Children's Ear Piercings

The decision to get your child's ears pierced can be an exciting milestone and a delightful way to embrace their personal style. Ear lobe piercings are a popular first piercing and a form of self-expression. In this blog post, we will explore the procedure of children's ear lobe piercings, highlight safety considerations, and offer tips on how to ensure a positive experience for your little ones.

The Procedure

When it comes to ear lobe piercings for children, safety and hygiene are of utmost importance. It is essential to choose a professional and experienced piercing studio that follows strict sterilisation and sanitation practices. Make sure to inquire about their sterilisation procedures, including the use of single-use, hypoallergenic, and medical-grade materials.

Here's what to expect during the procedure:

1. Preparation: I will assess the child's earlobes to ensure they are suitable for piercing. I will then clean the area with an anti-sceptic skin cleaner I personally use Purklenz. Then I will mark the spot where the piercing will be placed with a sterile tooth pick dipped in gentian violet, taking into account the child's age and ear anatomy.
2. Piercing: Using a sterilised, single-use needle, I will create a small hole in each ear lobe. The process is quick, and while it may cause mild discomfort, the pain is usually short-lived. Once the piercing is done sterile medical grade titanium jewellery is placed into the hole. The length of the jewellery is longer to allow for the swelling and you will be advised when to come back to get a free change to a shorter bar.
3. Aftercare: I will explain aftercare during the appointment, as well giving you a printed copy to take away with you. This includes all the details about how to properly care for the new piercings. It's crucial to follow these instructions to prevent infections and promote healing. I only recommend sterile saline spray, I also offer lifetime aftercare on all my piercings, and you are free to pop me a message or book as many follow up appointments as you need.

Safety Considerations

The decision to get your child's ears pierced should be made thoughtfully and consider the child's maturity level and readiness for the responsibility of caring for the piercings. Here are some important safety considerations:

1. Age: I pierce ear lobes for children aged 7+. There are two main reasons for this, firstly to ensure that the child is mature enough to understand and follow aftercare instructions and secondly, the body changes as it grows. For example, many people who had their ears pierced as babies grow up to find that their piercings are wonky or no longer in the right place, this can then have an affect if they then wish to have additional ear piercings.
2. Informed Consent: It's essential to have a conversation with your child about the procedure, making sure they understand what it entails and what to expect. Please do not lie to your child and tell them its painless although the pain is minimal I always make them aware that it will hurt a little.
3. Allergies: Take note of any known allergies your child may have and opt for hypoallergenic materials to reduce the risk of adverse reactions. All of the jewellery that I use is hypoallergenic as it is made of either medical grade titanium or solid 14/18k gold.
4. Home Piercing: This is something I would really strongly advise against! Professional piercers have the necessary expertise and equipment to minimise risks and ensure a safe experience.
5. Piercing Guns/Cartridges: Many places offering piercings may use a gun or a small white single use cartridge rather than a needle. These rely on using blunt force to pierce the skin, which may lead to complications and delays in the healing process. Piercing guns can be especially dangerous as they cannot be sterilised and as a result carry a greater risk of spreading blood borne pathogens.

What to Expect After Piercing

It may up to two years before the new piercing is fully healed! This means that the skin around the piercing is as close to as it was before having the piercing. This does not mean that it will hurt for two years or that you can't change it for two years. However, this process can be thought of having several stages:

1. Straight after the piercing: The ear will become swollen and red as the body starts to heal. The initial swelling may start to go down after a couple of days
2. 4-6 weeks later: A small amount of new tissue will have grown. It is at this stage where you would come back to me for your follow up appointment. I can then check progress on healing and depending on healing/anatomy change the bar down to a shorter one. The piercing is not healed at this stage and is still a healing wound that you need to be careful with. Its a myth that lobe piercing heal in 6 weeks.
3. 6 months later: New tissue will have grown around the piercing. It is this stage that you can start to think of the piercing as being healed. If you were thinking of changing the jewellery, for example from the labret to a ring, or another type of hypoallergenic jewellery this would be the earliest time to be considering this.
4. 2 years later: At this stage, everything should be fully healed and everything will be back to normal!

Aftercare

Conclusion

Children's ear lobe piercings can be a beautiful and memorable experience for both parents and your child. With the right preparation, choosing a professional studio, and following proper aftercare, the procedure can be safe and relatively painless. Remember to prioritise your child's comfort and well-being throughout the process, and watch their eyes light up with joy as they proudly flaunt their newly adorned earlobes.