At 13, you can typically get ear piercings (lobes, helix, conch) and nostril, septum, or belly button piercings with parental consent, though specific laws and studio policies vary by location; facial piercings like eyebrow/lip and oral piercings (tongue, labret) often require 16+, while genital/nipple piercings are usually 18+. Always check local laws and call your chosen studio beforehand, bringing a parent and required ID.
Cartilage (including nostril) and septum piercings are performed on qualified minors aged 13+. Navel, eyebrow, bridge, and industrial piercings are performed on qualified minors aged 16+. In order to pierce a minor we will need their ID, showing their photo and name, as well as that of the adult signing for them.
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.
Technically - it's assault, as a person under 18 cannot legally agree to the procedure on their own merit. However - there are plenty of kids with piercings (usually ears) - that have had them done with the consent of a parent/guardian.
Most studios set a minimum age of 13 or 14, with parental consent for under 16s. Facial and body piercings: These include nostril, eyebrow, navel, and lip piercings. Many studios require clients to be 16 or over with ID, or younger only with parental consent. Tongue and genital piercings: Strictly 18 and over.
We are insured to perform Earlobe, Helix (Cartilage), Tragus, Conch, Rook, Daith, Single Forward Helix, Eyebrow, Nostril and Navel piercings on minors that are 13 years of age or older. Minors must have a parent present.
Reasons People Get Belly Button Piercings
The study showed that the most common motivation was increased physical attractiveness; this represents 27.3% of all responses. Some of the other reasons for getting navel piercings include: Rebelliousness.
In order for a minor to get a piercing, they must have proper parental consent. This means that a parent must be present and must bring a copy of the minor's birth certificate and photo ID for both themselves and the minor. They will also have to fill out and sign paperwork in the shop.
Safest Piercings
Along with the nostrils and belly button, the earlobes are the safest and most common body part to be pierced. The flesh of the earlobe heals well when the area is cleaned regularly and the piercing is done at the proper angle.
If the measurement you take is approximately 1.0mm, then you wear 18 gauge; if the measurement is approximately 1.2mm, then you wear 16 gauge; and if the measurement is approximately 1.6mm, then you wear 14 gauge.
A nose piercing typically ranks around a 4-7 out of 10 on the pain scale, varying by person and location; nostril piercings are often a quick, sharp pinch (around 4-6/10), while septum piercings can feel intense but brief (around 6-7/10), especially if the cartilage is thick, though it's generally considered manageable and quick to heal.
However, even if you're brave and want to do a whole bunch of piercings at once, it's recommended that you don't get more than three at a time so you don't overwhelm your body during the healing process.
The top five most painful piercings often cited include the Industrial, Rook, Snug, Industrial, and sometimes genital piercings or dermal piercings, with ear cartilage piercings (especially those through thick cartilage like the Snug or Rook) frequently ranking high due to nerve endings and thickness, while genital piercings are considered extremely painful by many. Pain is subjective, but cartilage piercings like the Rook, Industrial, and Snug are consistently ranked high, sometimes reaching a 9/10 on pain scales.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says there's little risk at any age if the piercing is performed carefully and cared for thoroughly. But the AAP does recommend waiting until a child is old enough to take care of the piercing themselves.
If you're under 18, you can still get your nostril or septum pierced with parental or legal guardian consent, but there are specific rules. Both you and your parent/guardian need valid photo ID, and in most cases, the last names need to match, unless you've got legal paperwork proving guardianship.
Unlike standard lobe piercings, which take 12-18 weeks to heal, a belly button piercing can take 9-12 months.
The 'anxiety piercing' is technically called a 'daith piercing'. Unlike the more common ear piercings that go through the fleshy lobe part of the ear, this piercing goes through the thick cartilage fold where the inner part of the ear meets the outer part.
Most Painful Piercings from Mild to Wild
Places like Claire's do not have the same level of hygiene practices in place. This means that there are no protocols to ensure clean hands and clean equipment. Things like unsterilized equipment and unwashed hands can lead to a higher risk of infection and other complications.
Piercings for Minors
Depending on the person, a tongue piercing can be a 3-4 on a pain scale or 10. Why? Because the tongue is a sensory organ with lots of nerve endings, muscles, and blood vessels and you're sticking a needle through those, Ouch.
How old do I have to be for a Navel Piercing? From 13 years of age, you can get a piercing with parental consent. Don't have that consent? You have to wait until you're 16.
A "Cinderella piercing" isn't a standard piercing name, but it likely refers to a Christina piercing, a decorative genital piercing at the top of the vulva where the labia meet the mons pubis, or potentially a second earlobe piercing, used to create an "earring stack" with a first piercing, popular in cultures like India. In both contexts, the "Cinderella" idea implies something special, like a fairytale addition or a youthful rite of passage for the ear.
With the rise of curated belly piercing jewellery, Gen Z and influencers are embracing this bold yet elegant look.
This has been studied by scientist and doctors. Piercings can also stop the flow of our energy through the meridians which can cause pain and make us feel stagnant. When our energy is imbalanced, we can experience low immunity which can eventualy lead to chronic disorders.