Figure 8 Ink Studios — Local services in Fredericksburg

This is very long but PLEASE READ BEFORE GOING HERE FOR A PIERCING. I feel bad to leave this review after how incredibly nice everyone is there and how my experience went customer service wise, but I have had the absolute worst piercing experience there. I went on a whim after seeing good reviews and had many recommendations to go get my septum pierced a couple weeks ago but ended up getting my inner conch instead. First red flag was that I passed out after she pierced me which I have never done. I have several piercings and tattoos and never had I passed out before. Everything was great until the 3rd day when it started swelling badly. My ear was so swollen there was no space in between my ear and the bar. I did some research and it said swelling was very common with this type of piercing. I tried to trust what was said but I was in so much pain from throbbing constantly that I went to go see the piercer at Figure 8 again and get her opinion. She said it was very swollen and didn’t say whether is was good or bad and then proceeded to put in a longer bar which was very painful. When I left out of there the bar wasn’t even longer than the one she pierced me with. The swelling only got worse and I didn’t sleep the entire night due to the pain I was in and I ended up making the decision to go to prime care the next day. The doctor told me it was very infected and needed to go back to the piercer and get it taken out. There was no way I was going back there and ended up going to my regular piercer. When I got there my normal piercer wasn’t there but there was a very nice girl that was there and she said the jewelry was way too short to accommodate for the swelling and does not recommend taking it out due to the infection could get trapped when the hole closes up. She ended up putting in a much longer bar and told me the jewelry Figure 8 used was very cheap titanium. Unfortunately, my ear instantly swelled up with the much longer bar. That following Tuesday night, the pain was so unbearable I ended up going to the emergency room to see if there was anything they could do. They put me on antibiotics and told me the swelling should go down in 24-48 hours. Two days later nothing was happening and I ended up going back to my regular piercing place to see my piercer and told me I should take it out because having the bar in wasn’t doing me any good and in the process he had told me that the angle she pierced my ear was completely wrong and that she caused damage to my ear with the way she pierced me and that was the cause for my terrible healing process. Inner conch piercings are supposed to be a breeze with the healing process. I have my industrial bar and that healing process is terrible but NOTHING COMPARED to what I have dealt with this one. I did everything I was supposed to do. I have 9 other piercings I know how to take care of them and in which I have never had any problems with but the one time I go to Figure 8 I have the worst piercing experience ever. I went and got my belly button pierced in a piercing place that was IN A GYM and I still have no problems with that. I am still in pain and even with the jewelry taken out my ear is still swelling. You can’t even make the shape of my ear out. It’s to the point Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Motrin don’t help anymore. The antibiotic hasn’t done anything to help either. I haven’t slept properly in weeks due to the constant throbbing pain and on Monday I have to go to the ENT to probably get my ear sliced opened and drained. 0/10 DO NOT RECOMMEND...

I got my first tattoo today which as nerve wracking as I felt walking in the second I saw the parlor and how nicely modeled it is to feel cozy and at home I was stunned at how quickly my nerves began to fade away. I was then greeted at the front door by an extremely sweet guy Chris I believe his name is. Once seated he offered me water ( which I graciously took because your girl was stressed). He then asked if we’d filled out all the intake forms and what was necessary ( I went with a girlfriend since she was getting a tattoo and it helped with the fear as well) and I thought I had and i apparently hadn’t and he was patient while I found the forms and filled them out before the appointment. All together genuinely an impeccable first impression right off the bat ( ironic for my tattoo, I know). Next came the tattoo the aesthetic of the place was already welcoming and extremely lively with all the different artist, piercers , and anyone else there all being extremely talkative and allowed the environment to feel more comfortable rather than uptight and frightening.

Not only was my entire experience with Sabrina impeccable from the way she was beyond gentle with me understanding it was my first tattoo. She also made then entire interaction so sweet and made it feel like talking with an old friend. I’ve always been extremely insecure and have a hard time not being socially awkward in situations which causes me to just yap to keep my mind from overthinking and she just talked back and forth with me even on the dumbest of topics which made me feel seen and more than confident in her abilities. Now for the tattoo I can’t say it was magically painless because you’re literally paying for them to stab you repeatedly to look cool but she did her best to get the hard parts over and she wasn’t heavy handed even through the shading aspect.

My tattoo turned out better than I could’ve expected and now I’m beyond excited to book another one. Thank you to Sabrina and figure 8 for creating such a space for creativity to flow openly and be welcoming to everyone who walks through...

I love this shop so much - the artists, the art, the vibes - it’s all amazing! I’ve been going here for three years now. I have tattoos from multiple artists, including a patchwork sleeve by Sabrina, and I have gotten several piercings (earlobes, nostril, daith). The quality of service is unmatched. Everyone who works here is fun, compassionate, and kind. It is clear that this business was built on integrity. Everything feels intentional - the top notch communication, the accepting environment, the focus on creating beautiful and unique art pieces for each client. I truly cannot say enough good things about this place. As someone who struggles with anxiety, this is a safe space for first time clients. I got my first tattoo here, and I think I was just as excited about my experience at the shop as I was about my tattoo! I have fun every time I’m here, and this shop is a true light in the community. Cannot...