North Cove Piercing Studio

For local residents in Tacoma, Washington, seeking professional body piercing services, North Cove Piercing Studio, located at 3701 6th Ave #7, offers a convenient option within the 'Piercing Shops Near Me' category. Based on customer reviews, this studio, primarily featuring the work of a piercer named Jake, provides a clean and sanitary environment and operates on a walk-in basis. However, feedback regarding aftercare advice and jewelry quality presents a mixed perspective that potential clients should consider.

One customer who received a nose piercing from Jake at North Cove Piercing Studio initially reported a positive experience with the piercing process itself. They found Jake to be talkative, friendly, and quick, and noted that the studio was clean and sanitary. The walk-in-only policy and the cash-only payment (with an ATM located across the street) were highlighted as points of information for new piercing clients. This suggests that North Cove Piercing Studio is accessible without an appointment and prioritizes hygiene.

However, this same customer detailed significant issues encountered after the piercing. Following the cleaning instructions provided by Jake on paper, the nose ring (a flat back piercing) broke approximately a week and a half after the procedure. The stud reportedly separated from the flat back piece. As a temporary solution to prevent closure, the customer had to insert the flat back piece backward. Attempts to contact the studio via voicemail and a subsequent call to speak with Jake directly were unsuccessful. Consequently, the customer sought assistance from another piercing shop, Absolute Body Art, incurring an additional $40 expense after already paying $80 at North Cove Piercing Studio.

The experience at the second shop revealed several concerns regarding the initial piercing and aftercare advice received from North Cove Piercing Studio. The customer was informed that they had been given a flat back piercing, which is typically recommended for lip piercings, rather than an L-shaped ring, which is generally considered more suitable for initial nose piercings. The L-shape is preferred because if it falls out, the wearer can often reinsert it themselves, reducing the risk of infection. The inability to reinsert the flat back jewelry after it broke caused significant distress for the customer.

Furthermore, the cleaning instructions provided by Jake were reportedly inaccurate in some aspects. North Cove's instructions advised using saline three or more times a day and using a Q-tip. The second piercer advised against using Q-tips, as they can snag and damage the piercing, and recommended using saline no more than twice a day, spaced out to allow the tissue to heal. Jake's advice to use unscented soap once daily was also not corroborated by the second opinion. Additionally, the second piercer recommended using a band-aid at night to prevent the piercing from falling out, a piece of advice not given by Jake.

Finally, the healing timeline provided by Jake (3-6 months) was also stated to be inaccurate. The second piercer clarified that while the outside of a nose piercing might heal in about three months, the inside cartilage can take a year to a year and a half to fully heal. This discrepancy in information could lead to improper aftercare practices and unrealistic expectations regarding the healing process.

In contrast to this negative experience with a nose piercing, another customer had a positive interaction with Jake during a wellness check on a cartilage piercing they had received elsewhere. They visited North Cove Piercing Studio without an appointment, and Jake examined the piercing, which the customer suspected was infected. Jake reportedly provided detailed and helpful advice on how to promote healing and did not charge for his time. This customer described Jake as "welcoming" and "knowledgeable," particularly appreciating his ability to make piercing newbies feel comfortable and provide guidance. They expressed their intention to return for jewelry changes and future piercings.

Considering these two reviews, North Cove Piercing Studio, under the operation of Jake, offers a clean environment and walk-in services. Jake is described as friendly and knowledgeable, particularly in explaining aftercare during a consultation. However, the negative review raises significant concerns about the quality of initial jewelry provided for a nose piercing, the accuracy of aftercare instructions, and the lack of follow-up support when a customer experienced a problem. The discrepancy in the type of jewelry recommended for a first nose piercing is particularly concerning.

For local users in the 'Piercing Shops Near Me' category considering North Cove Piercing Studio, it is crucial to weigh these contrasting experiences. While one customer found Jake helpful and welcoming for a consultation, another experienced significant issues with a piercing, jewelry failure, and aftercare advice, leading to additional expense and the need for corrective information from another professional. The lack of response from the studio to the customer's urgent issue is also a point of concern.

Prospective clients might consider visiting North Cove Piercing Studio for a consultation to assess the environment and interact with Jake directly. It would be prudent to ask detailed questions about the types of jewelry used for specific piercings, the recommended aftercare procedures (perhaps requesting written instructions and comparing them with information from reputable sources), and the studio's policy on follow-up care and addressing potential issues with piercings or jewelry. Given the conflicting information in the reviews, it would be wise to seek thorough and verifiable information before proceeding with a piercing at this studio.

North Cove Piercing Studio can be contacted at (253) 752-0636 or +1 253-752-0636. Their address is 3701 6th Ave #7, Tacoma, WA 98406, USA. The walk-in-only policy might be convenient for some, but it also means that availability might vary. The cash-only payment requirement with an ATM nearby is another practical consideration for potential clients. While Jake's welcoming demeanor and knowledge were appreciated by one customer, the serious issues reported by another regarding jewelry and aftercare highlight the need for thorough due diligence before choosing North Cove Piercing Studio for your piercing needs.