Association of Professional Piercers

This week, representatives of the Association of Professional Piercers Board of Directors: Sala, Paul King, and Pablo Perelmuter traveled to Ukraine to participate in and teach at the Ukrainian Association of Professional Piercers (UA-APP).

Ukraine continues to endure the realities of war. Yet throughout the country, body piercers continue to open their studios, go to work, serve their clients, educate one another, and move their profession forward.

In the midst of extraordinary circumstances, these professionals help create something incredibly important: moments of normalcy, connection, self expression, and community.

The Ukrainian piercing community has continued to organize, learn, teach, and advocate for safer and more professional piercing practices despite the challenges surrounding them.

For the APP, it was important that our support for these efforts extended beyond words and beyond borders.

It was important for us to be here.

Our participation in UA-APP represents what we believe an international professional community should be: sharing knowledge, advancing safety and standards, learning from one another, and standing alongside our colleagues when that support matters most.

We are honored to support the Ukrainian piercing community and deeply grateful to the UAPP, its organizers, educators, volunteers, and attendees for welcoming our representatives.

Their commitment to their profession and their communities is a powerful reminder that even in extraordinarily difficult circumstances, education, professionalism, and community continue.

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#associationofprofessionalpiercers #uapp #bodypiercing #professionalpiercing #piercingeducation #ukraine #professionalstandards #community | Association of Professional Piercers This week, representatives of the Association of Professional Piercers Board of Directors: Sala, Paul King, and Pablo Perelmuter traveled to Ukraine to participate in and teach at the Ukrainian Association of Professional Piercers (UA-APP). Ukraine continues to endure the realities of war. Yet throu...

The APP would like to recognize and congratulate APP Member and avid volunteer, Stephanie Abel, for her outstanding commitment and dedication to the safe piercing community! Stephanie Abel is the winner of the 2026 Volunteer Spotlight Award awarded to outstanding volunteers!

Stephanie is currently serving the association in several positions including:

Social media committee
Membership committee
Compliance coordinator
Pervious mentor with the mentor committee

Stephanie’s experience:
“In 2016 I attended conference for the first time, immediately I began to volunteer any way that I could, and in 2025 I taught my first class.
I love the ritual of guiding clients on their journey and simultaneously building a relationship with my community as FOH. The APP has been a way for me to connect with my peers and share my passion for body reclamation in such a personal way. The memories and friends I have made attending conferences will be experiences I treasure for the rest of my life.”

Stephanie’s advice to new volunteers:
“Always sign up to volunteer at conference. The people working behind the scenes to make our classes move effortlessly are the most valuable asset we have.”

Thank you Stephanie for all of your hard work and dedication to the organization and the piercing industry at large!

We’re back with another iteration of the Piercing Dictionary! This week we’re exploring different types of threading, starting with internally threaded jewelry!

Internally threaded jewelry has the threads on the removable end—not the post—keeping the part that passes through your piercing smooth. That’s why it’s a trusted choice for initial piercings.

Save this for your next jewelry upgrade!


-FT

Today’s topic is on “Threadless” Jewelry! If you’re looking for a safe alternative to internally threaded jewelry, this is a great option! 🤓


-FT

Not even a week left until we are in Las Vegas! Here are a few reminders that will help you make the most of your conference experience:

REMINDERS REGARDING LAS VEGAS WEATHER

Las Vegas is in the desert. It will be hot the week of Conference.
Drink water. Stay hydrated. Stay cool.
Use hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen!
Vegas sometimes has mosquitos! Use bug spray.

EXPO & SHOWROOM ENTRY PROCEDURES

This information can also be found in the phone app!

If you do not require immediate expo or showroom access, we encourage you to enter the expo later in the day after the initial rush is over. Our Volunteers are happy to answer any questions you might have, please reach out to us if you need assistance.

Attendees may not save additional spaces in line for other attendees. Attendees may not cut into the line. Attendees who either attempt or succeed at cheating the system are subject to consequences for both themselves and the studio they represent, including loss of Expo privileges for 2026 and 2027.

All Exhibitors / Booth Workers who wish to buy first thing on Tuesday/Wednesday morning will need to leave the floor and stand in line with the rest of the buyers.

TUESDAY: APP MEMBER ONLY ACCESS NOON-1:30 PM
You must have a badge which allows expo entry WITH a members ribbon attached in order to enter the expo at the members only time. If you didn’t get a ribbon when you picked up your badge, you can get one at the registration desk.
10:00 AM: APP Members are allowed to start lining up (if they want to).
The line will form in the Melrose Hallway with the front of the line starting just before the Rotunda (where the info booth is).
There will be stanchions & straps to indicate where the line is – and volunteers will be there to assist.
No one is allowed in the line except APP members with a member ribbon on their badge.
NOON - Once the doors open at noon – the line will be able to approach the Expo Floor doors in an orderly fashion.
Badge checks will be done at the door – please be patient with our volunteers!
After the initial line has entered – APP Members are welcome to enter by approaching the volunteers at the door.
TUESDAY - NON-MEMBER ACCESS 1:30 PM
12:30 - Non Member attendees are allowed to start lining up (if they want to) following the APP Members entry.
The line will form in the Melrose Hallway with the front of the line starting just before the Rotunda (where the info booth is).
There will be stanchions & straps to indicate where the line is – and volunteers will be there to assist.
1:30 PM - Once the floor is open to non-members – the line will be able to approach the Expo Floor doors in an orderly fashion.
Badge checks will be done at the door – please be patient with our volunteers!
Once these initial lines have entered the floor – attendees are welcome to approach the volunteers at the door to the Expo Floor at will.
WEDNESDAY – NOON for ALL ATTENDEES
10:00am: Attendees are allowed to start lining up (if they want to).
NOON Once the doors open at noon – the line will be able to approach the Expo Floor doors in an orderly fashion.
Once these initial lines have entered the floor – attendees are welcome to approach the volunteers at the door to the Expo Floor at will.
In addition:
No chairs unless you have a physical condition where you can’t stand for long periods
Listen to the APP volunteers managing the lines
DO NOT rush the volunteers at the Expo door.
NO non-members in line before 12:30pm.
NO Members in line before 10am
NO RED “no-expo” badges allowed on the expo floor
NO CLEAR badges allowed on the expo floor
NO badge - NO entry

BADGE PICK UP AT CONFERENCE

Badge Pick-Up: Sunday June 7 6pm-9pm

Full Conference / 5 & 2 class pass holders / Expo Only / Health Inspectors / Regulators please join us on the Mezzanine (Mezz) to pick up your badge and certificate.
Self serve tables will be set by the alphabet (Last Name used in Registration). Look for the elevated signs to find the right table.
Attendees will pick up their badge packet and scan themselves at one of the self-scanning stations.
Volunteers will be available at a help desk as well as roaming the Mezz.
Attendees are then free to pick up badge ribbons at the ribbon tables (APP Members, First Timers, International, and Pronouns).
Exhibitors / Exhibit Booth Workers / Presenters - please pick up your badges at the built-in Registration Desk in the Conference area just past the glass doors. Exhibitors can pick up worker badges.

Badge Pick-Up / Check-In continues on the Mezz/Mezzanine on Monday morning (8am-Noon)

After Noon on Monday
All badge pick-up will occur at the Registration Desk in the Conference area just past the glass doors. No new registrations will be accepted. The Registration desk will be open throughout the week until all the badges are picked up. Hours can be found in the schedule in the app or at the Registration Desk.

PRO TIP: Find the Conference Area - Sunday Map in the Event phone app to see the layout of badge tables, etc. on the Mezzanine. See the Monday Morning Map if you are coming in then!

SUNDAY EVENING OFFERINGS

2026 Presenters Meeting
7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Celebrity 6

Presenters for this year’s conference are welcome to attend this information meeting. We hope to see you there.

12 Step Recovery Meeting
8:00 PM-9:00 PM
Sunset 3

Daily meetings during the week. Open to ALL 12-Step program members and anyone interested in attending a recovery meeting. It is not required to register for these meetings.

ATTB: Mixer: New Attendee Meet & Greet
8:00 PM-9:30 PM
Melrose 3

New to the conference and looking to make new friends? Join us for the New Attendee Mixer! This is an Alternative to the Bar event. No alcohol allowed at this event. There will be table top games, conversation cards, and lots of time to just hang out!

Not all jewelry is safe to wear as body jewelry. Especially when it’s going into a fresh piercing.

Initial jewelry plays a major role in how your body heals. High-quality materials are biocompatible, meaning they’re less likely to cause irritation, allergic reactions, or complications during the healing process.

So what should you look for?

• Implant-grade metals like Titanium (ASTM F-136) or Steel (ASTM F-138)
• Solid 14k–18k Gold (not plated or filled)
• Materials like Niobium, Platinum, and Lead-Free or Borosilicate Glass
• Smooth, mirror-finish surfaces to minimize irritation
• Internally threaded or threadless designs for safer insertion

What should you avoid?

• Mystery metals or “surgical steel” without proper certification
• Plated or coated jewelry (these can wear down and expose unknown materials)
• Rough finishes or externally threaded posts

Your piercing is a healing wound, what you put in it matters. Investing in quality jewelry from the start helps support a smoother, safer healing experience.

If you’re ever unsure, ask your piercer about the materials they use and why.

Whether you're refining your understanding of jewelry quality, strengthening your sterilization practices, or diving into microbiology, our Jewelry, Science & Sterilization Sessions focus on knowledge you can put into practice every day.

Join us at our our 29th Annual APP Conference & Expo! ✨️ Register today: https://cvent.me/8VeA4v

📍 Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas

📅 June 7–12, 2026

Choosing the right initial jewelry is about more than just aesthetics; jewelry selection impacts healing, comfort, and longterm success.

Proper sizing takes into account:
• Individual anatomy
• Room for swelling
• Appropriate thickness for stability

Jewelry that’s too short, too thin, or improperly fitted can lead to irritation, migration, or delayed healing. Starting with the correct size and style helps set the foundation for a safe and successful piercing experience.

Professional piercers are trained to select jewelry that supports your healing piercing from day 1.

Have questions about sizing or style? Check in with your piercer or find an APP Member near you with our Member Locator at SafePiercing.org/find-a-piercer/

Learn more about Initial Jewelry Standards on our website at SafePiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/

✨️ Better practices = better outcomes ✨️ Our Studio Practices Sessions focus on the foundations of safe, efficient, and thoughtful piercing environment, from asepsis and room design to refining your day-to-day workflow.

Whether you’re revisiting the basics or fine-tuning your setup, these sessions are designed to support safer outcomes for both you and your clients.

Register today for our 29th Annual APP Conference & Expo: https://cvent.me/8VeA4v

📍 Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas
📅 June 7–12, 2026

Are you still considering registering for our 2026 conference? It’s good to keep in mind that there’s just 10 more days before our prices increase.

On April 25th:

• Full Conference Pass increases from $500 to $750 (all discounts still apply)
• Five (5) Class Pass increases from $300 to $400
• Two (2) Class Pass increases from $150 to $200
• Expo Only Pass increases from $200 to $300

Early Registration pricing is good until April 24th at midnight PDT.

Registration closes entirely to new registrations and party tickets on May 22nd at midnight PDT. Class changes can still take place until the class happens.

Questions about registration policies and deadlines can be directed to Caitlin at [email protected]