Advice with Teenage Daughters & Piercings

[Xrayted]

Ok, I have to chime in here. I got my navel pierced last year at the ripe age of 36. I had wanted to do it for years. I went with some friends from college (right before graduation) and two of us had it done at the same time. (only way i would have had the courage after seeing how big the needle is) It hurt like crazy and I couldn't sit right to drive home because my jeans rubbed against it. When my scrub pants rubbed against it at work, I went over to the ER and got them to put a big bandage on it. The nurse who bandaged it showed me her navel piercing of 7 years. After the two bad days, it was fine. It never got infected because I followed the piercing shops' advice on how to care for it to the T. It took about a month to heal up pretty well. I still have it and it's fine. BTW, this was all done in ultra conservative Amish country PA.

In the end, I think it is an individual choice because it is the individual who will be living with it. If she is normally a levelheaded, mature, responsible young woman as you say she is, then I'm not sure where the reservations are coming from except that it is the old school in you coming out. Just help her find a shop that is professional, takes all of the correct precautions, and get her a big bandaid for the ride home. If she is really committed to this and has no reservations, she will pay for it herself too. For a 16 yo, spending her own money instead of mom and dad's shows that she truly wants to do this.

BTW, when I showed my Mom, she freaked a little but got used to it. Even at 36, she felt I still should have discussed it with her beforehand. *shrugs shoulders*

Good luck.