Last January, my oldest daughter Sarah, then nine, was thrilled to get her ears pierced as an early birthday gift. Like many parents, I initially thought of the mall as the go-to place, and Sarah’s first piercing was at Claire’s. It was only afterward that I realized a tattoo parlor might have been a better, more professional environment.
While Sarah’s experience at Claire’s was okay – the piercer was nice, the placement was decent, and it wasn’t too painful – her ears did get a bit infected during healing. Thankfully, they recovered well within six months. So, when my younger daughter, Lucy, turned eight and wanted her ears pierced for her birthday, I knew we were heading to a tattoo parlor this time. Interestingly, it was Sarah who suggested it, wanting to spare Lucy the anxiety she had experienced.
This time, armed with a bit more knowledge and determined to find the best and safest option, I started searching for “Body Piercing And Tattoo Near Me.” I wanted to ensure Lucy’s piercing experience was as safe and professional as possible. My research from Sarah’s piercing came in handy, even though I’d never actually been inside a tattoo parlor before. I made sure to have the signed and notarized consent form ready and booked an appointment well in advance at a reputable local studio.
When the day arrived, Lucy and I walked into the tattoo parlor together. The lobby was exactly what you might expect: an eclectic mix of people, books showcasing tattoo art, and walls adorned with photos of satisfied customers sporting new tattoos and piercings. While we waited, we observed the environment. Two women in their thirties were excitedly discussing botanical tattoo designs, and a young man was consulting with an artist about adding to his back tattoo, scheduling a lengthy session. It was a vibrant and creative space, a far cry from the brightly lit mall kiosk.
However, stepping into the piercing room was like entering a different world. It resembled a doctor’s exam room, albeit a more stylish one with a surprising fireplace – this tattoo parlor was located in a beautifully renovated old brick house. Lucy sat on an examination-style table, very similar to the one at her pediatrician’s office. The walls were lined with sterilized equipment and containers, much like a nurse’s station, emphasizing the focus on hygiene and safety.
The two piercers dedicated almost an hour to us. We began with a detailed consultation, followed by the sterilization of Lucy’s ears. They carefully assessed the placement for the piercings, using professional calipers to ensure accuracy and symmetry. Once they were satisfied, they thoroughly explained the procedure to Lucy. Crucially, they highlighted the difference from piercing guns used at places like Claire’s. Here, they used a sterile hypodermic needle to create a clean piercing, before carefully inserting the earring. They guided Lucy on breathing techniques and even did a practice run-through (1… 2… 3… go!). Only then did they perform the actual piercing.
We were fortunate that this particular studio had two experienced piercers working together. One had two decades of piercing experience, including fifteen years working with children. The other was a year into her apprenticeship and had been piercing kids since the beginning of the year. This meant they could pierce both of Lucy’s ears simultaneously. As a result, Lucy experienced only a single moment of discomfort, which she described as just “a little.”
The aftercare instructions were clear and straightforward: avoid touching the piercings and clean them twice daily with saline solution. I was surprised to learn that twisting or turning the earrings was not recommended; in fact, they explained that it could hinder the healing process. We were encouraged to call with any concerns, no matter how small, and were given an email contact that connected directly to the experienced piercer’s cell phone, available 24/7.
Lucy’s piercing cost $40, a slight discount from their usual $45 because we were referred by a friend. I tipped each piercer $5, following the receptionist’s suggestion of 10% of the total cost as a standard tip. Interestingly, this total cost was slightly less than what we had paid at Claire’s for Sarah’s piercing.
The piercers mentioned that they don’t actively advertise their ear piercing service, especially for children. They noted that many parents are simply unaware that tattoo parlors are a viable, and often safer, option for ear piercings. Their business primarily comes through word-of-mouth referrals, largely from local moms’ groups. They typically pierce ears for around four children each week.
Lucy was really happy with her experience, especially now that it was over. For parents considering ear piercing for their children and searching for “body piercing and tattoo near me”, I hope sharing our experience is helpful. Choosing a tattoo parlor for Lucy’s piercing proved to be a significantly more professional, safe, and reassuring experience compared to our first time.
For those in the Louisville area, we visited Twisted Images on Bardstown Road.
