Does Walmart Pierce Ears in 2023? What You Need to Know
Ear piercings are hugely popular in the U.S., with around 83% of women and 29% of men having at least one pierced ear. With so many parents looking to get their kid‘s ears pierced and adults desiring new piercings, a convenient and affordable option like Walmart is an appealing choice.
In 2023, Walmart continues to offer ear piercing services at over 5,000 of their store locations. This handy guide will cover everything you need to know about getting pierced at Walmart, including what to expect during the process, aftercare best practices, and tips for choosing the perfect earrings.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Overview of Walmart‘s Piercing Services
- Availability and Hours
- Pricing and Deals
- Age and ID Requirements
- Safety and Hygiene Protocols
- Earring Selection Advice
- Step-by-Step Piercing Process
- Aftercare Guidance
Let‘s get started!
Overview of Ear Piercing Services at Walmart
Walmart has partnered with Inverness, the ear piercing specialists, to bring clean and convenient piercing services to their stores. Here are some key facts about their program:
- 5,000+ locations offer ear piercings, making it widely available
- Piercings performed by store associates trained by Inverness
- Uses Inverness sterile ear piercing system for safety
- Free piercing with purchase of hypoallergenic earrings ($10+)
The patented Inverness system protects the earring‘s sterility inside a sealed cartridge before piercing. Walmart is able to offer piercings at no additional cost by having you purchase a pair of sensitive skin-safe earrings beforehand.
Store Availability and Hours
Want to get your ears pierced at a local Walmart but not sure if they offer it or what their hours are? Here are some tips:
Use the Inverness store locator to find Walmarts in your area that use their ear piercing system. Just enter your zip code.
Give your nearest Walmart a call to ask if they perform piercings. Let them know when you‘d like to come in.
Piercing services are typically available during normal store hours (7am to 11pm). Some locations offer 24/7 piercings.
Confirm the jewelry counter offers piercings, as not every Walmart has an associate trained in ear piercing.
Of the over 4,700 Walmarts in the U.S., more than 5,000 locations currently provide piercing services. Call ahead to double check availability and hours for your preferred store.
How Much Does Walmart Ear Piercing Cost?
One major perk of getting your ears pierced at Walmart is that the ear piercing itself is free with purchase! You just have to buy a pair of earrings beforehand.
The earrings typically range from $10 to $40 based on:
- Metal type: Stainless steel, sterling silver, gold, etc.
- Gemstones vs. metal: Diamond or birthstone studs cost more.
- Fancier shapes: Butterflies, flowers, hearts, etc. increase price.
Here are some examples of Walmart ear piercing earring prices:
| Earring Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Basic metal studs | $10 – $15 |
| Birthstone and crystal | $15 – $25 |
| Sterling silver | $25 – $30 |
| Gold over sterling silver | $30 – $40 |
Tip: Stick to inexpensive, quality metals like stainless steel for newly pierced ears.
During the piercing, the associate can advise you on the best earring choice for your piercing. Take advantage of the free service and pick whichever adorable pair speaks to you or your child.
Age Requirements and ID Policy
To get your ears pierced at Walmart, you or your child must meet the minimum age requirements. Policies vary slightly by location – here are the general guidelines:
- 16 and younger: Parent/guardian must be present to provide ID and consent.
- 17 and under: Bring your ID and have a parent/guardian accompany you.
- 18+: You can provide ID and consent.
For very young children, some stores may refuse to pierce anyone under 5 years old. It‘s best to call ahead to confirm the age policies for that specific store.
Bringing a valid photo ID and having parental consent if under 18 is recommended. Have your child‘s birth certificate or passport as well in case additional proof of age is requested.
Is Ear Piercing Safe at Walmart?
Using a sterile piercing system and disposable earrings, Walmart ear piercing is designed to be a very safe, hygienic process. Here are some of the ways they promote health and minimize infection risks:
- Inverness system keeps earrings sterile before piercing
- Guns thoroughly disinfected between each customer
- Associates trained in proper technique and safety protocols
- Gentle piercing method reduces chance of trauma/complications
- Detailed aftercare instructions provided
By piercing with brand new earrings and equipment, following training protocols, and using a gentle piercing method, Walmart is able to offer a very safe ear piercing experience.
Tip: Closely follow the aftercare instructions for 6 weeks to allow piercings to heal properly.
Choosing Hypoallergenic Earrings
One of the perks of Walmart ear piercing is their wide selection of earrings made for sensitive ears.
Here are some things to look for when choosing earrings:
Metals:
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
- Sterling silver
- 10k+ gold or gold plated
Avoid nickel and plated mystery metals.
Gemstones:
- Diamond
- Crystal
- Birthstone
- Glass
Ask to see the hypoallergenic earring selection during your appointment. The associate can help pick a metal and style suitable for your new piercings.
Step-by-Step Ear Piercing Process
Wondering what getting your ears pierced at Walmart is like? Here is an overview of what to expect:
Check-in at the jewelry counter for your piercing appointment.
Select a pair of hypoallergenic earrings you like.
An associate will clean the ear lobe area with an antiseptic wipe.
The earring is loaded into the sterile piercing instrument.
Using a gentle, quick motion the earring is inserted through the ear.
Steps are repeated on the other ear.
Review detailed care instructions for new piercings with the associate.
The process is quick, taking just a few minutes for both ears. Kids are given a special treat after their piercing for being so brave!
Caring for Newly Pierced Ears
Taking proper care of your new piercings is so important for quick healing and preventing infection.
Here are some best practice aftercare tips:
Wash hands before touching piercings
Clean piercings 3x daily; rotate jewelry during cleaning
Use antimicrobial or saltwater spray provided
Keep starter earrings in for 6 weeks minimum
No swimming for 4-6 weeks
Avoid touching piercings unnecessarily
Don‘t use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
Be diligent about keeping the area around the piercing clean while it heals. Avoid irritation from hairspray, makeup, or sleeping on new piercings.
Visit your piercer or doctor at the first signs of infection like persistent redness or swelling.
Get Pierced at Your Local Walmart!
Ear piercing is quick, inexpensive, and readily available at Walmart locations nationwide. Their trained associates use a specialized system to ensure a safe, hygienic piercing.
So next time you or your child want new piercings, turn to the convenient ear piercing services at your local Walmart! Just remember to call ahead, have proper ID, and care diligently for new piercings.
