FAQ

Our ear-piercing process is simple and easy. First, you’ll have a consultation with a Claire’s Piercing Specialist. They will walk you through the entire process and answer any questions you may have. Then, your Piercing Specialist will help you select your earrings, cleanse the piercing site, and mark the location of your piercing. Next, the Specialist will carefully line up the piercing instrument with the placement dot, compress the instrument fully, and pierce your ear. Finally, your Piercing Specialist will coach you on proper aftercare to prevent infection and other issues – and it’s time to enjoy your new piercing!

Claire’s offers free ear piercings at all of its locations with the purchase of an ear piercing kit. The total cost depends on which piercing kit you select, as Claire’s offers a range of options that include different earrings and aftercare solutions. Piercing kits start at $29.99 and increase in price depending on the style and material selected.

Claire’s offers a variety of ear piercing options to fit your style. From traditional lobe piercings to outer cartilage, nose and auricle piercings, our highly trained staff will provide you with a piercing experience you'll love. Outer Cartilage and nose piercings are available at select locations only.

Yes, nose piercing services are available at select Claire’s locations. Use our store locator page to find your nearest Claire’s and see if nose piercings are offered at that location.

Our system safely & quickly pierces ears using a gentle, hand-pressured instrument and sterile, pre-sealed, hypoallergenic piercing earrings. Our piercing earrings are specially designed with ultra-thin piercing posts & a finely honed (extra sharp) piercing tip to help the earrings glide through the ear as easily as possible.

*New piercing technology available in select locations and rolling out across the country, please see store locator to find a location near you.

We offer a wide range of hypoallergenic jeweler-quality metals such as 14kt gold, 24kt gold plated, titanium and stainless steel. Check out our selection in store to see everything we offer.

All of Claire’s ear piercing kits include a specialized cleaning solution to help your new piercing heal as quickly and safely as possible. Following the recommended aftercare steps is essential to prevent irritation or discomfort during the healing process.

Learn more by visiting our Ear Piercing Aftercare page here

Each associate is required to complete an extensive Ear Piercing training program before becoming a Piercing Specialist. Training includes a breadth of procedures, local policy comprehension, hygiene protocols, and demonstration of core piercing competencies.

Associates must successfully complete hands-on practice, role-playing scenarios, and knowledge assessments to ensure confidence and consistency in execution. The program also focuses on customer consultation, proper aftercare education, and maintaining a safe, clean piercing environment.

In addition to initial certification, Piercing Specialists receive ongoing training, coaching, and updates to ensure they stay aligned with the latest standards, best practices, and safety guidelines.

Walk-ins are welcome during store hours. Just drop by and see our Piercing Specialists. We also offer online bookings. See our store locator to find your nearest Claire’s.

For your safety, all piercings are subject to age restrictions. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the Claire's Piercing Registration Form. Age of consent may vary by
country, region or type of piercing.

We require valid identification to confirm age and to complete the necessary documentation for yourself or for a minor. We accept the following forms of identification:

Driver’s License
Passport
Military ID
Government Issued ID

Some stores may require additional documentation for the piercing of a minor. Please follow up with your local store prior to visiting for any specific requirements.

For more information on age restrictions, please contact your local store.

Keep shampoo, hair spray, perfume, and other products away from your new piercing as much as possible.

After swimming, showering, or exercise, rinse your piercing with plain water and follow the cleaning steps using your aftercare solution.

Keep your piercing jewelry in for the full recommended healing time and avoid touching it except when cleaning.

To prevent the piercing from closing, jewelry should be worn continuously for the first six months after healing.

A new piercing is exciting, and we know you will want to try new styles soon. However, it is important to give your ears time to heal before changing your ear piercing.

Lobe Piercing: If you are using Standard After Care Solution, it is usually necessary to wait 6-8 weeks before changing your earrings. With ™Rapid After Care Solution you can usually change your earrings after 3 weeks.

Cartilage Piercing (select stores): For cartilage, you will need to leave your earring in for at least 12 weeks with our Standard After Care Solution. With the use of Rapid™ After Care Solution, you can usually change your cartilage piercing after 8 weeks.

Nose Piercing (select stores): Your new nose stud can be changed in as little as 6 weeks with Rapid™ After Care Solution or 8 weeks with Standard After Care Solution.

After piercing, it is normal for the area to feel hot and maybe a little sore. If you have any swelling, redness or find the piercing painful after 24 hours, please seek medical advice immediately without removing your ear piercing.

We start piercing babies around 3 months as long as they receive their DTaP shot. If the baby is under 3 months, we require the date of the DTaP shot.

Absolutely! Our aftercare solution is safe for all types of skin, so you can certainly use the solution for nose piercing aftercare. We recommend using it several times a day to ensure proper healing.

You can only get your ears pierced with one of the Claire’s earrings options. We have a variety of selections in our stores.

Yes this is possible! We recommend reaching out to your local store to learn more. You can find a store near you by using our store locator.

We offer 20% off to shop the store immediately after getting pierced! Your Piercing Specialist will offer you a coupon post-piercing.

Piercing customers, parents, or legal guardians should bring a government-issued photo ID to get pierced. Accepted forms of identification include a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or other government-issued ID.

For optimal healing and safety, we limit the number of piercings per visit.

To support proper healing, a maximum of three piercings may be performed on the same ear in one day (lobe and/or cartilage). Examples include:

- Two lobe piercings and one cartilage
- Two cartilage piercings and one lobe
- One lobe, one auricle, and one cartilage

If you would like additional piercings, we recommend waiting at least 2 weeks between piercing sessions.

Please book two appointment slots if you’d like to receive more than two piercings during your visit.

Claire's ear piercing specialists are experts in styling new and existing piercings to suit your ear type and personal style.

As the country’s largest piercer with over 48 years of experience, we’re always innovating on how best to safely pierce. Claire’s has the latest and safest devices in the industry, using a hand-pressured device (never a gun!).

Our system safely and quickly pierces ears using a gentle, hand-pressured instrument (with complete control) to guide, place, and pierce. This instrument holds a pre-sterilized, pre-sealed, hypoallergenic, single-use cartridge containing the sterile starter stud earrings that pierce the ear. Our piercing earrings are specially designed with 20-gauge posts (standard earring size) and a finely honed (extra sharp) piercing tip to help the earrings glide through the ear as easily as possible.

This is not a piercing gun, which uses spring-loaded mechanisms to pierce forcefully. Our industry-leading hand-pressured instrument allows for gentle and direct control with every piercing.

When you arrive and choose your favorite earrings to start with, you'll also want to consider the type of earring back you'd like for your piercing.

We use two different earring back styles, both safe, secure, and designed to support proper healing.

Butterfly Backs (friction backs or push backs) are a classic, widely used style. They slide onto the post and stay secure with light pressure. These are found on many of our piercing studs and jewelry in stores.

Bell Backs are designed for extra comfort, especially while healing. They feature a rounded end that helps prevent poking and irritation behind the ear. They’re a great, safe choice for babies and kids, keeping the back of the earring from being exposed while they heal.

Available backing options may vary by location. We recommend contacting your local store to see which options they offer.

Yes, all earrings at Claire's are hypoallergenic. Our earrings are safe for sensitive ears.

Yes, we take safety seriously and ensure our piercing specialists receive ongoing training and the newest technology. All piercing tools are single-use and piercing jewelry is sterilized and stored in capsules.

Our piercing jewelry is either hypoallergenic or has nickel content that is less than 0.5% total, which significantly reduces the risk of allergic reaction. Plus our recommended aftercare plan will help you heal quickly.

No, earlobe, cartilage, and nostril piercings with a pressurized device are quick and generally pain free. Our piercing systems have been carefully designed to pierce ears/noses virtually pain free, and most people feel little to no discomfort.

Claire’s uses powder-free, latex-free gloves made of vinyl, which are considered a very low allergy risk.

Yes, all associates are trained to the highest standards in ear piercing, cleanliness, safety and infection control, ensuring compliance with all CDC legislation and guidelines.

Claire's piercing specialists are highly trained through comprehensive initial programs and ongoing development led by piercing experts to ensure the highest standards of care and training.

Healing is individual and dependent on your aftercare regimen.
Typically, ear lobe piercings take around 4-6 months, while upper or inner ear piercings take between 6-12+ months to fully heal (inside and outside). Nostril piercings typically take 3-6 months to fully heal.
You'll know your ear is healed once any discharge, swelling, redness, flaking, or soreness stops. In general, your piercing should continue to feel better with time and a consistent aftercare routine!

Chances of an infection after getting your new piercing are low, but if you do not follow the specified aftercare instructions, you will run the risk of infection. Make sure to always wash your hands before touching your new piercing. It is also important to follow recommendations provided on how to care for and clean the new piercing.

Your piercing studs will have a traditional butterfly or a bell-back safety backing.
Before removing your earrings, clean your hands thoroughly and clean around the piercing and earrings with Claire's After Care Solution.
Gently rotate the earring a few times to loosen it.
Hold the front of the earring with one hand and the earring back with the other.
Slowly and gently pull the front of the earring forward while supporting the backing.
After you remove your original piercing earrings, clean the area again before inserting new jewelry.

Everyone's body responds differently to a new piercing based on how you individually heal and how closely aftercare instructions are followed.
Common side effects of a new piercing within the first few days include: mild soreness or tenderness, mild swelling, light redness that will fade over time, small amounts of bleeding for 24-48 hours, sensitivity to touch or mild throbbing.
A piercing might seem healed before it is completely healed, because the tissue heals from the outside in. Be patient, and keep your new piercing clean throughout the entire initial healing period.

After swimming, showering, & exercise, rinse your piercing with plain water and follow the cleaning steps with your Claire's aftercare solution

Sleeping on your piercing while it heals is uncomfortable and can cause irritation and extra swelling. We suggest sleeping with a donut-shaped or airplane/travel pillow for comfortable sleep and fastest healing.
We recommend to slip the travel pillow into a clean, cotton t-shirt every night to ensure any surface your new piercing comes in contact with is clean.

Standard Solution is a Benzalkonium Chloride solution (6–8 week use).
Rapid Solution is a Sodium Hypochlorite solution (3-week use).
Both solutions are pH-balanced to the skin to help promote the healing process. They are odorless, hypoallergenic, and do not contain Isopropyl Alcohol, which can cause discomfort during healing.
They are gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin. These solutions mimic the body's natural healing response, provide antibacterial support, and help soothe and calm the skin.

Always thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your new piercing. Other than to clean your piercing, avoid touching it as much as possible and do not remove your jewelry until it has fully healed.
Cleaning Instructions:
1. Wash your hands well with antibacterial soap.
2. Soak a cotton ball with Claire's Aftercare Solution and clean the front and back of your piercing 3 times per day.
3. Lobe & Cartilage: Carefully slide the jewelry back and forth and gently twist to allow the solution to enter the piercing.
Nose: Gently twist the jewelry to allow the solution to enter the piercing.
4. Rotate the jewelry a half turn back and forth a few times, ensuring the backing is not too tight against the ear.
For certain piercings, especially those on the outer edge of the ear, you may use clean, non-woven gauze saturated with solution for easier application.
Rinse the front and back of the piercing and surrounding area with water as needed to remove any residue.
Dry the area by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products—never use cloth towels.

Customers may enroll in the Claire's Rewards program online at claires.com or in participating Claire's retail stores.

C.CLUB is open to legal residents of the United States who are 13 years of age or older. A valid email address is required to create a C.CLUB Account (“Rewards Account”).

No purchase is required to enroll in Claire's Rewards.

No. The Claire's Rewards program is free to join.

The Claire's Rewards program is limited to one Rewards account per individual. To the extent an additional account has been created in error, please contact our customer service team at [email protected]to discuss your options for combining the accounts in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.

There are so many reasons to join C. Club – but mostly, rewards! Enjoy benefits like 50 Points per purchase; $5 rewards for every 100 points earned; $5 off Birthday Coupon and Members- only offers. Please refer to the C.Club benefits page for full details.

Internet service and email providers often mistakenly send incoming emails to Spam/Bulk/Junk email folders. Please check to see if your email is in one of these folders. If you still cannot locate our email, it is possible that your email address was mis-keyed when you signed up. Please contact customer services at [email protected] and we will be happy to research for you.

IMPORTANT: Please add [email protected] to your personal email address book to help ensure our emails are delivered to your inbox.

You can discontinue your Claire's Rewards account by logging into your online account on claires.com or on the Claire's app and accessing the preference section of your account settings, or by contacting customer service at [email protected]

There has been no change to the Claire’s loyalty program – but our online experience isn’t available right now. Rest assured, you are still accruing points, just can’t check online right now.

Your reward coupons will be displayed in your online account at claires.com, so you can log in to get the reward coupon code that way. You can also contact customer service at [email protected]for assistance.

You will need to re-subscribe to our email list using a different email address from the one you used for your Claire's Rewards account.

You may use your email settings or contact your email provider to determine the process to remove an email from your spam/junk mail list.

If you choose to discontinue email communications, you may do so by updating your preferences in your online account at claires.com. You may also unsubscribe via the “Unsubscribe” link included at the bottom of all Claire's emails. You will continue to receive reward coupons and reward program information as long as you remain enrolled as a Claire's Rewards member. If you wish to discontinue your Claire's Rewards membership, please contact Customer Service at [email protected], or update your preferences in your online account at claires.com.

There are still several hundred Claire’s stores open across the United States and Canada – which means there is bound to be one near you! Please check our store locator page to find your closest location Store Locator

Of course! We are thrilled to still be piercing ears in stores. Our ability to book piercing online is on pause, but will be back soon. Feel free to walk into your nearest store for your piercing!

Our store locator page is up to date! Check it out here.

This website now supports North American customers only. For EU inquiries, please reach out to us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to assist.

We have currently paused online shopping. Find your closest store here.

While we are not accepting new online orders, recent or pending online orders will be fulfilled as usual. Please reach out to customer service for any questions on your specific order at [email protected].

Yes! Existing gift cards and e-gift cardsare valid in all store locations. However, e-gift cards are no longer accepted online.

You can easily check your Claire’s Gift Card balance online by clicking here.