Not really a fan of the places in the mall. Any recommendations?

Even though you're not a fan, my daughter got her ears pierced at Claire's in the mall two weeks ago. The girl who did it was very nice, and explained how important cleaning her ears is. My daughters been diligent in cleaning and has not experienced any problems at all so far. I recommend Claire's.

I have an on going debate with my ex-husband about where to get our daughters ears pierced (should she want to). I say Claire's in The mall, quick, simple, clean.
He says at a piercing/tattooist where it could be done with a needle. I'm opposed to the latter, because it just sounds more painful than the gun. Also I've heard of more instances of infections from the needle procedure. He, however, believes it to be safer than the piercing gun at Claires. Apparently this is on assurances from other people.
It is effectively a stalemate until she has her own money to do with as she pleases.

I had mine done at the mall and never had any troubles.

Eons ago, when I was 14, I had mine done at a department store. This was before the gun, when they just used the sharp-pointed starter earring. The older man who did them was exactly right in placing them--they are perfectly symmetrical and I've never had any problem.

My best friend had hers done at a doctor's office with a needle, at her parents' insistence. They were wildly uneven--she had to let them grow closed and have them done again at the mall.

I've never been to a tattoo/piercing parlor, so I can't speak to their accuracy--it's probably very good. But I just think it would be better for a young girl to go to the mall.

To the Point. Locally owned, owner is a family friend who does all sorts of piercings.

My wife and my best man's wife (I was also the best man at her wedding) snuck up to Claire's one day while the guys were napping and got my infant daughters ears pierced. It was apparently uneventful. They made sure my wife got what she needed including information, and the other girl working helped so that they did both ears simultaneously instead of having to fight a crying screaming baby.

When I was younger, I had mine done at a Merle Norman store. The second time they were done at Claire's Boutique. No problems at either place. We cleaned them daily with Seabreeze.

My sisters and I had ours done by an ENT when we were kids and I followed a similar route with my daughter when she was six months old. Easy and simple in-office visit with our pediatrician. She didn't even know what hit her.

Had mine done multiple times at Claires. Just had to find out the hard way I have to use goldposts. My daughter wont be allowed to get hers pierced until shes at least 16. As she needs to be old enough to make that decision over her own body.

My oldest had her ears done at claires and no issues but she later had a cartlidge pierce at claires and it cracked...not supposed to use piercing guns on cartlidge part of the ear.

Anyway, youngest just had a needle pierce from Marco in Fredom tattoos behind Champion (guns) and he was awesome and the job was perfect.

+1 for Too The Point. Clean, professional, and courteous.

I have had piercings in stores like Claire's as well as tattoo places. They were both fine. I think any issue you could have will be just a case by case thing.

That said, when I had my belly button pierced in high school (tattoo place), the conversation I got to hear was definitely not for my little ears. Im not saying this is the case for every place but it is something to consider.

google "why piercing guns are bad"

As a former professional piercer, the gun method that Claire's or Icings use is not as sterile or safe as the hollow needle method. The workers at those places are trained for 2 weeks to pierce ears and they practice on teddy bears. Piercers, however, are trained for 2-3 years and practice on real people with real nerves/veins/feelings. They also reload guns instead of tossing them (hollow needles are NEVER re-used).

With that said...the gun method is faster, and is so much easier to use on babies. I had a hard time justifying using a hollow needle on a 3 month old infant. They move too much. So, if you use the gun, make sure it is used by someone who knows what they are doing and understand proper sanitation policies.

I would say any child over 6 is a good candidate for hollow needle piercing.

Dr. Suzanne Black, MD does it in her office. She is a GP so it wouldn't be hard to see her. It is probably more expensive but if you want really clean and sterile.

Just a note that a needle is actually safer than a gun. Less risk of infection for many reasons not the least of which is that guns DO NOT get sterilized (even if they are replaced after every use the packaging is not sterile to begin with). Rubbing alcohol is not a true sterilizer. In a proper piercing procedure EVERY tool comes from an autoclave.

A gun is 'one size fits all' and ears are not. A little girl should be pierced with a small needle and have tiny earrings. A piercing stud does not leave enough room for swelling and the stud is much more dull than any piercing needle would be. The back of an earring has too many crevices in it to promote bacteria growth.

In the case of any piercing, you really do get what you pay for. Besides your little girl is worth the extra money and care.

AKAAggie - what Doctor's office did the ear piercing for you? I think a doctor's office would be much more sterile then a tatoo place or place in the mall like Claire's.

I also would think the ear piercing gun would be more sterile then a needle that gets cleaned and re-used on other people. By my understanding, with the ear piercing gun, the brand new earings are what are used to make the hole so how can that not be sterile?

I don't care if it costs more at a doctor's office - if they are the most sterile, they are worth the extra cost. How much did it cost those of you had it done at the doctor's office? What method did the doctor's use?

It was one of the Texas Children's Pediatric groups in Houston.

AggieGraduate as I stated above at any piercing practice ALL tools are autoclaved without question and needles do not get reused. It's not suggested, hinted at or questioned. It is a fact. Piercing guns are not sterile. PERIOD.

A doctors office uses the same practice. Every tool that is reusable gets autoclaved.

Another piercer posted on this thread and is 100% correct and I am also a former piercer.

I don't want money, I'm not practicing anymore.

Edited for clarity. I'm not saying "I think", I am saying "I know for a fact". Go to a doctor or go to a piercer.

[This message has been edited by quirkyaggie (edited 8/27/2012 1:59p).]