Price Breakdown

The following post was written and shared on Facebook by Helen Houghton, body piercer at Holier Than Thou, Manchester. It explains why piercings costs the amount they do, and just what you're paying for when you get one. Although certain things can vary between studios (e.g. the type of skin prep product, single use marker pen vs gentian violet and toothpick) it's a fantastic behind-the-scenes breakdown of cost, and really leans on the importance of the saying "You pay for what you get." I take no credit for this article or the image used within.

" I want to take a moment to talk about QUALITY. What’s involved in performing a safe standard lobe piercing? (Note: other piercings require additional equipment, time and / or more complex jewellery thus will likely cost a lot more.) All prices are inclusive of VAT and p&p and assume bulk purchase of products available to the piercing trade in the U.K. only. Prices will vary depending upon location and piercer style but this post has been put together with best value to the client in mind without compromising on quality or safety. Approx 55p for single use cannula needle or 36p for a top quality sterile blade needle used by most high quality UK piercers, let’s call it 45p for sake of argument. 75p Single use Sterile field pack including sterile gauze and gally pot. 30p Nitrile Sterile gloves x1 pair. 8px2 pairs Nitrile examination gloves. 10p Sterile gauze. 85p Single use sterile marking pen. 5px2 Chlorhexidine wipe x2 or alcohol and iodine swab (either are appropriate for safe and lasting skin prep). 4p Saline wipe. 5pX4Sterile self seal bag for forceps, jewellery, transfer pin, gauze etc. 30p Forceps (single use disposable). £1 ti Transfer pin / insertion pin. £8 Basic internally threaded mirror polished labret or barbell. 18p Sterile lubricant. Total: £12.43 PLUS: Note this is not including the cost of Rent, rates, insurances, licensing, clinical waste, commercial waste, Piercers time, sterilisation time, receptionist time, consent forms and aftercare forms, website and web info for clients, heating, electricity, anodiser, autoclaves, ultrasonic, theatre grade cleaning products, paper products for cleaning, HEPA air filters, blood borne pathogen training, first aid training, refresher training on most up to date and safest techniques in the industry, learning conferences, membership accreditation (UKAPP etc) - all of which adds up to SEVERAL TENS OF THOUSANDS £££ per year. All this before you add a sliver of profit onto the value of the piercing - at the end of the day, we aren’t charities. Piercings are a luxury and, if done properly and looked after well, can be an investment for you to enjoy for life. In terms of health: Remember an inexperienced practitioner has a very real chance of transmitting blood borne diseases to you such as hepatitis or HIV, not to mention the aesthetic result is likely to be nothing like what a skilled piercer can produce. Anyone who can perform a piercing including the jewellery for a tenner (or, heaven forbid, even less) ARE SKIPPING SOME OF THE ABOVE. What steps / equipment would you be happy with them missing out? Is it really worth paying a few quid less for risking your health or ending up with an undesirable result or permanent scar? You get one body. Look after yourself and TREAT YO SELF to a beautiful professional piercing! They don’t break the bank, but they’re more than a tenner 💜 "