Everything you need to know about getting your child's ears pierced.

For many children, getting their first piercing is a rite of passage. We're here to help make this moment as exciting and enjoyable as possible.

PLEASE NOTE:
We respect your child's right to say ‘NO’ to a piercing and to any adult forcing any kind of non-medical contact on them. For this reason, Pierce of Art and it's staff will only pierce childrens ears from age 5 years upwards that are willing and able to consent to the procedure, and sit without restraint throughout the treatment.

Are piercing guns safe?

While some well known shops perform childrens ear piercing with guns, they are not safe, for children or adults. Unfortunately, reusable ear piercing guns can put you and your child in direct contact with the blood and body fluids of previous clients, because they can't be sterilised correctly.

Furthermore, piercing guns can cause significant tissue damage as they cause and work via blunt force trauma. They also use a standard length bar to fit the gun (not the client) which may not be suitable for your childs ear. Ear piercing studs are too short for some earlobes, compressing the tissue, which inhibits healing.

Shop assistants using piercing guns are generally not trained in bloodborne pathogens and disease transmission. There are documented cases of disease transmission from piercing guns because of the ignorance of aseptic technique and a lack of basic knowledge of disease transmission.

In short, you should avoid piercing guns. The risk of irritation, infection, and/or human error for your child is too great.

Which material is best for my childs new piercing?

New piercings require jewellery that is biocompatible, hypoallergenic and nickel free, meaning they will not oxidize, tarnish or react with the skin while your childs body is working hard to heal the new piercing. Very few materials carry these qualities and and fewer are approved for new or initial piercings.

It's best to stick with the basics: Implant-Grade titanium (as used in the medical industry), 14k Solid Gold,18k solid gold (not plated and not 9k), or niobium 999.

How should my child care for their new piercing?

It is paramount that you and your child care for new piercings properly.

There is no single cleaning solution or aftercare regiment that works for every child, everywhere, all the time. Different bodies and different lifestyles demand different aftercare. Even differences in diet can have a large impact on healing.

That said, there are some simple No-No's.

DO NOT TWIST the jewellery. Admittedly, twisting new piercings was a common practice in the 80s' and 90s, but research has found that by twisting new piercings, the area is at a higher risk of infection and will also prolong healing times.

Avoid using harsh chemicals, like rubbing alcohol, TCP, hydrogen peroxide, and dettol to name a few.

Keep the jewellery in place for the whole healing process.

Use caution when your little one is changing clothes or brushing their hair, and try to keep hairspray, shampoo, perfumes, and similar products away from the piercings.

Make sure you follow the piercing aftercare advice your piercer provides. They may also offer suitable aftercare solutions to help care for new piercings.

How will I know if my childs piercing is infected?

If your child's piercing becomes infected, you will know about it. The area will (likely) be red, painful, swollen, and/or warm to the touch. You may get discharge that is dark yellow, green, or bloody. This discharge usually has a foul odor. A small, fluid-filled "pimple" may also appear.

It's important to note that many self-diagnosed infections are actually irritations and/or allergic reactions. More often than not, what many people think of as an infection is actually the result of irritation.

If you suspect an infection, do not remove your jewelry. Infections are more easily treated if there is an opening for antiseptics to enter the wound and for discharge to exit. Without jewelry, the surface of the wound will close over and traps the infection inside, often causing a local surface infection to become a more generalized one.

If you're concerned, contact your doctor to determine if it's an infection or a possible allergy. The former can be treated with antibiotics. The latter with a jewelry change.

Should my child avoid sports and other activities after their new piercing?

Children should be extra careful, especially through the first 4-6 weeks after a piercing - when the wound site is most prone to infection.

It is advised to avoiding swimming, especially in lakes and/or the ocean, which might contain unknown bacteria. Hot tubs and swimming pools should be avoided for the same reason. Sports, activities that require wearing a helmet or hat or when there is a high risk of catching the new piercing, may need to be skipped for a few weeks. This doesn't mean your child must sit in the house all day watching TV. Simply use caution and common sense.

Where should I take my child for their piercing?

It's important to get your child's ears pierced by a professional piercing studio, registered with the appropriate authorities. Staff should be trained in cosmetic body piercing, bloodborne pathogens and infection control.

A professional piercing studio will make sure that everything is clean, jewellery is pre-sterilised, single-use piercing needles are used and universal precautions are practiced.

Still not sure where to go? Ask your fellow parents for a recommendation and read google reviews.

Interesting read Why The Child Ear-Piercing Policy At Claire's Is Under Fire Right Now