When my oldest daughter, Sarah, turned nine, she was thrilled to get her ears pierced as an early birthday gift. Like many parents, my first thought was the mall. We ended up at Claire’s, and while Sarah had a positive experience overall, I later realized I should have considered a Tattoo Piercing Shop instead.
For my younger daughter, Lucy, who just celebrated her eighth birthday with ear piercings, I knew we were heading to a professional tattoo piercing shop. Sarah’s experience at Claire’s was fine – the piercer was kind, the placement was good, and the pain wasn’t too bad. However, her ears did get a bit infected during healing. This time, I wanted a different, potentially safer experience.
Sarah, surprisingly, was on board and even encouraged going to a tattoo shop, hoping to spare Lucy some of the pre-piercing anxiety she had felt. So, for Lucy, it was the tattoo piercing shop route.
Having done some research after Sarah’s piercing, I felt more prepared this time, even though I’d never been inside a tattoo parlor before. I made sure to have all the necessary consent forms ready and booked an appointment well in advance at a reputable tattoo piercing shop.
Walking into the tattoo piercing shop with Lucy was a different experience from the brightly lit mall kiosk. The lobby had a distinct vibe – a mix of people, tattoo design books, and walls adorned with photos of satisfied customers sporting tattoos and piercings. While we waited, we observed the environment. Two women in their thirties were excitedly discussing botanical tattoo designs, and a man in his twenties was consulting with an artist about adding to his back tattoo, scheduling a lengthy session. It was clear this was a place of skilled artistry and serious body modification.
However, the piercing room itself was a surprise. It resembled a doctor’s exam room, albeit a more stylish one, complete with a fireplace in the converted old house where the shop was located. Lucy sat on an examination-style table, very similar to the pediatrician’s office. The walls were lined with sterilized equipment, much like a nurse’s station, emphasizing hygiene and professionalism.
Two experienced piercers dedicated almost an hour to us. We started with a detailed consultation, followed by the sterilization of Lucy’s ears. They meticulously assessed the placement for the piercings, using professional calipers to ensure accuracy and symmetry.
Once they were satisfied with the marks, they explained the piercing process to Lucy in detail. Unlike piercing guns used at places like Claire’s, they used a sterile hypodermic needle to create a clean hole before inserting the earrings. They guided Lucy on breathing techniques and even did a practice run to ease her nerves. (Count to three… and go!). Then, they performed the piercings with speed and precision.
We were fortunate that this tattoo piercing shop had two skilled piercers. One had two decades of experience, including fifteen years piercing children’s ears, and the other was a well-trained apprentice with experience piercing kids since the beginning of the year. This allowed them to pierce both of Lucy’s ears simultaneously. Lucy reported that it “only hurt a little,” and the simultaneous piercing meant it was over quickly.
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 not recommended, as it can hinder the healing process. They emphasized that we should call with any questions, no matter how small, and provided an email address that goes directly to the experienced piercer’s cell phone, offering 24/7 support.
The cost was $40 for Lucy’s piercing, 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. Surprisingly, this was slightly less than what we paid at Claire’s for Sarah’s piercing.
The piercers mentioned they don’t actively advertise their children’s ear piercing service. Many parents are simply unaware that a tattoo piercing shop is a safe and professional option, often considered superior these days. Their kid- клиенты mainly come through word-of-mouth referrals, often from local moms’ groups. They typically pierce ears for about four children each week.
Lucy was very happy with her experience, relieved that it was over, and excited about her new earrings. For parents considering ear piercing for their children, I hope sharing our experiences is helpful as you decide where to go. Choosing a tattoo piercing shop provided a level of professionalism, hygiene, and expertise that gave me peace of mind.
For those in the Louisville area, we visited Twisted Images on Bardstown Road and highly recommend their services.
