The long summer holidays are the perfect time for children and teens to get their ears pierced. With 6 whole weeks ahead, there’s plenty of time for an ear piercing to settle into the healing process meaning there’ll be no need to miss sports or PE when school starts again in September. In this holiday ear-piercing guide, you’ll find all the information you need for first time piercings, the aftercare process and other common questions parents have before embarking on this rite of passage.

How Can You Make The Piercing Process Less Painful?

It’s an unavoidable truth that most younger children will cry when they get their ears pierced. But you can minimise any pain they feel by making sure you book in with a highly rated professional piercer.

There are also a number of over-the-counter numbing sprays and creams that you can buy to apply to the soon-to-be pierced area beforehand so they won’t feel a thing. Remember to have a soothing word with your child before their appointment to explain the process and relieve any of their anxieties.

What Should You Look for in an Ear-Piercing Professional?

Do your research. Ask friends where they took their children and make sure you check out plenty of reviews online. You’ll want to be sure that the professional you choose is certified as a piercing specialist and is able to explain both the procedure and their hygiene protocol with confidence. It also goes without saying that their studio or shop space should be clean and welcoming.

Where To Buy Childrens Earrings?

Solace has got you covered with our fabulous range of classic or quirky kids earrings. For first time piercings, many opt for something simple like timeless ball stud earrings. Love hearts are also hugely popular. Both our regular love heart and mini open heart studs are available as silver stud earrings or gold stud earrings.

Once the piercing has healed, your little one can switch up their look as much as they like as our stainless steel studs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit their personality.

For nature lovers, we’ve got everything from bee, dragonfly or kids daisy studs. Or how about our pineapple studs earring to get them in the summer holiday mood? Whichever they go for, you can be rest assured that all our hypoallergenic studs are ideal for new ear piercings.

How Long Will It Take For Your Child’s Piercing To Heal?

Everyone’s body is different so there isn’t a one size fits all answer for how long it will take for your child’s piercings to fully heal. That said, most professionals agree that you shouldn’t remove or replace the initial earring for at least six weeks (which is why the summer holiday is the perfect time for a piercing!). After that, jewellery can be changed with care but it could take somewhere between four to six months for the piercing to be completely healed to the point that it won’t close up if jewellery is left out.

How Should You Care For a New Piercing?

Looking after a new ear piercing is straight forward so long as you clean them regularly but try and leave them well alone otherwise. Try to make the following 3 tips your mantra:

1. Always wash yours and your child’s hands with a mild, 100% natural soap before touching their newly pierced ears.

2. Using a saline solution, a mixture of salt and water, gently wash the piercing twice a day. Remember: the earring backs should always remain in place. Never take them out during cleaning.

3. Make sure you’ve thoroughly rinsed the piercings afterwards so there’s no soap residue left behind.

If your child does experience any pain, swelling, bleeding or yellow discharge, it’s likely they have an infection and you should see a doctor as a precaution. Depending on the seriousness of the infection, they may prescribe some antibiotics or suggest you bathe the ear in a hot salt water solution to ease the pain.

What Should You Avoid Doing With a New Piercing?

Your child should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after they’ve had their ears pierced. Some piercers suggest that you should wait up to two weeks to be on the safe side. It’s recommend that you’re extra careful in places that might contain unknown bacteria such as lakes and holiday swimming pools! Any sport which requires your child to wear a helmet is also best avoided for the first couple of days to avoid it getting knocked.

What Happens When They Go Back To School?

Choosing to get your child’s ears pierced in the school holidays is an excellent idea as they will be pretty much fully healed by the end of the six weeks. So as long as you’ve stuck within your schools piercing guidelines, you child should have no issue with their new piercing when they go back to school. It’s worth noting that some schools require all piercings to be covered with a plaster during P.E regardless of how long you’ve had them. And it’s best to choose discreet jewellery that won’t cause a fuss. Check out our full range of kids earrings here.