When it came time for my youngest daughter, Lucy, to get her ears pierced, I knew we wouldn’t be heading back to the mall. Our first daughter, Sarah, had her ears pierced at Claire’s, a common choice for many parents. While Sarah’s experience was fine, it opened my eyes to a potentially better, more professional option: the tattoo parlor. This time, for Lucy, we chose the tattoo parlor, and the experience solidified my belief that for children’s ear piercing, a reputable tattoo parlor is the superior choice.
For Sarah, the mall experience at Claire’s was as expected. The piercer was friendly, the placement was decent, and Sarah managed the pain. However, her ears did get slightly infected during healing. This minor infection, combined with a bit of parental hindsight, led me to explore alternatives for Lucy. I realized I wanted a higher standard of hygiene and expertise for my younger daughter’s piercing, leading me to consider Tattoo Parlors – places renowned for their sterilization practices and skilled body modification artists.
This time around, armed with prior research, I felt prepared to venture into a tattoo parlor. I had the necessary consent forms ready and booked an appointment in advance. Walking into the tattoo parlor with Lucy was a different experience from the bright, bustling environment of Claire’s. The lobby of the tattoo parlor was a calmer space, with a diverse clientele and portfolios of tattoo art available for browsing. While we waited, we observed the environment – women discussing intricate botanical tattoos and a man consulting with an artist about a back piece, solidifying the artistic and professional atmosphere.
However, the piercing room itself was a surprise. Far from the edgy aesthetic one might expect, it resembled a doctor’s exam room, emphasizing cleanliness and sterility. Containers of sterilized equipment lined the walls, much like a nurse’s station. This immediately reassured me about the hygiene standards.
What you need to know about getting your kid
The piercers at the tattoo parlor dedicated nearly an hour to us, a stark contrast to the rushed feeling at the mall. They began by discussing the procedure in detail and then meticulously sterilized Lucy’s ears. Instead of simply eyeballing the placement, they used calipers to ensure precise and symmetrical positioning of the piercings. This attention to detail highlighted the professional approach.
The piercing method itself was also significantly different. Unlike piercing guns used at Claire’s and similar places, the tattoo parlor piercers used a sterile hypodermic needle to create a clean hole before inserting the earring. They explained that this method is gentler and more precise, minimizing trauma to the ear. They even coached Lucy on breathing techniques and did a practice run to ease her nerves, making the experience less daunting for an 8-year-old. Having two piercers allowed them to pierce both ears simultaneously, reducing the discomfort to a single moment. Lucy herself described the pain as “just a little.”
After the piercing, the aftercare instructions were clear and simple: avoid touching the ears and clean them twice daily with saline solution. I was surprised by the instruction to not twist the earrings, as this was common advice for Sarah’s piercing. The piercers explained that twisting can actually disrupt the healing process. They emphasized their commitment to aftercare, providing a 24/7 contact via the experienced piercer’s cell phone for any questions or concerns, showcasing their dedication to client care.
Interestingly, the cost was comparable to, and even slightly less than, our mall experience. Lucy’s piercing was $40 (discounted from $45 due to a referral), and a 10% tip was suggested, making the total cost similar to what we paid at Claire’s. This debunked the misconception that tattoo parlors are necessarily more expensive for ear piercing.
The piercers mentioned that they don’t actively advertise their ear piercing service, relying mostly on word-of-mouth referrals, particularly from moms’ groups. Many parents are simply unaware that tattoo parlors are a safe and professional alternative to mall kiosks for children’s ear piercing. They currently perform about four kids’ ear piercings per week, indicating a growing awareness of this option.
Lucy was happy with her experience, relieved to have it over with, and sporting her new earrings proudly. For parents considering ear piercing for their children, I hope sharing our experiences highlights why tattoo parlors, or professional piercing studios, are an excellent, and arguably superior, choice. The expertise, hygiene, and comprehensive aftercare offered by tattoo parlors provide peace of mind and a better overall experience for both children and parents. Consider exploring local tattoo parlors for a safe and professional ear piercing experience for your child.
