Professional Piercings in Decatur
Safe, precise, and performed by fully trained staff. We serve Decatur and surrounding communities Monday through Saturday—walk in or book your appointment.
Walk-ins welcome Mon–Sat, 10 AM–7 PM · After-hours appointments available on request
Safe Piercing Starts With the Right Studio
Professional body piercing is the process of creating a precise opening in tissue to place jewelry—and when it's done right, it heals cleanly. When it isn't, it doesn't. A mall kiosk gun forces a blunt stud through tissue at pressure, crushing rather than cutting. That slows healing, increases infection risk, and causes scarring cartilage piercings simply cannot recover from. At Premier Tattoo in Decatur, we use sterile single-use needles for every piercing—every time, without exception.
The process starts before we touch anything. We confirm the placement you want, discuss jewelry options, and mark the site for your approval. The area is cleaned with a medical-grade antiseptic. Then we pierce—cleanly, precisely, with a needle sized for the placement and the jewelry going in. After the jewelry is secured, we walk you through aftercare verbally and hand you written instructions. You leave knowing exactly what to expect during healing.
Pricing depends on placement, jewelry selection, and whether you're getting a single piercing or multiples in one visit. Lobe piercings are simpler and price accordingly. Cartilage and body piercings require more precision and higher-grade jewelry to heal well. Implant-grade titanium costs more than basic options—and it's worth it. Material quality is the single biggest variable in how a piercing heals. We'd rather have that conversation upfront than have you back in with a problem six weeks later.
Piercing Types We Offer at Premier Tattoo
We offer a full range of placements for clients of all ages—lobe and cartilage for first-timers, nostril and septum for those who know what they want, and body piercings for clients ready to go further.
Earlobe Piercings
The most straightforward placement we offer — fast, clean, and ideal for first-time clients. We pierce both lobes in a single visit and fit you with jewelry that suits the healing stage you're in.
Cartilage Piercings
Helix, tragus, daith, conch, and forward helix — we handle all cartilage placements with a single-use needle only. No guns. Cartilage tissue can't recover from gun piercings the way lobe tissue can.
Nostril Piercings
Nostril piercings are one of the most requested placements we see. We'll mark the site before anything is touched, confirm the position fits your face, and fit you with an implant-grade piece designed for initial healing.
Septum Piercings
When placed in the 'sweet spot' — the thin strip of tissue between cartilage and the base of the septum — a septum piercing heals well and sits comfortably. We locate that placement precisely before we pierce.
Navel Piercings
Navel piercings require patience during healing — they're surface piercings in a high-movement area. We use internally threaded implant-grade jewelry and give you specific aftercare guidance to support the longer healing timeline.
Other Body Piercings
Nipple, surface, and additional body placements are available — discuss what you want during your visit and we'll confirm placement, jewelry, and what the healing process looks like for that specific site.
Piercings for Minors — Illinois Law and What to Bring
Illinois law permits body piercing for clients under 18, but only with a parent or legal guardian physically present at the time of the piercing. The parent or guardian must provide valid, government-issued photo ID for themselves and proof of the minor's identity—a birth certificate, school ID, or similar document confirming the relationship. We confirm both before we proceed.
There is no age minimum for piercing with proper parental consent in Illinois—we use our judgment on placements that aren't appropriate for very young clients and will say so honestly. Standard ear lobe piercings are the most common request for younger clients and are straightforward when the right documentation is in place. If you're unsure what to bring, call us at (217) 475-1108 before you make the trip.
Tattoos are a separate matter: Illinois law sets the minimum age for tattoos at 18 with no exceptions and no parental override. We follow that law without exception.
Implant-Grade Jewelry Is the Standard Here
The jewelry you're pierced with is not a cosmetic choice—it's a healing decision. Low-quality metals leach nickel and other irritants into fresh tissue, causing prolonged swelling, rejection, and scarring that can make a perfectly executed piercing fail over months. At Premier Tattoo, we use implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) and implant-grade surgical steel as our starting point. These materials are inert, smooth at the surface level, and designed for long-term tissue contact.
We stock a selection of jewelry in-studio so you can choose a piece that suits the placement and your style before we start. If you already have jewelry you want to use, bring it in—we'll confirm the material, gauge, and length are appropriate for the placement before agreeing to use it. Healing a piercing correctly matters more than any single aesthetic preference, and we'll give you our honest assessment either way.
Common Questions About Getting Pierced at Premier Tattoo
If your question isn't here, call us at (217) 475-1108 or stop in Monday through Saturday.
Does Premier Tattoo take walk-in piercing clients?
Yes. Premier Tattoo accepts walk-in piercing clients Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM, at 1959 East Pershing Road in Decatur. No appointment is required, though calling ahead at 217-475-1108 lets us confirm availability and any jewelry preferences before you arrive. After-hours appointments are also available on request.
How long does a professional piercing take to heal?
Healing time depends on placement. Earlobe piercings typically heal in six to eight weeks. Cartilage piercings take four to twelve months depending on the site and how well aftercare is followed. Nostril and septum piercings generally fall in the three-to-six-month range. We provide written aftercare instructions for every placement at the time of service.Can a minor get a piercing at Premier Tattoo in Decatur?
Yes, with the right documentation. A parent or legal guardian must be present and provide valid government-issued photo ID for themselves and proof of identity for the minor — a birth certificate or school ID. Both must be present at the time of the appointment. We confirm all documents before proceeding. Tattoos require clients to be 18; there are no exceptions.What jewelry does Premier Tattoo use for new piercings?
We use implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) and implant-grade surgical steel as the standard for all new piercings. These materials are inert, smooth at the surface level, and designed for long-term tissue contact. They significantly reduce the risk of irritation, rejection, and prolonged healing compared to lower-grade metals commonly used at mall kiosks or discount studios.What aftercare does Premier Tattoo recommend for a fresh piercing?
We recommend cleaning new piercings twice daily with a sterile saline wound wash — nothing else. Avoid touching the piercing with unwashed hands, rotating jewelry, and submerging it in pools or natural water during healing. We give every client written aftercare instructions before they leave. If you notice unusual swelling or discharge, contact us or a healthcare provider.
Walk In Today or Book Your Piercing
Premier Tattoo is at 1959 East Pershing Road in Decatur, open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 7 PM—no appointment needed, though we're happy to set one up.
