Looking for a Safe and Reputable Ear Piercing Service.

Hi -

You would be safe to stay away from the mall locations, although I am sure they are safer and cleaner than they're given credit for. I just think that likely most of the girls working in the malls shops are too young to do a professional job.

Many doctors' offices offer hygenic piercing with professional "guns". The group practice where I take my son is Lifetime Medical Associates in the city near United Center. They do offer piercing there - not sure how much they charge. The number is ###-###-####.

Don't sweat being "too old and conservative" if you want to go to a piercing studio. Many of the professional piercers are people well into middle age and they won't judge if you don't judge them. They usually get a kick out of people trying something new. This is truly a great option because (in Chicago anyway) they must be licensed which means they are clean and professional, and have something to lose if they aren't. Wherever you end up make sure the technician is wearing fresh latex gloves, cleans the lobes thoroughly, and be sure you see a fresh needle come from a sterile package.

Hope that helps - good luck.

A.

Hi D.,

My one daughter was 6 mos. and the other was 2 when I took them to Piercing Pergoda in Lincoln Mall, in Matteson. I know they have one in Orland Square. I definately would not try Claire's Boutique!!!

ask a physician if he or she can recommend a doctor who can provide the service for you. i got my ears pierced by a doctor and have had no problems. good luck in your search

I used to work at the mall piercing ears. When i first started they had me practice on cardboard ears...and then just threw me into piercing real ears! I was only 17 at the time. Although, i got really good at it... i would never take my daughter to get her ears pierced at a mall- just because i know how they train the employees. I would suggest going to a tattoo parlor. If its a good parlor...they have to be licensed and go through actual training before they are allowed to pierce. Most of them practice on each other before they pierce clients. The only one that I know about is The Chicago Tattoo Factory on 4441 North Broadway. They were very nice. Here's the website http://www.tattoofactory.com/