Houston’s Premier Piercing Studio | APP-Verified. Safe. Elevated.
At Painstaking Art Tattoo & Piercing, we approach piercing as a form of personal design. Every placement, every piece of jewelry, and every recommendation is made with intention based on your anatomy, your aesthetic, and your long-term vision. We don’t just pierce. We curate.
Located at 5906 Canal St in Houston’s East End, we offer professional ear, face, body, dermal, and surface piercings with high-end jewelry and the highest safety standards
Meet Alex — Lead Piercer APP Member
All piercings at Painstaking Art are performed by Alex McDaniel, our APP-verified Lead Piercer. The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) is the industry’s gold standard for safety, sterilization, and technique and Alex is one of a select few verified piercers in Houston.
When you book with Alex, you’re getting anatomy-driven placement planning, expert jewelry selection, and a calm, professional experience from start to finish.
Alex brings years of experience and a genuine passion for the craft to every appointment. Whether it’s your first piercing or you’re building a curated ear, you’re in expert hands.
Piercing Services We Offer
Ear Piercings
Lobe (single or both), Helix, Forward Helix, Rook, Daith, Tragus, Anti-Tragus, Conch, Industrial
Face Piercings
Nostril, Septum, Bridge, Eyebrow, Lip
Body Piercings
Navel, Nipple (single or both), Surface Piercings
The Ear Curation Experience
Our signature service is designed for those who want more than a single piercing. We work with you to build a cohesive look whether you’re starting fresh or adding to an existing setup.
What’s included: Personalized consultation, anatomy-based placement planning, jewelry styling and selection, multi-piercing mapping, and long-term curation planning.
High-End Jewelry That Matches the Standard
We exclusively carry jewelry designed for both safety and longevity. Our selection includes implant-grade titanium, solid gold, high polish, mirror finish, natural stones, and lab grown stone options. Every piece is 100% customizable and chosen to elevate your look and not just fill a space.
Safe & Professional Ear Piercing for Children
We provide a calm, clean, and professional environment for children’s ear piercings. Children must be at least 6 years old and a parent or legal guardian must be present for all minors.
We use sterile single-use equipment, a gentle and experienced technique, implant-grade jewelry only for new piercings, and provide clear aftercare guidance for parents at the end of every appointment.
Piercing FAQs
Do I need an appointment?
For basic piercing services we do not require an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome Tuesday through Saturday, Noon to 8pm on a first come, first serve basis. For children’s services we require two appointments. The first is to ensure the child understands and consents, pick out jewelry, discuss aftercare, and get comfortable with the environment. The second appointment, which can be the following day, is the actual service date. Curations covering more than two piercings also require an appointment to ensure we can give you the one on one attention you deserve.
How much does a piercing cost?
Service fees start at $35. Jewelry is priced separately starting at $20 and up depending on the piece. See our full piercing pricing page for a complete breakdown by piercing type.
What jewelry do you use?
We use only implant-grade titanium and solid gold jewelry. All jewelry is sterilized in an autoclave before use.
How many piercings can I get at once?
We limit piercings to three per sitting so your body is not overwhelmed and your new piercings heal happily and healthily. For earlobes we can accommodate four in one sitting due to the tissue being more malleable.
How long does healing take?
Healing times vary from 12 weeks to 12 months depending on the piercing. Every piercing will go through a period where makeup, skin care routines, and swimming are not allowed. Piercings are a responsibility and how you care for them will be a crucial part of your curation.
What is the minimum age for children’s piercings?
Children must be at least 6 years old. A parent or legal guardian must be present and provide consent at the time of the appointment.
Does curation cost extra?
The charge for curation will vary. If it requires a digital rendering of your ear there will be a separate fee for the artist’s time. If it just entails finding the right pieces and placements with no digital rendering, the charge will be applied towards your project.
What jewelry should I start with?
The size of the piece you start with is crucial to proper healing. If a piece is too heavy or large it can create unnecessary trauma to the piercing site as it heals. Alex takes this into consideration when building curations to ensure you heal beautifully and finds pieces that can be used universally if a larger piece is your end goal. Hoops are not recommended for most piercings as they have too much movement. Only a few piercings can start with a hoop, such as a Septum or Daith.
Contact Painstaking Art Tattoo
Visit Us
5906 Canal St, Houston, TX 77011
Tuesday through Thursday, Noon to 8pm | Friday and Saturday, Noon to 10pm
Walk-ins welcome. Call us at (713) 814-8951
