years and up.
– Navels 15 years and up.
– Lip piercings 16 years and up.
– Industrial piercings 17 and up.
– Tongue & Intimate (nipple/genital) piercings will always be 18 and older.
We will only stretch earlobes up to 6g on minors.
WE do not do surface piercings of any kind, nipples, or genital piercings on minors.
OUR POLICY ON EARLOBE PIERCINGS FOR MINORS AGE 5-12:
We pierce Earlobes from age 5 and up (we do not pierce infants).
For minors below age 12 we will book a half hour earlobe consultation.
This consultation is a part of the procedure policy if your minor is 5-12 years of age.
How The Earlobe Consultation Works:
We book a half hour appointment to go over the procedure with the minor and parent/legal guardian in advance. The reason we do this is so that the minor can verbalize whether or not they want the piercing and to ensure that they fully understand how to take care of the piercing aftercare. If they are still excited to go through with the piercing, we will proceed by setting up an appointment at least a few days from the time of the consultation. However, if at any time the client (the minor) decides they do not want the other ear pierced we will not pierce it. The entire process is about trust and consent for us. So parents be prepared your minor may leave with just one piercing.
I.D. Requirements
18 years and up need a valid state or federal-issued identification.
Minors and parents need either a state or federal-issued I.D.
IF the last names and addresses do not match, a certified or original birth certificate will be required.
IF the minor does not have a state or federal-issued I.D., a certified or original birth certificate AND secondary form of ID of the misor such as: School I.D. or a printed picture on a card issued. (Example: Costco card or yearbook).
FORMS OF I.D. WE DO NOT ACCEPT:
Social Security cards, pictures in parents wallet, insurance cards, Facebook/social media profiles and photocopies of birth certificate, emancipation papers or other form of I.D. do not count.
We need proof of person and proof of legal guardianship.
If you are a legal guardian proof of guardianship with original paperwork is needed at the tme of your appointment.
If you are an emancipated minor, you must have the original copy of your emancipation papers and state or federal issued I.D. at the time of your appointment.
The Piercing Healing Process
General Healing Process:
The healing process consists of three phases :
– Inflammation
– Proliferation
– Maturation
During the inflammation phase, blood vessels contract and red blood cells clot the wound while white blood cells collect in the wound to fight infection.
During the proliferation phase, special skin cells migrate into the wound beneath the crust (the scab, or what we call crusties) and grow. Granulation tissue fills the wound and new capillaries form, giving the tissue its red color and granular texture. The wound then begins to contract and the granulation tissue is soon covered with a layer of epithelial tissue (new skin cells).
During the maturation phase, also known as the remodeling phase, new collagen is formed and creates a scar. The wound slowly regains strength as the scar reaches its final size and shape. Scar maturation usually takes at least a year. A scar is usually only 80% as strong as the original skin.
During the inflammation phase, the area surrounding the piercing will be slightly red, swollen, and may feel warm to the touch. These symptoms should not worsen and should last no longer than a week.
Unlike a wound such as a scratch or cut, a piercing cannot heal across tissue layers. A piercing can be thought of as a tunnel whose entire inner surface must heal. If the body is unable to reject a foreign object, in this case the jewelry, it begins the healing process in order to create a barrier against it.
Because the environment within the piercing is moist, the piercing cannot form a crust and will produce a discharge made of lymph and dead skin cells. The discharge is white to off-white in color and dries as a yellow crusty formation around the piercing opening and on the jewelry.
As the epithelial layer forms, the piercing may constrict around the jewelry. The epithelial layer can be easily torn or dislodged; do not force the jewelry to rotate. The piercing may need to be soaked in warm water to allow the skin to expand so the jewelry can rotate.
So if you’re asking, “Epithelial what?”…while there are many types of epithelial layers on the body, like tooth enamel, the epithelial layer we are talking about is a thin layer of skin that the body produces to protect your piercing. Once the final layers of the skin cells form within the piercing, they must toughen and strengthen. This process can take 6 months to a year. As the piercing becomes fully healed, the entrances will round inwards like a doughnut hole and the piercing will become more flexible as it relaxes around the jewelry. The tissue surrounding your piercing will also soften.
If you plan to keep your piercing long term, do not remove your jewelry for any length of time while it’s healing. Most piercings require at least six months to a year before the jewelry can be removed for any length of time without the risk of closing. After the piercing has fully healed, it will not close but will often shrink, in which case you will have to stretch it with an insertion taper to reinsert the jewelry.
Healing Problems
Dry Skin:
Over-cleaning the piercing, failure to thoroughly rinse the piercing after using a skin cleanser or soap, or using a skin cleanser or soap that is too drying can cause the openings of a piercing to become red, overly dry, or cracked. Most piercings do not require cleaning more than 2 or 3 times a day.
Sensitivity To Aftercare Products:
Sensitivity to aftercare products is usually indicated by extreme itching and burning upon application of the product, and may cause a rash of small bumps around the piercing. If you notice or suspect that you are allergic to your aftercare product, discontinue its use, thoroughly irrigate the piercing, and rinse the area with water. Then give us a call – or if the problem persists, consult your physician.
Also! laundry detergent with stain-fighting enzymes should not be used to wash clothes which will come in in direct contact with the piercing.
Prolonged Healing:
Prolonged healing is indicated by the failure of the piercing to complete the final stages of healing. The epithelial layer may be weak and easily dislodged, and the entrances of the piercing often remain ragged. If severely irritated, the piercing may be red and swollen.
The most frequent causes of prolonged healing include:
– Placing the piercing at an inappropriate depth or angle to the tissue
– Piercing in an area that changes shape with body movement
– Wearing jewelry of inappropriate design or dimensions (gauge, width, length)
– Friction or pressure against clothing / other body parts / other jewelry
– Injury to a piercing
– Chemical irritation or using inappropriate aftercare products
A darkening of the skin between the entrances indicates that the piercing is constricted by the jewelry. The jewelry may be too small in diameter or length, or too thick in gauge. The piercing may have been placed too deep or at an inappropriate angle to the tissue.
Prolonged healing may indicate migration, rejection, or metal sensitivity.
Follicular Cysts
Follicular cysts may affect both new and healed piercings. They are caused by a blocked pore adjacent to the piercing. Follicular cysts often appear as red bumps, like pimples, and will produce a discharge of pus and blood. Hot compresses or soaking the piercing in hot distilled water with sea salt (not boiling – just as warm as you can stand it) will encourage the cyst to drain.
Use 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to 8 oz of H20.
Do I Have An Infection?
It is important to note that infections in piercings are quite rare and more than likely you are experiencing some form of irritation to the piercing site. If you do believe there is an infection, please see your doctor.
The most frequent cause of an infection is touching the piercing or jewelry with unwashed hands or contact with unclean items such as clothing, bedding, or hair.
An infection should be treated seriously. Symptoms may include a discharge of yellow or green pus, pain, redness, swelling, and the area will feel hot to the touch. Infected piercings often bleed.
If the piercing is draining pus, do not remove the jewelry. If it is removed, the openings of piercing will close and the infection will close, making it unable to drain, which can result in an abscess.
An abscess is an infection that is trapped under the skin. An abscess is indicated by a darkening and hardening of the surrounding tissue, swelling, and pain.
Cartilage piercings are particularly prone to abscesses because of the different layers of tissue involved.
Occasionally an abscess will form even if the jewelry is left in place, particularly if the piercing is extremely swollen and constricting around the jewelry. In this case you may want to switch to a smaller gauge jewelry to allow the abscess to drain.
An abscess usually requires treatment with oral antibiotics and may even require surgical removal.
An infection that does not clear within 2 to 3 days, or any sign of an abscess, should be seen by a doctor.
To help out the infection, we recommend a hot compress. This does two things:
– Encourages the infection to drain
– Increases blood circulation to the piercing to promote healing
Use 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to 8 oz of H2O.
Hyper Granulation
I have bump on my piercing… What is it and is it normal?
Nose Hyper Granulation.
During the proliferation phase of the healing process, granulation tissue forms along the inner surface of the piercing. Occasionally a piercing will develop excess granulation tissue, a condition described as hyper granulation (in slang we call it a keloid).
Granulation tissue can be red to a dark pink color. It often forms a raw looking, visibly layered bump that appears to erupt from the entrances of your piercing. Capillaries will grow into the tissue and hence the tissue will often bleed when disturbed. This condition is usually not painful but the piercing may be more susceptible to infection. Hyper granulation prevents epithelization (producing a thin layer of skin to protect your piercing) and the healing process is arrested.
While hyper granulation can affect any piercing, piercings in moist areas which are also subjected to prolonged physical irritation appear to be particularly vulnerable.
Prolonged pressure or physical irritation exerted on the piercing may push the granulation tissue out of the piercing where it continues to form. Removing the source of the irritation and keeping the piercing dry will often allow the piercing to heal.
Because the granulation tissue is very delicate, it can sometimes be removed by wiping with a cotton swab or gauze sponge. Excess tissue may also be excised. Leave that to your trusted medical professional if it comes to that.
In Plain English:
Imagine your skin as a bunch of tiny threads all woven together. Well when hyper granulation occurs (or what we call keloiding), your body starts over-producing more layers of that woven thread. Its signal is that there is trauma and it needs to protect the area. And as said above, this is usually happening because there is some sort of irritation going on (i.e. over-cleaning, cleaning products, jewelry, lifestyle… just to name a few). So by process of elimination, you can usually figure out what is causing this to happen.
Hot compressing goes a long way. Do not let this problem go on for a long period of time. Like any ailment, hyper granulation can be treated and even go away with the proper TLC know-how. If left untreated however, the bump may become permanent and you will have to have it medically removed.
How Do I Treat Hyper Granulation?
The best way to get these things to disappear is to hot soak them in 1/4 tsp of sea salt to 1 cup of water. If you notice that this dries out your piercing too much, you will want to cut down on the salt or simply use distilled water.
Hot soak it two to three times a day. Put the sea salt solution in a clean cup, microwave it to get it as hot as you can stand it (but not so hot that you burn yourself), then take a clean paper towel (like Viva, because they are thick) and dip it into the solution. Using CLEAN HANDS, put it directly on your piercing or just submerge the piercing in the solution if you can. Make sure you do either for at least 5 or more minutes. Once you notice the bump disappearing, keep hot soaking it for another week, at least once a day.
If you live out of town, go to the Association of Professional Piercers web site and look up a shop in your area if you want to have a known reputable piercer take a look at it. But like I said, it is pretty common for cartilage piercings to form keloids.
Piercing Rejection
Yes, sometimes a piercing will just decide it doesn’t want to be there.
A good analogy is to think of your piercing as a splinter. Your body knows there is something foreign in it and will try to push it out over time. Well, your body will sometimes do the same with a piercing.
This is more common among navels, nipples, and eyebrows, mostly because these piercings experience constant irritation and pressure. (Now when I say “common,” I have only seen about a dozen piercings reject in the years I have been here.)
If the piercing is done right and with the appropriate jewelry, and if the proper aftercare procedures are followed, you should have a successful piercing. But keep in mind rejection is possible and if you do experience this you may want to consider trying a different piercing.
There really are all sorts of reasons your piercing could reject. When you first notice this happening, come on in and we will help you out with it and let you know if you can save it. If you live out of town, find a reputable piercing studio and seek their help.
I have healed nipple piercings: Will nipple piercings affect my ability to breast feed?
Nope. Your breasts have many milk ducts, and actually some women find that more milk comes out of the piercings. However, there are things to consider.
Make sure that your piercings are fully healed before you begin breast feeding. This is for two reasons: your jewelry is a choking hazard for the baby so you will want to be able to take them in and out and, secondly, if not fully healed your piercing sites are essentially wounds that can be introduced to bacteria during feedings/pumping/etc.
If you are fully healed and will be removing your jewelry for feedings you are going to want to follow a few steps:
– make sure your hands are clean
– have a clean place to put your jewelry
– lubricate your jewelry to help ease reinsertion (sometimes doing this in the shower is helpful)
New Piercings and Breast Feeding
We suggest that a waiting period be observed following delivery in order for the body to normalize and regain physiological and hormonal equilibrium before piercing.
Further, we suggest that a longer period be observed prior to nipple piercing. It is advisable and prudent to wait three months following the cessation of breast milk production before piercing of the nipples.
Also, as your hormones are going through so many fluctuations, it will be almost impossible for your piercings to heal well.
All our practices are in line with the Association of Professional Piercers or APP. For more on the subject and many others, please feel free to check their FAQ on their website www.safepiercing.org
What is an Autoclave and why is it so important anyway?
Autoclaves are commonly used in medical and dentist offices to sterilize tools, equipment, etc using pressure and heat. Basically they are big, fancy machines that ensure that the jewelry that will go into your new or fresh piercing is fully sterile.
Because sterility is imperative to proper piercing practices and proper healing!
How do you test an autoclave to be sure it’s doing its job?
Good question! We are sure to run a test strip that detects harmful spores, temperature and pressure to be sure that our autoclaves are killing ALL of the cooties and producing 100% sterile jewelry. To read up on our testing services, you can always find more information on the Mesa Labs Website.
Do you test your autoclave?
Yes we do! Every week we send in a spore test and every batch we do a pressure heat test.
Just ask- We love to show off.
The Tattoo Healing Process
Here at Primal we use sterile bandaging. We do not use “plastic wrap” for your new tattoo. In place of basic plastic wrap, we choose to wrap fresh tattoos in either a sterile dressing or sterile, medical wrap called Tegaderm.
Please leave your bandage on until you can make it home to wash your new piece of art.
One of the most frequent asked questions we get about new tattoos is a few days after and some new clients forget that their tattoo will peel. And it can appear as if the ink is coming out. It is not. Rest assured your tattoo is just healing and this is a natural part of the process.
You can always ask your tattoo artist what their recommendation for aftercare will be for your tattoo such as how long the dressing should stay on, monitoring and caring for a fresh tattoo.
I have bumps all over my tattoo now what!?
Usually small acne looking bumps can form from too much moisture. Over using ointment or not drying your tattoo completely can cause a rash to form. A tattoo heal has a nice balance of keeping it lubricated while not over doing it. Using petroleum based ointments can cause this also. The bumps will not affect your tattoo. They just are not attractive while healing. Change up your ointment, or amount, and thoroughly dry your tattoo after washing.