Ear Piercing

We are happy to offer this service to our patients.

Ear piercing is a rite of passage for many children and teens. But far too many young people get their ears pierced at malls or even do it themselves, with disastrous results. Instead of risking infections, uneven piercings, or other problems, you can trust the team at Valley of the Sun Pediatrics for professional ear piercing. The team expertly performs ear piercing in a safe, protected environment.

We recommend ear piercing occur after 3 months old. Waiting until children are 3 months old ensures that they have had their first set of vaccines and allows the ear to grow big enough to allow for accurate placing of the earing. We want to make sure that this elective procedure carries as little risk to your child as possible.


We do ear piercing by appointment only and not as an "add-on" to another sick or well visit. This allows enough time to perform the procedure, explain and answer questions about the aftercare.

Ear Piercing Q&A

  • How is medical ear piercing better than ear piercing at the mall?

    At a store or kiosk at the mall where ear piercings are performed, the employees generally have a bare minimum of training and experience. Often, the safety and cleaning protocols are lacking, which could potentially leave your child vulnerable to germs and infections. Our doctors use a professional ear piercing kit that has less allergy risk.


    Ear piercing involves creating a controlled skin puncture, and only a medical professional should do that. At Valley of the Sun Pediatrics, your child’s care providers are highly trained practitioners who expertly and safely perform piercings to give your child the results they want. 

  • Can my child bring their own earrings?

    No. Your child’s doctor uses sterilized, pre-loaded earrings to give them the safest ear piercing possible. Not to worry, your child can wear any earrings they like as soon as their ears are healed — usually around the six-week mark. 

  • How do you take care of your ears after piercing?

    After ear piercing, you will receive detailed aftercare instructions. It's important to follow these guidelines closely to avoid problems while healing. 


    Generally, instructions include leaving the new earrings in at all times for a minimum of six weeks, as removal could allow the hole to close. Typically, this also includes turning the earrings twice a day, which helps keep the holes in place. 


    Your child should wash their ears every day using soap and water.


    Your child’s provider may recommend dabbing alcohol gently on their ears, around the piercings, every day. A thin coating of Neosporin can maintain moisture and prevent scabs. 

  • What are the signs of infection after ear piercing?

    If your child doesn’t take good care of their ears after piercing, they could develop an infection. The symptoms of an infection include redness, puffiness, pain, and pus discharge. Please contact us right away if any of these symptoms occur.