Ear piercing in NW London for 9yo DD - where to go?

[Fillybuster]

Title says it all really!

DD1 turns 9 next weekend (Go Jan '08 Babies!!) and would like to have her ears pierced for a birthday present.

I got mine done in a scabby back street abroad when I was 15, very much against my parents wishes....they're still wonky today!

So, where's a nice place I can take her next weekend, so she can choose some pretty studs and get them done properly?

Thanks!

Hi, I'd advise you to find a reputable tattoo studio near you (Google will throw some up) they are very swish these days and adhere to super strict hygiene rules and standards. I certainly wouldn't go to Claire's Accessories or anywhere which uses piercing guns as they aren't autoclavable so although the jewellery will be sealed and bug free the gun may well be crawling with all sorts. Happy Birthday and good luck to your daughter!

Which borough?

Some boroughs ban the piercing of under-16s (other than earlobe by gun) as one of the conditions of the special licence required for a reputable tattoo-piercing parlour to operate.

If you can't get needle conveniently, then try a trip to MetalMorphosis (used to be in Selfridges, now in the basement of Oxford Circus Topshop) which does by hand-pressure single-use cartridge system (not spring-loaded gun) by very experienced piercers who give good aftercare advice.

I would also say wait for the start of the summer holidays as at most schools you have to take them out for PE

Agree it would be better to wait until the summer. I'd actually recommend one of the studios in Camden - they look a bit grotty because of location but some of them are very highly regarded. I had my belly button pierced in one (Cold Steel, I think) and they were very professional, hygienic, good after care etc.

Also worth trying extreme needle in Covent Garden. Very reputable but I don't know whether tattoo parlours would pierce U16's.

I'd second avoiding Claire's.

Go to a proper tattoo/piercing studio.

Any 'Clares Accessories' type of place can send their staff on a 2 hour training course to be qualified to use a piercing gun, I'd avoid those type of places like the plague.

Thanks everyone. We are in Barnet - didn't think to mention that!

I've had many piercings in Cold Steel over the years, but I was hoping to go a bit more upmarket (or at least, a bit less grungy feeling) for Dd. Definitely not Claire's - even she knows that!!