Body Piercings for Teenagers - a Guide for Parents

Body piercings are very popular with young adults and teenagers, but few parents are happy to hear that their teenager wants to have their tongue or belly pierced. Years ago, earlobe piercings were considered risqué for young women, hence all young ladies wanted their ears pierced. Many resorted to piercing their own ears or having a friend do the piercing with an ice cube and needle. Todays piercings are no different. A teenager who does not receive a reasonable explanation why they cannot have a body piercing, may have a friend do the piercing, which, in certain areas, may be very dangerous.

Most body piercing shops will do body piercings on teenagers if a parent or guardian is present and signs a release. A birth certificate may be required, check before you go. Teenagers heal quickly and if your teenager is responsible enough to properly care for a new piercing, it is as safe as getting an earlobe piercing.

If you, as a parent, have no moral objections to body piercing, your teenager's request is worth considering. Why do they want the piercing? Because all their friends have one is a common, but poor reason, to get a body piercing. However, piercings are not permanent, like tattoos, the jewelry can be removed and the hole will close.

Choosing a safe body piercing studio is the first step in helping your teenager get a piercing if you decide they are mature enough. The shop should be very clean and well lit. The piercer should be wearing gloves and using brand new or sterilized needles only. For teenagers, piercers should ask the teen if they understand the process and what will be required afterwards. Some places on the body, like the belly, take much longer to heal than the tongue. For example, your daughter should realize they cannot wear fancy, dangling belly rings for 6 months after a belly piercing. It takes that long to heal.

A body piercing professional will use a hollow needle to create a hole in the body part your teenager wants pierced. The shaft of the body jewelry is then inserted through the hole in the needle, then the needle is removed. The piercer will then screw the balls onto the threaded ends of the jewelry. A piercing gun is never, ever used. They cannot be sterilized in an autoclave and they shouldn't even be used on earlobes. There may be a small amount of bleeding. Swelling occurs, especially in tongue piercings. Sometimes a longer barbell is used to allow for swelling and your teen may be required to come back in a week and have smaller jewelry inserted, once the swelling goes down.

There are two costs involved, the jewelry and the actual piercing. You buy the jewelry at the piercing shop to insure that the highest quality metal is used. Cheap body jewelry causes infections and rejection, few reputable piercers will let you bring your own jewelry.

All after care instructions should be clearly explained, and you should receive a written copy. After care usually involves careful cleansing with antibacterial soap or a saline soak. Most piercings done in a sterile environment and properly cared for afterwards do not get infected.

If your teen wants a piercing, and you have no objections, why not? Maybe a discount is offered and you could get your belly pierced along with your daughters. What a great bonding experience!