Age-Based Requirements, Minor Consent Policy, and Toddler Disclaimer
Below you will find our age-based requirements, our general consent policy for minors, and the toddler piercing disclaimer.
It is especially important to read the toddler disclaimer if you are considering piercing a child ages 11 months to 3 years, as this age group is generally not recommended for piercing due to potential complications that can arise during the piercing process or throughout healing.
Age Requirements & Guidelines
For anyone 17 years and under, a parent or legal guardian must complete the waiver and attend the appointment. Friends, siblings, or other relatives may be present during the appointment, but they cannot provide parental consent for a piercing.
Regarding numbing: anyone 17 years or younger must have pediatrician approval for us to apply numbing cream. We use a 5% topical lidocaine cream, and pediatrician approval is required because some children may have adverse reactions to the numbing cream.
If you have your own numbing cream at home, you are free to apply it at your own discretion. However, without pediatrician approval, we cannot apply any numbing cream to minors in our care.
General Consent Policy for Children
We will never pierce a child against their will. If a child tells us at any point that they do not want to be pierced, we will stop immediately. We do not allow children to be forcibly held down, restrained, or pinned in order to complete a piercing.
Feeling nervous is completely normal, and we are always patient and gentle. However, we will not traumatize a child by proceeding with a piercing they do not want. Please ensure your child genuinely wants to be pierced before booking an appointment.
If, upon arrival at your at-home appointment, your child decides they do not want to be pierced, you will still be responsible for the at-home piercing visit fee. You will not be charged for jewelry unless it has already been opened.
Jewelry is opened only after final confirmation and immediately before piercing. Once opened, jewelry is no longer sterile and cannot be reused or returned to our studio. If jewelry has been opened, it must be purchased regardless of whether the piercing is completed.
If you are unsure whether your child will feel comfortable being pierced, we recommend booking an in-studio appointment on one of our piercing days instead. For in-studio appointments, there is no fee if a child decides not to proceed during the appointment, as long as the jewelry has not been opened.
Toddler Piercing Policy & Disclaimer
While we have successfully pierced many toddlers over the past 21 years, there are situations where we may need to refuse or stop a piercing if a child is resistant or becomes overly distressed. Our priority is always a safe, calm, and positive experience, never one that causes fear or trauma.
We generally recommend either piercing infants 6 months and under, or waiting until a child is old enough to express interest in being pierced and assist with proper aftercare. Toddlers are often very active, which increases the risk of earrings being accidentally pulled out, interference with healing, or trauma to the piercing. These risks can lead to irritation, bumps, or infection.
Children in this age group are more aware, and we do not allow toddlers to be restrained during the piercing process. Our staff will comfort, distract, and guide the child, but the child must be able to sit relatively still so the piercer can safely mark placement and perform the piercing without excessive distress. If at any point the child is not allowing the piercing to proceed safely, we will stop.
If earrings are pulled out after the piercing, new jewelry must be purchased for any re-piercing.
If pediatrician approval is obtained for numbing (which is required), please note that we do not recommend full numbing for toddlers. If numbing cream is rubbed off, it must be completely removed, as it is intended for the ears only. The child must remain relatively still for approximately 20 minutes, and numbing cannot be reapplied once removed.
By booking a toddler piercing appointment, you acknowledge and agree to these guidelines and understand that the piercer’s decision is final and based solely on the child’s safety and well-being.
