When my eldest daughter, Mia, expressed interest in getting her ears pierced a few years back, we headed to a mall store, a common choice for ear piercings. I wouldn’t say it was a complete disaster, but it turned out to be more involved than we anticipated. I’m approaching 40, so naturally, everyone in the mall seems quite young, but this “ear piercing expert,” as she called herself, looked like she could still be in high school. In the moment, I wasn’t too concerned about that; my focus was on supporting Mia during her piercing experience.
Unfortunately, she ended up in tears during the procedure and later developed an infection in her right ear that required medical treatment and a second piercing. This made me rethink our approach for our younger daughter, Lily, when she decides it’s her turn.
After researching, I realized that our first mistake was choosing the mall for Mia’s piercing. If you’re feeling guilty about a similar choice, don’t fret—many parents opt for mall piercings. In fact, a recent piece in Glamour noted that Claire’s has pierced over 100 million ears in its 40 years of operation. That’s a staggering number! However, as time has passed and as more people reflect on the process, concerns surrounding ear piercings have shifted, particularly regarding bodily autonomy and safety.
Experts, as highlighted in a recent article in Parents Magazine, advise against the use of piercing guns, which are the standard in many mall stores. The reason? These devices don’t actually pierce the skin; instead, they force a blunt earring through the earlobe, which can lead to blunt-force trauma. Additionally, the cleaning of piercing guns is often inadequate, which likely contributed to Mia’s infection.
While piercing the ear may seem minor, any infection can escalate quickly. In a 2017 interview with University of Utah Health, Dr. James Parker emphasized that complications could lead to serious issues, like hearing impairment. So, while an ear infection might feel trivial, it can have significant ramifications.
So, what’s a parent to do? That’s the question I’m grappling with now. Many suggest that the best route is to take your child to a licensed tattoo and piercing studio, where a hollow needle is used instead of a gun. Dermatologists can also be a great option, as many offer professional ear piercings in their offices, which feels much safer than a mall kiosk staffed by a twenty-something.
If you choose this route, Dr. Linda Brown, a dermatologist in Dallas, advises ensuring that the technician has ample experience—preferably over a year—and adheres to strict hygiene protocols. Confirm that they wash their hands, use fresh gloves, sanitize your daughter’s earlobes, and take the ear piercing instrument out of its sterile packaging in front of you.
To make the process more comfortable for your child, consider asking your doctor about a topical numbing cream. While it won’t eliminate pain entirely, it can ease anxiety during what can be a stressful experience for young ones.
Post-piercing care is crucial, so be sure to follow the aftercare instructions provided. The objective is to ensure your child’s ears are pierced safely and with minimal discomfort, and it seems clear that the mall is not the best option.
While I acknowledge that many kids get their ears pierced at malls without any issues, I urge parents to explore alternative, safer, and less painful methods. For my next child, if she wishes to have her ears pierced, we’ll be opting for the hollow needle technique.
If you’re interested in learning more about related topics, check out this post on home insemination or explore insights from intracervical insemination, an authority in the field. For more information on pregnancy and fertility, I recommend visiting Medical News Today.
Summary
Choosing a safe method for ear piercing is crucial for your child’s health and comfort. Avoiding piercing guns and opting for professional services, like those offered by dermatologists or licensed tattoo shops, can prevent complications. Prioritize hygiene and aftercare to ensure a positive experience.