Your Visit & Payment
Where can we park?
Our studio and the Kirei Kollective are most easily accessible through the Waterfront Plaza parking lot. Entrances to the parking garage can be found on South Street and on Pohukaina Street.
Do you validate parking?
We can validate parking! Our validations are for 90 minutes. Typically, a piercing appointment is an hour or less. Parking is $6 per hour without validation. Street parking is $3/hour on weekdays and Saturday. On Sundays street parking is free.
Do you take card?
Yes! We take credit card and Venmo, however we charge an extra 7.5% for these transactions (which includes general excise tax). Cash is preferred and these payments have no additional fees. There is an ATM in the plaza, located in The Row restaurant.
Do we need an appointment?
You do not need an appointment! We are walk-in friendly. Appointments are recommended to minimize your waiting time however, we will absolutely do our best to accommodate those spur-of-the-moment piercing impulses!
Piercing & Aftercare:
Does piercing hurt?
Yes, piercing does usually hurt but experiences vary between piercing placements and between people. Piercing procedures are also quick— the pain lasts only for a moment. It’s totally alright to be nervous during your appointment, we understand it can be scary. You got this!
What is downsizing? And why did my piercer recommend it?
Downsizing is when jewelry with a shorter bar is installed into a piercing. For oral piercings, downsizing is recommended after 2-3 weeks. For other piercings downsizing is usually recommended 6-12 weeks into the healing process depending on swelling. Downsizing is performed in order to prevent migration and irritation which can prolong the healing process.
Why does anatomy matter?
Anatomy affects the way a piercing is placed and performed. However, please feel free to book the piercing you're envisioning for yourself - your piercer will be happy to consult with you about what suits your particular style and anatomy!
Is a needle better to use than a piercing gun?
Yes!
We use sterile, single-use needles to perform our piercings. This method is very gentle on the body as compared to piercing guns which often cause bruising and other uneccessary tissue damage. All tools, and the studio itself, are either sterilized or sanitized between piercings making the space much more clean than the environments where piercing guns are usually used.
Do I remove my piercing when I clean it?
You do not need to! Please try not to touch or move your healing piercings when cleaning them unless absolutely necessary.
How long is my piercing going to take to heal?
Healing times vary between people and piercing placements. Please refer to our After Care Guide in the dropdown menu for an estimated healing time.
Can I swim with my piercing?
Please do not submerge your piercing in pool, jacuzzi, or bathtub water for at least 12 weeks after your piercing appointment. Please feel free to ask your piercer directly about swimming in the ocean.
How many piercings can I heal at a time?
Every body is different but at Kirakira we generally do not recommend having more than four healing piercings at once. If you would like to get another piercing but are unsure if you have too many healing, please reach out to your piercer.
Why does my piercing have a bump?
There are many reasons your piercing could have a bump. Most bumps will go away within several weeks to several months. However, if you have a bump, please refer to our After Care Guide or contact your piercer directly.
What do I do if I think my piercing is infected?
Piercing infections are very rare when you're being pierced in a sterile environment. Often when clients think they have an infection it turns out to be swelling, redness, or bumps caused by irritation. If you believe you have an infection we recommend contacting your piercer for a check up. Your piercer will provide you with either more care instructions or will recommend that you visit a doctor.
Jewelry:
What kind of jewelry do you use at your studio?
Implant grade titanium and solid 14k/18k gold from various reputable brands including NeoMetal, Anatometal Jewelry, Ember Body Jewelry, Junipurr Jewelry, and Buddha Jewelry Organics. All of our jewelry is hypoallergenic and nickel-free.
Can I bring my own jewelry in for my piercing appointment?
We only allow clients to be pierced with jewelry from our own shop. We cannot guarantee that jewelry you bring in will be undamaged by the sterilizing process. We also cannot ensure that the jewelry is made of material suitable for fresh piercings or is of the appropriate size/length. Once our clients are healed though, we are happy to perform jewelry changes with various jewelry types and brands!
I have to take my jewelry out. How can I keep my piercing open?
We have flexible plastic retainers available for purchase at our studio! These will be able to keep your piercings open during surgical procedures and for most competitive contact sports. Our piercers can help you remove your jewelry and install the retainer. Please book a Jewelry Change/Removal for assistance.
How do I remove my jewelry?
All of our jewelry is either internally threaded or press-fit. Either turn the top of the jewelry while holding the backing to unscrew the top, or grab the topper and the back and pull them apart to remove the topper.
Even piercers ask piercers to help with jewelry changes and removals! Please do not remove your jewelry on your own if it is painful or if you feel uncomfortable doing so. Feel free to reach out to your piercer!