Anonymous wrote:Go to a tattoo and piercing parlor over someplace at the mall.

+1

Go to a piercing/tattoo place. They're more regulated and 'cleaner'.

Our pediatrician freely admitted that he doesn't do tons of them. Meanwhile, the tattoo places do this several times a day!

Those of you saying that a mall kiosk or Claire's is okay, and that the aftercare is the most important thing are grossly misinformed. I'm amazed at how many people don't bother to do basic research on this.

The reason a pediatrician or a tattoo shop are better than the mall kiosks is because of the method used. A hollow needle will remove the tissue, which will leave cleaner edges and less scaring. The piercing gun used at the mall literally crushes its way through the tissue. This can lead to scarring and infection because that crushed skin is still down inside the piercing. You are also more likely to get uneven holes with a gun because the squeezing motion torques the gun. I have several tattoos and piercings and have seen moms bring their daughters in for their ears. Come when they first open and preferably on a weekday so it's less busy and you'll be in and out in 10 minutes. Tattoo shops are very clean, unlike that little table top sitting out in the open at Claire's.

Anonymous wrote:Our pediatrician charges an arm and a leg. I took both of my kids to Claire's at the mall and it was great.

Ours charged $70.

I'd rather pay more money to a ped instead of cheaping out with some 16 yo.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine bringing an 11 year old to a tattoo parlor. Those places are scary. Ask the pediatrician

Hahahahaha

Lol. My conservative dad took my 17 year old sister to get her nose pierced at a tattoo shop last week - she picked the place from reading positive reviews online and because they sterilize everything - and told me he never wanted to go back as some of the tattoo pictures were 'freaky' lol. All was fine and the employees were very professional.

Our pediatrician charges an arm and a leg. I took both of my kids to Claire's at the mall and it was great.

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine bringing an 11 year old to a tattoo parlor. Those places are scary. Ask the pediatrician

Hahahahaha

I can't imagine bringing an 11 year old to a tattoo parlor. Those places are scary. Ask the pediatrician

claire's. agree it's the after care that's important.

When I was a kid we got out done at the mall, but current wisdom is to have it done at a tattoo place because they sterilize the equipment and are actually trained in how to do it unlike the mall employees.

We just went to Claire's. It was fine.

Anonymous wrote:Where so you recommend getting this done? We are in the Bethesda area. TIA.

either pediatrician or mall kiosk. its the after-care of the holes that really matters. turning the earrings constantly for the first 6 weeks and keeping the holes and earrings clean.

Go to a tattoo and piercing parlor over someplace at the mall.

I think some pediatricians do this, so you might want to check there.

Where so you recommend getting this done? We are in the Bethesda area. TIA.