The best body piercing studios in Canberra

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Piercings are a fantastic way to express your individuality and add a bit of bling to your day-to-day. And beyond standard earlobe piercings, cartilage and body piercings are becoming more and more popular.

If you are thinking of getting a new piercing, it’s critical to do a bit of research before you jump into the first piercing studio you see. As you can imagine, piercing is no easy task. If not performed correctly with clean, sterilised tools, your piercing can fast become an extremely painful, infected mess.

To help you have the best possible piercing experience, we’ve put together a checklist of things to look out for in a great piercing specialist, as well as a handy guide to some of the best body piercing specialists in Canberra!

What makes a great body piercing studio?

Whether you’re a piercing newbie or a body mod expert, finding a trusted piercing studio is imperative. Here are some of the top traits we suggest keeping an eye out for:

  • Experienced. Piercing is a specialist skill that requires ample training and experience to perfect.
  • Committed to hygiene. Unless you want to end up with an infected piercing, only trust a piercer that is dedicated to maintaining a professional grade of hygiene. All single-use tools should be sanitised before use.
  • Great range of jewellery. As we mentioned above, piercings are a fun way to express your unique sense of style. The best piercing studios offer a diverse range of high-quality jewellery.
  • Variety of piercing options. Whether you want to get your belly button, nose, ears, or eyebrow pieced, the best technicians do it all. They can assist with placement, so your piercing flatters your face or body now, and for years to come.

The best body piercing studios in Canberra

RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

It’s time to introduce the top piercing specialists in the Canberra region, according to the locals.

Asgard's

Asgard's is the Canberra region’s first and only studio dedicated solely to piercings. Piercing is their specialisation, and their talented team of technicians is ready and willing to ensure you have the best possible experience. Importantly, the team behind Asgard's are committed to maintaining the highest level of hygiene. Using a thorough, multi-step, hospital-grade sterilisation process, all non-disposable tools are kept clean and bacteria-free. That way, you can rest easy knowing that, with the proper aftercare, your new piercing will heal quickly and easily.

Jamie Gonzalez recently went in for a piercing at Asgard's and wrote the following review on Google of their experience, "Amazing team at Asgard, super quick with my earlobe piercing as I was terrified but I was in safe hands, incredible service! Thank you Asgard!!"

Canberra Body Piercing

Canberra Body Piercing is a locally owned and operated piercing clinic and is the longest established clinic in Canberra. Owner Leonardo has been in the business for decades, and he and his team p ride themselves in using high quality jewellery, maintaining exemplary hygiene and providing all clients with the best care possible.

As Google reviewer Christine Ownsworth writes, “Awesome service extremely professional couldn't rate them higher.”

Freestyle Tattoo and Body Piercing

Freestyle Tattoo and Body Piercing was a firm favourite among Canberra’s locals. Their talented team of tattooists welcomes customers from all walks of life. They deliver high-quality, vibrant, creative tattoos in all styles – as well as expertly executed piercings. Alongside standard piercings, their team specialise in dermal piercings and skin divers.

Google reviewer Lara Cambell writes about their experience getting pierced at Freestyle, "I always have a good experience at Freestyle. I’ve had multiple piercings and tattoos and couldn’t recommend the staff highly enough. They always make me feel comfortable."

Tattoo Xtreme & Body Piercing

Tattoo Xtreme & Body Piercing is a studio in Fyshwick that, along with their talented team of versatile and friendly tattoo artists, can also do all kinds of body piercings. With an array of traditional piercing jewellery as well as some trendier pieces for any part of the body, plus all the hygiene standards one can expect from an established tattoo studio, Tattoo Xtreme & Body Piercing is here to provide a positive and comfortable experience for all clients.

See what Facebook user Lily Veleba had to say about their experience at Tattoo Xtreme, “Got my nose pierced here, lady who pierced me was lovely, knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Heaps of options for jewellery and piercing process was quick and easy! Thanks for such a great experience!!”

Off Ya Tree

Off Ya Tree is a popular spot for piercings because it’s convenient and well-priced. All standard piercings are just $15. Jewellery and aftercare are sold separately. The team behind Off Ya Tree offers a full spectrum of piercings, including both lobe and cartilage ear piercings, body piercings, and even 18+ piercings. While you’re there, you can shop the store’s range of alternative clothing, accessories, jewellery, and more.

Happy customer Victoria Blatch wrote this Google review of Off Ya Tree, "Wonderful, caring and professional service lobe and helix piercing today. We will be going back."

If you liked this article, check out our guides to the best tattoo studios and the best microblading specialists in Canberra for some more information!

Your experience with body piercing studios in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback, if you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you got any piercings? Which piercing studio did you choose? Share your experience – whether it was good or bad – in the comments area below for our readers to check out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be to get a piercing in the ACT?

There is no law in the ACT about age restrictions for piercings, although if you are under 18 then most piercers will ask you to supply written permission from your parent/guardian before going ahead with the piercing.

How long before I can change my piercing?

You need to wait until your piercing has completely healed before you change it in order to avoid infection. Different body parts will take different amounts of time to heal - a standard earlobe piercing will take between four and eight weeks to heal completely, while a cartilege ear piercing can take eight to twelve months. Talk to your piercer about the healing time, and make sure not to take out your piercing before then!

What are skin-divers?

A skin-diver is a piercing where the back of the jewellery sits under the skin, rather than on the other side like an earlobe or eyebrow piercing. The skin-diver can only be removed by a professional piercer, and the piercing itself will last until your skin grows and pushes it out.

How do I look after a new piercing?

The most important thing to remember is keeping your piercing clean and dry to prevent infection. While it's healing, you also shouldn't fiddle with the piercing too much, and make sure you leave the jewellery in for as long as your piercer advised you to.

Do piercings hurt?

Yes, although everyone experiences pain differently and some areas of the body are more sensitive than others. A cartilege piercing, for example, will be more painful than a standard earlobe tattoo. If you're worried about the pain, talk to your piercer about numbing creams to make the process more comfortable.

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Agreed that FreeStyle Tattoo & Body Piercing is the best place to go for piercings. I have had great experiences with Beau as a piercer and all my friends use Freestyle. They are brilliant and professional. I’ve had surface piercings and dermals done here. Beau is also realistic and honest about what will and wont work and positioning (if you’re unsure of placement). If you’re concerned about age, they also clearly state on the door that persons under the age of 16 are not to enter the premises, and I have seen them refuse to pierce anyone under 16 (regardless of parental consent), the mother was in the shop pleading her case while I was making a tattoo appointment.

As far as use of guns for any piercings, avoid them at all costs. As stated in previous comments piercing guns cause a great deal more trauma, you are jamming a blunt object through a part of your body. Needles are clean and sharp. I have had my ears pierced with both, I found the gun to cause throbbing in my earlobes, post piercing, whereas the needle did not. I am also proned to keloid scars/hypertrophic scarring. The ear piercings with the gun have additional scar tissue whereas the needles piercings do not. Go for the option that will cause less trauma.

As for the experience with redpath, I used them years ago, probably close to ten years ago, and had 2 piercings performed there. The piercer at the time was inexperienced, knew little about placement of surface piercings, and about jewellery that gives piercing a better chance to heal. They may be better now, but I’ve got a lot of respect and faith in Beau. So go to FreeStyle 🙂 Pricing is great too.

justin heywood5:46 pm 12 Jan 13

I’m too old to understand the appeal of piercings, but I have noticed it seems to be almost part of the selection criterial to work at JB HiFi. I find the staff there generally pretty good but how is it that that there is so many of them go for all the metal?

Girt_Hindrance4:27 pm 12 Jan 13

poetix said :

bikhet said :

I too find piercings unattractive, but other people may think differently. No-one is forcing me to have one.

Catty said :

Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else..

Maybe that’s the idea. Stops you focusing on their tits – unless it’s a visible nipple ring.

And if you can see certain other piercings at first meeting, they’re probably not the person to take home to meet mother.

Unless mother is into vajazzling and related arts.

Had a good laugh at this. I once ‘bed-friended’ a lady who I could only politely describe as ‘clinking while she walked’.
It was a little too much for me.

bikhet said :

I too find piercings unattractive, but other people may think differently. No-one is forcing me to have one.

Catty said :

Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else..

Maybe that’s the idea. Stops you focusing on their tits – unless it’s a visible nipple ring.

And if you can see certain other piercings at first meeting, they’re probably not the person to take home to meet mother.

Unless mother is into vajazzling and related arts.

Catty said :

Ugh, nasty things, piercings. Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I find all these things a total turn-off.

Can’t you think of something better to spend your money on?

+1. Especially when women get the skin between their nose and upper lip pierced. Looks like a big silver booger.

I too find piercings unattractive, but other people may think differently. No-one is forcing me to have one.

Catty said :

Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else..

Maybe that’s the idea. Stops you focusing on their tits – unless it’s a visible nipple ring.

Catty said :

Ugh, nasty things, piercings. Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I find all these things a total turn-off.

I disagree. I was watching a rather attractive young lady approaching our office the other day. She was very tasty. She then stopped under a tree and lit a cigarette, which turned her from a babe into a hag, in my eyes. To compound matters, two minutes later she dropped her lit cigarette on the ground, crushed it with her foot, and walked off.

Mind you, piercings are so passé these days, why would anyone bother?

Catty said :

Ugh, nasty things, piercings. Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I find all these things a total turn-off.

Can’t you think of something better to spend your money on?

Hookers. With piercings.

Catty said :

Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face

That wouldn’t be an issue for me.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd9:00 am 12 Jan 13

Catty said :

Ugh, nasty things, piercings. Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I find all these things a total turn-off.

Can’t you think of something better to spend your money on?

It’s not really up to you what others do to themselves or what they spend their money on

OpenYourMind8:21 am 12 Jan 13

Catty said :

Ugh, nasty things, piercings. Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I find all these things a total turn-off.

Can’t you think of something better to spend your money on?

Catty, you are perfectly entitled to think and express what you find attractive or unattractive. Equally, there’s a bunch of people who think piercings look fantastic and I totally get why someone might choose to spend a relatively small amount of money on something that often is very special and personal to that person. Maybe you just need to meet someone with a tongue piercing 😉

Ugh, nasty things, piercings. Nothing worse than an otherwise attractive person sporting a piece of metal on their face, making it difficult to focus on anything else. I find all these things a total turn-off.

Can’t you think of something better to spend your money on?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd3:29 pm 03 Jan 13

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

The guns aren’t ideal, but they’re still commonly used for lobe piercings. But using a gun for cartilage like the nose or anywhere on your ear other than lobes it’s a huge no no. Way too much trauma and it can shatter the cartilage. Also leaves you with improper jewelry. An earring with no back on it is not the same as a proper nose stud.

I know bugger all about the mechanics but I have had several piercings with gun and several with needle and from personal recollection there was never any splatter. I had a gun do upper ear and that was fine as well, although now you mention that one took longer to heal.

I never heard of the gun damaging cartilage but ok makes sense.

I guess my point is that there is zero danger of blood borne infections from getting pierced with a new style gun.

According the the APP (Association of Professional Piercers)

“Reusable ear piercing guns can put clients in direct contact with the blood and body fluids of previous clients.

Although they can become contaminated with bloodborne pathogens dozens of times in one day, ear piercing guns are often not sanitized in a medically recognized way. Plastic ear piercing guns cannot be autoclave sterilized and may not be sufficiently cleaned between use on multiple clients. Even if the antiseptic wipes used were able to kill all pathogens on contact, simply wiping the external surfaces of the gun with isopropyl alcohol or other antiseptics does not kill pathogens within the working parts of the gun. Blood from one client can aerosolize, becoming airborne in microscopic particles, and contaminate the inside of the gun. The next client’s tissue and jewelry may come into contact with these contaminated surfaces. There is thus a possibility of transmitting bloodborne disease-causing microorganisms through such ear piercing, as many medical studies report.”

http://www.safepiercing.org/piercing/faq/#guns

If there was any real risk then these guns would be illegal, especially considering the strict guidelines actual tattoo and piercing shops need to adhere to.

If it’s not too late, go see Beau at Freestyle… NOT Redpath…
I got my nose pierced at Redpath last year because Freestyle was closed. The piercer did it “free hand” and ended up sticking the needle right through into my septum. That hurt and bled more than the actual piercing, haha. Beau is always really careful and professional :).

Perfect Dark is correct about the consent issue too 🙂 but a 16yo can get a surface piercing without a signature. Good luck, and remember – don’t touch it!

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd1:28 pm 02 Jan 13

The guns aren’t ideal, but they’re still commonly used for lobe piercings. But using a gun for cartilage like the nose or anywhere on your ear other than lobes it’s a huge no no. Way too much trauma and it can shatter the cartilage. Also leaves you with improper jewelry. An earring with no back on it is not the same as a proper nose stud.

I know bugger all about the mechanics but I have had several piercings with gun and several with needle and from personal recollection there was never any splatter. I had a gun do upper ear and that was fine as well, although now you mention that one took longer to heal.

I never heard of the gun damaging cartilage but ok makes sense.

I guess my point is that there is zero danger of blood borne infections from getting pierced with a new style gun.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd4:32 pm 31 Dec 12

Ate said :

Don’t go to Redpath. Go to Freestyle Tattoo Studio https://www.facebook.com/FreestyleTattooStudio Ive had many piercings done there and can recommend them highly. Very professional and brilliant at their job, you should be able to walk in without an appointment for a nose piercing.

Can you elaborate on why peeps should not go to redpath?

I have also heard good things about the place at uc.

And as I understand it, guns are fine to use nowadays as the entire piercing part is single use only???

Don’t go to Redpath. Go to Freestyle Tattoo Studio https://www.facebook.com/FreestyleTattooStudio Ive had many piercings done there and can recommend them highly. Very professional and brilliant at their job, you should be able to walk in without an appointment for a nose piercing.

Stupid is as stupid does 🙂

TheDancingDjinn10:27 am 29 Dec 12

TheDancingDjinn said :

TheDancingDjinn said :

Megstar said :

TheDancingDjinn said :

Megstar said :

My daughter had her nose pierced a few weeks ago at Redpath. She seemed happy enough with it. She is 17 and there was no issues with her age and she didn’t need parental consent. Not sure what the experience was like (she didn’t really tell me much). I think it hurt a little but not too much? It seems to have healed well, is a little red still around the piercing but no longer hurts.

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

She had my permission to get it done. I was aware of it and so have no issues. I would think parental consent would depend on the type of piercing being done. I don’t see a nose piercing as beings an issue for a 17yr old.

I was not discussing your child, I said it was stupid of Redpath to not check that you had said yes. I have seen many parents go off their heads at a child coming home with a piercing ( my own included) none of those people would hesitate to go after the shop for puttin holes in their kid.

You are more than welcome to allow your child anything, I was discussing the shop.

I’ve been to Redpath multiple times and they’ve always checked my ID, they’re not known for letting underage people get away with it like some other places are. The age of consent here is 16 for anything other than genital and microdermal piercings (possibly surface piercings also?). Under 16 needs parental permission.

I had my nose done there a few years ago and had no issues. It’s not all that painful, just pressure and it makes your eyes water. One of the least painful piercings I’ve gotten and I’m up to 14.

That said I’ve started going to Freestyle now, not sure about nose but they’re cheaper for other piercings and Beau is very good.

As someone who is a tad bit older.. the age was once 18, and i am now aware the age limit is now 16. 🙂

DrKoresh said :

TheDancingDjinn said :

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

Others have already pointed this out, but you only need to be 16 to get facial piercings in the A.C.T. How very silly of you to assume otherwise.

Awww all your trawling of riot act, and you must of have missed that I wrote, a long time ago it was once 18 as the age limit for piercings and tattoos. It was when I got mine, and because I’m now older I haven’t gotten anymore… Forgive me for not reading up on the law changes every thirty five seconds like the readers of riot act. So find your mistake elsewhere , I’m sure someone out there has spelled something incorrectly you could make fun of them for, you know what I’m talking about… They have to know how smart you are right?

I’d recommend Leo at the University of Canberra (attached to the hairdresser). He’s friendly and professional and did a good job repiercing my nose through scar tissue several years ago. Definitely does not use a gun.

TheDancingDjinn said :

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

Others have already pointed this out, but you only need to be 16 to get facial piercings in the A.C.T. How very silly of you to assume otherwise.

TheDancingDjinn10:17 pm 28 Dec 12

TheDancingDjinn said :

Megstar said :

TheDancingDjinn said :

Megstar said :

My daughter had her nose pierced a few weeks ago at Redpath. She seemed happy enough with it. She is 17 and there was no issues with her age and she didn’t need parental consent. Not sure what the experience was like (she didn’t really tell me much). I think it hurt a little but not too much? It seems to have healed well, is a little red still around the piercing but no longer hurts.

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

She had my permission to get it done. I was aware of it and so have no issues. I would think parental consent would depend on the type of piercing being done. I don’t see a nose piercing as beings an issue for a 17yr old.

I was not discussing your child, I said it was stupid of Redpath to not check that you had said yes. I have seen many parents go off their heads at a child coming home with a piercing ( my own included) none of those people would hesitate to go after the shop for puttin holes in their kid.

You are more than welcome to allow your child anything, I was discussing the shop.

I’ve been to Redpath multiple times and they’ve always checked my ID, they’re not known for letting underage people get away with it like some other places are. The age of consent here is 16 for anything other than genital and microdermal piercings (possibly surface piercings also?). Under 16 needs parental permission.

I had my nose done there a few years ago and had no issues. It’s not all that painful, just pressure and it makes your eyes water. One of the least painful piercings I’ve gotten and I’m up to 14.

That said I’ve started going to Freestyle now, not sure about nose but they’re cheaper for other piercings and Beau is very good.

As someone who is a tad bit older.. the age was once 18, and i am now aware the age limit is now 16. 🙂

Got my nose done 6.5 years ago at Demon Body Piercing (above Redpath), Was sore for a while but kept it clean and didn’t play with it (take the stud in and out). Had about 5 piercings done there and Hubby has had a few too.

They should check ID to check that the child is over 16 – When a Child turns 16 they can give their own consent to medical treatment so I don’t see what the issue is with a hole that will close up!

All the best for the piercing – the brown mouth wash is great for keeping it clean!

Anyone reputable will ID you, and will want your parents there to sign a permission form for their records.

My 16yo daughter had her tongue pierced at Hairhouse Warehouse a few weeks ago by a guy who looked like Rod Stewart. If you are under 18 it is unlikely that you would even know who he is anyway. I had to give my written permission for her to get the piercing which was good. Not so good was that I was not allowed to observe the piercing being performed (although I did not mind). His prices were much cheaper than others and she has had no problem with the piercing.

I prefer and recommend Tattoo Culture in Tuggeranong. They have done all of my piercings (about 20 in all), as well as belly-button and two traguses (what is plural for tragus?) for daughter discussed above.

I’m not sure that parental consent or proof of age is required in the ACT for non-intimate piercings, happy to be corrected though.

+1 for Redpaths – my daughter who has just turned 18 has had multiple piercings done there and has never had a problem.

TheDancingDjinn5:14 pm 28 Dec 12

Megstar said :

TheDancingDjinn said :

Megstar said :

My daughter had her nose pierced a few weeks ago at Redpath. She seemed happy enough with it. She is 17 and there was no issues with her age and she didn’t need parental consent. Not sure what the experience was like (she didn’t really tell me much). I think it hurt a little but not too much? It seems to have healed well, is a little red still around the piercing but no longer hurts.

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

She had my permission to get it done. I was aware of it and so have no issues. I would think parental consent would depend on the type of piercing being done. I don’t see a nose piercing as beings an issue for a 17yr old.

I was not discussing your child, I said it was stupid of Redpath to not check that you had said yes. I have seen many parents go off their heads at a child coming home with a piercing ( my own included) none of those people would hesitate to go after the shop for puttin holes in their kid.

You are more than welcome to allow your child anything, I was discussing the shop.

I’ve had various body and facial piercings at Redpath (or rather, the guy above Redpath) over the last 10 years and they’ve all worked out pretty well. They don’t use a gun for anything (afaik), certainly not for a nose.

Not sure on the age issue though. Good luck, keep it clean, and after the first couple of months everything will be fine!

TheDancingDjinn said :

Megstar said :

My daughter had her nose pierced a few weeks ago at Redpath. She seemed happy enough with it. She is 17 and there was no issues with her age and she didn’t need parental consent. Not sure what the experience was like (she didn’t really tell me much). I think it hurt a little but not too much? It seems to have healed well, is a little red still around the piercing but no longer hurts.

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

She had my permission to get it done. I was aware of it and so have no issues. I would think parental consent would depend on the type of piercing being done. I don’t see a nose piercing as being an issue for a 17yr old.

Buckaroo_Banzai3:57 pm 28 Dec 12

Avoid anywhere that uses a gun. That probably rules out hair house warehouse. Red path should be fine.

TheDancingDjinn3:41 pm 28 Dec 12

Megstar said :

My daughter had her nose pierced a few weeks ago at Redpath. She seemed happy enough with it. She is 17 and there was no issues with her age and she didn’t need parental consent. Not sure what the experience was like (she didn’t really tell me much). I think it hurt a little but not too much? It seems to have healed well, is a little red still around the piercing but no longer hurts.

how very silly of Redpath, not to check a child’s ID or to not get parental consent. They must get a lot of angry parents in there, who have said no but the kid has done it anyways.

My daughter had her nose pierced a few weeks ago at Redpath. She seemed happy enough with it. She is 17 and there was no issues with her age and she didn’t need parental consent. Not sure what the experience was like (she didn’t really tell me much). I think it hurt a little but not too much? It seems to have healed well, is a little red still around the piercing but no longer hurts.

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