Cape Town
Sea Point
Our flagship, in the Laughtons Building
295 Main Road, corner of Mount Nelson RoadSea Point, Cape Town
- Mon – Fri
- 9am – 6pm
- Sat
- 9am – 5pm
- Sun
- 9am – 3pm
The Black Betty Piercing Studio
Piercing, with intention
A piercing is a ritual: a moment of choice, a form of adornment that becomes part of you. Expert piercers, implant-grade titanium and solid gold, in a calm space where you are never rushed.
- 60 min Appointment
- From R150 Service fee
- 14kt gold Or implant-grade titanium
- 3 studios Cape Town & Johannesburg
Your appointment
From booking to aftercare
- 01
Book your time
Choose your studio and placement online. Every appointment is an hour, so there is time to talk it through.
- 02
Consult & choose
Our curators help you choose your jewellery, and your piercer advises on the placement that suits your anatomy.
- 03
The piercing
A single-use needle, a flat-back labret and sterile, autoclaved tools. One client in the piercing room at a time.
- 04
Aftercare
You leave with complimentary sterile saline, clear instructions and a team to call on while you heal.
Getting pierced at Black Betty
Safety, held as high as beauty
We pierce only with implant-grade titanium or 14kt gold. Both are hypoallergenic and body-safe, so there is almost no chance of a reaction.
How we pierce
- Flat-back labretsMore hygienic and comfortable than a butterfly back while a new piercing heals.
- Single-use needlesFor the most precise, sterile piercing, then disposed of by our medical waste company.
- Autoclaved at 132°CTools and jewellery are chemically sterilised, packaged and autoclaved.
- Experienced piercersExpert piercers and curators, chosen with great care.
Placements
Find your placement
Every ear is different. Your piercer will guide you to what suits your anatomy. Here is roughly how long each placement takes to heal.
-
Lobe
Heals in 2–4 monthsThe soft lower ear, made for hoops, studs, drops and sleepers in any combination.
-
Low helix
4–6 monthsLow on the outer rim of the ear, just above the lobe.
-
Helix
6–12 monthsThe upper rim of cartilage, suited to both hoops and studs.
-
Forward helix
6–12 monthsThe cartilage at the front of the upper ear. Perfect for a stud.
-
Rook
6–12 monthsThe ridge at the top of the inner ear, for a stud or a larger ring.
-
Conch
6–12 monthsThe middle of the ear, inner or outer. Rings or studs both sit well here.
-
Tragus
6–12 monthsThe cartilage in front of the ear canal, a great home for almost any jewel.
-
Daith
9–12 monthsA Black Betty favourite: a ring that sits perfectly in the centre of the ear.
-
Anti-tragus
9–12 monthsThe cartilage opposite the tragus, suited to a ring.
Beyond the ear, we also pierce nose, septum, navel, nipple, smiley and more. Choose your placement when you book.
CHOOSE YOUR JEWELLERY
Implant-grade titanium and solid gold, fitted on the day.
Good to know
Before you come in
- 10+
- Minimum ageSo whoever is being pierced understands the piercing and how to care for it.
- 1
- Client in the roomBring a friend for moral support; they will wait for you just outside.
- 3
- Piercings per visit, at mostEvery body is different. Your piercer will advise what is best for you.
- 60
- Minutes with usTime to choose jewellery and settle on placement, without rushing.
Book a piercing
Choose your studio
Pick your studio, then your placement and time. The service fee is paid when you book; your jewellery is chosen and priced in studio.
Sea Point, Cape Town
Cape Town
Hout Street
Our original studio, in the city centre
77 Hout StreetCity Centre, Cape Town
- Mon – Fri
- 9am – 5pm
- Sat
- 10am – 4pm
Johannesburg
Parkhurst
Our Johannesburg studio
35 4th AvenueParkhurst, Johannesburg 2193
- Mon – Fri
- 9am – 5pm
- Sat
- 10am – 4pm
- Sun
- 10am – 2pm
Cape Town
The Watershed
17 Dock RdVictoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town 8002
- Mon – Fri
- 10am – 7pm
- Sat
- 10am – 7pm
- Sun
- 10am – 7pm
The service fee depends on your placement. View the full piercing price list.
Questions
Before your piercing
How old do I need to be?
You need to be 10 or older, so you understand the piercing and the healing that follows.
Can I bring a friend?
Of course. Only one client goes into the piercing room at a time, so they will wait for you just outside.
How many piercings can I get at once?
Up to three in one session. Every body is different, and your piercer will advise what is best for you during your consultation.
Is there anyone you won't pierce?
We do not pierce anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or who has recently had surgery.
What jewellery do you pierce with?
Implant-grade titanium or 14kt gold on a flat-back labret, which is more hygienic and comfortable than a butterfly back while you heal.
Why do you downsize?
Once the first swelling settles, we swap to a shorter post. It fits properly, reduces irritation and helps your piercing heal faster.
How do I look after a new piercing?
Avoid touching, twisting or sleeping on it. You go home with complimentary sterile saline and full instructions, and we are here for advice and follow-ups long after you leave. Read the aftercare guide.
What does it cost?
The service fee depends on your placement and is paid when you book. Jewellery is priced separately. View the price list.
Gift an experience
Give the gift of a piercing
A piercing gift card covers an hour with our piercers and jewellery to match, from R500.