My girlfriend and I both went to get our ears pierced, I wanted an earlobe and upper earlobe piercing on one ear and she wanted upper earlobe piercings on both ears. We were able to walk in and both get pierced in less than an hour, but they have an online appointment system if you want to schedule ahead of time. Sara was friendly and helped us choose from their variety of options for jewelry, and took the time to quote us. The piercings cost $25 total for both ears and the jewelry ranged in price from about $35 for 2 captive bead rings to about $130 for 2 gold ball studs. Vern is the head piercer and was so knowledgeable yet respectful to us. I had never got my ears pierced before, so I was a little nervous, but Vern explained everything as he was working and even coached breathing during the piercing. The location has a sofa and well decorated interior, and the piercing room resembles a doctor's office, with more stylish decor. Vern wore gloves and disinfected all equipment in an autoclave. He also used sharp, clean needles and not a piercing gun. We were both very happy with the results and aftercare instructions, and all our questions were answered! read more

Everyone was very sweet :3 Phil did a great job on my nipple piercings. Hip hip hooray :D read more

Ascension Body Modification - A human skull with metallic eyes and a partial skeleton are arranged inside a wooden box, accompanied by black tissue and a red cushion. - Tattoo Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Visited from out of town for a consultation because one of my piercings was being VERY angry with me. The counter staff and piercer I saw were all absolutely fantastic--really kind, knowledgeable, and thorough. Fortunately, the piercer didn't see anything concerning about my piercing so I left with a fresh bottle of saline spray and instructions for saltwater soaks until my ear calmed down. I'm giving a five-star review based on the experience, but I'll warn that we had a looooooong wait. This place is clearly well-regarded and popular because I waited about an hour to be seen for my five-minute consultation. I fortunately didn't have anywhere else to be, but I'd HIGHLY recommend an appointment rather than a walk-in. read more

Vern, Sara, and Steve are all great piercers. Vern recently pierced my 6 year Old's ears and did a fantastic job. He was super relaxed and calm with her and she had an easy first piercing experience. I've gotten pierced myself by all 3 piercers and all my piercings heal well. This is the only shop I'll go to for piercings. read more

Ascension Body Modification - A girl with light brown hair and blue earrings is sitting in a Graco car seat in a vehicle, smiling with her eyes partly closed. - Tattoo Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

2 years later- I still don't have the money to get this fixed. I get so upset when I look at it. I shouldn't have to put more money into something I trusted someone to right the first time. Clearly it's the shading you fucked up on Niko. The outline I saw before isnt the problem. I can deal with a little misalignment without trippin, ITS THE SHADING. Not sure you ever understood why I was and still am so upset years later. Niko never treat one client worse then others. I bet if I had a ton of tattoos you would've never let me leave with it lookin like this. read more

Ascension Body Modification - THIS IS WHAT I GOT. Size, shape...yes good! I wanted it to be small just like that...but the fading? NO! - Tattoo Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

Sarah did my Medusa lip piercing and it came out amazing! She is so sweet, and very knowledgeable. I'm glad I found somewhere new to get my piercings. With great prices...compared to other shops I've been to! Thank you(: read more

I'm really sad to see some of these reviews bashing the piercers since I've had nothing but the best experiences with them. My husband and I have gotten our piercings here and have had a total of 5 different appointments so far that all went amazing! Vern and Sarah are amazing, kind and super knowledgeable and provided great info and education on our piercings. We love coming back to this shop since they always treat us well and are clean, professional and make sure they do it just right and we always leave happy. I even had previous work done by Steve and he was the sweetest, as well. I actually had to have my shirt off and he made me feel 100% comfortable and made sure I was happy with my end results. We will always recommend this shop :) read more

3rd time coming here, 3rd time being extremely impressed. Vern I believe helped me the first two times. Extremely knowledgeable and has an awesome sense of humor. Helped me heal some Tragus piercings I got at another shop that said the only solution was to take them out. They're perfect. 2nd time we had Vern again, got my boyfriends eyebrow pierced and my nose hole reopened. Super professional, again with an awesome attitude. He also gave my bf 2 ascension brand car stickers (super awesome) for his new vehicle. He loved them! 3rd time I came in to get my left nostril repierced after I realized the same shop I went to previously did it crooked. Tonight I got Sarah who was super bubbly and sweet. She made sure to verify that the piercings were symmetrical and was extremely professional. Absolutely love this place! Will recommend for piercings 100% Awesome group of people here. read more

I took my 15 year old daughter to get her lip pierced. I first must say that I appreciate someone who is dedicated to their job and due diligence. the Boss the piercer (don't remember his name) checked my daughters birth certificate and declined to pierce her for the fact that my maiden name is on the birth certificate. I told him all mothers maiden names are on every child's birth certificate. He said "that is not true", he proceeded to explain to me that he could get in trouble if the names don't match ( I dropped my middle name and replaced it with my maiden name and added my husbands last name) He said that he has never heard of that and it must be a family thing. I totally understand that he is liable and there are state protocols for matching up the name for piercing a minor. Now, what bothers me about the situation is that, he is WRONG in the fact that all mothers maiden names are on the birth certificate. This is how birth records are kept, they use the mother's maiden name regardless of marriage. This is how ALL birth certificates are documented including my mother and her mother and her mother. Attached is a picture of how NM Vital Records records the name on the actual document. I don't like that he was adamant on informing me and telling me I was wrong, when I know he is incorrect. I proceeded to explain I have my original marriage license from the state that I also had a scanned copy of on my phone ( the original was at home) I showed him where it stated my maiden name and where it now showed my married name which is what is verbatim on my ID. He stated that the document wouldn't work because it is from the church, again wrong this was a state certified marriage license with a seal on it. All the documentation I have is what is needed for the state to issue me a real ID and I am pretty sure that if it is sufficient for the state it should suffice for a little lip piercing. So if you are a mother that is married to your childs father and changed your name when you got married, and you are taking your minor child to get pierced this is not the place for you, he will reject you, again I appreciate his due diligence but, I don't appreciate the ego and being told I'm wrong when I am in FACT correct about maiden names on a birth certificate. UPDATE: Again not true I never wanted you to bend any rules for the piercing nor did I ask you to, I was simply trying to give proper sufficient documentation of my identity. I'm not bashing you but giving my honest opinion and review. As I have already stated I appreciate the due diligence just not the ego. read more

Ascension Body Modification - Birth name of mother - Tattoo Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

i've been going here for years to get all kinds of mods, steve is very respectful when answering questions you have about anything and ares is an amazing piercer! they were patient with me when checking my anatomy and explaining which piercings i am able to get when they pierced my vch. i'm looking forward to going back and having ares do more piercings for me. i was also tattooed by a few different artists at the shop and have some big pieces in progress with an apprentice there named ihsan! this is THE best shop in albuquerque with the best customer service and i've been happy with every tattoo and piercing i've gotten here. read more

Ascension Body Modification - tattoo by ihsan - A line-drawn tattoo of a large flower is visible on a person's shoulder, with the word 'PRISONER' partially visible below. - Tattoo Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

Good service but they really need to update their online pricing. once you get to the store they triple the original price you thought you would be paying. I got a septum, online it says $35, in store it was $92. read more

Vern was my piercer and made me feel totally comfortable and safe. He was extremely professional and knowledgeable. The vibes are great in there, i'm probably not gonna go anywhere else for piercings/tattoos! read more

Horrible. The piercer didn't listen to what I wanted and the position of the piercing was not even close to what I wanted and the jewelry was horrible. Only went here because evolution was booked, won't make that mistake again! read more

I've had a couple of tattoos from here along with nostril piercing and belly button. Really trust them, Sarah was great with my belly button piercing! read more

Steve moded my tongue and punched and stretched my septum. The piercers and artists are knowledgeable and friendly. The jewelry they sell and work with is second to none. read more

Steve pierced my nose during the tattoo convention and did an excellent job! I'm extremely pleased with the placement. Steve is patient and explains everything very well. I feel good knowing that although I got my piercing at the convention, his doors are still open to me at the regular shop. Thank you Steve! You're the best! read more

WORST PIERCING PLACE IN ALBUQUERQUE!!!!!!! DO NOT GO HERE! So unprofessional and rude! Sarah pierced my philtrum so crooked it was hitting my tooth when I closed my mouth. I went back the next day and she was only willing to re pierce it so 2 weeks later I came back to re pierce it and she pierced it crooked so bad a second time I couldn't handle how sideways it sat on my face. I went back in and Vern saw how bad she pieced it and took it out and only would re pierce it would not refund me the money. Now I have horrible scar from her putting so many holes in my face. Honestly I wouldn't be so upset if they would just refund me but the way I was treated was so horrible they acted as if it was my fault she pierced it wrong. They should have stayed closed last year when they got shut down for having dirty needles. read more

well, i finally decided to face my fears and get a piercing that i had always wanted but was too afraid to get done. sarah was so kind, and she took her time explaining the procedure and ensuring i was comfortable. she was very precise in measuring my anatomy and laying out where the piercings would lay. she made the procedure as quick and as painless as possible, and i will definitely be returning to her for any and all of my piercing needs in the future! thanks, sarah! read more

Highly recommend this place! This is a very strange and interesting place filled with skulls and various things in jars and all manner of art on the wall. My Mom and I went in to get our ears pierced and we were extremely nervous at first. To say we didn't fit in is an understatement but Vern, the guy who met us behind the counter and did the piercing, was extremely helpful and professional and put us at ease right away. He was very careful and went thru every step before he did anything. My cartilage piercing wasn't painful at all and has healed very well since I had it done in December. Well done Vern! read more

What I love about ascension is their great customer service, fair prices, and the positive, helpful attitude of the staff. I got my lip piercing done at another shop, and needed help changing out my diamond lip hoop. At first, I was worried that ascension would judge me for not going to their shop to get the piercing initially, or charge me extra for the procedure. Nope! I actually received the best, chillest, dopest service ever for a piercing shop! Vern (I think that's his name, but I apologize if it's not) was super cool, helped me immediately, and did a great job. There was no wait, and the exchange was fast. I arrived a little late toward closing time, but there was no fuss or scorn for coming in at the end of the night or for not coming in sooner. I was so happy with the service that I've returned since for my piercing needs, and I've even brought a friend in last week for a nose piercing. She was also really happy with her experience here! In the Abq community, Ascension seems to held in high esteem. I heard about this place before I moved here, and I wish I had gone in sooner! This place cultivates a wonderful and specialized niche community with their skilled staff members, and by offering a variety of unique piercing/tattoo services. My boyfriend likes to do suspension and went with me to change my piercing. I also made the connection that I have a talented friend, Sebastian, who works there as a tattoo artist. He did some ink on a mutual friend it was phenomenal! Overall, the staff is friendly, the atmosphere is artistic, and relaxed, prices are extremely reasonable, and the service itself is genuine. These people love what they do, and it shows in the care they provide. I ever want to get a tattoo, new piercing, or new jewelry, this is where I'm going! Thanks guys! read more

You get what u pay for. U want an ethical, APP certified piercer? This is whr u go. I highly recommend Sarah . she made my anxious self at ease. Plus they got a bunch of cool stuff to look at. I'll be going back for sure. read more

Went for a Friday the 13th promotion and got there a little late. Staff were very accommodating and super friendly and never made me or my friend feel as if we had to leave for them to go home. My tattoo was done quickly and professionally by Brandon Bowie and it turned out great! Really glad I went there and hope to be returning soon! read more

Originally went for a piercing and 2 days later not only my nose pierced, but, a beautiful tattoo! Brandon drew and gave me a beautiful design! The shop is very clean and everyone was very friendly. If I ever come back to Albuquerque and want fresh ink, I know I would go back without hesitation. read more

I can only speak for the suspension and body modification. However: --Clean...any place you walk into should have the service area looking quite a bit like a medical office. I love that the sanitization measures were explained to me. --Truitt was professional, kind, and relaxing both times I've been to him. --There was never a "get in, get out" feeling. --For that matter, everyone was polite and helpful. I love it. It looks and feels the way a shop should. Both times I left with a happy, healthy, and oh so exciting experience. read more

As far as piercings go, this place will probably be my go to from now on. Had a recommendation from my hair stylist to go here (she said for tattoos or piercings) so on a whim I went and got another ear piercing. The place closed at 9 and when I walked in at 8:30, I didn't get any bad attitude but instead had excellent service from Vern and he very thoroughly walked me through the whole deal. It was a tad expensive ($55 plus tip for cartilage conch piercing) but I was impressed with how well he explained every step dying the procedure and the piercing was virtually painless. Definitely will return if I decide on another! read more

Got my nostril pierced by Vern. He was very fast and very good. A few days later I accidentally opened up the hoop, so I texted Vern and he fixed it free of charge. The shop is very clean and the staff is friendly. The jewelry and piercings are priced fair. Would definitely recommend! read more

Excellent place for piercings. I have been to both Evolution and Ascension for myself and with friends. Evolution is overpriced and typically has a long wait. Vern at Ascension is professional and does a great job. He has been there for years. I've never had to wait longer than 5 minutes. read more

Great service! I highly recommend this place. I recently got my nose pierce and the jewelry started to sink in so I decided to get it fixed here. One of the workers helped me to fix it and was very helpful. read more

I went to Ascension Body Modification to watch my friend do a Body Suspension. I met the owner Steve and he was very courteous and professional. The hooks were placed perfectly in my friend's back and she had minimal bleeding or redness. The actual Body Suspension was astounding and a very unique experience to observe. She looked just like an angel floating in the air. I noticed Steve the owner, payed close attention to my friend during the Body Suspension to make sure everything was going perfectly. He gently put her down on the ground when she was ready to come down. Everyone I came in contact with at Ascension Body Modification was very nice and respectful. They have a pleasant area outside for Body Suspensions where people attending can sit down and watch. They are wheelchair accessible and accommodating. I was very impressed by how they run things and the services they provide. read more

I walked into a tattoo/piercing shop down the road on a whim, but it wasn't the type of environment I wanted to get a piercing in, so I came to ascension. When I walked in i saw that the place was clean, jewelry was displayed nicely and the staff was nice and personable. My piercing was done quickly and smoothly, and my friend's tattoo was done well also, though of course it tok longer than a piercing. Very clean, professional atmosphere, and fun decor all over the building. Would definitely come back and highly recommend. read more

Got my septum pierced by Steve, very professional. Explained the procedure and aftercare really well and sent me off with written instructions. Great prices and clean facility plus my piercing looks amazing! Highly recommended. read more

I went to have a piercing fixed and a new earring. Kyle and his apprentice Steph were both polite and very meticulous in making sure I got the right size. I found the place very professional and uber clean. read more

Came in today on a whim, I've been wanting my nose pierced but was always too chicken to go through with it. I let Vern know I was nervous and he kept me calm and walked me through the whole process of picking jewelry, after-care, and let me know each step he was taking once it came down to the piercing. Very clean, very professional. Super quick and as painless as it could be. Will be back in the future read more

Got a tattoo with my best friend here a few months ago, the staff was very nice to both of us, there was quite a bit of wait but not a big deal. My ink came out great but hers faded almost immediately but the artist had her come back in and retouched it without charge and was super flexible, I would definitely recommend to someone else. read more

I had recently gotten a Marie Antoinette tattoo on my thigh (done by Coop) and I have to say I'm completely blown away by his artwork. I felt super comfortable going into the shop and also discussing my ideas and what I wanted. He was super friendly and helpful. If you get a tattoo done go to Coop! He's fast, gentle, and fun to talk to. I know for a fact that I will be going back and getting more work done. My tattoo was well worth the money and I am so in love with it. The staff was friendly and the shop was clean. My only complaint is that it's winter and it's too cold to show off my tattoo. read more

I had a little tiki on my upper arm I've been wanting to turn into a half sleeve for quite awhile now. After going to a bunch of shops and looking through a bajillion portfolios I found Coop over at Acension. His portfolio was amazing and his style is very unique in a town that is rife with too many old school and retro artists. He was straight forward and up front unlike some of the other artists I talked to. Coop was super open to my ideas and gave me very realistic answers and bounced back some of his own and was super enthused about what I wanted to do. Unlike some of the other artists who didn't want to incorporate my existing tat and wanted to cover it up with their own work Coop added his unique vision and style. Our first sitting was two hours in which he got the lines shading and some of the color. His studio (and the shop overall) was clean and well organized. He explained every step of the way and was very laid back and fun to talk to. If your lucky he might sing to you while he is inking you up. I've got four weeks before my next appointment and I can't wait to see how much more badass my ink is gonna get. read more

My girlfriend and I recently decided to get some new piercings. After weeks of research, we decided on Steve Truitt at Ascension. When we arrived I was set on three frenum piercings but after having a discussion with Steve, I was sold on the silicone bead string implants. My girlfriend ended up getting a VCH. The piercing process was a breeze and three was little to no pain for either of us. Steve was very knowledge and professional. I would recommend him to anyone. read more

If your looking for the best tattoos in Albuquerque, look no further than Cooper at Ascension Body Mod. This dude has literally tattooed the most visible ares of my body because his artwork is beyond expectations (mind blowing). Always friendly, clean, and professional, have him draw something up, you won't be disappointed. read more