Where To Get Your Child’s Ears Pierced In And Around Portland

Getting your ears pierced as a child can be a rite of passage. In some cultures, ears are pierced when the child is an infant. It is a profoundly personal choice each family must make on their own. However, we are here to make the process a little easier, hopefully. 

First, ear piercings should be done by a professional using sterile equipment in a clean environment. Full disclosure, this author had one of her ear piercings done by a friend in a bathroom using a sewing needle, an ice cube, and a potato. Zero stars … DO NOT recommend it. The piercing should be done on the earlobe, not the cartilage, as this can lead to more pain and complications, especially in children. 

Healing time varies depending on the child’s age, health, and adherence to aftercare instructions. Typically, it takes four to eight weeks for an earlobe piercing to heal fully. And honestly, some children may be allergic to different metals, so it is essential to keep that in mind. Piercing carries risks, including infections, allergic reactions to the earring material, and keloid scars. It’s critical to choose a reputable piercer and high-quality jewelry to minimize these risks.

Here’s the real kicker: the aftercare! Aftercare is crucial for the proper healing of a piercing. Parents, guardians, and grown-ups should clean the piercing site twice daily with a saline solution (made by mixing salt and warm water) and avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any other harsh chemicals. I mean, I think we all know how follow-up and care can go with kids, so this is a crucial component. Some pediatricians recommend avoiding ear piercing in the summertime, as water activities and sweating can increase the risk of infection.

You will have to give consent to get the ears pierced. Permission is required from the child and the parents or guardians. It’s essential to ensure that the child is willing and able to care for their new piercing. Additionally, ear piercing can be painful for some children, so consider your child’s pain tolerance and whether they can tolerate that level of discomfort.

It is essential to communicate with your child about the piercing process (and the different options) and the importance of following aftercare instructions. It’s also important to monitor the piercing and seek medical attention if any signs of infection appear. 

Now that we have an understanding of the process, let’s explore what options are available for getting your ears pierced. There are three main options: store piercings, piercing studio piercings, or pediatric ear piercings. 

Store Piercings

You can go to a place like Claire’s in the mall. It is the same pilgrimage that millions of other children have taken for the last several decades. They use piercing guns, which sound scarier than intended. However, it is a small device that is placed against the earlobe, and it pierces a hole through the ear. Once again, that sounds much scarier than intended. There is some controversy around the guns and piercings at stores in general. There are concerns about the level of training of the staff and sanitation concerns. We leave that research to you to see if that is a good fit for your family. Claire’s has been the go-to spot for years for families across the country, offering an inexpensive option. This author had her first ear piercing at Claire’s at age four and has lived to tell the tale. 

Piercing Studios

What has become very popular over the last several years is taking your children to a piercing studio for their first ear piercings. Piercing studios often operate in conjunction with tattoo studios. What makes them different and appealing is that the piercing is done with a needle that has a hole in it. The ear-piercing hole is a little larger and can aid in the healing process. As someone who has had this type of piercing, the healing process can be significantly quicker. For a detailed comparison of getting your ears pierced with a needle versus a gun, check out this article.  

In the Portland metro area, we have several great places to get our kids’ ears pierced. Here are three awesome places. 

Adorn Body Art: With several locations across Portland, Adorn Body Art is a reputable piercing studio that specializes in ear piercings for kids, teens, and adults. They use high-quality jewelry and have experienced piercers.

Black Hole Body Piercing: This is a popular piercing studio that offers a wide range of piercing services, including earlobe piercings for kids. They are limiting themselves to clients eight years old and older for the time being. Younger individuals tend to take a bit more time, and they would like to get used to their new system before accommodating it.

Ritual Arts: This studio has a team of highly skilled piercers who use only high-quality jewelry. They specialize in ear piercings and offer a wide range of options. They try to be as gentle as possible with matching earlobe piercings. Your child must be able to consent to being pierced. Proof of guardianship is also necessary. 

Pediatric Ear Piercings

This is an option that many people may not be aware of. Some pediatricians will pierce children’s ears in the doctor’s office. Metropolitan Pediatrics is one of those places. They offer ear-piercing appointments for these ages: Babies aged 2-6 months and children five years and older. At Metropolitan Pediatrics, their pediatricians are specially trained in medical ear piercing. They use medical-grade products and best practices to ensure the safest piercing and healing experience for patients and their family members. They use a “gun” ear-piercing system with single-use, disposable cassettes (no shared piercing instruments), medical-grade plastic or titanium ear-piercing studs (hypoallergenic and worry-free), fixed stud backings, and longer posts (promote healing with better airflow), and wider posts to create larger holes (less skin damage when changing earrings). For our family, this was the option our child chose. 

As you can see, there are many different paths to choose from, and you may select one or more at some point. Have you thought about getting your child’s ears pierced? Have your kids ever wanted to get their ears pierced? It’s a significant issue worth discussing further at your next family meeting.