Family portrait / studio photography
Platinum Point/Children's Piercing
Parnell — Auckland

Children's
ear piercing

A first piercing done properly: needle technique, implant-grade titanium, and the same clinical standard as every other service we offer.

Book for Your Child Why We Use Needles
Our approach

A first piercing deserves a proper one

We pierce children the way we pierce everyone — with a sterile, single-use needle, implant-grade titanium, and the time it takes to do it properly. No gun. No stud gun. No exceptions for age.

Our studio is quiet and appointment-only. Children walk into a calm space, meet their piercer before anything happens, and sit through a short explanation of what to expect. Parents are with them throughout.

Children from age six upwards are welcome for earlobes. We ask that your child be able to sit still briefly and communicate how they feel. If they're not ready, we'll say so — and you can come back when they are.

The standard

Three reasons we use needles

01
Cleaner wound
A needle creates a smooth, open channel through the tissue. A gun forces a blunt stud through, tearing cartilage and soft tissue — leading to more swelling, longer healing, and higher infection risk.
02
Sterile single-use
Our needle is opened in front of you, used once, and disposed of in a clinical sharps bin. Piercing guns cannot be autoclaved — the plastic components harbour blood-borne pathogens between uses.
03
Proper jewellery
Gun studs are a pre-packaged one-size-fits-all piece. We fit implant-grade titanium sized to your child's lobe, with enough clearance for healing. No exceptions.
What the appointment looks like

A first visit, step by step

  • Arrival5 minutes

    Quiet welcome, no waiting

    We run by appointment so there is no waiting room, no noise, no rush. Your child meets their piercer before anything else happens.

  • Explanation10 minutes

    We show them the tools

    The needle and the jewellery — everything they'll see during the piercing. We answer any questions they have before we proceed.

  • Marking5 minutes

    Placement, confirmed twice

    We mark both lobes, then show your child (and you) in a mirror. We re-mark if needed. Nothing happens until everyone is happy with placement.

  • Piercing2 minutes

    Both lobes, back-to-back

    We pierce both lobes in quick succession. It is fast — faster than most children expect. Many find themselves more surprised than upset.

  • Aftercare10 minutes

    Full briefing for you

    We walk through the daily rinse, sleep positioning, what's normal and what's not. You leave with a small written guide.

Be informed

What's wrong with a piercing gun

We say this plainly because parents deserve to know. The claim that guns are "safer for kids" is marketing, not medicine.

Every major professional piercing association in the world advises against piercing guns — including the Association of Professional Piercers and the UK Centre for Professional Piercing.

  • ×
    Cannot be sterilised
    Piercing guns are plastic-bodied and cannot be autoclaved between uses. Blood residue persists.
  • ×
    Blunt, not sharp
    A gun stud is blunt — it punches tissue, rather than cleanly severing it like a needle.
  • ×
    Low-grade jewellery
    Gun studs are rarely implant-grade. Nickel content is common — a frequent cause of contact allergy in children.
  • ×
    Poor post length
    One-size-fits-all studs sit too tight on most children's lobes, trapping fluid and driving infection.
  • ×
    Untrained operators
    Most gun operators receive minutes of training. Our piercers hold advanced industry certification.
    • How do you keep my child calm?

    We explain everything in plain, child-friendly terms before anything happens, let them ask questions, and set the pace by them — not the clock. A parent stays beside them the whole time. The calm, unhurried setting does most of the work.

    What if they want to stop partway through?

    Then we stop. There's no pressure and no rush — your child is in control. If we've pierced one lobe and they aren't ready for the second, that's completely fine; you're only charged for what's done.

    Is the studio suitable for a child?

    Yes — it's calm, clean and private, closer to a clinic than a mall kiosk. Because it's by appointment there's no queue and no audience: your child has our full attention in a quiet, unintimidating space.

Age & readiness

When is the right time?

Rather than a single age rule, we look at readiness. Every child develops differently — what matters is that the piercing is their choice, that they can sit still for two minutes, and that they can follow basic aftercare with a parent's help.

We don't pierce infants. If you're considering a very young child, come in and talk to us — we will always be honest about whether we think it's the right moment.

Ages 0–5
We don't pierce this age group. A child needs to be able to consent, sit still, and participate in their aftercare — abilities that vary widely under six.
Ages 6–10
Lobes only, with a parent present throughout. We'll have a short conversation with your child before we proceed to ensure this is their choice.
Ages 11–15
Lobes and lower cartilage considered case by case. Written parental consent required. A parent or guardian must be present.
Ages 16+
Full service available. Parental presence no longer required, though written consent still recommended for under-18s on structural placements.
Common questions

What parents ask us

    Will it hurt my child?

    Less than they expect. Because the needle is sharp and single-use, the moment is brief — most children are more surprised than distressed. We won't pretend there's no sensation, but a gun stud hurts noticeably more.

    What if my child can't sit still?

    We will not pierce a child who can't sit still. It's a safety issue. If it becomes clear on the day, we simply stop, refund the piercing fee, and invite you back when they're ready.

    Can both ears be done together?

    Yes, and we almost always do. We mark and pierce both lobes in quick succession — the whole experience is over before most children have time to worry about the second one.

    What aftercare do children need?

    A daily rinse under warm running water, hands washed before touching, no pool swimming for six weeks, and gentle hair-management to avoid snags. We walk you through all of it, and you can text us with any questions during healing.

    Do I need to bring anything?

    Photo ID for yourself, and written consent if you're a legal guardian but not the parent. Your child should arrive fed and hydrated — not on an empty stomach.

    What jewellery is used?

    Implant-grade titanium flat-back studs, sized specifically to your child's lobe. No nickel, no plated gold, no costume metals. Safe for sensitive skin.

Book

Book your child's first piercing

All children's appointments are scheduled for 45 minutes so nothing is rushed. A parent or legal guardian must attend with photo ID.

Book Appointment View Pricing
Practical
Price
$170 per lobe — includes titanium starter studs
Length
45 minutes
Age
Lobes from age 6. Cartilage from age 11, case by case.
Required
A parent or legal guardian present, with photo ID