the Cost of Ear Piercing

I took my daughter to the mall to spend her birthday money and she decided it was time to get her ears pierced. I remember my husband telling me when he got his (one ear) pierced, a friend numbed it with ice, held a potato to the back, and stuck a needle through it. OUCH!!!!! We're definately not letting my daughter do this. So, we took her to the professional (the 20-something tatooed and pierced girl working the counter.) The piercing was free when you purchased the earings (about $20), which I thought was very reasonable.

She used a ruler and a felt-tip marker to determine exactly where to place the holes, so they'd be even on both ears. I was impressed with this. I remember getting mine done, and feeling lucky that they ended up in the right place. My sister has one good piercing and one that's almost at the bottom of her lobe, so it looks like her earring is going to tear her earlobe in half every time she wears something heavier than a small stud. So, I was pleased at how precise the gal was being. She fully explained the procedure and had us sign the medical waiver and paper showing that we had been given aftercare instructions. She cleaned the ears with a sterile wipe and even wore latex gloves. Then, they gave us a full-size bottle of ear cleaner, which costs about $7 if you buy it separately. Overall I was very pleased.

Definately go to the professional. If they don't use some procedure to ensure the correct placement before piercing (other than eyeing it) then walk away. At every mall, there's at least two or three places that will do the piercing for free if you buy the earrings. And, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS follow the after-care instructions. Not only will this keep your ears infection free, but it will also keep the holes from closing up (like my daughters did after the took the earrings out too early and didn't wear any for 6 months.) Overall, I was pleased, and when she's ready again, I think I'll take her back to the same place. I hope that tattooed girl still works there.