So your little one under 13 years old is thinking about getting their ears pierced, and you are wanting some more information? That’s great! However, there is a lot to consider beforehand so we have put together a comprehensive guide. These are the questions we feel you should be considering if your kid is wanting their ear lobes pierced.
What Are Your Age Policies?
We do not pierce kids under 12 years old as walk ins.
For kids 8 years old and over, you can book an appointment online or call the shop and we can help you with the process.
We do not pierce kids under 8 years old.
ID Requirements
In accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 331-900-330) if the client is a minor under the age of 18, a consenting parent and/or legal guardian must be at least 18 years of age and be present at the time of the service with their government issued photographic identification and give written consent.
Soda Pop Piercing’s policy is that the parent and/or legal guardian must prove that they are in fact, the parent or legal guardian. A birth certificate, school ID or insurance card are all acceptable forms of proof.
Emancipated minors must have copies of legal court documents proving emancipation and government issued photographic identification is required.
If you have any questions please call or email us before booking your appointment.
Do They Really Want Them?
First and most importantly is Body Autonomy. This is their experience, not yours. While family traditions and different cultures may have an influence on the timing of piercing a child’s ears, getting your ears pierced at any age is a very personal decision and one which should not be taken lightly. If your child cannot ask for the piercings themselves and understand what they are consenting to, it’s not time to get them pierced yet. Remember, this is their experience and their body.
The age of understanding is a milestone they should be well past before getting their ears pierced. Often children Under 8 years old can not equate wanting earrings, with needing to get pierced to have them, as in you must do one to have the other. It’s like the difference between wanting a puppy taking care of a puppy which we know are wildly different things.
Don’t lie to them about the pain. While the pain is very minimal, is definitely some pain involved, and it is very common for parents tell kids, “It won’t hurt at all.” That phrasing tends to set unrealistic expectations which can make the process harder for everyone involved. Studies have shown, and we can tell you from personal experience, that kids that go into the process knowing what is actually involved have far better experiences. We have a very skilled staff that are highly trained in techniques to help your child through their piercings, so let us take the wheel, we won’t let you down.
Are They Ready For Them To Be Pierced?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) typically recommends that parents wait until children are able to manage and help care for the piercing on their own. Many physicians and piercing experts agree, that children should not be pierced before they are ready. This means that infant and toddler piercings should usually be avoided, as they are not likely to be able to handle cleaning responsibilities and avoiding potential risks during aftercare process which takes months so it is best to wait until your child is ready physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It’s important that their earlobes are developed enough so that as they grow they will not be uneven as they get older. Our ears grow our entire lives and piercing your kid’s ears before they have developed enough can have consequences later in their life. Their ears need to be developed enough to be pierced and sustain jewelry long term.
Consider what activities they have coming up as the basic timeline for the healing process is 6-8 weeks for them to heal (where the wound is closed off to their blood stream) at which point they can resume swimming, but the healed tissue then goes through a remodeling period of another 6-8 weeks for the skin to return to its natural stretchy form. In most cases they need to keep jewelry in them at all times for at least a year for them to stay open permanently.
The Association of Professional Piercers suggests avoiding swimming in ponds, lakes and the ocean, which might contain unknown bacteria. Hot tubs and swimming pools add another reason, chlorine, which can be very detrimental to the healing process. When it comes to sports, it’s best to wait for a pretty long period of time off as it will be usually about 6 months to a year until they can remove the jewelry for any real length of time without them closing up.
Are You Ready For Them To Be Pierced?
The most important thing for parents to remember is that the piercings should be checked daily, not only to see if the cleaning has been done correctly, but also to check for potential issues. We sometimes see kids coming in who have had an earring backing get too tight. This is caused by over inflammation due to sustaining a little trauma to the piercing from playing sports, accidents with pets, or playing with them and the backing of the jewelry can migrate into the lobe and the skin can heal over top of it. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to remove the jewelry if this happens, and prolongs the healing time.
It is important to keep the healing piercings dry which means no sleeping in wet hair. Warm, wet and dark is what bacteria loves, and as kids do not have as strong of an immune system as adults sleeping with wet hair can lead to irritation “bumps” abscesses, or an infection especially behind their ears. So bathing routines may need to be adjusted, and again, parents doing a quick check on them daily is highly recommended.
Can We Bring Our Own Earrings?
The short answer is no. While numerous materials are considered "safe" for healed piercings, Initial piercings require jewelry with the best biocompatibility. This means jewelry that will not tarnish, oxidize, or react negatively while healing. We only use the safest materials at Soda Pop. Our jewelry is made from Implant grade titanium and steel, niobium, platinum and 14k or higher solid gold. Also, no two ears are the same, and jewelry sizing is paramount to a successful healing process. Improperly fit jewelry at a young age can have negative effects during the healing process as well as later in life.
Certain metal alloys have been approved based on medical usage (often as medical implants) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality as determined by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) and/or the International Standards Organization (ISO)
Other materials, such as gold and obsidian and glass have a long history of use in piercings dating back hundreds—and sometimes thousands—of years. The material worn in a new healing piercing should be sterilizable, inert, and compatible with the body so it doesn't cause irritation, allergy, or infection.
