Apollo Tattoo Studio is LA's hub for every body piercing service — performed by experienced piercers using only needle technique (never guns) and premium implant-grade jewelry from brands like BVLA, Industrial Strength, and Anatometal.
From classic nostril and helix piercings to navel, nipple, dermal, septum, daith, and beyond — explore each piercing type below, then book the placement that's right for you. Located in Santa Monica, serving all of Los Angeles, with walk-ins welcome 7 days a week.
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5000+ clients
What sets Apollo apart from other piercing shops in Los Angeles
We never use piercing guns. Needles are safer, more precise, and create cleaner piercings that heal better.
Only implant-grade titanium, 14k gold, and surgical steel from top brands. No cheap mystery metals.
Our piercers have years of experience and ongoing training. This isn't a side gig—it's their craft.
Autoclave sterilization, single-use needles, and strict protocols protect your health.
For intimate body piercings like nipples and navel, we offer private piercing rooms for your complete comfort.
We'll tell you what to expect, recommend proper sizing, and advise against piercings that aren't right for your anatomy.
Apollo's Premium Jewelry Partner
Handmade in Los Angeles since 1996. Lifetime guarantee. Implant-grade gold, platinum, and titanium. Over 3,000 original designs in our case — ask your piercer for a tour.
See the BVLA story →A quick look at the categories we work in — click into any card to read the full guide for that piercing.
Classic belly button piercings with premium titanium or gold jewelry. Expert placement for optimal aesthetics and healing.
Professional nipple piercings performed in a private room with implant-grade jewelry. Singles and pairs available.
Single-point surface piercings placed anywhere on the body. Expert technique for secure, long-lasting results.
Nostril, septum, bridge, and high nostril piercings. Precise placement for optimal healing and aesthetics.
Labret, Monroe, Medusa, snake bites, and tongue piercings. Expert technique for oral and lip placements.
Each piercing has its own dedicated guide — placement details, healing time, jewelry options, and how to book with the right piercer.
Upper outer cartilage of the ear.
View guide →Small cartilage flap in front of the ear canal.
View guide →Inner cartilage fold above the ear canal.
View guide →Vertical fold of cartilage above the daith.
View guide →Inner or outer bowl of the ear.
View guide →Two cartilage piercings joined by one barbell.
View guide →All cartilage placements across the ear.
View guide →Lobes and curated full-ear styling.
View guide →Safe lobe piercings for children ages 5+.
View guide →Classic nostril placement, either side.
View guide →Center of the nose, through the soft tissue.
View guide →Vertical placement above the brow.
View guide →Surface piercing along the upper cheekbone.
View guide →Center of the upper lip, below the septum.
View guide →Upper-lip placement, Marilyn-style.
View guide →Lower lip and labret placements.
View guide →Upper-lip frenulum, hidden behind the smile.
View guide →Center of the tongue, vertical barbell.
View guide →Horizontal piercing across the tongue tip.
View guide →Classic upper-rim navel placement.
View guide →Single or pair, performed in a private room.
View guide →Single-point surface piercing, anywhere on the body.
View guide →Discreet, consult-led genital piercing services.
View guide →Vertical clitoral hood piercing.
View guide →Surface piercing above the mons pubis.
View guide →Classic male genital placement.
View guide →Surface piercing along the underside of the shaft.
View guide →Flexible booking paths
Schedule your appointment at LA's premier piercing studio in just a few clicks
Popular starting point
Reserve a body piercing appointment with jewelry, placement, and timing confirmed.
Every piercing heals differently — here's what to expect
| Piercing Type | Location | Initial Healing | Full Healing | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lobe (Classic) | Soft tissue, lower ear | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 2/10 |
| Stacked Lobe | Multiple lobe piercings | 6-8 weeks | 4-6 months | 2/10 |
| Transverse Lobe | Horizontal through lobe | 2-3 months | 6-10 months | 4/10 |
| Upper Lobe | Above classic lobe | 6-8 weeks | 4-6 months | 2-3/10 |
| Helix | Upper outer rim cartilage | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| Forward Helix | Front upper cartilage near temple | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5-6/10 |
| Hidden Helix | Tucked under rim | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5/10 |
| Flat | Flat cartilage area (between rook & rim) | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 6-7/10 |
| Tragus | Small flap over ear canal | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| Anti-Tragus | Above lobe, opposite tragus | 4-6 months | 9-12+ months | 6-7/10 |
| Conch (Inner) | Center bowl of ear | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5-6/10 |
| Conch (Outer) | Lower center, near anti-helix | 3-4 months | 6-12 months | 5-6/10 |
| Daith | Innermost fold above ear canal | 3-4 months | 9-12+ months | 5-6/10 |
| Rook | Upper inner fold above daith | 3-4 months | 9-12+ months | 6-8/10 |
| Snug | Inner ridge of anti-helix | 4-6 months | 9-12+ months | 7-8/10 |
| Industrial | Two holes connected by barbell | 4-6 months | 9-12+ months | 6-7/10 |
| Orbital | Two holes connected by ring | 4-6 months | 9-12+ months | 6-7/10 |
| Nostril | Side of the nose | 2-3 months | 6-9 months | 3-4/10 |
| Septum | Tissue between nostrils | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 4-5/10 |
| Bridge | Skin across nose bridge | 2-3 months | 6-9 months | 5-6/10 |
| Eyebrow | Above the eye | 2-3 months | 6-9 months | 3-4/10 |
| Anti-Eyebrow | Cheekbone surface, below outer brow | 6-8 weeks | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| Lip / Labret | Below lower lip | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 3-4/10 |
| Monroe / Madonna | Upper lip (left or right) | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 4/10 |
| Medusa (Philtrum) | Center upper lip | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 4-5/10 |
| Tongue | Center of tongue | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 months | 4-5/10 |
| Snake Eyes | Horizontal tongue tip | 4-8 weeks | 4-6 months | 6-7/10 |
| Smiley | Upper lip frenulum | 4-8 weeks | 2-3 months | 3-4/10 |
| Navel (Belly Button) | Above or below navel | 3-6 months | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| Nipple | Through nipple tissue | 3-6 months | 9-12 months | 6-7/10 |
| Dermal / Microdermal | Single-point surface anchor | 1-3 months | 3-6 months | 3-4/10 |
| Christina | Surface of pubic mound | 3-6 months | 6-12 months | 4-5/10 |
| VCH | Vertical clitoral hood | 4-6 weeks | 2-4 months | 4-5/10 |
| Prince Albert | Underside of glans | 4-6 weeks | 3-6 months | 5-6/10 |
| Frenum | Underside of shaft | 6-8 weeks | 3-4 months | 4-5/10 |
5000+ clientsYour safety is non-negotiable at our Los Angeles body piercing studio
All reusable tools are sterilized in our hospital-grade autoclave.
Pre-sterilized needles opened in front of you—never reused.
Clean, organized piercing stations with EPA-registered disinfectants.
Licensed and inspected by LA County Health Department.
All staff trained and certified in safety protocols.
We stock only the best jewelry brands for your body piercings
Piercing services start at $75. Jewelry is sold separately and varies by material and brand — BVLA, Industrial Strength, Anatometal, implant-grade titanium, and 14k/18k gold.
Visit a specific piercing guide above for placement-by-placement pricing, healing windows, and jewelry options. Or call (310) 331-0605 if you'd like to talk through your idea first — no obligation.
Senior PiercerSenior Piercer
Bunny Vogt, a dedicated Senior Piercer at our studio since 2019, is known for her artistic eye and expertise in ear styling and curation. She excels at facial piercings, navel work, and creating balanced piercing arrangements that reflect each client's unique style.
FounderMaster Piercer
Blue Mason, our Master Piercer and studio founder since 2004, brings over two decades of body piercing expertise. From simple nose piercings to advanced genital work, Blue's technical mastery ensures perfect placement every time.
Every piercing at Apollo starts with a short consultation: placement, jewelry selection, and a walk-through of aftercare specific to your piercing. The piercing itself takes seconds. Detailed aftercare instructions for your specific piercing type are covered on each dedicated piercing guide above.
Book Appointment
Getting a body piercing at our Los Angeles shop is easy—you can choose what works best for you.
See What Our Satisfied Clients Have to Say
"Got my septum done by Blue and it was completely painless! The jewelry selection is amazing and the studio is so clean."
"Best piercing studio in LA! Bunny did my navel piercing perfectly. Healed beautifully with zero issues."
"Finally got my nose pierced at 35 and Apollo made the experience so comfortable. Professional, clean, and the jewelry quality is unmatched."
"Had my nipples done here and couldn't be happier. Private room, professional service, and premium jewelry. Worth every penny."
5000+ clients
Santa Monica, CA
Apollo was founded by Blue Mason in 2007. With 20+ years of body art experience, Blue brings master-level expertise to every piece. Read Blue's story →
Hub-level questions about body piercing in Los Angeles. Each dedicated piercing guide above has its own FAQ with placement-specific answers.
Apollo's Los Angeles studio offers every standard body piercing — ear (lobe, helix, tragus, daith, rook, conch, industrial), nose (nostril and septum), lip (labret, Monroe, medusa, snake bites), tongue, eyebrow, navel, nipple, dermal anchors, and genital. Use the hub grid above to jump to the dedicated guide for the piercing you're considering — each one covers placement, healing time, jewelry, and pricing for that specific piercing.
When choosing a Los Angeles piercing studio, look for: needle-only piercings (never guns), single-use sterile needles opened in front of you, autoclave-sterilized tools, implant-grade titanium or 14k gold jewelry, and experienced piercers who are happy to talk through anatomy and placement before you commit. Apollo meets every one of these standards and is licensed by the LA County Health Department.
Yes — we welcome walk-ins 7 days a week. Walk-ins are first-come, first-served, and we'll do our best to fit you in around scheduled appointments. For specific piercer requests, nipple work, dermals, or multiple piercings in one visit, we recommend booking ahead so we can set aside the right amount of time and the right piercer for your placement.
Yes, with restrictions. A parent or guardian must present a valid state or federal photo ID along with the original birth certificate and a photo ID for the minor.
5+ years: Earlobes only
13+ years: Simple Cartilage (Helix only)
14+ years: Complex Cartilage, Nostril
16+ years: Septum, Eyebrow, Navel
18+ years: Bridge, Surface/Dermals, Lip, Tongue, Nipple, Genital
We exclusively stock implant-grade titanium and 14k/18k gold from BVLA, Industrial Strength, Anatometal, and a curated set of partner studios. You'll find internally threaded and push-in styles in a wide range of designs. Custom BVLA orders are available — ask during your consultation. Cheap mystery-metal jewelry causes irritation and slows healing, so we don't carry it.
Pain varies by person, but generally:
Most clients describe even the higher-pain piercings as a quick pinch that's over in seconds. The dedicated guide for each piercing has a more specific pain note.
We generally recommend 2-3 piercings per session so your body can heal without overload. The right number depends on placement and your individual anatomy — for example, two ear piercings on the same side can heal together, but two cartilage piercings on the same fold may not. We'll plan it with you during your consultation.
Call us during business hours at (310) 331-0605, or schedule any time using the online booking. Have a specific question first? Fill out the piercing inquiry form below and we'll get back to you.
We take cash, all major credit cards, Venmo, and PayPal.
Discover the pinnacle of body art at Apollo Tattoo Studio, where luxury meets creativity. Our expert team crafts stunning work using only the best materials and state-of-the-art processes.
Ready to elevate your look with the best in Los Angeles?
Visit us today and experience the future of body art.
We welcome clients from across the greater Los Angeles area.
Cities:
Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Hollywood, Downtown LA
Walk-ins welcome or book your appointment today.
Recognized in Santa Monica's Most Loved 2025
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