Welcome to Pediatrics of Sugar Land! Located in the vibrant communities of Sugar Land and Houston, we are thrilled to offer specialized ear piercing services designed to meet the needs of infants and children. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals ensures that your child’s ear piercing experience is both gentle and hygienic. In this Q&A, we’ll cover all aspects of our service.
Why Choose Our Ear Piercing Services?
Q: What sets Pediatrics of Sugar Land apart from other ear piercing places?
A: At Pediatrics of Sugar Land, we utilize the Blomdahl Ear Piercing system, a medical-grade system available exclusively through medical professionals. Our earrings are specially designed for optimal healing and housed in single-use sterile cassettes, significantly reducing the risk of infection and disease transmission. All materials used are medical-grade plastics and titanium, which are suitable for those with nickel and other contact allergies.
Are There Age Restrictions?
Q: What are the age restrictions for ear piercing at your clinic?
A: We offer ear piercing services for infants aged 2 months to 12 months and for children 5 years of age and older. This ensures that infants have received their first set of vaccines, including the DTaP, and allows for accurate placement of the earrings. After 12 months, children tend to be more active, making the procedure more difficult and increasing the risk of infection due to them picking at the earrings.
For children over 5 years of age, it’s important that the child has expressed interest in getting their ears pierced and that the parent/guardian has agreed. The child needs to be able to sit still during the procedure and participate in responsible aftercare to ensure a good outcome.
How Much Does It Cost?
Q: How much does the ear piercing procedure cost?
A: The entire procedure costs $100. This price includes the piercing studs, prescription strength numbing cream, the ear-piercing procedure, and all aftercare supplies. As this is a cosmetic procedure, it is not covered by insurance, and full payment is due upon check-in for your ear piercing appointment.
Do I Need an Appointment?
Q: Do I need to make an appointment for ear piercing?
A: Yes, ear piercing at Pediatrics of Sugar Land is done only during dedicated appointments focused solely on ear piercing. This allows us to answer all your questions, discuss aftercare, and perform the procedure without any rush. You can set up an appointment by visiting our website or calling our clinic.
Where Do We Pierce?
Q: Which areas do you pierce?
A: We only pierce earlobes. We do not offer piercing for ear cartilage, noses, or belly buttons due to the increased risk of complications. These areas have poor blood supply, which raises the likelihood of infection.
What Are the Risks?
Q: What are the risks associated with ear piercing?
A: Any time the skin is broken, there is a risk of infection. However, we significantly reduce this risk by using sterile techniques and single-use piercing cassettes. We provide specific aftercare instructions to further minimize any risks. The pain is brief, comparable to getting a vaccine, and we can use numbing cream to ease any discomfort.
Keloids, or large raised scars, can also occur. They are more likely in individuals with dark skin pigmentation or those with a family history of keloids. The risk of keloids increases significantly when piercings are done after the age of 10.
How Should We Care for Earlobes After Piercing?
Q: What is the best way to care for newly pierced earlobes?
A: We provide all necessary aftercare supplies and instructions when you leave our office. Here are a few key aftercare tips:
- Always wash hands before touching the earlobes.
- Use the sterile swabs provided to clean the piercings for the first few weeks.
- Avoid swimming as long as possible to reduce the risk of contamination and irritation.
When Is Swimming Okay?
Q: When can we go swimming after getting ears pierced?
A: We recommend avoiding swimming as long as possible after piercing. Chlorine in pools and bacteria in non-chlorinated waters can irritate or contaminate the wound and delay healing.
How Long Should We Wait Before Changing Out the Earrings?
Q: How long should we wait before changing the earrings?
A: It’s best to leave the piercing studs in for 6 weeks because they are slightly thicker than standard earrings. Over time, the piercing holes contract, making the switch to other earrings easier and reducing the risk of re-injury.
Avoid hanging or heavy earrings for at least 6 months after a new piercing to prevent pulling on the hole and creating a larger or elongated hole. The Blomdahl piercing studs we use are designed to facilitate this transition and are thicker (1.3 mm) than standard earring posts (1.0 mm), which helps reduce the risk of infection when changing earrings.
Why Is Ear Piercing with Blomdahl Safe?
Q: What makes ear piercing with Blomdahl safe?
A: Medical ear piercing with Blomdahl employs “modern aseptic technique” and sterile disposable products to avoid infection. Our earrings, developed in consultation with skin specialists, are suitable even for those with allergies. You can choose between medical-grade plastic and titanium earrings designed to facilitate the healing process. Our quality-assured manufacturing takes place in Halmstad, Sweden, ensuring full control and traceability over all production stages.
For additional details or to book an appointment, please contact Pediatrics of Sugar Land. We look forward to providing a safe and enjoyable ear piercing experience for your child!