Best Places To Get Piercings In Charlotte

The Daily Meal Staff|Oct. 28, 2014 7:00 am EST

Whether a simple ear lobe or one of the more elaborate facial and body piercings popular now, most people will have something pierced during their lifetime. While many people go for the convenience and low price of a casual ear piercing in the mall, there are several good reasons to seek out a professional piercing parlor for any piercing procedure. North Carolina does not regulate piercing in any way, but most places that offer piercing are also tattoo studios where the building and equipment must be regularly inspected for instrument and building sanitation and the staff must be licensed by the health department in sanitary techniques. Other things to consider are the availability of follow-up care and the quality of the jewelry used, since base metals can leach toxins into the blood. Our list includes local experts who can set you on the path to the attractive and healthy piercings you deserve.

510 Expert Tattoo And Body Piercing
510 E. 35th St.
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 333-5108
www.510experttattoo.com

This studio, begun by Mark Kotula and Wayne Tudor in the NoDa neighborhood, specializes in custom tattoos and piercings in a clean environment and at fair prices. Joseph, the experienced piercing artist, specializes in multiple piercings. The shop offers all of the usual piercings with prices starting at $25, plus some more unusual ones, including nipple, medusa, stretched ears and rook piercings. The shop also offers follow-up care if you need help changing your jewelry during the healing process.

Green Light Tattoo And Piercing
3609-I South Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 531-5650
www.greenlighttattoo.com

Green Light offers tattoos and piercings in a safe, sterile environment. Hygiene is the staff's number one priority, and all equipment is sterilized after each use. Piercings are done with disposable one-use needles. Each member of the staff is licensed by the county health department.

Krazy Kats Tattoo, Piercing And Jewelry
4435 Monroe Road
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 537-3217
www.krazykatskc.com

Owned by Jim and Tee Miller, this shop uses nickel-free, light-weight, certified implant grade Titanium ASTM F-136 jewelry for all initial piercings to speed healing. All of the jewelry stocked here, both for initial and healed piercings, is hand-polished to the smoothest mirror surface, uses the highest grade metals and synthetic gemstones, is internally threaded or threadless and comes with a lifetime warranty against defects. Tee Miller, who has been piercing professionally since 2007, uses single-use, pre-sterilized needles and sterile, disposable Nitrile gloves while performing services. Most piercings require an age of at least 15, although Tee pierces ear lobes for children beginning at six years old, and all minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with proper identification.

SADU Body Piercing And Modifications
1515 Central Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 344-0011
www.sadubodypiercing.com

Dedicated exclusively to body piercing, this Plaza-Midwood favorite offers many different piercing options and the largest selection of body jewelry in the region. The staff, which has over 20 years of experience, offer a full range of piercings, including the ear lobe, helix and tragus, eyebrow, lip and labret (below the lip), nostril and bridge of the nose, dimple and cheek, navel, tongue and the webbing below the tongue, plus Monroe piercings (meant to resemble Marilyn's beauty spot on the upper lip), surface bars and industrial and microdermal piercings. SADU's autoclave is regularly inspected and the staff uses needles only once to maximize health safety. Minors are welcome with parental permission.

Tattoo Bill's
9640 S. Tryon St., Suite E
Charlotte, NC 28273
(704) 583-0909
www.tattoobills.com

In operation since 1999, Tattoo Bill's is consistently voted the best of Charlotte for tattoos, piercings and laser tattoo removal. Both traditional and exotic piercings are performed by Chris Thigpen, a fourth generation piercer and Tattoo Bill's son, in a clean, sterile environment with single-use needles. The studio is approved and regulated by the health department and receives high marks from health professionals who visit. A wide variety of body jewelry, including many navel rings, is kept in stock.

With 15 years of experience covering restaurants in Charlotte and the Carolinas, and two regional guidebooks under her belt, Renee Wright examines the dining scene with enthusiasm plus a deep knowledge of food trends and outstanding local eating ops. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.