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The Apollo Tattoo Studio in LA
Apollo Studio in Santa Monica offers you a calm, certified experience for kids’ ear piercings—from babies to teens.
Service begins as low as $75 both both lobes and as low as $150 with Jewelry Included.
Appointments typically last 30–45 minutes, with 15–20 minutes dedicated to the piercing itself. Every session is unrushed and tailored to your child’s comfort.
Whether it’s your child’s very first ear piercing or a confident new style, our team is here to guide you through every step.
Parents across Los Angeles choose Apollo because we make emotional support and safety just as important as technical precision.
Below, you’ll find clear answers to the questions parents ask us most. Our goal is to help you feel fully informed, supported, and ready for a smooth, meaningful experience.
At Apollo Studio, we recommend starting around age 5, when most kids can understand the process, give clear consent, and follow simple piercing aftercare.
For families with cultural or religious traditions, we offer infant piercings between 2–4 months of age. This specialized service includes additional care and planning and is priced between $400–$500. It’s not a standard offering and is offered for culturally significant cases.
Whatever your family’s timeline looks like, we’re here to support you with informed, child-centered guidance every step of the way.
Age is only part of the picture. Readiness depends more on emotional maturity and body awareness.
Many parents ask how to know if their child is emotionally ready. Here are a few signs to look for:
We’ll talk through it with you and gently check in with your child during your visit to make sure everyone feels confident.
No legal age minimum exists, but you must be present as their parent or legal guardian.
At Apollo, we never rush readiness. Every child is evaluated as an individual, and your input matters. We’ll guide you through the process of piercing your child’s ear together.
We never use piercing guns. At Apollo Studio, we use sterilized, single-use hollow needles designed for precision and safety.
Needle piercing causes far less trauma to the tissue during children’s ear piercing and allows us to pierce gently, exactly where it suits your child’s anatomy.
Safety isn’t just about the tools. It’s about how we treat your child.
Our team is trained in pediatric-safe techniques, trauma-aware communication, and bloodborne pathogen safety.
The studio is quiet, clean, and unrushed. Every ear piercing for children is done in a calm environment, with emotional check-ins throughout. Families across Los Angeles trust us for a reason.
Crying is normal. What matters most is that your child feels supported and can stay calm enough for a safe piercing.
If we notice distress or panic, we pause immediately and check in with both of you. Sometimes that means taking a break. Sometimes it means waiting for another day.
Your child’s comfort and emotional safety always come first.
Yes. We offer tandem piercing—two certified piercers working at once to pierce two ears at the same time.
It’s ideal for younger children or those feeling nervous, but please request this option when you book, as it requires special scheduling.
Of course. You’re welcome to document the moment, as long as your child feels comfortable.
We love it when families share these milestones. Feel free to tag @theapollostudio if you post.
No. We don’t recommend numbing creams for ear piercings.
They can cause skin reactions in children, and they may give a false sense of what to expect. Lobe piercings feel like a quick pinch—most kids handle it better than parents expect.
At Apollo, every piercing is done with:
We use a strict aseptic technique, and every piercer is certified in bloodborne pathogen safety. It’s the same level of care you’d expect from a surgical setting, just in a studio built for families.
It’s not necessary. Most kids don’t need it.
If there’s minor swelling afterward, a pediatric dose of ibuprofen can help—but always check with your pediatrician first. We’ll walk you through aftercare during your visit.
At Apollo Studio, we only use implant-grade titanium (ASTM F‑136) and solid 14k gold.
Earrings made from these materials are hypoallergenic and free from nickel. So, they’re gentle enough not to cause an allergic reaction even for sensitive skin. Titanium is safe for all ages, including infants. We typically recommend 14k gold for babies 3 months and older.
No. We know some children may have a special pair in mind, but for safety, we only use certified, sterilized jewelry we trust. It’s how we ensure a clean, healthy healing process from the start.
Yes. Flat-back posts are the safest and most comfortable option for healing skin.
Butterfly backs can trap bacteria, irritate the piercing, and press into the skin while sleeping. That’s why we only use flat backs at Apollo Studio.
We size jewelry individually for each child’s ear anatomy. The post is typically 3–4 mm longer than the ear’s thickness to allow for natural swelling and prevent irritation or pressure during healing.
We recommend low-profile piercing studs that stay secure and won’t snag on clothing or helmets.
Our piercing jewelry is crafted to match your child’s lifestyle—whether they play sports, dance, or just never sit still.
Most children’s earlobe piercings heal in 6 to 8 weeks with the right care.
Here’s what to expect:
Ear cartilage piercings can take 6 to 9 months to heal completely. Healing depends more on how the piercing is cared for, not just your child’s age
If the piercing looks calm (no signs of redness, swelling, or discharge), you can return with your kid after 6 weeks for a safe switch. We’ll help assess healing before changing anything.
Spray the front and back with 0.9% sterile saline 2–3 times a day.
Gently pat dry using clean gauze. Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any harsh products—even store-bought “piercing sprays.”
Showering is totally fine. We suggest that your kids avoid swimming for at least 2 full weeks, or until the piercing has fully settled, to avoid infection. So, it’s best to keep your kid away from pools, lakes, and hot tubs during this duration.
Water exposure too early increases the risk of infection.
Use a travel or donut pillow to keep pressure off the ears.
Loose-fitting pajamas and soft bedding help minimize friction while they heal.
Here’s what’s expected:
✔ Mild redness
✔ Clear or white crust
✔ Slight warmth
Call us or your pediatrician if you notice:
✘ Spreading redness
✘ Yellow-green discharge
✘ Fever or rapid swelling
We’re always happy to check in if you’re unsure.
No extra vitamins are required. A regular, balanced diet is enough.
That said, Vitamin C and Zinc may support skin healing, but check with your pediatrician before starting anything new.
Don’t try to fix it at home. Contact Apollo or a pediatric urgent care. Removal is simple and quick, but needs to be done safely.
New piercings can begin to close in as little as 24–48 hours without jewelry. Cartilage piercings may close even faster. That’s why we suggest your kids keep wearing piercing earrings for at least 6 to 12 months.
If the bump appears within 12 hours and worsens quickly, it may be an allergic reaction. Healing bumps develop more gradually and typically improve. We’re here to help you figure out what’s going on and what to do next.
Yes. The earrings must stay in during the full healing period.
For contact sports like soccer or wrestling, cover them with medical tape or Tegaderm to keep them protected.
Not at all. These children’s earrings are made with implant-grade titanium and solid 14k gold—safe to wear during travel and won’t trigger airport detectors.
They can. Pressure from over-ear gear may slow healing or cause irritation.
Use soft headbands or in-ear headphones. Avoid tight hats or helmets until the piercing settles.
Our kids’ piercing service starts at $150.
That includes:
Tandem and infant appointments may include an added fee.
Yes. Downsizing is part of the healing process and is either complimentary or may include a small fee if new jewelry is selected. We’ll walk you through it at the 6–8 week mark.
Because ear piercing is considered cosmetic, most health plans—including FSA/HSA—don’t offer coverage. If your child’s pediatrician recommends it for medical reasons, you may be covered.
Start with us. Apollo can check the piercing and help you figure out the next step.
If it looks like a medical infection, we’ll suggest contacting your pediatrician.
Yes. We prioritize appointments to ensure a calm, child-focused environment, but walk-ins are welcome when availability allows. This helps us create a quiet, focused experience just for your child.
You’ll need:
No. California law requires that a parent or legal guardian be present at the time of piercing.
Not at Apollo. We require a parent or guardian to be present for all clients under 18—no exceptions.
At Apollo Studio in Santa Monica, we treat every child’s piercing like the meaningful milestone it is—with patience, safety, and care you can trust.
Families across Los Angeles choose Apollo for one reason: we make the piercing experience calm, supportive, and child-centered from start to finish. Our studio is quiet, clean, and designed to help kids feel safe at every step of the piercing process.
Here’s what you can expect:
No pressure. No rushing. Just honest, trauma-aware piercing care in a studio trusted by families across Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
Multiple piercings don’t have to mean multiple moments of tension. With Apollo’s Tandem Piercing, two expert piercers work in perfect sync to place paired or symmetrical piercings — all in one smooth, simultaneous motion.
No waiting, no flinching twice, just expert coordination.
Especially great for nervous clients or sensitive placements.
Two artists. One shared focus: precision, comfort, and balance.
“Blue and Bunny pierced both my lobes at once — no flinch, no second guessing. Fast, precise, and the calmest piercing experience I’ve ever had.”
— Maya C., Google Review
5000+ clients
piercing Artist
Childrens ear piercing, Teen ear & navel piercings, Ear & face piercing curation
Senior
piercing Artist
Lobes and cartilage, Kid and adult piercing, Face and body piercing
Located in downtown Santa Monica, Apollo Studio is the premier LA body art destination.
