Ear piercing is seen by many young girls -- and some boys -- as a rite of passage, an outward sign that they’re starting to grow up.So, they beg for their parents’ permission, but they’re often told to wait until they’re teenagers.Now, a small study in the May issue of Pediatrics may help them convince their parents that sooner is better than later.Ear piercing done before the age of 11 might actually be better for health and cosmetic reasons, said study author Dr. Joshua E. Lane, an assistant professor at Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon, Ga. He conducted the research while at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
