What to Expect at Your First Piercing Appointment at Costello in Sherman Oaks

Your First Piercing Appointment at Costello in Sherman Oaks

Getting your first piercing can feel equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. Not knowing what happens when you walk through the door is usually the biggest source of anxiety, and that's completely normal. This page walks you through the full experience at Costello in Sherman Oaks, from booking to leaving the studio with your new piercing and knowing exactly how to care for it.

All piercings at Costello are done by a licensed piercer, by appointment only. That means no walk-up chaos, no waiting around, and no one rushing through your appointment. You get focused, one-on-one attention from start to finish.

How to Book and What to Do Before You Arrive

Booking is straightforward. You can reach out through the studio's contact page to schedule your piercing appointment. When you book, it helps to have an idea of what you want, whether that's a daith, rook, conch, industrial, septum, nipple, or a surface placement like a dermal anchor. If you're not sure, that's fine too. Your piercer can talk you through the options during your appointment.

Before your appointment, eat a proper meal. Low blood sugar makes people more likely to feel lightheaded during a piercing, and a full stomach keeps your body stable. Wear clothing that gives easy access to the area being pierced. If you're getting a shoulder or collarbone placement, avoid high necklines. For ear piercings, wear your hair back or bring something to tie it with.

Skip the aspirin or ibuprofen the day of if you can. These thin the blood slightly, which can make the site bleed a little more than usual. Stay hydrated, get decent sleep the night before, and arrive a few minutes early so you're not rushed.

What Happens During the Piercing

When you arrive, your piercer will go over the placement with you, answer any questions, and let you approve the exact spot before anything happens. Nothing is done without your sign-off. For ear piercings like a rook or conch, your piercer will look at your ear anatomy, since not every ear suits every placement, and walk you through what works for you specifically.

All piercings at Costello are done with a needle, not a gun. Needle piercing is more precise, causes less tissue trauma, and heals better than gun piercing. This is standard practice at any professional studio.

Jewelry is placed in during the same appointment. At Costello, you'll choose from implant-grade titanium or solid gold. Both are body-safe options that resist corrosion and are unlikely to cause reactions. Implant-grade titanium is lightweight and comes in a range of colors through anodizing. Solid gold has a classic look and is a good choice for people with sensitive skin. Your piercer can help you pick based on placement and your skin's history with metals.

The actual piercing takes only a few seconds. Most people say the anticipation is worse than the moment itself. Some placements are more sensitive than others: the daith and industrial tend to have more sensation than a standard lobe, while a nostril or septum often surprises people with how manageable it is. Your piercer will talk you through it as it happens.

Aftercare: What to Do When You Leave

Aftercare is what determines how well your piercing heals. Your piercer will give you specific instructions before you leave, but here's what to expect in general.

• Clean the piercing twice a day with a sterile saline spray. Spray directly on the site and let it air dry. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial soap, which are all too harsh and slow healing.

• Do not touch the jewelry with unwashed hands. The most common cause of irritation and infection is contact with bacteria from fingers.

• Leave the jewelry in. Removing it too early, even briefly, can cause the channel to close or swell shut.

• Avoid submerging the piercing in pools, hot tubs, or open water during the initial healing period.

• Sleep on a travel pillow or use a clean pillowcase nightly to reduce pressure on ear piercings.

Healing times vary by placement. Cartilage piercings like the rook, daith, conch, and industrial take longer to heal than soft tissue placements. Surface piercings and dermal anchors have their own timeline. Your piercer will tell you what to expect for your specific placement, and when to come back for a downsize, which is when the initial longer post is swapped for a shorter one once swelling has settled. You can also visit our piercing aftercare page for a full breakdown.

Common Questions from First-Timers

Will it hurt? Yes, briefly. The sensation varies by placement and by person, but most piercings are over in a second or two. Cartilage piercings have more pressure and a longer sensation than soft tissue. Dermal anchors feel different again. Your piercer will tell you what to expect for the specific spot you've chosen.

What should I wear? Loose, comfortable clothing that gives clear access to the area being pierced. For nipple or surface piercings, a button-up or zip-up top makes things easier. For ear work, pull your hair back.

Can I bring someone with me? Yes. A friend or support person is welcome to come in with you.

When can I change the jewelry? Not until your piercer tells you it's ready, which means the piercing is healed and has been downsized. Changing jewelry too early is one of the most common reasons piercings have problems. Your piercer will let you know when you're good to go.

Costello is located in Sherman Oaks, serving clients from across the Los Angeles area. If you're ready to book or have questions before your appointment, get in touch with the studio.