This week Trinity got her ears pierced for the third time in her life. Why you ask at 12 years old would she need to get them done 3 times? Because in the past they ALWAYS got horribly infected. I mean pockets of puss forming behind the lobes. Really disgusting and painful. Both times in the past we went to Claire’s in the mall, picked out the pretty diamonds, paid the girl and anxiously waited for the gun to pierce her ear while a crowd of little girls formed watching the excitement.
This time we tried a much different approach. We went to the only body piercing studio in Costa Mesa, Barbella. When Tabitha got her bar put in the top of her ear years ago she told the girl about Trinity’s ears always getting infected. The girl said the gun approach was kinda sketchy and next time Trinity got them pierced she should go to a tatoo parlor or piercing studio.
I did my research and decided Barbella would be the best bet. Trinity wanted them pierced more than anything but was super stressed about getting them done at a the piercing studio. I told her not to worry. The people working there would probably be covered in tatoos and pierced every where but they had great yelp reviews and I figured it would be more sanitary than Claire’s.
I was right, both men that helped us were covered in tattoos and piercings but the place was immaculate and they were super professional and nice. I told Trinity, you can’t judge a book by the cover!
They did a wonderful job and it hardly hurt. I really wanted to write this post to share their approach to after care which was hugely different from what we learned in the past.
1. Don’t touch your ears! Last time were told to twist the earring a few times a day.
2. No swimming for 4 weeks. The hole is an open portal in the body and will easily pick up bacteria and become infected.
3. Wash once a day with antibacterial soap.
4. Soak the hole in a solution of salt and warm water for 7-10 minutes each day for the first 2 weeks.
This last one really had Trinity and I laughing imagining people soaking their noses, nipples and God knows what else for weeks at a time.
Based on their 4 rules we did everything wrong the last 2 times, so we are hopeful she will avoid an infection this time.
Have a great weekend, we will be driving around checking out rentals!
xoxo tiffani
My hubby and biggest supporter
I was totally thinking of taking Emma to Claire’s in the next year or so to get her ears pierced now that she is getting older, but now you got me thinking and I am so going to try to remember a few of these tips if and when I do finally get her ears pierced. Thanks, Tiffani 🙂 xoxo!!
I would probably still take her to Claire’s because all the girls love that. I would just teach her not to touch her ears and don’t swim for a month, then she should be fine. xoxo
My daughter and I are both allergic to anything that is not 14K gold. Our ears become terribly infected right away, even if the posts are gold plated. Has to be solid gold. I know, total princesses, right?! Just thought I’d throw that out there, in case you weren’t aware. Hope this time goes better for Trinity! xo
She looks so much like you smiling in those pics. My daughter has gone piercing crazy. She goes up into her room and pierces her ear cartilage with a needle. She is away for the week, but before she left made me promise that she would be get more piercings when she gets home. I’m going to show her this article and the importance of a sterile facility. Only problem with taking her to a tattoo place is that is the next frontier for her I am sure.
I too want to mention solid gold earrings! My sister and cousin both get awful infections with anything else!