I have always wanted a nostril piercing but never had a job that would allow it. So, stay at home mom of 3 girls and turning 40, I decided it was time. I came here at the recommendation of my adult son. He agreed, Luis can be grumpy. Honestly though, I wasn't expecting warm and fuzzies from a piercer!! The atmosphere is calming and there's a very mellow dog that hangs out in the shop. I didn't catch the first guys name that helped me but he had blonde hair and lots of piercings - he was cool! Very friendly and he, along with Matt, helped me choose the right size jewelry. Matt did my piercing and he was great! No warm and fuzzies but he definitely helped me relax. My son and friend were with me and Matt was cool about them being in there with me. The piercing went great, it's healing well and I also have no qualms about coming back should I have any problems! Matt made me feel like I can call/come by if I have any questions! Since I live in RB area, this is a long drive but it was well worth it! So happy with my experience here. PS - I have had body piercings before and have 2 tattoos so it's not like I've never walked into a place like this.
In addition to this I went back about a month later because the piercing was constantly flipping back down and it also looked like I might have some scar tissue popping up. Matt didn't want to tighten it because of the scar tissue but I insisted he did. Well, I was back the next morning because my piercing was inside my nose because it was tightened. Lesson learned - listen to the piercers advice! Anyhow, it's a few weeks later and all is good. Scar tissue is clearing up nicely after caring for the piercing as told by Matt and the size is perfect. Both of these visits Matt was just as kind. If I was getting more piercings, I'd come here!
I've been pierced here three times.
Yesterday John, who is lovely and has really great, positive energy, did both of my nostrils. 10/10, would recommend.
Before that I got my ears done by Luis. I don't want to slam the guy, but I'll just say that I wouldn't recommend him unless you can handle some snark and negativity.
I'm pretty sure the dude who did my septum doesn't work there anymore, but he was great too.
Overall, an awesome place with talented people. High quality jewelry, great experience. Professional, CLEAN.
Had to split my review with 5 stars for Matt! Â He's AWESOME, friendly, and very down to earth, cool guy and knows his stuff. Â All in all, you will get a very good piercings just don't go expecting a friendly time from some of the piercers there.
As for Luis, he's very great as a piercer but a big zero on a cordial personality, depending on what day or time, that may or may not change - very moody. Â First piercing went great and was so excited to find such a great shop. Â Next time, Brought in my son and daughter and someone else did the piercing and it was not so good for my son, had to come back 3 times for re-sizing, as it was sinking in his face. Â Got a bit of attitude
My nose has been re-sized 2 times and a VERY cranky Luis tweeked my nose and it's hurt for 2 weeks. Â Needless to say, off to Enigma for future piercings without the drama, so lesson learned.
Went in yesterday and got two anchors done. John took such great care of me. He spent a lot of time with me and making sure the piercings were even and not messed up. He was very professional and a great personality. I am wanting three more anchors and he is the guy I would go back to. He talked me through the whole procedure and even the aftercare. He was very honest and I liked that. I highly recommend this place and him to anyone! Thanks again John for the excellent work!
Review Source:Seriously have never left a review before but I had to! Â My husband and I took our 3 month old in to get her ears pierced. Â We brought our six year old son along since we didn't have a sitter. Â They were all so nice and didn't make us feel in the way or out of place. Â Matt was fantastic. Â I had come in a week earlier but they were all out of the special studs for babies so they took my number told me they'd call when they got their order in... A few days later they called to let me know that they had come in and were holding a pair for me. Â Matt was so nice. Â Super patient and told us to "be as picky and honest as possible" to make sure they were even, and were exactly what we wanted. Â He explained everything before he did it which made my husband feel so much better. Â She cried cause I was holding her tightly but was fine before we even left the room! Â It is pricey but not when you consider the care and the quality you are getting! Â I was nervous getting my baby girl's ears done and I couldn't be happier!!! So great.
Review Source:I was pierced at "Dr. Jefe's" years ago. I had my nostril pierced as a "right of passage" for the time I was experiencing. I don't remember who did the piercing for me, but it was really excellent. Of course it hurts to shove metal through your nose, but the piercing healed beautifully. I should mention that I take body modification very seriously and did A LOT of research before deciding to go to this facility.
I switched to a nose stud after about 6 months but turns out it would catch on my boyfriend's nose when we made out. So I went back to Apogee where they helped me pick a much smaller ring and even put it in for me. I haven't taken it out since and absolutely love it. I'm considering another (rare) piercing and will go to Apogee if they will do it next time I'm in San Diego.
While I don't live in this neck of the woods, I wouldn't think of going anywhere else for my gauged earrings...the selection here is like nothing I've seen; all sizes, styles - I especially appreciate all the natural bone, wood and natural stone options. My most recent trip I purchased a pretty pair of blue lace agate plugs with John's help. If you're not sure of your exact size (like me) they'll help you based on jewelry you walk in wearing. Very helpful, knowledgeable staff and clean shop. Ill be back next year, if not sooner. Thanks!
Review Source:The first time I went to Apogee it was because I had stupidly put the wrong diameter hoop into my nose and it wouldn't close properly causing an infection and a thin layer on the inside of my nose to grow over the end of the jewelry so I couldn't pass it all the way through. Given my idiocy, I was hesitant to go anywhere to have it fixed because I knew I would catch some flack for it and I was embarrassed (it was my own stupid fault after all). Matt was the only one there when I went in and he honestly couldn't have been nicer! He took a lot of time with me asking me about the timeline of my woes, what happened, when it happened, he got all the details. Then he said that hopefully he wouldn't have to re-pierce it and that he might be able to get  a new piece of jewelry to go through. I picked out a stud, he bent it into a screw and popped it through! It was a little painful but certainly no more than when I first got it pierced. He only charged me for the jewelry which was really great. Matt also has a super sweet dog that sleeps on the couch in the entrance area, I love dog friendly businesses! The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the second time I went in it was to have my nose stud re-bent to fit a little more snugly and also to shop for some spacers with a friend. Matt was, again, super nice and he had me finished up in a flash. The other guy who was there (not sure what his name was) wasn't all that helpful to my friend who was shopping for spacers. He was a little too cool and standoffish, but he was still polite to us. Might have been that we went in there kind of late night not long before closing though, he may have just wanted to get home! I won't hold it against him and will certainly be returning to them when I want to replace my stud with a hoop again. Matt said they could special order pretty much anything I wanted (I told him I was looking for a solid rose gold hoop and had trouble finding it). Oh yeah, the place also has a great vibe and was very clean and professional looking!
Review Source:After a failed attempt to have my septum pierced at metropolis, I decided to head over here, as I had heard good things about it. I walked in, and two dudes were at the counter. Neither of them greeted me, and I waited like five minutes to find the time to say "hi I need my septum pierced." Once I did, one of them started asking me questions and demanded my Id... I happened to have my passport on me. Slightly disgruntled by this experience, I was introduced to the dude who was the Piercer. Didn't catch his name. Kind of dark, Maori looking tattoos. He was great, and gave me some advice on placement. Piercing was quick, pain minimal and well-placed. In short, the piercing isn't the issue, it's the front room staff.
Review Source:If you're thinking about getting a piercing and you're in the OB area, PLEASE do yourself a favor and go here. The staff is so talented and I have had 3 piercings done here by 3 different people. I have never had any infections or complications. I never bleed! They are so good at what they do so spend the extra 10-15 bucks to get it done right! I wouldn't go anywhere else for my piercings, seriously.
Review Source:This place....this place, this place, this place..... I REALLY wanted to like this place. Found on a walk around downtown OB their vibe caught my interest. Inside I found some really awesome mother of pearl and wood gauges. Beautiful! So I start asking them about stretching my ears for the first time and how the process works. They were super condescending and short with me. I left turned off, but came back a different day. Second time around the dude was being cool and stretched my ears. Easy, quick, painless. I came back a 3rd time cause a gauge fell out & I lost it. They gave me shit for losing it, telling me to be careful with my jewelry, and that I might as well get my ear stretched since I needed to buy new jewelry anyways, then talked shit about people who pick the plain white gauges (which is what I wanted) and told me to choose a different one. Pushy since I wasn't really feeling ready to go bigger, but thanks for trying to save me money I guess. This time around it was a different guy and it was kinda painful (no biggie) but it took forever to heal. 2 months of constant cleaning seem average?
Overall, if you don't already have some moderate body modifications when you walk in the door you're a poser. Or maybe they just didn't like my face...
It's an amazing experience coming to the OB Apogee Piercing shop. Â It has the same vibe as other professional piercing parlour except with these people you feel more comfortable and at ease it seems. Â Also you feel more free to ask questions that you haven't a fucking clue of the answer. Everyone there gets five stars! Luis and Matt I would for sure reccomend, probably because I have been pierced by both since I was legally allowed to be pierced in CA with parent consent. Luis always smiles and makes you laugh as well. PRICES ROCK!!! They have breathtaking jewelry, which includes awesome necklaces with beautiful crystals and beaded jewelry not even for those who are pierced. Â Jewelry for those with holes range from basic metals and glass to the real fancy shit you fantasize about on the internet, in your head, or Tumblr. JUST GO CHECK IT OUT!!!
-Trust me on this one.
I wanted to leave a great review about the numerous great experiences I've had here with Matt. He is attentive, informative and makes the process fun and simple. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to get anything done.
The three stars is because of the terrible experience I had with Luis. So, my family came to town and younger sisters wanted their first piercing done ( simple nose stud) and I asked for him since I knew he'd make it a great experience but unfortunately Luis was there instead.
I'd heard previously he could be a bit brash and knew we should have left then but I felt some sort of loyalty to this establishment after coming here so many times so we stayed....
He gives a long speech to us all in the room(by the way 6 people in one piercing room is far too many) about being nervous and how it's a choice and how life isn't that hard... for a moment I though ah this guy is not that bad .. then with his switch to an abrasive tone he rushed everyone through their piercing.
He said more than 3 times he was very busy that day and that he didn't have time for them. I had decided to get a matching nostril piercing to the one I already have and his seemingly impatient attitude switched into hyperdrive..
He was somehow even more rude and rushed even more so than with the others, dropping things and being dismissive then did not ask me to look at the placement and pierced it uneven to the other side. Â when I looked and noticed it he told me "It's just as close as it's gonna get"........ MIND: BLOWN. so incredibly unprofessional.
When I asked him about a previous piercing I have that I felt was rejecting and asked him to look at it he brushed it off and ignored it.
REALLY should have just waited for a day when Matt would have been there.
I felt that he did not want to be doing what we came in for. OK so it may not be something very exciting but it was still a first experience for 3 people and he could have been a little nice. and MAYBE even explained aftercare.....
If you love your craft, you should love it 100 percent and treat your customers with some form of respect....we all didn't get that today. What a shame.
We took our 10 week old daughter to get her ears pierced. Â She is now a year. Â Her earrings look amazing, and we have had no issues at all with them. Matt was her piercer, He was amazingly gentle and took a long time making sure we were comfortable with where her piercing would be, made sure he was happy with them, and was great when piercing. Â She slept through all the marking, woke up only during the actual piercing, and was asleep again before we had paid. Â I have since had 2 friends on my recommendation have their daughters ears pierced. I spent a lot of time looking for a place to have it done as we are from out of town, but originally from San Diego and were home visiting family and they had the best reviews from both cities available to us. Â I could not be happier with our choice.
Review Source:Went in to see about getting one single lobe piercing on my right ear...I'm thinking maybe 40$...it's the simplest of the piercings......and I've quoted...wait for it......75$!! For ONE LOBE PIERCING. The fuck are they smoking over there?? Unless I also get a full massage or the ability to levitate from the piercing that is the biggest rip off I have ever heard of..... That place is. Shady. As. Fuck
Review Source:Seriously love this place. And I don't usually trust piercing shops or tattoo shops by the beach.. dunno they usually seem kinda sketch or lame, but Apogee is the total exception. I've gotten 4 piercing done here, all by Luis, who is amazing at what he does, and who I personally think is a chill, funny and most importantly knowledgeable dude, I dunno what's up these other yelpers' bums. Just don't touch your piercing or jewelry in the shop... they'll seriously break your hand off and throw it out the store! But that's for your safety and health anyway! But really, every piercing I got was SO quick to heal and placed exactly how I asked and imagined. And the jewelry is worth the price for that very reason, it's high quality and really extends the life and health of your piercings. I'm getting that itch again for something new so no doubt I'll be back in soon!!
Love you Apogee!
I got my 7 month old baby girl's ears pierced here & they did an amazing job! They spent so much time making sure the dots were perfect & when it was done, she stopped crying immediately! Her earrings are perfect & I would highly recommend coming here instead of having a 16 year old girl at Claire's do it! You get what you pay for!
Review Source:So many beautiful pieces. I came to Apogee to pick up a pair of new gauges (my preference; wood or horn, size 00) I was a bit disappointed, i was eyeing several pieces that were either a size too small or too big. Also I wasn't too big on the price of 60$ for spiral wood 00g. But hey, they looked great. When I walked in i browsed around and left to see if there were other shops on Newport ave with any more gauges and i couldn't find much, but when i came back I received dirty looks from everyone that worked there. I was treated in a rude manner while they asked why i came back(even tho i never talked to anyone and they never asked if they could help me the first time i browsed) I'm not sure if every one was pmsing even the men but, when you have a customer you treat them good and not with some snarky attitude. I understand with all the beautiful pieces you might not have certain sizes available at the time but they were kind enough to ask if i would want them ordered in my size. I just dont appreciate that because i didn't not look like their usual customer that it affected how they treated me and that yes i did look to see if there were other shops with gauges but i matters that i came back.
Review Source:I stopped by yesterday just to ask questions and ended up coming back and getting it done (septum).
Someone had told me about this shop years back and I also reviewed them on yelp. I have to say, based on other customer's reviews, I was surprised.
Luis pierced me and he was really awesome about it.
Calm, informative and honest.
I was a nervous wreck and he explained everything I needed to know.
He's very straight forward, no bs. If people misinterpret that as mean then I can see why there are negative reviews.
But!!! He's NOT mean he's just blunt, which I think is fine.
(Some people can take that the wrong way)
So GREAT customer service in my opinion.
Oh and I was so nervous I forgot to tip.
I'll be back to drop that off :]
I'm from out of town visiting for a wedding and I decided (last minute!) to get a smaller & thinner nose ring to replace the ugly one I received when I pierced my nose. After reading the reviews about rudeness and ill-treatment, I was a little nervous about approaching Apogee, but decided I would just go in and see for myself.
I walked in on an early Friday evening and was immediately greeted with kindness and helpfulness by Matt. He showed me exactly what I wanted and I was ushered into the piercing room right away. Even though the first size didn't fit, and we had to go with a ring with a bigger diameter, he was incredibly patient, kind, & easy to talk through the entire process, even joking about how awkward it is sometimes to have someone working that close to your face for so long. Matt explained everything he was doing as he proceeded with each step, making me feel at ease and in safe hands. He even adjusted the ring to make it look smaller than it actually is because he knew I wanted something a little tight fitting.
I'm glad I decided to check Apogee out for myself rather than judging them solely on the yelp reviews; I am incredibly happy with my new nose ring and with the service I received! Thanks Apogee!
Got my ears stretched last week at Apogee.
I actually had gone in the night before (mistake!). It was the farmer's market day, and I walked in at 7:30pm, when they close at 8. Needless to say it was really busy and loud, so I decided to come back the next day. I would suggest if you can at all go during the day, it's way calmer and a better experience all around (and when you're getting needles driven in you, who doesn't want that?).
Coming in at like 1:00pm the next day was totally different. I was able to actually see the cases full of every body jewelry imaginable (from your standard issue stuff, to some really exotic, beautiful pieces), and the girl behind the counter was attentive and answered my questions.
I let her know that I wanted to stretch my ears from a 2 to a 0. She pointed to the stuff that they recommend getting pierced with and I picked one out, which she immediately put into alcohol to sterilize. Then she told me Luis would be right with me.
Now, I had also read the bad Yelp reviews about Luis ahead of time so I was a little more edgy on top of already being nervous - I had previously stretched my ears by myself for years. However, I've spent a lot of time in tattoo/piercing places, and I'm not offended easily, so I tried going in with an open mind, and...
Luis was awesome!! :D He showed me to one of the private little rooms and we chatted for a few minutes while he got ready. We talked about tradition, and self-expression: very cool. You can tell he takes his work seriously, and he should. He massaged my earlobe first (to get the blood flowing) and even made a little joke about my ears getting a spa treatment, then instructed me to take a deep breath in and then out, and suddenly, the new plug was in! I was nervous for nothing. The second one went in no problem also.
When I went back to the front, I was told it was $30. Not bad, considering this place in PB had said they charge $50 for the same thing. Plus, I decided to buy another pair of plugs, and Luis gave me a discount.
Bottom line: This place is clean, has a ton of selection, and they know what they're doing. Give Luis a chance, he's not all bad :)
Got my ears stretched from a 16 to an 8. The piercer put the o-rings on so damn tight that I awoke to find (two days later, after caring for them as directed AND NOT ADJUSTING THE PIERCING) my ears starting to heal around them...Luckily I caught it before I had to cut the o-rings out. I will never bring my piercing business here again.
Review Source:Today I went to Apogee and had my septum pierced by Luis. Â Its funny, because I read reviews on Yelp that were negative towards him, and at first I thought i should try to avoid this character and not allow him to poke me with his needle.
Â
As fate would have it, I told a friend that I was going to do this today, and she told me about her friend that worked there, and she said he had a really peaceful aura to him. Â I asked what his name was (with the intent of avoiding the Big Bad Luis) Â
"Hhhmmmm...."
my friend couldnt remember her guys name.... But, she says, when we get there she will recognize him.
We go to the shop. Â Which is nice and pretty and clean, by the way. Â I met the man my friend recommended for me.
We talk a bit, but I didnt ask his name. Â It didnt seem necessary. Â I was definitely comfortable with him. so we did the deed. His touch was great, he didnt use clamps and he had great timing with my breathing. It was fun and painless, with just the right amount of anticipation and a tiny pinch of fear. :)
Afterwards, I loved the result and the whole experience was great. Â He was good at taking charge of the situation in a really comfortable, confident and articulate way.
I thanked the man with the cute yoda dolls on his shelfs, and I asked him his name. He said  "Luis"
Perfect!
I would hope my review will balance out some of the bad reviews Luis has recieved here in Yelpland. He was great and I highly recommend you visit him.
This absolutely hurts me to write -- far more than stretching my septum did. Â Let me preface this by saying that I've gone to Apogee aka Dr. Jefe's to the exclusion of every other piercer since I've lived in San Diego. Â It started when I myself owned a business in Ocean Beach, and wished to support them as a fellow locally owned business. Â John is a peach. Â Ronnie gave me possibly the most comfortable, low-pain and quick healing septum piercing in 2007. Â The shop in Ocean Beach (there is a downtown location as well) is small, clean and has an interesting assortment of SUPER high quality body jewelry. Â In all honesty, I've referred more than a few friends there, and they've all been happy with their piercings.
Why, Luis? Â Why, oh why am I having to write a bad review for a shop that I used to love? Â Why am I having to put you "on blast" for the Yelp-iverse and beyond? Â Because you were so rude and unpersonable yesterday that a review which could be 5 stars is now a 1 star.
I went in with 4 of my friends yesterday around 11 a.m. Â I had previously stretched my septum from an 18 ga. to a 6 ga., but had not had jewelry in it for a long time -- thus, it had shrunk back up, but not to an 18 ga. Â I wanted to find out what my new gauge was; and get a nifty, small horseshoe for it. Â My friend's sister also got her septum swapped out. Â Their jewelry is high quality, so each piece was $30.
The girl behind the counter was fairly pleasant and helpful. Â Luis was with someone when we go there, so we decided to wait -- keep in mind, we haven't met him yet, he's in a booth. Â My friend Brandon's cell phone rings -- just a ring, not a ring tone, not an endless ringing. Â It was his work. Â It rang, maybe 4 times -- just long enough for him to fish it out of his jacket and answer. Â Before he can, however, Luis screams from the booth, "SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT FUCKING PHONE!!!!"
Wow.
I honestly wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, and assume he thought it was the shop phone not being answered -- but even so, that's incredibly rude and unprofessional when you've got someone in your booth. Â
He comes out and I go in next; he asks my gauge, then cuts me off when I try to explain I don't know (from the stretching and shrinking). Â He storms out and goes up front to seemingly argue with the girl behind the counter. Â He comes in, and I try to explain again -- at which point he goes, "Wow, you really want to tell me, huh? Â Okay, tell me. Â I'm listening." Â He then goes off on a tangent about how he doesn't like his job but likes his work, and everyone just assumes he would love his job. . .
I tipped him $5 because I'm not sure that piercers get a cut from jewelry sales, but in retrospect, I'm kind of mad at myself for staying after his outburst regarding the phone.
It goes without saying that everyone else in my group was kind of taken aback by his behavior as well. Â My friend's sister said he was really rude to her as well, and mused what the problem could be when you're a body piercer working 2 blocks from the beach in California -- what is making your life SO horrible at 11:30 a.m. that you act this way. Â What's really too bad, though, is that 3 people in our group of 5 were from out of town -- I hate to think they feel that this is par for the course in San Diego, because it's not.
I kind of want to give the guy the benefit of the doubt -- bad day, maybe a fight with his girlfriend, sick dog, something. . .seriously, though, if that was the case, he should have called in, because it didn't do him or Apogee any favors. Â Too bad, too, because he had some killer art (and was a cutie).
I went in to get a new nose ring. First I asked about a tregus bar bell and touched my ear... They yelled at me for touching my earring in the store. Lol. I have had it done for ten years and was shocked I was yelled at like that... I decided to still have them replace my nose ring...HORRIBLE idea. The guy put it in very roughly and cut it way too small. My nose was so swollen and sore within a day. I wish they weren't so horrible to me.. I have other piercing I would love to replace. Oh well. Just a warning!
Review Source:I went here yesterday with 2 friends and all of us got pierced by Luis. Disclaimer: If you're easily offended or if you're taking your 13 year old to get a piercing, you probably shouldn't get here. A lot of other posters described Luis as rude. He does come off as rude at first. He says it like it is and doesn't sugar coat, which comes off as offensive to some people. However, he was a cool dude and had all of us laughing in the piercing room. Â Altogether we got 7 piercings and he gave us a good deal on all of them. My friends never had a cartilage piercing before and he made them feel at ease. All of the piercings look great and we were given good aftercare instructions. We got a good deal too and got a coupon for Hodad's as well. I would definitely recommend this place!
Most importantly, it was clean and professional and my piercing is healing great!
This place was amazing :-D I had had my nose pierced previously about a year ago at a parlor I won't disclose and it was terrible. The piercing was constantly irritated due to cheap jewelry and I eventually just took it out. Then one day my friend and I decided to go to Apogee in OB. The staff was very friendly and professional. They had a great selection of top quality jewelry, the shop was super clean and the vibe was great. The room where the piercing was done maintained the clean and neat standard as well. My piercer Gage was so nice and made me feel so comfortable. He gave me a great lesson on the history of the nose piercing as a girls symbol of coming into womanhood :) Also my piercing was never irritated and looked and felt normal 2 days after it was done. Â This shop is the best and I'm pretty sure i will be coming back to Gage for all of my future body modifications:-D
Review Source:Apogee is great. Got jewelry put in yesterday by a lovely member of staff named Matt whilst listening to The Adicts. Doesn't get much better than that. The whole experience was pleasant. Though I feel like a jerk because I ran out of money and couldn't leave a tip.
Get pierced here. Leave them good tips to make up for my lack of.
So, I followed Matt here from another shop and was pleased to meet yet another stellar piercer, Fiona. Â These two are fantastic! Â They've always been great to me and patient, because I know I'm fussy. Â The jewelry selection at Apogee makes me giddy. Â I highly recommend Apogee, and, specifically, Matt and Fiona.
Review Source:Oh my God. I am never stepping foot in this joint ever again.
I recently moved to San Diego for school. I was hoping to get a nose ring to replace my nose stud.
I walk in and the a**hole at the front was arguing with another employee. I asked where the nose rings were and he pointed at them and continued arguing with the girl. I awkwardly stood between them looking at the nose rings. Finally the girl left. I mentioned how I needed a small, subtle one because of my job. He proceeded to tell me how it doesn't matter what I want and how it's all about the placement of my piercing. I figured he knew best and let him pick the one for me.
He tells me to go on back and sit down. I noticed my friend wasn't with me, so before going in I peaked my head back and told my friend to come back with me. He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and goes, "Go sit down!" What the hell?
After waiting a minute, he comes back and takes out my stud and hands it to me. Then he starts bossing me around telling me how to tilt my head and to lay down. He did everything in the rudest possible manner.
I laid back and he asked me how old my piercing was. To myself I said, "Well I got it in June..." and he interrupts me, stops what he's doing and starts yelling, "No, I don't care when you got it! I want to know how OLD it is!" So this guy obviously has no sense of time. Obviously if I got it in June then it's 3 months old. Then he turns to my friend, and I swear to God, he went on a 5 minute tangent on how much he HATES when people say that, then goes on to tell her a bunch of other stuff customers do that he hates. Holy crap dude, get a knew job. Not everyone knows everything about piercings.
After about 5 minutes of fumbling with my nose piercing (which he blamed on his gloves), he finally put the stupid ring it. It was a huge, thick freaking ring, exactly what I said I couldn't have. I just flat out said, "This is too big, I can't get it."
This is where it gets worse. He then sighs like a five year old, yells at me to lay back going, "I'll take it out, I'll take it out." Then he asks where my stud is, and I said in my bag, and he said, "Well, I'm going to need that!" After putting in my stud again, he literally storms out of the room and leaves us sitting there. My friend and I are in disbelief over what we just experiences. We get our things and walk to the front. He's not there. He literally stormed off like a toddler.
Needless to say, I was ticked.
Now my nose piercing is extremely irritated from him fumbling with it for so long. It's now painful and discharging, which it never did even when I first got it pierced. This guy seriously didn't know what he was doing, and was the ULTIMATE jerkoff.
Oh, and this is Luis, the same jerk that everyone else keeps complaining about. Apogee, take a hint and FIRE THIS IDIOT!
I will always and forever be loyal to Body Manipulations in San Francisco. Apogee can suck it.
I have been coming here for years, and Apogee is stellar! There are studios that pierce and piercing studios, and Apogee is definitely a piercing studio. They are experts at their trade and are always ready to help. The crew strives to get every customer what they want and informs them of every step along the way. The quality of the jewelry is top notch, and their selection is endless. Plus if it's not in stock Fiona will order it and have it to you ASAP. The piercers are highly knowledgeable and do amazing work. The shop itself is bright, welcoming, and super clean. If you are looking for a new piercing or jewelry, you will definitely want to stop by and check them out!
Review Source:didn't really have any expectations coming in to this place but after talking to the piercers there you can tell they know what they're doing, which unfortunately some places do not. I've been to a bunch of piercing places and this is def one of the best. Friendly clean and professional
Review Source:Best place to get pierced in SD HANDS DOWN! Yes, you can go with other, cheaper shops but seriously, you get what you pay for here. They have THE BEST jewelry selection and awesome piercers who are extremely educated in their field. They know exactly what they're talking about and that's something you can tell just by talking to them for 5 minutes. I'd recommend Matt Southwood and Luis Pingarron. Awesome guys who are amazing at what they do.
Review Source:Apogee is, hands-down, the best spot in San Diego for piercing and to buy body jewelery. Being a SD native, I've always known that Apogee (formerly known as "Dr. Jefe's") was the cleanest, most professional, and most experienced body piercing shop in the county... recently, however, I went to Apogee and spoke with Fiona about custom designing and ordering a white gold and emerald piece for an unusual rook piercing that I have. She was full of great suggestions and very efficient in making things happen. She ordered me the perfect and most beautiful custom piece for my ear and I get compliments on it all the time. I will never go anywhere else for body jewelery... ever.
Review Source:I went in  a few months ago for my nose piercing. I was so nervous. All of my prior piercings were done in a completely different environment . The tools were a hot needle and thread but the dark soothing hands of people I trusted made the pain minimal.I had been pierced this way as a child so none of the piercings heeled properly and having them done again is some what of a spiritual experience rather than the newest trend.  So going into a loud place with a man piercer was a totally uncomfortable situation for me.They could tell I was nervouse . I asked them a few questions about the jewelry  handed down to me and how to put it in after the piercng healed.They were very educated about jewelry from other countries, as well as the healing process and that made me very happy.My piercer spoke Spanish wich he has now made a client for life. Everything was great and not pain full. Everyone comments on how beautifull my piercing looks and now I fit in with my other cousins.
Thanks guys!
Bought a new nose screw & nose ring here a few days ago, and was really pleased with the service! I wish I had caught the name of the guy who helped me, but he was very awesome. The prices aren't low, but that's because the jewelry quality is so high. The piercing rooms (I was in one to have my nose ring put in) are very sterile and clean. :) Highly recommend this place!
Review Source:Bar none best of the best in San Diego, worth the trip from other parts of So Cal too.
If you are looking for jewelry or to get a piercing of any kind Apogee is the place. Â The shop has a great vibe and the staff are experts at what they do. Â Some people might be intimidated by the shop, but there is absolutely no reason to be, they will walk you through the process and help you out with whatever questions you have.
One of my best friends has known Kate, the owner for years, and she took me to Apogee to get my nipples pierced in September. Â Luis did that piercing, a piercing that is pretty damn painful, but Luis managed to help me get through it with ease. Â Unlike some other piercing shops that might use clamps to secure the nipple in place, piercing artists with more expertise and experience don't need to use them and luis did not. Â He got me through that piercing no problem and 6+ months later my nipples are all healed up.
A month ago I went in to get my ear lobes stretched, Luis did this as well which I was psyched about, he is a genuinely nice guy, and is both fun to shoot the shit with, as well as get his advice on stretching and other body modifications. Â I had been wanted to stretch my lobes for a while and Luis helped me through the whole process. Â Since I'm a guy whose never had pierced ears, and I knew I wanted to stretch to at least a 00g I wanted to know how big I could go to start, and Luis explained I could start at 2g, this would involve using their largest needle and doing a bit of stretching. Â So I went for it, and yeah it hurt, but compared to my nipples the pain was minimal.
In between the plugs came out while I was asleep, and I called and Luis reassured me it was no big deal, which was great, because I got a little stressed about it. Â He calmed me down and it was all good.
I went back today to get my 2g stretched to a 0g I brought in some plugs I bought online, but I could have gone with something they had in stock just as easily. Â Luis took care of it super fast and it was done with little to no pain.
I don't know about you, but I like to get to know and have a relationship with people who I continue to do business with, but also services that are personal and important like tattoos and body piercing. Â Luis is super knowledgeable, fun and genuinely cool.
Kate and Luis rock and this is the kind of "mom and pop" local business that everyone should support.
Where do i start? umm how about how eclectic and the plethora of jewelry these guys have. not only the know how, but will gladly answer any questions you have regarding your piercing, or jewelry. The staff always greets you with a warm hello and are quick to help you out.
Kate is my favourite. she's hilarious, fun, and has the motherly feel that will put you at ease.
Gage is fantastic and completely overqualified for most shops.
they practice the safest methods in Cross Contamination Prevention, Blood Borne Pathogens, First aid, and CPR.
the cleanliness and professionalism is top notch.
Using only the highest quality jewelry to properly accommodate your piercing, to give you a perfectly placed piercing every time that has the potential to last a lifetime.
Want a hole in your body?
These are the people to see. As a piercing only studio you can be sure you are working with a professional staff and not just some kid that bought a kit off eBay trying to make a few bucks.
Gauge is very knowledgeable and easy to work with. His expertise is shown in his swift and careful manner. He is exact with his execution and has many years practice in the profession. I've seen him pierce several of my friends. He's so careful you barely even flinch. I did, but I'm a wuss.
Good to know: The staff here knows what piercings work and what don't. If you want something with a low healing rate or something too outrageous they will let you know and can recommend alternatives unlike other shops that will pierce you just to make a quick buck.
This is one of the only places I'd trust to put a hole in my body. Highly recommened.
The staff here were absolutely wonderful.. A little nervous when I entered to talk about the piercing that I wanted. But Fiona (maybe) the girl at the counter, and Luis the one doing the piercing made me feel completely at ease. I wasn't sure when I would be brave enough to go through with the piercing but after talking to them for ten minutes I decided to do it right then. The shop was so clean, he changed gloves OFTEN, and was so professional when he did the piercing. Cleaning instructions were simple and the piercing looks AMAZING! Now I am so excited to go back for more piercings! I cannot begin to imagine the horrible experience that others have described because this place was amazing and both of the workers that I encountered were so professional and nice.
Review Source:This place is awesome!
I have been hanging around piercing shops since I've been old enough to be pierced, so I have seen my fair share of piercing studios in San Diego.
When I have the wrong information, the counter staff and piercers make sure that I get the correct information. They know exactly what they are doing and have no qualms laying it all out for you to understand.
I've had 3 piercings done here and I will not be going anywhere else.
It's funny to me to see reviews like JEN A.'s that are soo off base, but I suppose you can't be successful without a few naysayers tainting the mix, such is Yelp! I also thought you had to be present at the business interaction to be able to even write a review, so my advice to the rest of you is to take her mean attack with a big ol' grain of salt.
Why? Because I have never had a bad interaction at this establishment. Thant's why.
Fiona knows her sh*t and the piercers are very skilled. It's a great combo! It doesn't hurt either that the shop is GORGEOUS! I have to be careful when I go in there because there are soo many beautiful things I want to buy!
The head piercer there always has me breathe deeply and relax. He puts me in a good place where I have no fear. He even pierces babies! You have to be patient and soo loving in order to do that! Wow!
All around, this is a great shop. I suggest going in with an open mind and be prepared to LOVE what you walk out with! It becomes a spiritual experience if you let them work their magic.
This place is so unprofessional!!......... BEWARE...........my daughter went in to get a painful piercing and was YELLED at as she squirmed in fear,anxiety and pain. Needless to say the so called piercer brought my daughter to tears as she had never been spoke to like that by someone about to stick a HUGE needle through her!!!
I don't care who you are there is always a bit of nervousness that goes into getting "needles" put through you!
We have the whole incident recorded and are debating wether to post or not.
This yelp should suffice!
Just don't bring your daughters that are even slightly afraid of needles as these people here do not know how to deal with people.
The front staff was also rude as if they have the attitude of unless your covered head to toe in tatts and piercings how dare you be in here!!
Well people some of us just like a subtle look and to not ruin our bodies but still express ourselves.......MESSAGE.....GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!!!!! There are waaaaaaay better places to go! Public please do your research this place is awful.
Attention Fiona; As I stated I have the video of the whole incident should I post???? to clarify who the actual piercer was??? BTW Â " The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself" - JFK
I've come here three separate occasions to get my piercings, two lip piercings and an antibrow. The staff is very knowledgeable and also very friendly! And I've had three different piercers each time. All of them were down to earth and knew what they were talking about! Super clean environment and very professional. Though it is a little pricier than other places, i would still come here over anywhere else!
Review Source:great place for body modifications & piercings...
it's always an experience walking into this establishment...
i've got a few piercings done here for instance (ampallang)
it merely felt painful more like a pinch they walk you gently through it and make you feel comfortable...
the healing process was a lil uncomfortably but well worth it...
the only thing that stops me from giving this review the "5 stars" is the fact that on some occasions when i've called i got someone rude on the other end, so i just ask for john
he's got a laid back attitude, he's a down to earth type of cat... Â on a side note work on the staff communication skills...
overall good place for piercings...
I. Love. This. Place.
I first went here when I was 14 to get my tongue pierced and since then will only get piercings done here. They're a piercing only shop so you won't get the tattoo/piercing "I kind of know what I'm doing" or "want to make this free?" experience. Â
I recently have only been pierced by Gage. He's very patient, experienced, and extremely knowledgeable. I never feel uncomfortable when he's piercing me.
I also had my dermals done here by another fellow and he was great too. I'm usually a sissy when it comes to piercings but this staff knows how to keep you calm.
I've been getting pierced at apogee for the past 6 years and I honestly would never go anywhere else. Not only do they have the best setup to get pierced but they have a sick selection of jewelry. I just picked up some gorgeous feather earrings the other week and have been obsessed with them since I got them. Gage and all the others there are always really helpful and I swing by from time to time just to browse/get my dermals checked on to make sure they're all good.
Review Source:During my 24 years in existence, I've had a total of 14 piercings. All of which have come from Apogee. (Formerly Dr. Jefe's) Here, you'll find a knowledgeable and friendly group of individuals who will help you decide the appropriate jewelry for your piercing, and will walk you through each and every step during the piercing process.
I've had some personal piercings done, and John was very polite and courteous. This made me feel relaxed and comfortable.
I refuse to be pierced at any other studio. I have been in other studios, and have noticed sub-par jewelry selections, and dirty facilities. Apogee has a tremendous selection of jewelry, and is ALWAYS clean. Â Again, I will not go anywhere else to get pierced.
I love coming here, I've gotten almost all of my piercings done here since they were still Dr. Jefe's and I wouldn't go anywhere else! Â They do an amazing job, not just with piercing but also with explaining how the jewelry works, the after care, and what type of jewelry is best for the piercing. Â They're really helpful and I always feel at ease coming here, because despite how many times I've been pierced, I'm always super nervous about getting another one. Â Anyways, Apogee is an awesome place!!
Review Source:Got my belly button pierced here years ago when it was still Dr.Jefes, and now years later, the belly button Piercing is gone, but this place remains. Jeff, the owner is actually a good friend of the family, and was the one who pierced me years ago.
I remember being so nervous and scared, but he was helpful and calmed me down a lot. Now, Apogee still holds the great reputation it did years ago. The staff is professional and friendly, and they really go have the best selection of jewelry out of any other places I've been to.
Clean, professional, relaxed, environment, which is always important when your getting stabbed with metal objects!
Absolutely the best shop in San Diego. The shop itself is spotless, the employees are very knowledgeable, understanding and thorough in their explanations. Apogee also has a really excellent variety of jewelry from lots of different materials - metal, acrylic, wood, bone, etc.. They will help you put in your jewelry for free when you buy it as well. I'm a huge fan!
Review Source:I took my daughter here back in November 2009 to pierce her ears. Jordan did a fantastic job during the entire process and put my mind at ease the whole time. My daughter's ears healed perfectly and look great! This is the only place I recommend to others wanting to pierce their children's ears.
Review Source:Decided to get my Tragus pierced( both sides) today and did some quick research on the internet and found that this place had nothing but good ratings, they were super nice on the phone right off the bat. Luis helped me right away and helped me make my decisions. He made me feel totally comfortable and at ease! Â He was also pretty funny :) If it wasn't for him it wouldn't have been a good of a experience for me as it was today. He was so professional and informative about everything. He told me how to take care of my piercing and the whole thing was so fast and easy! I honestly don't think it hurt one bit! Thanks Luis, I love my piercings and if I want something else done, you know I'm coming back with all my friends!
Review Source:I didn't get pierced at Apogee, but have come here for all my maintenance needs. Â
Each visit has been to remove my lip ring, put in a spacer and come back in a week to put the ring back in. Â Stupid job. Â Not once have I ever been charged for this task, only when I purchased new jewelry. Â
Every staff member I've dealt with has been friendly, clean, knowledgeable and resisted the urge to make fun of me for my inability to complete the simple task myself.
I'm no longer pierced (again, stupid job) but if I ever decide to add more holes to my face, I will be back.
Yes, I've experienced better.
I just got my naval redone, and I originally got it done here. I do not have a complaint about the staff/cleanliness/whatever.
My problem was how ridiculously crooked my piercing was. As soon as I stood up I saw was tilted. But what was I going to do, take it out and have them re-do it? No dice.
I paid about $50 for it. I don't make a whole lot of money, so when I throw $50 at someone to do something I want it done well.
I won't go anywhere else. I got both triagus and my industrial done over couple year span here and never once got an infection or had sketch feelings about the place.
Michelle did my industrial (can't remember the traigus guy, sorry) and she was incredible. She explained everything, gave me an aftercare guide and a little pack of sea salt so I didn't have to track it down in some grocery store.
It's a little pricy, but you get what you pay for when it comes to piercings and Apogee is 100% worth it!!
I got my tongue pierced here about two years ago. At this visit the piercer was very good about explaining aftercare, and the piercing itself was done in a flash.
Fast forward to May of this year. I'm driving to work and have grown increasingly frustrated with my own inability not to play with said piercing. I pull the piercing out and throw it out the window on the road to quell the temptation I would have to put the piercing back in, for I was out of replacements. This was a decision I would soon regret as I found myself back in here this week wanting to get repierced.
I forget the name of the guy that pierced me, but he was a pretty funny dude. I wasn't even charged for the piercing itself, but only the new barbell. Just like last time it was over in a jiffy. Â I've been in here a few other times just to look around with my husband, and they're always very friendly and helpful. The shop itself is exceptionally clean and private. Would return for more holes in head!
So i'm on an epic roadtrip to SoCal and for some reason i manage, somewhere around Santa Clara, to pop a bead out of one of my captive bead rings in my lower lip. Uh-oh. My piercings were done far away, back home in Washington.
I tried going to Enigma over on Adams Avenue but the guy was a complete douchebag; "you didn't get it done here and i think there's a booking for something...why don't you come back in a couple of days, maybe?" Well, no shit, dude, i'm not from here. Thanks for the attitude, though. I've been told that there's really only one guy who's awful at that place, but, uh, he's the guy i dealt with. Â Someone else directed me to Apogee. I grumbled when i figured out where it was, but figured it made a good excuse to go to Hodad's Burgers and Tourist Trap.
I braved the three-MTD-bus hike to Ocean Beach. I went in here and sure enough, there was John, stuck there all alone working on a boring winter afternoon. New rings? "Well, i could save the old ones..." Â But i wanted new ones. I was the idiot who bent them, and a smaller gauge would be nice anyhow.
John was fast, sanitary, reasonable, and really nice, even highly complementing the work my piercer did. He took his sweet time making sure everything was perfect, and he did a great job.
Thus, skip the attitude elsewhere, and come to Apogee. They're the real professional piercers, and John even gave me a sticker to adorn my locker at law school.
Updating my review:
Don't get me wrong the guy that pierced me was so nice and friendly.
However, recently I called for some questions regarding my piercing. I spoke to some chick.
She would not even try to hear my question I had about my piercing. Let along let me finish my da*n sentence! And while I was asking her my question she was in the background speaking to someone else! WTF?! Shows how concerned you are regarding my piercing!!
SOOO RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been a long time supporter of this shop. Before the name change and now after I have ALWAYS supported this business. I have wanted to pierce my baby's ears but didn't want to go to Clarie's, WalMart or any where else. I felt strongly in having her pierced properly and with a needle. I went to visit John at Apogee and the whole situation was better than imagined.
I had to wait and have her shots done so when she was 11 weeks old I went down and had her ears pierced. It was EXTREMELY clean and professional. He measured to make sure they were even and straight. John was so caring and gentle I couldn't have asked for better.
It has been 3 days and she is doing wonderful. Going forward what ever she gets pierced next it is going to be here!!
Thank you John!!
BEST BEST BEST Place in San Diego to get pierced. Matteo was the best, made me so calm! I was really nervous about my Monroe (and yet i was getting my nipples pierced too) It didn't hurt at all and it was the most relaxed i could be while getting pierced. I highly recommend this place. Friendly staff and super clean/sterile.
Review Source:I got my branding here. Â so nothing to say about piercings.
but John did my branding about 6 months ago and it looks great.
I followed his instructions but also READ UP on branding too before hand if you're thinking about getting one. Â There are a few different aftercare methods as far as just letting it heal and not picking the scab OR you can have the person that branded you take off the scab for you. Â It really is an interesting process...and the look of it changes about over the course of a year but how the scab comes off will affect it permanently. Â
Anyway he did a beautiful job and i'm getting my next one from him hopefully next week, worry free.
and yes, very clean looking place, and chill employees.
I am a HUGE fan of Apogee. This place was recommended to my friend and I by two different people as being the best, cleanest place in San Diego. They were right! I brought my friend there for his birthday. I am somewhat involved in the S&M scene as a dominatrix, and we were there to get my friend a Prince Albert and two scrotum piercings. When they heal, we can use a small padlock to hook the three hoops together, and, bada-bing, bada-bang, no more sex, or even boners for him! Permanent chastity!
We explained this situation to Jordan, who thoroughly explained the piercing process, and what to expect, to my friend. The after care explanation was also detailed. The coolest part is that Jordan seemed to know that I was in charge of this operation, so he asked ME all of the questions about my friend's piercing, like what size hoops he should use, etcetera. That was so cool! (Don't worry, if you're getting a piercing, they'll ask you what you want. This was a special situation.) When he marked everything, he asked me if it looked all right, and when I gave the approval, he set about piercing my friend. Although there are few piercings that are pain-free, he made things as quick and painless as possible.
The room was very sanitary, and the instruments were freshly sanitized and individually wrapped. As we left, Jordan asked that my friend not touch the piercings until he got home, so that there would be no chance of contamination in the shop. Wow! Talk about clean! I found that reassuring, as that meant that no one else had been handling their new piercings and leaving fluids all over before us, either.
Apogee is the ONLY place to go if you want an amazing piercing experience. Big thanks to Jordan for making the experience so special!
Got my septum re-done here, awhile back. Â Obviously, Matteo did an amazing job, and didn't laugh at me, when I turned into a huge pussy. Â Anyway, Â Shit hurt like a bitch, but was over in seconds.
Had to come back two days later, to put in a retainer, and someone else, who's name I do not know, kindly - but roughly helped me switch it out.
Best place to get pierced hands down, and would recommend to anyone.
After much begging & pleading (& a good report card), I took my son here for his bday for plugs.
Having heard through the grapevine, we asked & waited for Matteo to pierce him. Matteo is SO professional, gentle, & really really sweet. I watched as he got pierced with a 2, then stretched to a 4. Everything went perfect!
A few days later his ears swelled up so we immediately took him back. Matteo looked & said the jewelry just needed to be changed out to a longer plug. (My son already has chubby earlobs & the shorter ones were preventing them to heal properly) So he took the old ones out, cleaned them both thoroughly  & exchanged out the plugs for longer ones for FREE.
It's been 5 months & everything has been great...well except that the little fucker went behind our backs without permission & stretched his ears to double 00's.
Go to Apogee & ask for Matteo!!!
And on a side note...NEVER HAVE KIDS.
Well, I Â finally decided to get an Industrial piercing (after months of thinking about it and asking a friend about hers), and got it done yesterday. It was a good day to get one :) So I was researching for a good body piercing place on Yelp. I've actually been doing this for about a month or two but I couldn't decided which studio to go to. One of them was this place that I'm writing a review about. Â So I went there to get a piercing. Â
The place was nice and clean, and that's what I expect any business to be, especially body piercing studios and tattoo parlors (where it should be sanitary). The staff is really nice, and Jordan took care of me well. He gave me the paper that has instructions on how to take care of new piercings. He didn't just hand it to me, he explained it to me in further detail, and that's what I liked. He also told me where I can get the supplies for the saline solution at the People's Co-Op on Voltaire. He made me feel relaxed when I was in the room (not that I was nervous anyway). Didn't take very long and it wasn't really painful. I would totally recommend this studio to any of my friends or anyone for that matter (if they are considering getting a piercing).
With only two piercings in my life (lip and tongue), I thought it was about time to get that eyebrow I've been thinking about. I actually visited the shop on a sales call for the Aztec, but thought it was a good a time as ever.
John, the owner, is one cool dude. While you may have the shakes and sweaty palms in anticipation of the pain, he knows exactly how to put your mind at ease through the whole thing. It's obvious that he knows more about piercing than sticking a big fucking needle in your body. He'll also give you detailed information about aftercare and what to do about any problems you may encounter.
All piercing are done by hand of course, which minimizes the pain. Between tongue, lip and eyebrow, this one was by far the most painless. These guys are all real, down to earth people and I encourage everyone to take your piercing needs here.
I'm currently down to two 2 gauge plugs in my ears, and a rook piercing, but back in the day I had my tongue, nipple, and 11 holes in my ears at some point in time. Â
Id say that Jefe did 3/4 of all those piercings, and at least a dozen for my friends too. Â I brought 3 girls in to do their tongues, 3 of us got our left nipple done at the same time, and i kept on going back because he was good at what he did. Â
The thing is, I don't know if he works there anymore. Â The shop itself is great, but Jefe is something else.
The piercing studio is still there, and it bears his name, but a year or so ago, i was in SD for a wedding and i ran into Jefe at a bagel shop.  Oh ya, not like its important, or that's why he was at the bagel shop, but i also liked Jefe because he was a middle aged, balding Jewish man.  Anyways, I told him i was in town for  a wedding (of someone he once pierced in fact), and he told me that he designed wedding rings, and asked if my friend would be interested.  I told him that she was getting married tomorrow, and that I'm sure she was set, but thanks anyway.
You should check it out regardless. Â But while you are there, make sure you ask for the Jefe
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