When my daughter, Lily, expressed interest in getting her ears pierced, we headed to a local mall store, which seems to be the go-to choice for many families. While it wasn’t exactly a disaster, the experience turned out to be more complicated than we anticipated. I’m nearly 40 years old, so everyone at the mall appears quite young to me, but the “ear piercing expert” looked like she could still be in high school. Regardless, my focus was solely on supporting Lily during the process.
Unfortunately, she cried during the procedure, and soon after, developed an infection in her right ear that required medical treatment and a second piercing attempt. This made me reconsider how we should approach ear piercings for my younger daughter, Mia, when she eventually wants to join the club.
As I dug deeper into the subject, I realized our first mistake was choosing a mall for the piercing. Don’t feel bad if you’ve done the same; you’re not alone. According to a Glamour article, Claire’s has reportedly pierced over 100 million ears in its four decades of operation. That’s an impressive number, but it has also prompted a reevaluation of how we think about ear piercings, especially concerning bodily autonomy.
Experts, as noted in a recent Parents Magazine article, advise against using piercing guns for children’s ear piercings. The primary reason? Piercing guns don’t actually pierce; they force a blunt-ended earring through the ear, which can result in blunt-force trauma. Moreover, the hygiene of these devices is questionable, which likely led to Lily’s ear infection.
While it may seem trivial, an ear piercing is still an entry point into the body, and infections can escalate quickly. Dr. Sarah Thompson from the University of Utah Health explained that complications can arise, including potential hearing problems if infections worsen. Even a minor infection can be painful, as we discovered.
What Are Parents to Do?
Many suggest taking children to professional tattoo and piercing shops for a hollow needle piercing instead of a gun. Dermatologists are also a great option, as many offer in-office piercings that feel much safer than a mall kiosk experience. If your dermatologist doesn’t perform piercings, they can often recommend reputable places.
Here are some guidelines from Dr. Emma Collins, a dermatologist based in Austin, Texas:
- Ensure the technician has at least a year of experience and performs several piercings daily.
- Confirm that they follow basic safety protocols: washing hands or using antibacterial gel, wearing new gloves, cleaning the earlobes with alcohol, and using individual sterile equipment taken from unopened packaging right in front of you.
To make the experience easier for your child, you might consider asking for a topical numbing cream containing lidocaine. While it won’t eliminate all discomfort, it can help ease what is often a nerve-wracking situation for kids.
Aftercare is crucial as well. Be sure to adhere to the provided instructions for caring for the new piercings. The aim here is to ensure your child’s ear-piercing experience is as safe and painless as possible, and mall options often fall short.
There’s no judgment; many children get their ears pierced at malls and come out just fine. However, it’s essential for parents to recognize that there are safer, more effective alternatives out there. For Mia’s future ear-piercing plans, we will definitely be opting for the hollow needle method.
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Summary
: In summary, while mall piercing options are popular, they may not be the safest or most effective method for children’s ear piercings. Opting for professional services that use hollow needles can mitigate risks of infection and trauma. Always prioritize safety and comfort for your child during this experience.
Keyphrase: Avoid Piercing Guns for Children
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