‘I Had Never Done One Of Those’: Indiana Tattoo Artist’s Story Raises Alarm Over Piercing Safety and Untrained Procedures
INDIANA — A young Indiana body piercer’s shocking account of being left alone to perform a genital piercing as a teenager has reignited debate about training, consent, and safety in tattoo and piercing studios across the country. The story, shared by TikTok creator Madam Mods (@madammodspiercing), details how a teenage employee at her family’s shop was pressured into completing a procedure she had never performed before, highlighting a serious lack of professional oversight in some studios.
Teen Piercer Left Alone With Unfamiliar Request
Madam Mods, who says she was only 16 or 17 years old, described how a client arrived at her aunt and uncle’s tattoo shop requesting an intimate piercing. Her mentor was away, leaving her to handle the appointment alone despite never being trained for such procedures.
“I had no clue how to do one of those,” she said in her now-viral video, which has been viewed over 192,000 times. With no guidance available, she resorted to looking up diagrams on YouTube and Google before attempting the piercing.
Adding to the discomfort, the client’s much older boyfriend insisted on staying in the room, making suggestive and inappropriate remarks throughout the procedure. “He starts making comments about how this might be the hottest thing that he’s ever seen in his life,” she recalled, adding that neither person in the room knew she was a minor.
An Encounter That Turned Disturbing
According to Madam Mods, the man’s comments quickly crossed all professional boundaries. He suggested they close the doors “and make it a different kind of experience” and even invited her to dinner afterward.
“The whole time this poor girl is looking up at me like, ‘Sorry,’” she said. Despite the harassment, Madam Mods completed the piercing but later admitted she used the wrong jewelry and needle due to inexperience.
Weeks later, the client returned alone to apologize for her boyfriend’s behavior and to replace the painful jewelry. The encounter left Madam Mods rethinking her entire approach to the profession.
A Lesson in Honesty and Training
Reflecting on the incident, Madam Mods said it taught her the importance of being upfront about one’s experience and never performing procedures beyond one’s skill level.
“No piercer should ever practice on clients without disclosure. It’s a health and safety issue, more than it is about your ego,” she said. She also advised that beginners should not charge clients for experimental work, emphasizing that ethical responsibility should outweigh financial gain.
Health Experts Warn of Risks
Medical professionals warn that genital piercings carry far greater health risks than most other body modifications. According to Healthline, they can cause bacterial infections, abscesses, and exposure to bloodborne diseases such as hepatitis B and C. In severe cases, infections can lead to sepsis — a potentially fatal condition.
A study by Loyola University Health System noted that such piercings can also complicate childbirth and advised removing jewelry before delivery. Experts further warn that the lack of regulation across many U.S. states leaves clients vulnerable to untrained practitioners and unsafe sterilization practices.
@madammodspiercing Another story time about that one shop 😅 #piercing #piercings #bodypiercer #piercingtok #bodymod
Support and Reactions Online
Viewers flooded the comments section with both support and concern for the young piercer.
“Honestly, the fact that you’re being honest about your mistakes makes me trust you more than someone who pretends to be perfect,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “I think the adults around you failed you — this never should’ve happened.”
Others urged stricter oversight in the piercing industry to prevent similar incidents, noting that apprenticeships often vary wildly in quality and supervision.
Madam Mods says she no longer performs that type of piercing, acknowledging that the few times she did, the experiences were uncomfortable or unsafe. Her story now serves as a powerful reminder of why professional training, honesty, and ethics are essential in the body modification industry.
Readers who have experienced unsafe or unprofessional tattoo or piercing situations are encouraged to share their stories and thoughts at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
