What's the difference between disposable and reusable piercing tools?
Disposable forceps and pliers — like our slotted Pennington, Forester, and septum forceps at CA$0.75 each — are sterile out of the package, used once, and disposed of in a sharps container. Reusable 316L surgical steel instruments are built for repeated use, surviving autoclave cycle after cycle without losing precision. Most studios run both: disposables on high-volume or high-contamination procedures, reusables on technique-heavy work where a familiar instrument matters.
Why 316L surgical steel?
316L is a low-carbon stainless steel that resists corrosion, holds up to repeated autoclave sterilization without pitting, and meets the standard most professional studios run on. The "L" stands for low carbon, which is what makes it stable through high-temperature steam cycles. For reusable forceps, pliers, and jewelry, it's the working benchmark.
How do I sterilize my piercing tools?
Reusable tools should be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner first, then sterilized in an autoclave at the temperature and time specified by your equipment manufacturer. Disposable tools should never be reprocessed — they're single-use by design. Whatever your protocol, it has to meet your local public-health unit's requirements for studio hygiene, which vary by province and municipality.
What needle gauge do I need?
That depends entirely on the piercing being done and the jewelry going in afterward — common ranges run from 16G through 10G, but the exact match comes down to anatomy, jewelry, and the piercer's training. Match your needle to the jewelry gauge, follow your training protocols, and never improvise on something that's penetrating skin.
What's the best piercing aftercare?
Sterile saline is the working standard — it cleans without disrupting healing. Bull Ocean Solution is the saline-based aftercare spray we stock for fresh piercings, and it's what most studios send clients home with. The basics matter alongside the product: clean hands, don't twist or rotate the jewelry, follow your studio's aftercare instructions, and see a healthcare professional if anything looks unusual.
Do you ship piercing supplies across Canada?
Yes. We ship piercing supplies fast from our Toronto warehouse to studios right across Canada, priced in CAD with no surprise fees at the border.
