At Medical Ear Piercing, we provide a safe and gentle alternative to mall kiosks and tattoo parlors. We understand the importance of a safe and sterile environment to new parents. Our nurses are sensitive to the concerns and needs of parents, and are happy to accommodate in any way possible. We are able to provide our piercing services to babies of all ages, as long as their earlobes are fully developed.
Choose from a variety of earring options!
Why Not Cartilage Piercings?
The cartilage is the firm tissue which gives the ear, nose or other parts of the body it’s shape and structure. There is not the same kind of “built-in” protection against infection in cartilage as there is in the soft part of the ear (the ear lobe). We do not offer or recommend cartilage piercings as it has many dangers.
- Piercing through cartilage may cause it to fracture or shatter and deform the body part.
- Cartilage has little or no blood supply causing healing to be prolonged. It may take 3 months, and sometimes up to a year for complete healing to occur.
- Infection is much more common with cartilage piercings. While you have blood vessels in the soft part, there are no blood vessels in cartilage. The white cells and the oxygen in the red cells of the blood act as a defense against infection. As there are no blood vessels in the cartilage there is no defense mechanism against infection. Infection that occurs around the cartilage is called perichondritis. This infection may not respond to topical antibiotics. Oral and sometimes intravenous antibiotics may be needed to clear up a Perichondritis.