Finding a Reputable Ear Piercing Shop Near You

Finding a Reputable Place for Ear Piercing Near You

Ear piercings are a popular way for people of all ages to express themselves through body art. However, it's important to find a clean, safe, and professional piercing studio to perform the procedure, especially for young children. This article provides tips on finding a reputable ear piercing shop near you, so you can avoid risks and have the best experience.

Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations

Word-of-mouth is often the best way to find a quality piercing studio. Ask friends, family members, coworkers, etc. if they've had their ears pierced or taken their children. Find out where they went and if they were satisfied with the service and results. People will be honest about their experiences.

You can also search reviews of local shops on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other platforms. Pay attention to customer service, cleanliness, how the piercing procedure is described, and overall ratings.

Verify Proper Certifications and Training

Any tattoo parlor or piercing studio should have nationally-recognized certifications for sanitation and sterilization methods. Associations like the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) require extensive training on proper techniques.

Make sure nose piercing shops use autoclaves to sterilize instruments with heat, wash hands and wear gloves, use single-use needles, properly dispose waste, etc. You want to see rigorous standards that reduce the risks of infection.

Ask About Piercing Methods and Jewelry

Not all ear piercing techniques are equal. Piercers should use single-use, ultra-sharp needle piercing instead of unsafe piercing guns. High quality metals like surgical steel, titanium, 14+ karats gold are best for new piercings versus cheap jewelry.

Reputable studios will have you select the location and mark it with a sterile, single-use ink pen. Ask questions about their standard procedures and jewelry policies upfront before committing.

Consider Getting Both Ears Pierced Together

While some parents start with a single ear piercing, many experts recommend having both ears pierced in the same session if possible. Doing so significantly reduces the risk of uneven healing or placement problems if a second ear is pierced much later.

Plus, getting both piercings done together means only going through aftercare once. Consult your piercer for their advice given your situation.

Ear Piercing Aftercare & Healing Tips

Proper aftercare is vital for avoiding infections and other issues with new ear piercings. Follow these essential aftercare instructions and tips from reputable piercing studios to help healing go smoothly.

Clean the Piercings Twice Daily

Use a sterile saline spray or non-iodized sea salt soak to gently clean piercings. This removes bodily fluids, lymph discharge and debris without being overly harsh. Over-cleaning or using alcohol/peroxide can irritate. Hands should be washed thoroughly before touching ears.

Avoid Touching or Disturbing Jewelry

It's important not to touch, twist, turn or disturb your piercing while the wound heals. Discharge can dry and adhere jewelry to the fistula so don't handle earrings unless necessary. See your piercer first before changing any jewelry during initial healing.

Watch for Signs of Infection

While infections are rare from professional studios, it's good to monitor for symptoms like persistent redness, swelling, foul odor, discharge, elevated temperature in the area, etc. If concerned about an infection, contact your doctor and piercing studio.

Aftercare Steps for Baby and Child Ear Piercings

Caring for your baby or child's new ear piercings requires some extra care and precautions compared to piercings on adults. Here are some key aftercare guidelines from professional piercers.

Help Them Not Touch or Pull at Earrings

Babies and young children will instinctively grab at and touch new earrings, which can displace jewelry and impair healing. Gently stopping them whenever possible and consider covering ears with breathable bandages when sleeping.

Clean Carefully Using Saline Spray

Have your child tilt their head to each side as you spray sterile saline solution on ear piercings 2x daily. Gently dab away residue with non-woven gauze or paper towels. This keeps the area clean without twisting jewelry.

Follow Up Within 4-6 Weeks

The piercer should schedule a free follow-up appointment about a month into healing to check that piercings are healing well. This is a good chance to replace starter studs with new earrings once healed.

Finding a professional, trustworthy piercing studio is key to getting ears pierced safely and comfortably. Do research before committing and follow all aftercare instructions for a great experience. With a quality shop, you'll have minimal risks and amazing-looking piercings for years to come.

FAQs

How old should my child be before piercing their ears?

Most piercing experts recommend waiting until 4-6 years old. By this age, children are less likely to play with earrings or knock them out while still young enough for easier piercing and healing.

What is the average cost of an ear piercing?

Professional piercing studios generally charge an average of $30 to $50 for ear piercings. This may include the jewelry like starter studs. Some offer discounted rates for children or bundle packages.

Do ear piercings hurt?

Ear piercings done using a needle often feel like a quick pinch and then dull ache for a few minutes. Babies often cry for a few seconds but then are fine. Topical numbing medications can help minimize discomfort.

When can I change my starter earrings?

Initial earrings worn after piercing should only be removed once the fistula has had time to stabilize, usually 4-6 weeks for lobes, even longer for cartilage. Check with your piercer before changing jewelry to prevent trauma or irritation.

Do I need to disinfect my earrings?

Sterilize jewelry before inserting into newly pierced ears, whether it's new or posts you've worn before. Aftercare sprays and soaks are effective, or run earrings through an autoclave to kill bacteria and viruses.