Client policies

Stacks by Syd is a licensed Utah body art facility operating under Utah Administrative Code R392-701.

• Every piercing is performed with a single-use, pre-sterilized needle. I never use piercing guns.
• All jewelry and reusable tools are sterilized in-house in an autoclave, with routine spore testing.
• I pierce exclusively with implant-grade ASTM F-136 titanium, the safest material for fresh piercings.
• I hold current bloodborne pathogen and first aid certification, and follow aseptic technique at every step.

I specialize in:

• Earlobes
• Ear cartilage (helix, conch, tragus, daith, rook, and more)
• Navel (belly)
• Nostril
• Septum

I do not offer nipple, genital, surface, or dermal piercings, branding, or scarification. If you're looking for one of those services, I'm happy to point you toward a trusted studio that does.

• A $15 deposit is required to reserve your appointment. This applies toward your final total.
• The deposit is what holds your time slot. Appointments are not confirmed until the deposit is received.
• Payment methods accepted: card and cash.
• Tips are never expected and always appreciated.

I'm a solo piercer, so a missed appointment is time I can't give to someone else. Please give as much notice as you can.

Cancelling or rescheduling

• 24 hours' notice or more: your deposit is refunded, or moved to your new appointment — your choice.
• Less than 24 hours' notice, or a no-show: the deposit is forfeited. A new deposit is required to rebook.

Running late

• There is a 10-minute grace period.
• Past 10 minutes, your appointment must be rescheduled. Piercings have timing requirements I can't safely rush or compress, and shortening the appointment isn't an option.
• Your deposit moves to the new appointment, along with a $5 late fee. The $5 covers the lost time and does not apply toward your service total.

If I have to cancel — due to illness, emergency, or anything on my end — your deposit is refunded in full or moved to a new date, whichever you prefer.

I love piercing kids and I take it seriously. Utah law is specific about how it has to be done, and these rules are not flexible.

Required for every client under 18

A parent or legal guardian must be physically present in the room for the entire procedure. No exceptions — not for the waiting room, not for a phone call, not for an older sibling or grandparent standing in.

Please bring all three:

• The minor's birth certificate (or the minor's government-issued ID)
• The parent or legal guardian's valid government-issued photo ID — I am required to review and keep a copy
• Proof of relationship if last names differ — custody paperwork, adoption paperwork, or marriage certificate

Only a parent or court-appointed legal guardian can give consent. Grandparents, stepparents without legal guardianship, aunts, uncles, and adult siblings cannot consent on a minor's behalf, even with a signed note.

The parent or guardian will complete and sign a consent and medical disclosure form before we begin.

A note on documents: I know this feels like a lot for a pair of earlobes. It's a state legal requirement, and showing up without the paperwork means we can't proceed — so please double-check your bag before you head out.

Minimum ages by service

Pricing for young clients

Ages 3 months through 7 — earlobes only — $100. Includes the piercing, your choice from my included jewelry options, and a bottle of sterile saline spray.

Ages 8 through 17 — standard pricing. See my service menu. Standard pricing applies, with all minor documentation requirements above still in effect.

Little ones — what to bring

Babies (3 months – 2 years): Bring a swaddle, pacifier, bottle, favorite blanket — whatever comforts your baby. Feeding right before or right after is completely fine and often helps.

Toddlers and kids (2 – 7 years): Bring a tablet, phone, or a show they love. Distraction genuinely works, and a kid watching their favorite thing is a kid holding still.

If we can't finish the second side

This happens, and it's okay. Kids are allowed to change their minds.

I pierce one lobe at a time and let your child set the pace. If they decide partway through that they're done, we stop — I will not hold down or force a child to finish.

In that case a $20 fee applies, which covers the reserved appointment time and the single-use supplies already opened. You're welcome to book a follow-up to complete the second side whenever your child is ready.

Please do

• Eat a full meal within a few hours of your appointment, and drink plenty of water. Low blood sugar is the number one cause of feeling faint.
• Get a good night's sleep.
• Wear clothing that gives easy access to the piercing area.
• Shower beforehand.

Please avoid, for 24 hours before

• Alcohol
• Excessive caffeine
• Non-essential blood-thinning pain relievers — aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve)

These can thin your blood and increase bleeding, bruising, and swelling.

Important: Do not stop taking any medication prescribed by your doctor — including prescription blood thinners — without talking to your physician first. This is a recommendation about over-the-counter choices, not medical advice. If you take a prescribed anticoagulant, just let me know and we'll talk through it.

Your safety comes before the appointment. Please be honest on your intake form — nothing you disclose will be judged, and it's confidential.

Please tell me about

• Blood thinners, anticoagulants, or any medication affecting healing
• Diabetes, heart conditions, autoimmune conditions, hemophilia
• Epilepsy, seizure disorders, or a history of fainting
• Allergies — especially to metals (nickel), latex, or iodine
• A history of keloids or unusual scarring
• Skin conditions or lesions at or near the piercing site
• Recent surgery, or current Accutane/isotretinoin use

I am unable to pierce you if

• You are pregnant
• You are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• You are currently ill — please reschedule, and I'll waive the late-cancellation fee for genuine illness
• You cannot provide valid identification

If you have a heart condition, you may have an increased risk of bacterial endocarditis. Please speak with your physician before booking.

If you have any health or medical concerns, please consult a physician before receiving a body art procedure.

Not every piercing works on every body. Anatomy varies, and forcing a piercing into tissue that can't support it leads to migration, rejection, and scarring.

• I will assess your anatomy before we begin. If the piercing you want isn't suited to your body, I'll tell you honestly and suggest alternatives that will work beautifully.
• If your anatomy isn't suitable and you don't want an alternative, your $15 deposit is refunded in full.
• I reserve the right to decline any procedure I am not comfortable or willing to perform, for any reason. This is about doing right by you, not about turning away business.

I only install jewelry that I provide. I don't install outside jewelry — not from another studio, not from a shop, not from online.

This isn't an upsell. I can't verify the material composition, manufacturing quality, or sterility of jewelry I didn't source, and low-quality jewelry in a fresh piercing causes irritation, allergic reactions, prolonged healing, and rejection.

All piercings are performed with implant-grade ASTM F-136 titanium. It's biocompatible, nickel-free, and the safest choice for fresh piercings.

Solid gold and silver options are available by request — please request them during the booking process so I can have them ready for your appointment.

Pricing: Jewelry is priced in studio. Some options are included in the piercing price, and others are available at an additional cost. I'll walk you through the options before we begin so there are no surprises.

Jewelry sales are final. Once jewelry has been worn or sterilized, it cannot be returned or exchanged.

• Please limit yourself to one support guest. My space is small and a sterile environment needs to stay uncrowded.
• Please don't bring children as guests. If you're a parent bringing a child in to be pierced, that's different and welcome — but siblings and additional kids should stay home if possible.
• Photos and video: You're welcome to take photos and video at any point, including during the procedure. Capture whatever you'd like.
• Social media: I may ask to photograph your piercing for my portfolio and social media. It is always optional, always asked in advance, and never a condition of service.
• Service animals are welcome. No other pets, please.
• Respect is required. Stacks by Syd is an inclusive space that welcomes every body, identity, and background. Harassment or discriminatory behavior toward me or another client ends the appointment immediately, with no refund.

You'll receive written and verbal aftercare instructions before you leave, and I'm available for questions afterward for as long as you need.

The short version

• Clean twice daily with sterile saline wound wash — the only ingredient should be 0.9% sodium chloride
• Wash your hands before touching your piercing, ever
• Dry gently with clean, disposable paper products
• Do not rotate, twist, or play with your jewelry
• Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soap, Bactine, tea tree oil, or ointments
• Avoid pools, lakes, hot tubs, and open water while healing
• Leave the jewelry in. Removing it during healing can close the piercing in hours

Healing timelines vary from person to person. Lobes typically heal in 6–8 weeks; cartilage can take 6–12 months. Your body, your health, your aftercare habits, and your daily routine all affect healing.

If something seems wrong, contact me first. Irritation is common and usually fixable. Free troubleshooting is part of what you're paying for — please don't remove your jewelry or give up on a piercing before reaching out. If you develop signs of infection, contact me and see a physician.

Fresh piercings are fitted with a slightly longer post to allow for swelling. Once the swelling goes down, that post needs to be downsized to a shorter one. Skipping this step is one of the most common causes of migration, irritation bumps, and crooked healing.

• Plan on a downsize around 6–8 weeks for lobes, and later for cartilage. I'll give you your specific timeline at your appointment.
• Downsize appointments are booked separately through my website. Please schedule yours when your timeline comes up — it matters more than most people realize.
• Check-ups and troubleshooting are always free. Come see me anytime.

• All completed services are non-refundable. Once a piercing is performed, the service has been delivered.
• Healing outcomes vary by individual and depend heavily on aftercare. A piercing that doesn't heal well isn't automatically a refund — but it is something I want to help you fix. Reach out.
• Lost jewelry is not refundable or replaceable free of charge. Replacement jewelry can be purchased at standard pricing.
• If a piercing closes, a new piercing appointment and fee are required to redo it.
• Deposits are refunded only as described in the Cancellations and Anatomy sections above.