You can say: “Mom, Dad, I want to get another ear piercing. It’s my favorite way to express myself, and I’d really like your permission to get it done. ”
For example, you can say: “I would really like a helix piercing, which is at the top cartilage part of the ear. There’s a store at the mall that I know has jewelry for this kind of piercing. ” If you know of any online stores with the jewelry you want for the piercing, show them to your parents. You can also show them a diagram of ear piercing placement to help them visualize what the piercing would be like on your ear or ears. [1] X Research source
If you’ve gotten your earlobes pierced once, for example, you can explain that a second lobe piercing is essentially the same thing, with the same method for piercing and same healing time.
You can also ask for the piercing as an incentive to good behavior in the future. Agree with your parents on a goal they’d like you to reach before you can get the piercing. If you have a birthday or other gift-giving holiday coming up, you can say that the ear piercing you want is at the top of your wish list for gifts.
Note that most piercing holes will close over time without any jewelry worn in them. You can also get very minor surgery to close stretched ear piercings or “gauges. ”
Tell them right away you are willing to wait for them to think it over, or for a certain time period of their choosing. You can say: “I’d like your permission to do this, but you don’t have to give me an answer right now. Can I ask you for your answer tomorrow?”[2] X Research source If you try using the reasoning that you’ve gotten a piercing with their permission before and they say no, come back to them a couple weeks later with a new way to ask, like suggesting the piercing as a reward for good grades. Stay calm and polite every time you ask.
You can have your parents accompany you or talk to the staff of a piercing place themselves if they want to. Make sure to check Google, Yelp, or other sites with ratings and reviews from real people to see what they have to say about their experience at the piercing place.
Buy saline solution or whatever other supplies you need for after-care ahead of time, check if the piercer provides or sells these things, or make sure you know exactly where and what to buy afterward. Let your parents know that you’ll wear the jewelry you get pierced with for however long the piercer recommends before changing it. Also, make sure you know the best and healthiest types of metal for ear jewelry and where to buy it, especially if you have an allergy to certain metals like nickel. [4] X Research source
You can also do research into the possible benefits of piercings, too. Ear piercings have positive spiritual or religious significance in some cultures,[6] X Research source and may even have medical benefits for many people. [7] X Research source
Look for high-quality images and examples with classy, simple jewelry to help show that the piercing can have a dignified and mature look that you won’t grow out of.
Make sure your friend and their parents are willing and give you permission before you tell your parents that they can talk to them.
Give your parents something specific, both to show that you’re willing to work for what you want and that you can make specific goals. Rather than saying, “I’ll work on getting better grades,” say “I’ll get better grades in Math,” or whatever subject could use some improvement. [8] X Research source
Try raising the money with a lemonade stand or other simple fundraising activity that your parents approve of. [9] X Research source If you can’t save or raise the entire amount of money yourself, ask if your parents will match the amount of money you have or chip in the rest. Say: “Mom/Dad, I have enough money to pay for the piercing itself. Will you chip in for the cost of the jewelry?”[10] X Research source
If you are going for gauged ears, agree on a size that you won’t go over when stretching. You can even let your parents choose the jewelry you get pierced with, or choose the piercing place where you get it done.
It may be a long-shot, but you can ask your parents if they want to get their own piercing with you! Depending on the type of people your parents are, they may appreciate this effort to include them and experience exactly what you’re experiencing.
Try making a checklist or a step-by-step process for everything you’ve agreed to do to get the piercing and what’s required afterward. [11] X Research source
