Our Services / Ear Piercing

What is ear piercing?

Ear piercing is a quick, outpatient procedure that uses special tools to make small holes in your child’s earlobes. Afterward, Dr. St. Etienne puts earrings in the holes, preventing them from closing up.

Dr. St. Etienne only provides ear piercing for children ages six months and older to ensure positive treatment outcomes. Doing it any earlier may increase your child’s risk of infection.

What happens during an ear piercing appointment?

Dr. St. Etienne performs ear piercing during a brief in-office visit.

First, she applies a topical cream with lidocaine (an anesthetic) to your child’s earlobes. The lidocaine numbs your child’s nerve endings, ensuring treatment is pain-free.

When the anesthesia sets in, Dr. St. Etienne uses a handheld piercing tool to make a small hole in your child’s earlobe. Then, she inserts an earring into the hole. Last, Dr. St. Etienne cleans and sterilizes your child’s ears and provides care instructions.

What is recovery like after ear piercing?

After your child’s ear piercing appointment, they may experience mild swelling or sensitivity once the anesthesia wears off. To ensure a quick and problem-free recovery, Dr. St. Etienne recommends:

• Washing your hands before touching your child’s ears or earrings
• Cleaning the front and back of the piercings two or three times a day
• Wipe away buildup that forms between cleanings
• Patting the area dry with a clean paper towel 
• Return to clinic for exam with any swelling, redness, pain or discharge

In addition, make sure to keep your child’s piercings in for their entire recovery. Typically, that process takes six to eight weeks.

Is ear piercing safe?

Ear piercing is safe and usually well-tolerated, but there are potential risks like any minimally invasive procedure. For example, your child might develop an infection, experience an allergic reaction or scarring. You can significantly reduce the risk of these and other issues by carefully following Dr. St. Etienne’s recovery instructions.

What are the signs of an infection?

Signs of an infection include redness, swelling, pain, and increased sensitivity. If your child experiences any of these symptoms after having their ears pierced, contact Dr. St. Etienne right away. After a quick in-office exam, she can determine if it's an infection or a possible allergy. 

To see if your child is a candidate for ear piercing, make an appointment for them at Children’s Medical Clinic by calling the office or booking online today.