Yes they can numb if you request. Pain wise, it feels like an extended pinch but once the needle is through you might feel a little sting as the jewellery goes in and that is it.

For a pain scale

<---*--*--*--*--*----------------------------------------------------------------*----->
Ears, tongue and navel, surface, dermal anchor...........................Nipple! (yes it HURT)


In that order :-P

So basically the ones down the left end hardly hurt at all...little more than a sting.

They can use a bit of numbing spray if you ask but I've never used it...it's not really needed.