Howdy! It’s Duncan Stone Area 51 Studio Owner; I started tattooing professionally in 1997. In this last edition of tattoo trends we have reach AI and the effects it has had within the industry.

Hello! It’s Duncan Stone from Area 51 Studio Basingstoke – I started tattooing professionally in 1997. In Part 1, I looked back at the dolphins, Tasmanian Devils, tribal designs, Chinese characters and Gothic lettering that filled tattoo studios during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Then, in 2005, Miami Ink arrived bringing new tattoo trends.

Hi! I’m Duncan Stone, owner of Area 51 studio – Basingstoke. I started tattooing professionally in 1997. Since then, I have watched tattoo trends come and go, celebrities influence entire generations and technology completely transform the way tattoos are designed, researched and shared.

It’s one of the questions people ask quietly at the counter, usually with a slightly guilty grin: “Can I still get a piercing while pregnant?” Or, “Is it safe to get a tattoo while breastfeeding?”

Let’s cut through the rumours, the well-meant but clueless advice from mates, and the late night Google rabbit holes. This is your straight talking guide to piercings while pregnant in the UK, tattoos after birth, and what’s actually safe for you and your baby.

Maybe you’re heading to Ibiza, backpacking around Europe, flying long-haul, or spending a weekend in a muddy festival field. Either way, travelling with a fresh piercing requires a little more planning than throwing a toothbrush into a suitcase. At Area 51, a common question we hear every summer is: “Can I travel with a new piercing?”

Planning a piercing? You’ve booked the festival tickets. The holiday countdown is on. The suitcase is half packed. Then comes the thought: “Maybe I’ll get that piercing before I go.”

Most people spend weeks deciding what piercing they want and about five seconds thinking about how it’s actually done. Professional piercing is more than a “stab and go” set up. So, let’s talk about what we pierce with, why we use it, and why it matters more than most people realise.

Most piercings are fairly straightforward. A nostril piercing? Normal. A helix piercing? Common. Even nipple piercings barely raise an eyebrow these days. But every now and then, a piercing appears that makes even experienced piercers pause and say, “Well…” Look, we’re not here to yuck anybody’s yum, today we’ll be talking about extreme piercings.

Body piercings are one of the most popular ways to express individuality, style and confidence. From classic belly button piercings to more advanced surface and dermal piercings, there are countless options available for those looking beyond ear and facial piercings.

Today, facial piercings remain one of the most popular ways to personalise your appearance, whether you prefer something subtle like a nostril piercing or something more distinctive like a bridge or Medusa piercing.

Most people spend weeks deciding what piercing they want and about five seconds thinking about how it’s actually done. Professional piercing is more than a “stab and go” set up. So, let’s talk about what we pierce with, why we use it, and why it matters more than most people realise.

There are many reasons why some people can’t get certain piercings and one of the most surprising things many clients hear during a piercing consultation is:

“That piercing might not be suitable for you.”

Losing piercing jewellery can feel stressful very quickly, particularly for younger clients. The good news is that a lost piece of jewellery does not always mean the piercing is ruined. If you’re thinking, “My piercing fell out – what do I do now?”, acting calmly and safely can make a significant difference to whether the piercing remains viable.

“Will it heal before school starts?”
It’s a sensible question.
Healing time affects much more than comfort. At Area 51 Basingstoke, families often ask whether a piercing booked during the summer holidays will have enough time to settle before the new school term begins.

While piercing guns are often found in retail environments, professional piercing studios almost always use sterile single-use needles. The reason is simple: professional needle piercing is generally more precise, less traumatic to tissue, and easier to control from a hygiene perspective.

A common questions parents ask before booking a piercing appointment is:
“Will my child’s school allow it?”
Many families carefully research age restrictions, healing times and jewellery options, only to discover that school policies may ultimately determine whether a particular piercing is practical during term time. At Area 51 Basingstoke, we always recommend checking school policies before booking any piercing appointment for a younger client.
Fresh piercings should not normally be removed during healing, which means school jewellery rules can directly affect healing success and long-term comfort.

If you’ve ever Googled “what’s the most painful piercing?” you’re not alone. Pain is the number one thing first-timers worry about — and fair play, nobody likes the idea of unnecessary agony. If you want to know the most painful piercings clients ask for, buckle up — here’s the good, the bad, and the ouch.