my baby girl's growing up...

[fiberaddict]

She's finally decided she wants her ears pierced. Now, for most girls, this is no big deal. For her...well.

She's got severe ADD. She tends to...obsess over stuff. And gets her knickers in a wad over the simplest things.

I had told her that when she turned 8, she could make the decision. She turned 8 in June....and we've gone back and forth over this. "It'll HURT" she sobs. Or "I don't like blood!" Her friends (none of whom, it must be noted, have pierced ears) have filled her with horror stories of the pain and suffering one goes thru when your ears are skewered by the humongous posts of the "starter" earrings.

Ummm....yeah. Right.

It got so bad, that I grabbed various women at church Sunday, and asked them "Did it hurt when you got your ears pierced?" All of them, of course, said NO.

So, she's cool with it, and excited. Me, knowing how she is, has decided we will do this as an EARLY Christmas present - if I wait until Christmas, she'll be back in a quivering ball of fear again.

I called Granny yesterday....turns out her (and Herself's) hairdresser is certified to pierce ears. The kids are going to Granny's this weekend.....so, Granny will take care of it. *g* Hair and ears - 1 stop shopping.

Not to be left out, Himself will get to go to "his" barber. He likes her - she has Candy! and Puzzles! and lets him spin!the!chair!

Now, I gotta get over the fact that my baby girl's growing up......

(Family, this means jewelry is appropriate for prezzies! Preferably pink, fairy, or unicorns *eg*)

Comments

[apis-mellifera.livejournal.com]

Hey, I just friended you, and I need to stick my nose into the piercing thing.

I get pierced fairly frequently, and the safest and cleanest way to get it done is with a needle, and not with one of those guns. Those guns are impossible to sterilize properly and instead of piercing the earlobe, they actually punch out a tiny amount of flesh, which can extend the healing time. Needles just sort of push the flesh out of the way, which minimizes the damage, and the needles are single-use items and sterile. Additionally, the studs used by the guns aren't conducive to keeping the new piercing very clean--it's hard to clean the gunk out from them, so a good quality stainless steel or gold captive bead ring is a better choice. Much easier to clean with basic antibacterial handsoap (like Softsoap).

A lot of people really don't know how gross the guns can be, which is why I feel compelled to stick my nose into other people's business when it comes up. Feel free to disregard--guns aren't a completely unsafe or awful choice, but if your daughter has issues with obsessing over things, it may be a good idea to do everything you can to minimize the healing time.

[mariora.livejournal.com]

I'm going to second this suggestion.

Piercing guns are ub de debil.

[fiberaddict.livejournal.com]

Oooh - thanks!

Crystal is a licensed (and that still looks misspelled) cosmotologist (again with the spelling! I need a break...) and piercing artist - she told MIL that she will do it right...

No gold/silver studs; she uses "real" earrings - Herself wants diamonds. *snerk* Faux diamonds, please. *g* - and while she glossed over the details, what was relayed to me sounded like a lot more involved than a gun.

We're going to Crystal because she and Herself have a very good relationship - and that's important with Herself's tendancies.

oh - and thanks for the Softsoap info! I'm allergic to peroxide, which was recommended when I got my ears done back in the dark ages. We ended up using Bactine (the peroxide gave me a lovely cause of crud...I thought my ears were going to fall off!)...but I'll definately try the soap route with her!

[apis-mellifera.livejournal.com]

I go to one of the top piercing studios on the East Coast and they absolutely recommend antibacterial soap for cleaning, as well as warm saltwater soaks to help with crusty removal (just make sure it's non-iodized salt, like kosher salt).

I'm glad she's going to someone who isn't a 16 year old working at the Claire's at the mall. And while I am a big advocate of non-gun piercing, I got all my earlobe piercings done with guns (before I knew better) and they healed fine. I suspect that if I had had a bad experience, I would be more of a zealot about it. I just think people need to be informed of the risks involved with body modifications and go to a qualified practitioner.

[mantofev.livejournal.com]

it doesn't really hurt, but it is surprising. make sure you tell her that the gun will make a noise in her ear, and to be prepared for it. that's the worse part.

[fiberaddict.livejournal.com]

We've covered that....but (see above) she may not get the gun. She's OK if she knows what's gonna happen...and if she doesn't get too much lead time.

More ear piercing stuff...

[(Anonymous)]

Piercing guns are bad, very bad. After having my ears pierced 11 times (not all in the same two holes, but 11 different places), and having worked in heme-onc, I'm gonna tell you something pretty gross that you might already know. Piercing guns are dangerous, and instead of a gun I would recommend a professional licensed body piercer and a needle.

Here's just one relevant article, there are hundreds more:
http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/20050131.html

Needle is the best, professional piercer with a state health license, many many pairs of gloves, and a room that reminds you of a doctor's office. Best way to go, and it hurts *less* than a gun. I do know this from experience :-)

Kae

Re: More ear piercing stuff...

[fiberaddict.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Kae - 11 times?? Wow.

And here I was feeling daring by thinking of getting mine done for the 2nd time. *g*

Re: More ear piercing stuff...

[gypsybaby1.livejournal.com]

huh... and here I am, a five time willing victim of the piercing gun and not one issue with sanitation, crud, infections or otherwise..

V, all advice and good intentions aside, as long as you trust Crystal to do right by Herself, then that's all that matters - whether or not she uses a gun and bactine, or a needle and surgical sterilization.

After all, it's an earring, not major surgery.

Re: More ear piercing stuff...

[fiberaddict.livejournal.com]

Thing is, I DO trust Crystal - more importantly, Herself trusts her. With all the shit my poor child has gone thru, that's major.

Hell, Crystal could advocate hanging her by her toes and using fishhooks to pierce her ears, and I'd go along with it, just because she'll do it right, safely, and won't tramatize the child more than she's already been tramatized.

...ok, so maybe I'd question the fishhooks.......*eg*