Explore Walmart's ear-piercing services. Get insights on the process, safety standards, and whether this retail giant offers ear-piercing at their locations.
Step into any Walmart store and immerse yourself in endless possibilities. This retail giant has everything from groceries, electronics, clothing, household items, and jewelry. And when it comes to offering exceptional services, the retailer is at the forefront of meeting customer demands in ear piercing.
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Does Walmart Pierce Ears?
Walmart offers ear piercing across its over 5,000 stores to interested clients who shop for studs and earrings, but their ears still need to be pierced! The company has over 10,000 staff specifically trained to harmlessly and hygienically pierce ears using Inverness, a sterile ear piercing system.
Read on to learn more about Walmart ear piercing services, including how much the service costs.
Walmart Ear Piercing Age Policy
The ear-piercing staff at Walmart are trained to pierce customers of different ages, including toddlers. However, some staff might be unwilling to pierce babies below five years. Thus, if you have a very young baby whom you wish to have their ears pierced, it’s advisable to call Walmart in advance and ask if the piercer on duty will do it. If you are under 18 years, you should be in the company of your parent or a legal guardian. But if you’re over 18, you can have your ears pierced at Walmart without restrictions.
Types of Ear Piercing Offered at Walmart
Most Walmart stores offer two types of ear piercing;
- Earlobe ear piercing: This is Walmart's most common ear piercing type. The number of piercing on the earlobes will depend on the shape and size of your lobes.
- Cartilage ear piercing: It’s offered in selected Walmart outlets.
Before visiting any Walmart store for ear piercings, call ahead and check if they offer the particular type of piercing you are looking for. Note Walmart ear-piercing employees are not coached to pierce the central parts of the ear, such as the helix, tragus, and rook.
Walmart Ear Piercing Hours
Before heading to your nearest Walmart store for ear piercing services, you should find out when the services are available. Different stores offer ear piercing services at other times, depending on their location. In most cases, when the Walmart Jewelry Counter is open, ear piercing services are always available.
How Much Does It Cost to Pierce Ears at Walmart?
Any Walmart store that offers ear piercing services will not charge you for the service. However, the company expects you to shop for your jewelry from the store’s jewelry counter to qualify for the service.
However, depending on the piercing staff, you can still get pierced without buying earrings or studs, but you will not be given a stud needed to keep the pierced hole open. The available studs for purchase come in different prices averaging $9.99 for a basic pair. Some studs contain gemstones or hypoallergenic materials like titanium, silver, or medical-grade stainless steel. Buy a stud or earring at Walmart-selected stores, and you will receive an ear piercing for free!
How Does Ear Piercing Work at Walmart?
A firm called Inverness offers ear piercing services at Walmart. Inverness also sells ear-piercing gear at Walmart. To have your ears pierced at Walmart, here are the steps to follow;
- Use a locator tool found at Invernesscorp.com to locate a Walmart store offering ear piercing services near you.
- Walk into the Walmart you will have selected and find the jewelry area.
- Talk to an associate and tell them you want to have your ear or ears pierced. If you’re a minor, ask your parent or a legal guardian to accompany you and complete a consent form.
- The assisting associate will guide you to a collection of stud earrings for you to select your preferred one. Remember, you can only have your ears pierced at Walmart if you buy studs, as the piercing gun is only compatible with studs and not any other earring styles.
- Once you settle for your ideal studs, the staff will prepare you for the piercing as the tools are sterilized.
- The piercing uses a gun to drive the stud earring into your ear.
- After the piercing, you will be guided on caring for your piercings as you pay for the jewelry.
How to Care for Your Pierced Ears
Proper care and cleaning of your ear piercings is a must! Otherwise, the piercings can effortlessly become infected and result in a wound. Here are ear-piercing aftercare tips:
- Avoid infecting the fresh piercing by washing your hands before touching your earrings.
- Let the studs you were pierced with remain in your ears for at least six weeks to keep the holes open. Dislodging the studs earlier can irritate the unhealed puncture and increase the chances of infection and closing up of the holes. Even after six weeks, do not go 24 hours without an earring for the next six months.
- Clean your pierced ears thoroughly 2-3 times daily using a recommended care solution. You will receive a complimentary bottle of Inverness antiseptic solution for cleaning your ears. The cleaning should be for the first six weeks. Ensure to rotate the earrings whenever you are cleaning them.
- Avoid touching the piercings unless you’re cleaning them.
- Use petroleum jelly to quicken the healing process. The jelly will moisten your ears, which is critical for quick healing.
- Consult a doctor when experiencing excessive pain, bruising, swelling, or bleeding at the piercings.
You can also sign up for email services and start receiving important information from Walmart on properly caring for your ears throughout the healing period.
Ear Piercing Kits Sold at Walmart
Walmart stocks different types of ear piercing kits, including piercing guns. The gauge of the piercing guns is made to pierce at 0.88mm. Apart from the piercing gears, the store has a wide range of ear piercing cleaning solutions.
What You Need to Know Before Piercing Your Ears
Several factors must be considered to ensure the process is safe and successful, whether you are getting your ears pierced at Walmart or any other place. They include;
- Hygiene and sterilization: Ensure the piercing equipment has been sterilized and the piecer follows proper hygiene practices. Where piercing needles are in use, ensure they are new. The studs used should also be new.
- Allergic reactions: Be wary of any allergic reaction that you might have. Inform the piecer if you have any known sensitivity to the metals used to make earrings, like gold, stainless steel, and titanium. In this case, earrings containing hypoallergenic materials are ideal.
- Pain level: Ear piercing is a quick and relatively painless process. However, this will depend on your pain tolerance and the placement of the piercing.
- Healing time: Ear piercing takes several weeks to heal completely. Be patient and avoid changing the earrings too frequently, as this can irritate the piercing and delay the healing.
- Infections and complications: Look for redness, swelling, and pus: these are signs of infections. If any signs start appearing, contact a health practitioner.
- Aftercare instructions: Be keen on the aftercare process for your new piercing. Failure to adhere to the aftercare guidelines can lead to infections and delay healing.
Conclusion
Walmart is an ideal place for ear piercing. The retail giant offers a wide range of earrings and will pierce your ears at no cost, provided you pay for the earrings. Two types of piercing are common at Walmart, earlobe and cartilage ear piercings. The services are open if you are over 18 years old; however, for children under 18 years, a parent or guardian consent is mandatory.