The best body piercing shops in NYC

This Elmhurst studio might feel like you’ve stepped inside a gallery or a museum, as its interior reflects the image of body piercing as art. Overseen by head piercer Paul Fox, this fully disposable shop practices sterile and aseptic techniques with precise aftercare instruction and free checkups. Its nickel-free jewelry extends to threadless or internally threaded and is made from implant grade titanium (F-136), niobium, medical grade solid gold and lead-free borosilicate glass. If you’re thinking of doing a daith, rook or conch (all ear piercing terms), or a nostril or nipple, it's all popular here. You decide.

Since 2016, the Williamsburg location of this high-end U.S. brand operates on a walk-in basis on weekends but does take foot traffic and appointments on weekdays. Plus, the studio has quite the line of fine designer jewelry. Pieces consist of 14k solid gold with genuine and synthetic gemstones from labels such as SHIVA, an Istanbul brand, Suzanne Kalan of Los Angeles and Pupil Hall of Brooklyn. Imagine getting your daith, ear, lip, navel, nostril or septum pierced with these exquisite pieces, perhaps done by head piercer Casey Nichols.

Sharing space in Soho with Sacred Tattoo, this shop specializes in nipple, symmetrical facial and dainty or statement ear piercings. However, its overall stance is that as long as it’s a viable option for proper healing, just about any body part can be done. Consultations are taken on a walk-in basis, but owner and piercer Brian Decker and piercers Starr Belew and Tobias Vallone will stick by you throughout the placement and healing process with honest feedback. Jewelry comes mainly in impact grade titanium and various solid gold and precious gemstones, from simple pieces to full-on adornments.

At this downtown Brooklyn shop, manager and piercer Richard Alexander tells customers to come back within a week for a checkup to make that their new piercing is getting the proper TLC. Needle newbies can also get some consultation on what they want to have done—whether it's traditional or exotic—plus some calming words about the procedure from Alexander. To make the process smoother, the shop primarily adorns clients with high-rate, surgical steel jewelry. Overall, you'll leave with an understanding about showing your skin some love (and getting the right cleanser).

Craig Rodriguez, the owner of Park Slope's eight-year-old Hand of Glory Tattoo parlor, and Adam P. Block opened a second skin-art venture right down the block. The tattoo and piercing shop doubles as an art gallery, showcasing oil paintings and tattoo-esque prints. Folks interested in punching holes in their orifices can choose from an extensive jewelry selection that includes wood, bone, horn and mother-of-pearl pieces. Best of all? Precision piercings are done on a walk-in basis.

Studio 28 prides itself on providing safe, clean and positive tattooing and piercing experiences, which is a relief, considering you’re about to get struck with a needle. Most clients come in for traditional piercings, as there are a lot you can get in the ear alone (tragus, helix, daith, conch, lobe—anywhere). But the staff is extra careful and accommodating to make sure you receive exactly what you want. You can book an appointment ahead of time, but the shop also takes walk-ins.

Fashion girls are lining up in droves to get a septum, smiley (the skin beneath your top lip) or ear piercing at this East Village shop. The jewelry can start at $100, but service fees are low ($20 to $50)—they want you to have nice things! Getting pierced here is practically a religious experience. You'll be begging for them to stick a needle in your ear (or face), and FYI: Make an appointment first.