Well, I haven't had mine done yet (considering taking the plunge next month or so), but from my research leading up to it, the general consensus on the internet seems to be "Don't get your ears pierced at Claire's," for basically three reasons.Originally Posted by tess-leigh
First, since the piercing guns they use have plastic bodies, they're impossible to properly sterilize—the heat necessary for that would simply melt the device—and so there's typically blood and other material from prior customers on them. Secondly, even though the studs may appear sharp, the gun actually relies on the sheer force of impact to push the stud through the ear. And third, Claire's employees are typically given minimal training in operating the gun; in particular, most of them don't know what to do if the devices malfunctions in some way—the earring doesn't go all the way through, for example. All three of these points introduce an unnecessary risk of infection or other unexpected damage to the ear tissue.
The Association of Professional Piercers maintains a list of their members, which you can search by state (or country, for those not in the US). It's probably best to have the procedure done by one of them, or possibly your local tattoo parlor, if there isn't an APP member in your area. Claire's, or any similar shops, should be a last resort.
