To pierce or not to pierce, that is a question most parents consider at some point for their kids. After several years of piercing service at our salons, we’ve gathered the most frequently asked questions we get and our best answers to them.

Q: What is the best age to pierce my daughter’s ears, and is baby ear piercing safe?

A: Various religious, cultural and personal preferences usually dictate if and when to pierce a child’s ears. In some cultures, piercing baby ears is routine though most doctors will agree that ear piercing for babies should happen only after a baby has had the first few rounds of immunizations. There isn’t anything inherently dangerous about piercing. In our experience, it seems best to pierce either when a child is very young and can’t pull earrings out, or at a later age when they are old enough to understand and take care of their newly pierced ears.

Q: Which kind of metal should my daughter’s earrings be?

A: We recommend white or regular gold for a couple of reasons. First, many training studs contain nickel, which is known to cause allergic reactions, but 14k gold is your best bet to avoid this. Second, after studs come out, gold is the recommended metal thereafter, so starting with gold in the first place just makes good sense.

Q: Can she go swimming and play sports right after?

A: Ask her coaches before you pierce to make sure she won’t have to remove her earrings to play. Training studs should not be removed within the first 4-6 weeks to prevent irritation, infection, or the holes closing. Water can irritate newly pierced ears, so we recommend waiting 2-3 weeks after piercing before swimming.

Q: Where should I get it done?

A: This one is entirely up to you. Infant piercings are often done at a pediatrician’s office, and many jewelry and department stores offer ear piercing too. The most important thing to look for is a clean environment and experienced piercers. Our staff is experienced at working with kids and making them feel comfortable and have received thorough training in the most effective, hygienic methods. (We can even hold mom’s hand if she’s nervous!)

Q: How much do ear piercings cost?

A: Ear piercing prices depend on the location, but at Cozy’s, ear piercing is FREE when you buy earrings!

Q: How do I care for pierced ears?

A: Ear piercing care is a must for proper healing and keeping infection at bay. Older kids will need some supervision during this important period.

1. Cleanse the piercing site, front and back, once or twice a day with an antibacterial germicide solution (available at our salons). Use a cotton ball and douse the areas thoroughly while leaving the studs in.

2. Turn the studs (like winding a watch) several times a day and apply piercing care solution directly to the area at least twice a day, sliding the studs back and forth to work the solution into the hole.

3.When shampooing, be sure to rinse suds completely from the ears and cover them when using hairspray.

4. Leave training studs in for 4-6 weeks, and for the first six months don’t let your child go longer than 24 hours without wearing earrings. This will ensure that the new hole will be formed properly. If you encounter any soreness during the first six months, return the training studs to the hole and continue the cleansing and care instructions for an additional 1-2 weeks.

5. After the initial training period, other post earrings may be worn. Look for materials like gold, surgical stainless steel or sterling silver for best results. No heavy earrings should be worn for at least four months after the training period.

6. Pain, redness or swelling is not a normal result of piercing and could indicate an allergic reaction or infection. If this happens or persists, remove earrings and contact your doctor.

Any more questions? Feel free to call or stop by any of our salons and ask one of our trained piercers yourself!

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