Tattoo Charlie's Preston Hwy in Louisville and Tattoo Charlie's New Circle Rd in Lexington are both proud to offer limited minor piercings. We are happy to provide a safe, professional, and friendly environment for piercings. Please read the requirements set forth by the state of Kentucky and by our liability insurance company for minor piercings and then call or email to schedule your appointment!
6 years and up: Ear Lobes
16 years and up: Navel, Nostril, Ear Cartilage excluding advanced piercings such as Industrial and multiple piercing clusters such as triple forward helix (multiple piercings such as the TFH can be done one at a time as each piercing heals).
We offer minor piercings by appointment only.
On the day of your appointment please bring the notarized form and state or government issued photo ID's (Must be a drivers license , learners permit, or state ID card, a school ID is not permitted by the state) for both the minor and the parent. The state of Kentucky requires an ID for anyone receiving a piercing service. Please limit your group to the person being pierced and one or both parents, no siblings or friends are allowed in the piercing room or the waiting area.
At our studio, our goal is to make every child’s piercing experience positive, calm, and pressure-free. We want kids to feel safe, supported, and fully in control. Some children may leave with dots only, and some may get one ear done and decide to stop — and that is completely okay. We celebrate progress, no matter how small, and we’re happy to schedule a follow-up appointment if they need more time.
Piercing an earlobe is a big pinch — often comparable to, or more intense than, a shot — and it must be done twice. Because of that, it’s important to realistically assess whether your child is emotionally and developmentally ready.
You know your child better than anyone.
Some kids are fearless — they fall off a bike, get scraped, and keep going. Shots don’t bother them. The dentist doesn’t scare them.
Others are naturally more sensitive or anxious — they fear shots, avoid doctors or dentists, or get overwhelmed easily.
If your child falls into the more sensitive category, they may not be ready for ear piercing just yet. Waiting until your child feels confident (and you do too) is always the best choice.
We always meet the child first and walk them through the full process before any piercing happens. Children must be able to:
Clearly communicate with us
Make eye contact
Answer simple questions
Show they understand what will happen
Demonstrate readiness and calm curiosity
Red flags that may indicate they are not ready include:
Hiding behind a parent
Avoiding eye contact
Not responding to questions
Jumping away when we hold jewelry up to their ear for sizing
Crying or panicking at the idea that it may hurt
If these occur, we usually recommend trying again when they’re older.
We always move slowly and respectfully.
However, if your child is unable to complete the piercing after three attempts, we will pause the appointment and schedule a future visit. This is to ensure the child feels safe and not pressured, and to prevent a negative or traumatic experience.
If we must reschedule due to readiness, we ask that you wait at least 1 month before booking again. Rebooking too soon almost always results in the same situation.
You have a 3-month window from the original appointment date to return before the deposit is forfeited.
NO submerging under water for 6–8 weeks, including:
Pools
Lakes
Oceans
Bath tubs
Splash pads
Showering is fine — soaking is not.
Unlike mall piercings, professional piercings need more healing time before changing jewelry.
We recommend waiting 4–6 months at minimum before switching to new earrings.
Children with fuller or thicker earlobes may need 6–12 months before healing is stable enough.
Even when “healed,” a piercing may still:
Produce lymph/crust
Feel tender
Tighten slightly
This is normal. Healing is a long process, not an overnight event.
As a general rule, we recommend keeping jewelry in place for at least 2 years before leaving earrings out for extended periods. Removing jewelry too early can cause the piercing channel to tighten, making re-insertion painful or even impossible.
If your child plays sports, please know:
Earrings must remain in for at least 1 year
Many leagues require removing jewelry for games
Please speak to your coach before booking the piercing appointment
We want to avoid situations where freshly pierced ears need to be taken out prematurely — it can cause significant pain, damage, or closure.
Our top priority is your child’s experience. We want this milestone to feel exciting, empowering, and safe — not rushed or overwhelming.
If your child needs time, reassurance, or even a second appointment, we support that completely. Every child moves at their own pace, and we are here to meet them exactly where they are.
If you have questions or want help determining readiness, we’re always happy to talk.