Dear PLS,
People are afraid of lots of things – rollercoasters, snakes, spiders – but I’m afraid of getting my ears pierced. All my friends have pierced ears and they look great. I really want them, too, but I shiver and shake every time I head toward the Ear Piercing Hut in the mall. I’m worried it will hurt and that I’ll cry in front of everyone there!

Signed,
Ears Without Earrings

Dear Ears,
The good news is that pierced earrings aren’t a must. You can get by very nicely with earringless earlobes. But if you really want them, we encourage you to be brave. Take a friend along (or your mom, sister, or aunt) and make her promise to hold your hand during the piercing.

It’s true that getting your ears pierced does hurt for a bit. But most girls find that the pain doesn’t last long. Just be sure to go to a shop that’s careful with this procedure. Ask if they use a single-use gun (sorry to use the word “gun” when you’re already nervous). That means that they don’t use the equipment on anyone but you, so it’s more likely to be clean and germ-free. Good luck!

Think Pink!
The PLS

More about pierced ears on KidsHealth.org