Got Questions? Good.

No — and we never have. Dahlia has used sterile, single-use needles for every piercing since we opened in 2017. Piercing guns cannot be fully sterilized, and they force a blunt stud through tissue rather than creating a clean channel. This causes unnecessary trauma, increases healing time, and raises the risk of complications. A needle piercing heals faster, more cleanly, and with significantly less damage to the surrounding tissue. It isn't a preference — it's the professional standard.

Yes. Needles are single-use and sterile. Piercing guns are made of plastic and cannot be autoclaved (heat-sterilized), which means they cannot be fully disinfected between clients. Needles also create a clean, precise channel through the tissue, while guns use blunt force that crushes the tissue. For these reasons, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) does not endorse the use of piercing guns.

Yes. We use only implant-grade materials — titanium, niobium, and solid 14k or 18k nickel-free gold — which are the materials least likely to cause reactions. We do not carry mystery metals, plated jewelry, or surgical steel, all of which can contain nickel and cause reactions in sensitive skin.

The APP is the leading professional organization for the body piercing industry. It sets standards for safety, sterilization, jewelry quality, and professional conduct. Dahlia's piercer, Melissa, is APP-educated and trained through the Fakir Intensive — one of the most rigorous piercing programs in the industry.