Why We Have Policies Around Guests, Children & Photography in the Studio
At Cherrycore, safety is always our highest priority.
When people think about studio safety, they often think about sterilisation, jewellery quality, or professional procedures. However, there are many factors that contribute to a safe environment that clients may not immediately consider - including guests, children, and photography within the studio.
We wanted to take a moment to explain some of our policies and the reasoning behind them.
Bringing a Friend to Your Appointment
If you're an adult and would like to bring a friend for support, you're absolutely welcome to do so.
The only thing we ask is that you let us know in your appointment notes when booking. This allows us to plan accordingly and ensure we have enough space available.
As a boutique studio, we typically have between one and three piercers working at any given time. When every client brings a guest, our occupancy can increase very quickly. Once we reach capacity, we may need to temporarily lock our doors and pause walk-in traffic to maintain a safe and controlled environment.
This isn't about being exclusive - it's about ensuring every client receives our full attention and that our team can work safely and effectively without unnecessary distractions or overcrowding.
While we understand this can occasionally be inconvenient for those hoping to browse jewellery or ask questions without an appointment, safety and client care must always come first.
Why Studio Policies Matter
Our policies aren't designed to make appointments difficult or restrictive.
They exist to protect our staff, our clients, and anyone receiving a piercing in the studio.
Most people are incredibly respectful and understand the importance of these guidelines. Occasionally, however, we find ourselves needing to remind people of policies that are already in place. While this can sometimes feel frustrating, it's important to remember that these rules exist for a reason.
Every policy we implement is based on years of professional experience and is designed to create the safest possible environment for everyone involved.
Who Can Attend a Piercing Appointment?
Adults (18+)
Adult clients may bring a friend to attend their appointment. Where space and circumstances allow, we will do our best to accommodate.
Clients Aged 16–17
Clients aged 16 and over may bring a friend aged 16+ & or a family member to their appointment. Accommodation will depend on the appointment type and available space.
Clients Under 16
A parent or legal guardian must be present for the duration of the appointment.
Friends and siblings are not permitted to attend the piercing service.
If additional children, friends, or siblings arrive with the client, there is a possibility they may be asked to wait outside the studio if we are at capacity or seats are needed for clients.
Children under 8 years of age are not permitted inside the studio unless prior arrangements have been made with our team.
We understand childcare can sometimes be challenging; however, our studio environment is not suitable for young children and has been designed specifically for professional piercing services.
Why Are We So Careful About Extra Guests?
One of the most common misconceptions in piercing is that the person receiving the piercing is the most likely person to feel faint.
In reality, after more than 20 years in the industry, I have found that it is often the person watching who becomes unwell.
When someone attends as a support person, we need to trust that they can recognise when they're feeling uncomfortable, communicate with our team, and remove themselves from the room if necessary.
Adults are generally able to do this. Young children often cannot.
Children may not recognise early signs of faintness, may not follow safety instructions, and may unintentionally create additional risks for themselves, our team, or the client receiving the piercing.
Why Can't I Bring My Young Child to My Appointment?
This is one of the questions we receive most often.
The answer comes down to safety and welfare.
While most appointments are straightforward, occasionally a client may feel faint, become distressed, or require additional care from our team. If that happens, our immediate focus must be on the wellbeing of the client.
If a parent attending an appointment becomes unwell, we are placed in the difficult position of caring for that client while also considering the safety and wellbeing of their child.
For young children, witnessing a parent faint or experience a medical episode can be frightening and upsetting. It creates a stressful situation for everyone involved and can compromise our ability to provide care as efficiently as possible.
For this reason, we ask parents to arrange childcare wherever possible before attending their appointment.
Creating the Best Experience for Everyone
Our goal is never to make appointments difficult.
Our goal is to create an environment where clients feel safe, supported, and cared for while allowing our team to work to the highest professional standard.
By following these policies, you're helping us maintain a calm, safe, and comfortable studio experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation and look forward to welcoming you to Cherrycore.
Please reach out with any questions or ways we can better assist you and your individual needs. For example if you have multiple family member that would like to attend for a Childs ear piercing we can review and select a time that will allow us to close the store for a privet appointment
Why We Don't Allow Filming During Procedures
We understand that getting a new piercing is exciting, and it's completely natural to want to document the experience.
However, one of the most misunderstood studio policies is our restriction on filming and photography during procedures.
The reason is simple: safety, concentration, and consent.
As professional piercers, we work with needles, sterile equipment, sharp instruments, and precise placement. Our full attention needs to remain on the client and the procedure being performed. Unexpected filming, phones being held over our workspace, or people moving around the room to capture a better angle can create unnecessary distractions at critical moments.
Just as clients expect their privacy and consent to be respected, our team deserves the same consideration. Being photographed or filmed is not something every staff member is comfortable with, and consent applies to everyone in the room.
If you would like photos or videos of your appointment, please discuss this with us before the procedure begins. This allows us to determine whether it can be accommodated safely and respectfully.
Why Following Instructions Matters
When we ask a parent or support person to sit in a particular seat, remain seated, or avoid certain areas of the room, there is always a reason.
Our piercing rooms are designed to provide safe access to equipment, sharps disposal containers, sterilised instruments, and the client receiving the piercing. Moving unexpectedly, standing in work areas, or stepping between the piercer and the client can interfere with that process.
For children's piercings especially, consistency is incredibly important. Small distractions can have a much greater impact when precise placement is required.
Parents often assume they're helping by standing close, filming, or attempting to comfort their child from a different position. In reality, the most helpful thing you can do is follow the instructions given by your piercer and allow them to focus on the procedure.
A Note for Parents
We genuinely love working with children and helping create positive first piercing experiences.
That's exactly why we have processes in place.
Over the years, we've refined our procedures to make children's piercings as safe, calm, and predictable as possible. Every step - from where parents sit to how the room is arranged - has been developed through experience.
When a piercer asks you to take a seat, remain seated, or put your phone away, it isn't about control. It's about creating the safest environment possible for your child.
The best outcomes happen when parents and piercers work as a team.
We know you're there because you care about your child. We're here because we do too. By trusting the process and following directions, you're helping us provide the safest and most comfortable experience possible for everyone involved.