What age for ears pierced?

[Gottastopspendingmoney]

Almost 8 year old is asking more and more to get her ears pierced.

I am not going to let her yet. I say she can get them done when she is 18.

But just wondering what age parents have allowed them to get done.

I am thinking 10 / 11 at the very youngest but I will happily push it longer than that.

She did tell me the other day that it would have been easier if I had got them done as a baby

[Dowser]

8..that’s how old my granddaughter was
Followed by dyeing her hair red

[PragmaticWench]

16. When they are no longer doing P.E. at school, and can give informed consent. Same as with most elective medical procedures, I don't think under 16 they can give informed consent.

[CazM2012]

My eldest had hers done at the beginning of the summer holidays. She’s 7.5, mature and has asked for quite a while despite being told they can hurt when done and she would need to take care of them. (I wasn’t allowed till I was 14, at 16 I went overboard as I could)

[Survivingmy3yearold]

I was about 7/8. Will let DD4 get them done if she wants from a similar age

[missmouse101]

As soon as my daughter finished primary school she had them done, at the beginning of the summer holidays. So when she started secondary school in September, they'd healed.

[Sirzy]

10/11 - start of summer holidays before senior school. At the youngest.

[YahBasic]

I was 13 but think Year 7 is acceptable if they can do the aftercare alone.

[dementedpixie]

I would have let dd from age 7/8 but she didn't want them done. Still doesn't and is nearly 16

[formerbabe]

In theory I was really against it but I let my dd get hers done when she was 8. She has some minor sn which I know make her feel a bit different to her peers so I thought something which gave her a bit of kudos and cool factor would be helpful!

[FuzzyPuffling]

My daughters were 12 (and on the condition they had to look after them entirly on their own.) I was 49.

[TillyTheTiger]

I've always thought summer holidays between primary and secondary school is a good time.

[jesuschristwtf]

i would say 14-16. that's when i had mine done. do i use earrings? no.

[formerbabe]

Forgot to add, it was her idea and she'd been nagging for a while. I wouldn't have suggested it first.

[DropZoneOne]

11 - DD had them done at start of school holidays at the end of primary. I'd originally told her 16 so she thought she'd won me over .

[Camomila]

As soon as they'd be old enough to look after them themselves (eg put them in and out for PE, clean them with salt water at the beginning)

Would depend on sensibleness of child - anywhere from 8-11 I guess?

[Ithinkmycatisevil]

I had to wait until I was 11 and I really resented my mum got not letting me have them done earlier. I let my girls have theirs down at 7 and never had any problems.

[HardAsSnails]

I was 7 for first holes and 11 for second holes.

[wineandcheeseplease]

16 or over

[LemonTreeLemon]

It depends on the child.

The answer is when they're old enough to understand what it involves and when they're mature enough to look after them properly.

My DD was 9 and we had no issues. She did all the cleaning and turning herself.

[IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls]

@PragmaticWench you do know that children can give consent younger that 16 ?!

[Beamur]

DD had hers done between Primary and High School. They haven't healed well and it's been quite stressful. I rather wish we'd left it longer!

[Hadalifeonce]

I always told DD she could have hers done when she was 16, DH took her when she was 14.5, I wasn't very happy, and insisted that he/she sort out any problems she had; they did get a bit gunky at one point, and he has a bit of a weak stomach for that kind of thing!
Served him right!

[Gottastopspendingmoney]

I think she understands the process a bit.

Some of her friends have obviously had the gun as she has described that to me. But if she had been a baby it would have been a needle.

BUT it would not be a gun and would be a needle in a reputable place.

I don’t think she is ready yet though. I think the thought of a needle would terrify her.

[Kanga83]

16, when no PE at school, no peer pressure and can make more of an informed choice. I still remember having mine done really young and angry that it's allowed to be done to a child.

[SallyWD]

I've agreed she can have them done at 9