When it comes to marking milestones, ear piercing is a popular tradition, especially for children. Many parents default to the mall kiosk experience, drawn in by convenience and perhaps a sense of kid-friendliness. However, there’s a growing trend, and a compelling case, for choosing a Tattoo Piercing shop for your child’s first foray into body modification. This article explores why opting for a professional tattoo parlor for ear piercing offers a safer, more hygienic, and ultimately better experience for your child.
For my eldest daughter, Sarah, we chose the typical route – a well-known chain store in the mall. While the piercer was perfectly pleasant, and Sarah’s piercing turned out okay, I later realized I had missed an opportunity for a more professional setting. When my younger daughter, Lucy, turned eight and expressed interest in pierced ears, I knew we were heading to a tattoo parlor for a tattoo piercing experience.
Sarah’s experience at the mall wasn’t terrible. The piercing was reasonably well-placed, and the immediate pain was minimal. However, we did encounter a minor infection during the healing process. Six months later, all was well, but the experience planted a seed of doubt about the overall approach.
Lucy’s birthday arrived, and with it, her ear piercing wish. Interestingly, it was Sarah who advocated for getting Lucy’s ears pierced, wanting to spare her younger sister the anxiety she herself had felt. This time, armed with more knowledge and a desire for a truly professional experience, we booked an appointment at a reputable tattoo parlor for a tattoo piercing.
My prior research had been surprisingly insightful. Despite never having set foot in a tattoo parlor before, I learned that they are increasingly recognized as the gold standard for piercing, including children’s ear piercing. I prepared the necessary consent forms and scheduled our appointment well in advance.
Stepping into the tattoo parlor, the atmosphere was exactly as one might expect: an eclectic mix of people, portfolios showcasing diverse tattoo art, and walls adorned with photos of satisfied, inked and pierced clients. While waiting, 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 expanding his back tattoo. It was a space of artistry and body modification, a far cry from the bright lights of the mall.
However, the piercing room itself was a revelation. It resembled a doctor’s examination room, clean and sterile, albeit with an unexpected touch of charm – a beautiful fireplace in the corner of the converted old house. Lucy sat on an examination-style table, and the walls were lined with trays of sterilized instruments, much like a nurse’s station. This immediately instilled a sense of confidence in the professionalism and hygiene standards.
The two piercers dedicated almost an hour to our appointment. We began with a thorough consultation, discussing Lucy’s preferences and addressing any concerns. The piercers meticulously sterilized Lucy’s ears and then used calipers to precisely mark the piercing points, ensuring perfect placement. This level of attention to detail was markedly different from the quick, eyeballed approach I had witnessed at the mall.
Next, they carefully explained the piercing process to Lucy. Unlike piercing guns used at Claire’s and similar places, tattoo piercing parlors use a sterile, single-use hypodermic needle to create a clean hole, followed by the insertion of the earring. This method is widely considered safer and less traumatic to the tissue. They even practiced the breathing technique with Lucy (“1… 2… 3… go!”) before the actual piercing.
We were fortunate that this particular tattoo parlor had two experienced piercers. One piercer boasted twenty years of experience, fifteen specifically working with children. The other was an apprentice with a year under their belt, also trained in piercing children since January. This allowed them to pierce both of Lucy’s ears simultaneously. The result? “It only hurt a little,” Lucy reported, and only for a fleeting moment.
Child ear piercing at a tattoo parlor
After the piercing, the aftercare instructions were clear and simple: avoid touching the piercings and clean them twice daily with saline solution. I was surprised to learn that twisting or turning the earrings was discouraged, as it can actually hinder the healing process. The piercers emphasized their commitment to ongoing support, urging us to call or email with any questions, providing 24/7 access to the experienced piercer via cell phone.
The cost of Lucy’s tattoo piercing was $40 (a slight discount from their usual $45 due to a referral), and I tipped each piercer $5, following the receptionist’s suggestion of 10% of the total cost. Interestingly, this was comparable, and even slightly less than, what we had paid at Claire’s for Sarah’s piercing.
The piercers mentioned that they don’t actively advertise their children’s ear piercing service. Many parents are simply unaware that tattoo parlors offer this option, and that it is now considered a safer and more professional choice. Their clientele for kids’ piercings primarily comes through word-of-mouth referrals, largely from moms’ groups. They currently perform around four kids’ ear piercings per week, a testament to the growing recognition of tattoo piercing for children.
Lucy was thrilled with her new earrings and the entire tattoo piercing experience. For parents contemplating ear piercing for their children, I hope this account sheds light on the benefits of considering a tattoo parlor. It’s a step towards ensuring a safe, hygienic, and positive experience for your child’s first body modification journey. For those in the Louisville area, we highly recommend Twisted Images on Bardstown Road.
