Nose piercing - How young is too young?

[douladot]

Ladies - this is a quick "poll". My 16 y/o went with friends last night to get her nose pierced and when she called later I asked her how it went and she said the shop owners wouldn't let her and some of her friends do it because they were 16 and needed parental consent, which I completely understand. Here is my dilemma ... I was thinking about going with her today and letting her get it done, but also I was going to get it done with her. AND -- here is my question.....is letting my 10 y/o get hers done completely wrong (I know if I told her she could she would do it in a heartbeat)???? I know it would be one of those mom/daughter bonding moments that would be priceless, and I am all about creating bonding moments. I am hoping I won't get too flamed for this question....I know some people think it is completely wrong to get piercings and tattoos and I think a tattoo is a much more permanent thing than a piercing....and I have an ankle tattoo as well. I know my ex-husband would totally freak and I probably need to be considerate of his feelings on this....(shouldn't I ??)....okay so any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!! Is 10 y/o too young? I have told her that she can't have her ears pierced at this point because it is a huge responsibility to keep up with the earrings, cleaning, etc...and until she can keep her room clean without having to be hounded then she isn't ready for earrings...but a nose stud is a lot less responsibility than earrings....so let me have it ladies...what do you think??? Oh, and I am planning on leaving this morning and doing this..or not...so get me your answers quick!!! Thanks!

[doula Michele]

What ever works..and whatever you feel comfortable with
I would.
I also signed the permission form for my 16 year old to get a tattoo.
To me its no worse than ears, and I had Shoshannas's pierced at 3 months, and she got a second hole at about 8. She says she would pierce her babies ears that young also.

I want my nose pierced too... good for you!

[AmandaB]

So long as it isn't too late ....

I would have to say yes, 10yrs old is too young for a nose piercing. I was 19 when I had mine done, and thankfully no problems (the same stud has been in for almost 9yrs). I have very sensitive skin and have to be careful what kind of metals I put into my body (only 14+gold and silver).

I thik a nose piercing is something "grownup", I had a lot of comments after I did it and some not so positive. She is still a little girl and loves to play and horse around, I'm sure. Why would you want to risk infection or possible reconstructive surgery because she got it caught or dirty? I wouldn't have even dreamed of a body piercing at 10, I did however get my ears done, because my surgeries (ear reconstruction, long story) were done and it was a celebration of a long journey. I would have to advise no on this one Dottie. But good luck with your 16yo, make sure that they do it with a needle, not the gun ... no one wants to walk around with a butterfly (back of an earring) in their nose for 6+wks. Mine was done by a piercer with a solid piece of metal with a flat edge on the top (it rest on my outside nostril), she twisted it the shaft into a corkscrew and that was that. Please make sure you ask for a tour, and ask the questions ... certified body artist, cleaning and disposal of instruments, care package? It is really important that you are comfortable with the place and that everything is on the up and up. Ok, I am done now! LOL. Enjoy your bonding day.

[douladot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amandoula1980 So long as it isn't too late .... I would have to say yes, 10yrs old is too young for a nose piercing. I was 19 when I had mine done, and thankfully no problems (the same stud has been in for almost 9yrs). I have very sensitive skin and have to be careful what kind of metals I put into my body (only 14+gold and silver). I thik a nose piercing is something "grownup", I had a lot of comments after I did it and some not so positive. She is still a little girl and loves to play and horse around, I'm sure. Why would you want to risk infection or possible reconstructive surgery because she got it caught or dirty? I wouldn't have even dreamed of a body piercing at 10, I did however get my ears done, because my surgeries (ear reconstruction, long story) were done and it was a celebration of a long journey. I would have to advise no on this one Dottie. But good luck with your 16yo, make sure that they do it with a needle, not the gun ... no one wants to walk around with a butterfly (back of an earring) in their nose for 6+wks. Mine was done by a piercer with a solid piece of metal with a flat edge on the top (it rest on my outside nostril), she twisted it the shaft into a corkscrew and that was that. Please make sure you ask for a tour, and ask the questions ... certified body artist, cleaning and disposal of instruments, care package? It is really important that you are comfortable with the place and that everything is on the up and up. Ok, I am done now! LOL. Enjoy your bonding day.

Thank you Amanda -- and it is not too late...I have already done research this morning on the puter and decided I would not get my 10 y/o done and would make sure they didn't use the gun for me or my 16 y/o because of health issues....so, thank you for your opinion...it was greatly appreciated!!

[doula Michele]

I think it totally depends on the kid. If she is ruff and tumble tom boy..may not be the right time. But if she is a girly girl and YOU think she can handle it then it may be ok.

You would not believe how many rude comments I got... people asking me what kind of a parent was I? from the time I pierced her ears as a young child until she was 16 with a tattoo.
What do ya do.. people always like to poke their nose in everyone elses business I guess.

Let us know what you decide...and post us pics!

[Jilian]

I like tattoos and piercings but I think 10 is too young. A nose ring requires more care than an earring. A nose should never be pierced with a gun and I'd be woried about going to a place that used a gun for nose piercings. Noses should be pierced with piercing needles in a piercing shop (not a mall). They are pierced with a small loop and that loop needs to be rotated regularly and cleaned regularly for the first few months to prevent scarring and rejecting.

IMO, a 10 year old is not old enough to know what she really wants. She may just want the piercing because her mother or sister have it. She may change her mind shortly after and not want it. Yeah it can be removed once it is done, but many piercings leave a small mark after they are removed (I have a few of my own).

But I do think your cool for letting your 16 yr old get a piercing. 16 is old enough to be able to make and take responsibility for your own choices. I think you're teaching her a valuable lesson.

[Lindsay]

I'd probably let the 16 year old do it, but not the 10 year old. A nose stud can get difficult to care for (I've seen responsible adults have difficulty with theirs), not unlike earrings.

And we'll need pics of yours when you get it done, too! I've wanted one for ages, but I have this annoying combo of being too lazy to go do it, and I have little kids that like to play with my face.

[fearlessbirth]

How fun, Dottie! I agree with most of what others said. I got my nose pierced 8 years ago and the care is such a pain in the butt! And then if I accidentally 'bump' it or something it gets red...I can't imagine being 10 with a nose ring. I would have taken that thing out not long afterwards.

Silly as it sounds, if she wants to try it out they sell those magnetic body jewels. I used to be funny when I was little and try them out all over...my ear cartilage, my lips, nose, etc.

And ditto again on the no gun. Good luck! Let us know how it goes....maybe your little one could get an extra earring hole or something...something to make her feel part of the day but not as drastic as a nose piercing.

[doula Michele]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth How fun, Dottie! I agree with most of what others said. I got my nose pierced 8 years ago and the care is such a pain in the butt! And then if I accidentally 'bump' it or something it gets red...I can't imagine being 10 with a nose ring. I would have taken that thing out not long afterwards. Silly as it sounds, if she wants to try it out they sell those magnetic body jewels. I used to be funny when I was little and try them out all over...my ear cartilage, my lips, nose, etc. And ditto again on the no gun. Good luck! Let us know how it goes....maybe your little one could get an extra earring hole or something...something to make her feel part of the day but not as drastic as a nose piercing.

Good idea on th extra ear hole... and those magnetic rings too.. my daughter wore on of those in her nose when she was about 10. More so to shock her grandfather. It worked.

[fearlessbirth]

Ha ha ha..between you and I, I did it to piss my dad off. LOL

[Luv2bemommy]

I wouldn't let my 10 yr old get her nose pierced. It sounds a lil weird to me. LOL What if she gets to be 13 and doesn't like it anymore? At that age they change their minds so fast you just don't know. I would wait at least until 16.

[b'earth angel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by douladot Ladies - this is a quick "poll". My 16 y/o went with friends last night to get her nose pierced and when she called later I asked her how it went and she said the shop owners wouldn't let her and some of her friends do it because they were 16 and needed parental consent, which I completely understand. Here is my dilemma ... I was thinking about going with her today and letting her get it done, but also I was going to get it done with her. AND -- here is my question.....is letting my 10 y/o get hers done completely wrong (I know if I told her she could she would do it in a heartbeat)???? I know it would be one of those mom/daughter bonding moments that would be priceless, and I am all about creating bonding moments. I am hoping I won't get too flamed for this question....I know some people think it is completely wrong to get piercings and tattoos and I think a tattoo is a much more permanent thing than a piercing....and I have an ankle tattoo as well. I know my ex-husband would totally freak and I probably need to be considerate of his feelings on this....(shouldn't I ??)....okay so any opinions would be greatly appreciated!!! Is 10 y/o too young? I have told her that she can't have her ears pierced at this point because it is a huge responsibility to keep up with the earrings, cleaning, etc...and until she can keep her room clean without having to be hounded then she isn't ready for earrings...but a nose stud is a lot less responsibility than earrings....so let me have it ladies...what do you think??? Oh, and I am planning on leaving this morning and doing this..or not...so get me your answers quick!!! Thanks!

I would think that a hole in your nose would be much more responsibility than earrings. We are talking bout mucus membranes here.
I realize that you have made you decision already, but thought I'd throw this at ya anyway!
My concern would be "why" does she want it? Is it just the fad thing? Or is there another reason. Is her opinion going to change in a few years? I have multiple piercings in my ears, from a young age. And I have 'come and gone' on my opinion of them. If I had it all to do again, I think that I would have either just had one hole in each ear or no piercings at all.
I have chose not to pierce my dd's ears. That will be her decision when she is mature enough to realize what she is doing. (Piercings and tattoos are permanent. Holes don't always grow shut w/out use, mine haven't.) I'm not going to put an age on it yet. Some kids are far more mature at 12 than others are at 16, KWIM?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2bemommy I wouldn't let my 10 yr old get her nose pierced. It sounds a lil weird to me. LOL What if she gets to be 13 and doesn't like it anymore? At that age they change their minds so fast you just don't know. I would wait at least until 16.

But on the other hand, a permanant hole in your nose could be a wonderful teaching opportunity on the permanence of some decisions we make in life. (ie. sex, drug use, etc.) So it could be a good thing for the right child/parent. HTH.

[douladot]

Well -- just my 16 y/o and I went and did it and it was great! A great mom/daughter bonding opportunity!! I didn't even mention it to my 10 y/o and I thought about it and decided she is too young to handle it right now!! I will post a picture with this if I can figure it out...lol!! Let me know what you think ~~ now be honest as I know you all can!! LOL

[doula Michele]

Very cool... I am so jealous. But i think my daughter and i are gonna do it. Just need to convince my hubby thats its sexy. He ain't so fond of them.

[scarborogal]

They look great! My daughter is only two so it isn't an issue in that respect but I wonder sometimes about myself. I wonder what hubby would say? I know my dad would have a stroke and I'm 36yrs old.

Good for you!

Cheers,
K.