Ear piercing

I had mine done when I was 7 at K-mart, and I was extremely careful for quite awhile- I cleaned them 2ce a day, soaked my new earrings in alcohol before I put them in... I have never had a problem with mine.

I refused to have dd's done until she was old enough to speak up for herself (her body, she decides). When she was 5, I asked if she wanted them done. She's 7 now and it's still a no. I'm fine with that


I don't know I would go this route, but they used to have home ear-piercing kits on the market. I think I've seen them at Wally world before.

 

I took my daughter to a place in the mall called the Piercing Pagoda (don't know if its a national chain). I didn't ask, but they voluntarily discussed the safety precautions they take. They use the studs to do the peircing and they don't even touch them. They go straight from the sterile package to the gun. I think it is safe. I've never heard of anything worse than an infection from improper care.

 

Meghan:

Well, yes, the kits may work for some.

Fact is (and this isn't criticism of anyone), a kit is only as effective as the procedure actually used by those who employ the kit.

So if the person is super careful, a kit may work fine.

But always it's good to remember as well that there is the parlor option where being super, super careful is what they are known for and very proud of, usually.

Tattoo parlors really do work well, for the most part.

 

Another vote for a tattoo parlor. They have strict health codes to meet and are extremely sterile. The guy who pierced my cartilage in the upper part of my ear had even studied anatomy and physiology and was well familiar with the parts of the ear.

Personally, I'd rather someone that does my piercing to be more of a professional in a professional setting than some young girl at a place in the mall. But, having said that, I've of course done both. Though, if I were to do any more piercings in my ear (which I probably will), I'll go to a tattoo parlor again, no question.

 

mkel:

You are absolutely right. 'Sterile' was the word I was looking for, at the tattoo parlor. This is correct.

You sound like you have both gotten several already and also will be taking you own advice about where to go, when you get more.

Like you say, they have strict codes, and they positively invite inspection by their local state or city sanitary authorities, for the most part.

 

Em's doctor pierces ears. You can purchase disposable guns for cheap and you can purchase the ear piercing earrings with the gun or seperate. I would suggest that you go with a quality gun. They are still cheap just a little better quality than some of the really cheap guns.

While some people do develop infections after piercings, I will dare to say that it has little to do with the actual piercing process and more with improper after care or just from bacteria around us. When you consider that we shower, rub our ears against our dirty pillow cases, accidently rub our new piercings; there are a lot of germs that we are exposed to throughout our day.