Ear Piercing for Kids
Choosing where to go to get your child’s ears pierced can be difficult without thorough and accurate information. While it is tempting to make this decision based upon convenience, we at Creative Body Piercing encourage parents to consider quality and safety as primary factors in selecting a studio and piercer.
Since there are no regulations in Montana regarding the practices, environment, or education of the piercer, it is up to parents to conduct research to learn about these prior to making a decision on where to go. We’re here to help take some of the guesswork out.
Q: What are the risks of ear/body piercing?
A: Risks can include bruising, bleeding, swelling, or more serious bacterial infections, viruses, and excessive permanent scarring. These risks can be minimized/avoided by going to an educated professional.
Q: How does your method (needle) differ from the piercing gun?
A: It is a drastic difference. We utilize a fully sterile procedure including Sterile needles, sterile gloves, sterile drapes, and sterile disposables. Reusable piercing guns cannot be sterilized. Furthermore, the needle will create a smooth insertion into the body rather than the blunt force trauma of piercing gun studs. For more details, please check out Piercing Gun vs. Piercing Needle.
Q: What is the minimum age of a child that you would perform piercings on? Do you feel it is safe to pierce babies?
A: WE REQUIRE A CHILD TO BE ABLE TO CONSENT TO THE PIERCING VERBALLY. We believe the child can understand their choice, making the experience far more positive. Since the likelihood of healing also relies on care of the area once the child leaves the studio, we feel that children who can verbally consent can better understand the importance of aftercare. However, it falls on the parents at certain ages to make sure aftercare happens.
In contrast, babies can neither choose to be pierced nor comply with our recommendations for caring for their piercing. This puts babies at a higher risk during the healing process. The piercing experience can be terrifying for them. Regardless of age, we want our clients to have a positive piercing experience.
Q: What procedures do you follow when performing a child’s piercings?
A: To help facilitate a positive experience for the child, we have a process in place that has helped many get through their piercing with minimal discomfort. First, you and your child will be able to browse our extensive selection of implant-grade jewelry, choosing not only a set that is beautiful but one that is custom to their unique anatomy will be able to help with the selection of their stone.
From here we will continue with sterilization of jewelry and piercing procedure. Once we enter the piercing room the piercer will ask your child a couple of questions to help them feel comfortable. During this time, we walk the child and parent, step-by-step, through our entire piercing procedure. We show them all the tools and materials they can expect to see while getting pierced. This gives a greater level of comfort and alleviates some anxiety and stress.
IMPORTANT: At times, children may not feel as enthusiastic about receiving a piercing as they did before. Sometimes we can see some changes in their demeanor and/or body language that stand and foreshadow a negative experience. If this becomes the case, we will reschedule their piercing for a later day. This will give the child and parent time to process the piercing and alleviate some anxiety. This will ensure more comfort when they come back, allowing for a positive piercing experience. If their comfort level is maintained, and we see no red flags we will proceed. This will be at the piercer’s discretion.
Q: You talk about custom jewelry. What kind of jewelry is safe? Could I bring in my own?
A: At Creative Body Piercing, we meet and exceed the Association of Professional Piercers’ standards for initial jewelry, offering only implant-grade materials, all of which are verifiable. Given our stringent standards regarding the material, design, and surface finish of our jewelry, and considering that most novelty stores do not offer jewelry that meets these standards, we will never use outside jewelry.
Q: How can we ensure the piercing heals well, and what should we avoid?
A: Most issues can be avoided if the child follows our four rules for piercing care:
Rule 1: Don't touch it.
Rule 2: Don't touch it.
Rule 3: Don't touch it.
Rule 4: Don't listen to unprofessional advice/friends/internet.
We want to encourage the body to heal naturally, so we never encourage exposing it to anything not already created by the body. This is why we provide you 'Wound Wash' with every piercing we perform. In addition, children should avoid activities that might expose their piercing to irritation and bacteria. This topic is covered thoroughly with both the child and parents, post-piercing. We will always make time to respond to any concerns you or your child may have during the healing process.
If they are in regular activities that require them to take out or cover the piercings. It may be worth a wait to find a clear window of 6 months for the tissue to heal and stabilize. Repeated irritation within the first 6 months can be problematic to healing tissue (such as infection, prolonged swelling, excessive scarring, etc.)
Q: So I have decided to take my child to Creative Body Piercing; how much will it cost?
A: We charge a piercing fee of $45 for a single ear piercing and $18 for an additional piercing in the same session. This $55 for a pair of ear piercings does not include jewelry. The cost of jewelry will vary based on size, material, design, and gemstone.
Ensuring your child’s safety is our priority, and we hope to see you soon. If you have any future questions, please feel free to contact us.
Q: Do we need an appointment?
A: Yes, we do require an appointment for all piercings and consultations. Be sure to read our FAQs, then book when you are ready.
Q: Can we bring spectators?
A: We are not allowing any spectators for piercing. Only the child being pierced and one parent will be permitted in the piercing room.