AIBU to get 6 year old get ear piercings?

[MRIELA]

Hello all, my 6 year old has been asking for months for ear piercings (her cousin got them at 5) , I have talked to her about the importance of daily cleaning, that there is always risk of infection etc and havent brought it uo myself until she asks if I have made an appointment yet and when could I make one. I talked to local piercing salons, of course needle piercings are the best but they dont deal with customers under 14. Which brings me to Claires (or does anyone know another better place perhaps?)- I had gun piercings myself at 7 and luckily had no problems, must say I am in my 30s and would still let no one near me with a needle :). Was I lucky because I read a lot of negative things about gun piercings, does anyone have any good/bad experiences with a younger child,any regrets or all went well?

Both ways carry risks.

Exactly. You've got it.

So, no, of course she shouldn't have her ears pierced at 6.

You've solved your own thread!

Dts had them done Christmas y5, local piercer used a gun, Pushkin I think. All fine no issues at all.

I'd wait until she can be trusted to keep them clean etc. my DD was 11 when she had hers done and really understood the importance of keeping them clean not playing with them as they heal etc.

I personally wouldn't do them as young as 6 and not with a gun.

When I enquired for my DD none of the professional piercers near me would needle pierce an under 12 and they all offered gun piercings. I wouldn't go to Claire's for piercings though.
I don't see a problem with a 6 year old having their ears pierced, I had mine done at 4 without problems and remember it as a positive memory.

I think six is a bit young.
My daughter had hers done at 11, nearly 12. She was desperate to get them done, and all her school friends had them by then. I had my own done at 12 so didn't really feel it was fair to say no at that point.
If you do go ahead, I'm not sure why you think salons won't do under 14 (for needle piercings). My daughter was done with a needle and I just needed to show proof of identity for parental consent. Needle is definitely better.

My dd got hers done at a proper tattoo/piercing place with a needle. Their min age is 14 so she got them done at 14.

I wouldn't. Age 6 is too young to make an informed choice.

I think it looks tacky on little children.

No, I've said not until 12 at the earliest.

Claire's accessories do stick on and magnetic earrings, if she doesn't like clip ons.

But she is not interested in other piercings so I am not sure why are you talking about them? Just to put this pointless discussion with you to rest, yes sure, she can also nose/eyebrow ring if she wants- but she dosent.

I regretted getting my dds ears pierced with a gun at Claires. So many issues! When she was 11 we went to have them done with a needle. It was perfect and I've told my dd7 she will need to wait. That's my experience. But it's down to you and dd. Worst case she can let them grow over if you have any issues. I just won't be wasting my money with that being an option.

Too young. I don't think any 6yo needs to be wearing earrings on a daily basis. Get her some cheap stick on ones for dressing up or parties or whatever,

Why do small children need their ears pierced? No need at all.
What on earth is the point?!

Tbf you've asked me why I'm discussing other types of piercing and I've explained each time. I can't really explain again, but just to reiterate I understand that your six year old doesn't want her nose pierced. My suggestion was that YOU, as an adult making this decision, think around the topic more widely.

I'm surprised that you'd allow a 6 year old to have their nose pierced tbh! But then I'm surprised you're thinking about letting her have her ears pierced.

The more important thing is that you've accepted that both methods carry risks and that must surely be the end of it? No responsible parent would concede it's a risky procedure and then allow a six year old to do it when it offers them absolutely no health or wellbeing benefits.

I agree with this 100%

If the most highly qualified, professional piercers won’t pierce until 14 then I’d go with that.

There’s a reason legit piercing and tattoo shops won’t pierce children generally until they’re 13ish, using piercing guns is outdated and dangerous (as a tattooist we constantly have people coming into our studio needing help with ear piercings gone wrong done in Superdrug/hairdressing salons/Claire’s. If the child is too scared to have it done properly with a needle, they’re not mature enough to have it done in the first place. Some people did come out ok after being pierced with a gun (mine are wonky but didn’t get infected), but why take the risk when there is better information available?

If you do decide to go ahead with it contact local piercing shops and find out about age limits, and check they use implant grade titanium and know their stuff.

Just to put this pointless discussion with you to rest, yes sure, she can also nose/eyebrow ring if she wants- but she dosent.

You'd let your six year old get a nose / eyebrow piercing if she wanted?

Blimey.

At that age she won’t be able to manage them herself and whilst they are still running around at playtime etc it’s very easy to get caught.

Whilst some tattoo parlours are over 14 there are other places that are over 4. I had my daughter’s done at 11 after leaving primary school. I had to look around to find somewhere.

I would wait anyway and certainly not anywhere that doesn’t have a full aftercare package.

Helpful information.

If the child is too scared to have it done properly with a needle, they’re not mature enough to have it done in the first place. 100%

local piercing place did my dc's ear with a needle at 8, almost 9. Absolutely fine.

On the bloke's website he says he only does it after age 12 but said he was happy to do younger children if they clearly wanted it, so I'd say ring and ask the piercing studios rather than just going by their websites.

Looking after the piercings was a walk in the park: just spray it 2x a day with some stuff and then leave them alone.

Yet these risks are there regardless of the age, can happen when she is 14 as well. I had mine done at 7 and had no problems at all, at the same time Im sure somewhere there is a 18 year old with infected ear lobes post piercing. People can get sepsis from a cat scratch or a dog lick, should we ban all pets as well?

• Thank you for all who have shared their experiences :) you have given us food for thought (aka like waiting till the summer etc).

Absolutely, that's why it's so important that it's done at an age that she really properly understands. No six year old understands sepsis no matter how many YouTube videos you've watched. I'm glad that you're accepting the risks and making decisions in line with that, anything else would be negligent.

And, no, I don't think we should ban pets. I would support a ban on piercing under 18's though.

If that was the law I would still not have mine in my 30s. Dont think needle phobia passes when you hit 18?

Right, but at 18 you are better able to weigh up the risks and benefits, and give informed consent. Not so much at 6 yo.