Many people like the look of body piercing, but are a little squeamish about someone poking holes in them.

"We're the only alternative to a tattoo parlour. Some people find the health clinic environment more pleasing."

Clinical Body Piercing shares offices at 68 Prospect St. in north Newmarket with clinics specializing in pain relief and anti-aging.

It uses the European body piercing method, which is a less painful, more sterile method with less chance of infections after the pierce. The focus of the method is on the safety and security of clients and piercing practitioners, who are professionally trained and certified.

"The general public today is demanding the utmost care be taken to prevent the transfer of disease, viruses and blood-bourne pathogens whenever they get a tattoo or body piercing."

The European method uses a pre-sterilized, one-time use cannula needle with a sharp, tapered cutting edge that creates a clean pierce with little trauma to skin tissue.

The components of the needle facilitate easy insertion of jewelry with less pain for the client. All instruments and jewelry are individually packaged and sterilized.

"We use the best sterilizers on the market and practice strict sterility."

Infection is one of the most common problems with piercing. The clinic is one of the few to offer 100-per-cent organic after-care healing products that resist infection and quickly regenerate the skin tissue to its normal condition.

The jewelry itself, which ranges in price from $7 to $35, is high-grade surgical steel or titanium to reduce chances of infection.

The clinic performs all piercings from the navel up, including navel, breast, lip and eyebrow, ear and ear cartilage, nose, and cheek with prices ranging from $10 to $30. The procedures take from 15 to 30 minutes and appointments are recommended.

Call 905.836.4255 for information.