to think Claire’s shouldn’t be the go to place

[TDL2016]

Why do so many parents take their kids to Claire’s to get their ears pierced? You’re surely more likely to get a better and more hygienic environment, better aftercare and a better trained piercer at a specialist shop.

I didn’t realise piercing with a needle was the better way - every day is a school day on MN. I had mine done (5 in total) at a local jewellers with a gun. Probably 35 years ago. All healed fine, and quickly. I don’t think there were as many places that you could have it done then.

I had mine pierced as a child in the Co-Op department store's jewellery section, one ended up wonky and I developed a nickel allergy. My mum agreed that I could take my little sister to get her ears pierced for her 10th birthday, but I had to take her to a salon where there were better standards of hygiene. I let mine heal up and if I ever fancied wearing earrings would just force a sharp one through and repierce them myself - very painful and I always ended up with an infection.

About 2 years ago I decided to get them done again properly and went to Blue Banana. They get you to choose the earring you want and sign the forms, then go away for at least an hour to give you a cooling off time before having it done in case you change your mind. I had three choice of needle or gun - I chose the needle - and they are straight and healed well, despite the stress I put my poor ears through when younger! I would recommend Blue Banana every time.

I got mine done in an old school jeweller, mind you that was in the 90s

My cartilage piercings from Claire's are fucked. Literally cannot wear anything in them for more than a few hours before they start to hurt.

Personally? Maybe go somewhere who's "training" hasn't consisted of watching a few videos and basic how to

It’s not somewhere you want to take your kids

Why on Earth not?!

The piercing/tattoo studio we went to sits in the middle of a high street, bright and inviting. It is often mistaken for a normal jewellery store with all the pricing jewellery in the shop window.

Inside it is all white and glass. You only see the receptionist who may or may not have visible tattoos or piercings. Only after talking a lot, signing lots of forms and they also interview the child then they let you inside the treatment room which very much looks like a private nail studio room, recling padded chair, cabinet with utensils etc.

The age of backstreet parlours is long ago.

Even the tattooist I went to decades ago only operated from 10am to 5pm, you had to make an appointment in advance, pay 3/4 of the price and they refused everyone who seems drunk or on drugs and don’t do groups.

I got my ears pierced when I was 6 at Claire’s. I’m 29 now and my ears haven’t fallen off.

I did used to work there when I was straight out of uni. Hated it but a jobs a job. I’ve never heard of any problems apart from a few fainters.

The training is very limited though... they should put more into training.

I pierced my own when I was 14 with a needle which I heated in a lighter flame and just pushed it through the lobe and stuck a gold stud in.

My sister refused to let me do hers too. such a shame, it was so easy!

Meant to say I’m 25 now 🤦‍♀️ Just aged myself.

@wanderingmind - how did you make sure they were even?

I took my DD to an established tattoo parlour for her ear piercings. All very clean, well trained staff, well regulated premises. They booked us for the first morning appointment so she wouldn't see their odder looking clients and we went into a private room for the same reason. Needle piercing is much cleaner than using a gun and has fewer associated problems. Most of my friends followed suit.

Oh god I've just remembered I got my nose pierced with a gum when I was 18...! Horrible!

A gun, obviously

I had my nose pierced with a gun- my nostril has never been the same, shattered the cartilage.
My ears were pierced when I was about 6 months old and again at 7 in a jeweller's in the 90's.
I won't be piercing my baby's ears until they're old enough to know how to look after them themselves (I think 11-12) and definitely in a tattoo parlour!!!
I don't understand the weird apprehension about children in tattoo parlours...

The gun v needle pros&cons:

The needle is hollow and razor sharp (usually a fairly wide gauge ) it takes a tiny 'core' of skin out so a neat surgical wound .
A gun, pushes a pointed end stud through the skin with force , so the skin is pushed open.

My DD was adviced to use very light salt water in a spray bottle for her ears and a diluted hydrogen peroxide for her belly button.

And the LITHA method .
Leave It The Hell Alone .

My stomach churns when I see a young sceaming child being held and videoed having their ears done

I had problems with some Claires silver studs that made my ear bleed the post was so rough ( I've worn earrings for nearly 4 years now )

I had the whole "cannot refund or exchange" but I argued they were not fit for purpose . Then I got the " you have to send them to the Head Office",
No my contact is with you the vendor .

The was a queue building up, I wasn't rude but like Hell was I accepting them.
Eventually they refunded me .

Oops that should be nearly 40 years now .

@70isaLimitNotaTarget The stud isn't even pointy! It would probably reduce the trauma if it was, but it's blunt which means it needs more force to get in the lobe/nose (god forbid).

I didn’t like the thought of DD having it done at Claire’s by a young girl with minimal training in a shop with people staring or pushing past. Dd was 11. Doesn’t seem hygienic. Took her to a jewellers in Trafford centre. Had to make an appointment. It wasn’t rushed and they healed well. Had mine done there recently for the first time. It wasn’t a gun more like a stapler, barely felt it. Very professional and healed fine. Free inc aftercare if you bought a pair of earrings so much cheaper than Claire’s too. It was FHinds.

@NeedAnExpert This is fascinating! I've had it since I had my ears pierced too. Belts burn my skin, costume jewellery etc. My white golf engagement ring has to be redipped annually or it starts to cause a reaction. Massive pain in the arse!

I got DD's done 4 years ago at Claire's. I know how to look after piercings (got 8 myself) so knew it wouldn't be a problem to look after. 4 years later, nothings fallen off and shes got a huge earring collection that even I'm jealous of

@smoresmores I have to be careful with glasses, hair clips and grips, belts, watches, zips on tops (bloody loads I can’t wear this season!), jeans........ everything!

Not sure Claire’s is much cheaper. In fact for a decent metal they were extortionate. You can get stand alone piercing shops (anyone in North East blue lotus is amazing)!

I went for a job at Claire’s many years ago and was told the training would last an hour or so.....

@70isaLimitNotaTarget not quite, needle piercings don't remove any flesh. The needles just pierce a C shaped slit in the skin.

And just a heads up, sea salt soaks are really all that is needed at most - hydrogen peroxide should definitely be avoided on any piercing, just for future reference.

H Samuel do ear piercing. The gun they use is slightly different and the earring post itself is pointed so less traumatic, its also quieter and quicker

Pug I was surprised at the hydrogen peroxide too, she's always been adviced to use a tiny bit of salt in water .

The piercing in question was the belly button one , is it because it's not a flat surface and more liable to trap fluff and debris ( Navels are not my favourite part of the body, but my DD loves her piercing ! . It healed up really nicely )
The peroxide wasn't strong enough to fizz .

@Dilkhush
“ They booked us for the first morning appointment so she wouldn't see their odder looking clients”
Or could you teach your child that people are all just people, no matter what they look like?!