11 y.o. DD wants ears pierced for holiday gift - where should I take her?

[Anonymous]

My DM took me to the doctor, who really didn't want to do it - "would be a lot better to pierce the cartilage up here rather than that lobe...." - I don't think I need to go to the ped, but where did you or your DS or friend take DD or DS?

TIA.

[Anonymous]

I took my daughter to a tattoo place. They used sealed medical equipment and a needle vs a gun. We have had no issues with infection, etc. At a place like Claire's they use a gun and I'd be worried about the cleanliness.

[Anonymous]

11 is too young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11 is too young.

Seems like that's a decision for her parents to make.

Several of my friend's DDs got their ear pierced as 11th birthday or "start of 6th grade" presents. All went to a tattoo parlor. Much higher standards for training and cleanliness.

[Anonymous]

Go to a tattoo and piercing parlor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:11 is too young.

let me guess your kids are in diapers or you don't have any

[Anonymous]

I'd go to a claire's or similar. They do it all day long, every day. I actually wouldn't go to a doctor -- they have less practice and aren't nearly as concerned about how it looks.

[Anonymous]

That can be a nice gift, but keep in mind it hurts. For some people, it is no big deal, but I was queasy for a while. I wouldn't try to make it part of a big adventure.

I agree about going to a place that does it all the time.

[Anonymous]

(and word of advice -- don't rush it with hoops and fancy earrings. keep with the 14 carat posts with no stones or crevices for a good long while. You want these to heal right.)

[Anonymous]

I took my DD to a tattoo place.

I got mine done when I was 4, after begging for a year. When DD was about 6 I was like "hey, did you want your ears pierced?" and she didn't. So about once a year I'd check in with her, and when she was a few months shy of 11 she felt ready and eager to do it.

A guy with a ton of piercings and tattoos pierced her ears. He was super nice and gentle and went over with her how to clean them, and it's now a year later and DD considers it to have been a great experience.

I would never have taken her to Claires. I'm super conservative in appearance and all "Oh my!" at things, but called up a good tattoo place for an appointment immediately upon DD saying she wanted it done. Claires piercings are done by college-age girls who watch a video and consider that their training.

[Anonymous]

Piercing Pagoda ay Montgomery Mall.

[Anonymous]

These are earlobes, people. Not noses or bellybuttons. Claire's, the Icing, Piercing Pagoda - they're FINE.

[Anonymous]

Piercing Pagoda at Columbia Mall did both of my daughter's ears at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Piercing Pagoda. They did my daughter's ears. The pediatrician actually recommended PP. They did a quick and even job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are earlobes, people. Not noses or bellybuttons. Claire's, the Icing, Piercing Pagoda - they're FINE.

+1
We went to Claire's and had a great experience. Quick, clean, virtually painless, no problems at all.