How do I know if a piercer or a studio is safe?

First off is the studio itself clean and neat? Is their used equipment setting around and /or does the studio seem dirty and cluttered? The artist and employees are in contact with this all day long, if they are willing to put their health at risk they will more than likely put your health at risk.
Does the piercer consult you on aftercare and ask questions regarding health and etc.? Piercings take a commitment and additional care. A good piercer will make you aware of this before hand. Also, a responsible piercer wants to know if you have any health condition and/or sensitivity to the metal and other products they will be using.

Do they use an autoclave? When in doubt ask to see it. Fun thing is that we are pretty damn proud of our autoclaves and are more then willing to show them off.

Does the piercer seem stand offish, uneducated or unwilling to answer questions? Education is a big part of an artist's job. I consider it about 35% of the job. I love sharing my knowledge when ever I can. This is my art and my career. If the artist doesn't answer your questions before you spend your money, do you really think they are going to be there if there is a problem after they have your money? and more importantly are they going to have the knowledge to correct the problem. Ask, where what their experience is, how long they have been piercing, where they did their apprenticeship or their training, where they worked in the past and anything else about their past that comes to mind. Understand that many high profile studios have a revolving door of employees and there is usually a reason for that. Weather it be never ending line of unskilled artists or a change in the studio's policies or management. Many studios state that they have a combined experience of let's say 25 years. This seem very impressive until you consider that they have 15 artist working for them and none of them have over 2 years working experience. This person is selling themselves to you, don't be afraid to ask questions and if you feel like you are being lead down a primrose path to an alternative universe, leave.

Also, is he willing to Volunteer information that may change your mind about getting the piercing? Things like healing time, weather or not you can swim, refusing to do the piercing with improper jewelry and the risks involved with the piercing. A good artist should be willing to watch business walk away and refuse business, if preforming the piercing may put the piercee's health at risk. This is a question of ethics. If their motivations is solely the bottom line they well promise the world, lie, cheat and distort the facts to get your dollars.

Check around, talk to people that collect piercing. Nothing is ever as effect as first hand knowledge. That and most collectors love to talk about their piercings. As long as the first question you ask isn't, "Did that hurt?"

Ask to see some photos of their work. Visit the studio and talk to the artist ahead of time. Just cause you are in the studio doesn't mean you have to get something done that day. Try to visit as many studios as you can and use your own judgement.

Let the artist skill, knowledge and experience dictate your choice and not the price. The old saying "You get what you pay for.", holds very true with piercing. If studio A charges $25 to do a piercing that studio B charges $50.00 for the same piercing. Chance are that studio A has cut their overhead some how to get the price down. Most of the time, this cost cutting is a reduction of the investment in quality of jewelry and the level of sterilization and cross contamination prevention. the only cost cutting I do at the Axiom is advertising.

The biggest thing is how do you feel about the person. If you feel uncomfortable or like your are getting the hard sell, leave.

This also all applies to tattooing.