I came to Skin Art Gallery to pierce my left nostril. I told Ruby I preferred to use a white gold piercing (that I provided) because it was small and discreet. She agreed, sterilized it, shaped it, and pierced my nose.
For the next 6 days, my nose was very painful, bright red, and my skin kept growing over the piercing (which made me have to keep pushing it back thru). I called and spoke with Toy, the shop manager and head piercer. Once I explained my issue, he said ""Ruby should never have pierced you with white gold since it's a porus metal which makes it easy for bacteria to grow!"" He went on to say ""any amateur knows not to pierce with white gold and Ruby should know better.""
He instructed me to come in as soon as I could. He couldn't believe what my nose looked like (red, inflamed, skin growing over, pus) and confirmed that yes, it was infected. He apologized for Ruby's bad judgment and Ruby bent it way too short which did not allow for swelling and thus why my skin kept growing over it.
I was crying, in pain, and explained to him that after such an ordeal, I did not want it to be pierced again (even after he healed). He agreed that I never should have gone thru this and offered to give me my money back as a gesture of good will. I was very grateful.
Well, after several phone calls, complaints to the owner, and 2 wasted trips to pick up money that wasn't left for me (after I was told it was), I never have received my refund. I was given a most disappointing ""run-around.""
Upon researching the state guidelines of tattoo/piercing shops, I've since learned that Skin Art Gallery has violated some rules. Ruby, my piercer, did no paperwork or checked my ID prior to her piercing me. Also, Skin Art was required to report my nostril infection to the State Dept of Health, which to my knowledge was never done.
Pros: reasonable prices, location, clean shop
Cons: uneducated piercer, bad management, absent owner
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