Ear piercing is a body adornment that never goes out of style. In some cultures, it's common for infants to have their ears pierced, but other families have a strict age as to when ear piercing is acceptable.

Katie Maedke-Hall took her daughter to Skin Tattoo & Design, 3483 N. Oakland Ave., to get her ears pierced for her 8th birthday.

"I choose a piercing / tattoo shop over a mall piercing gun experience because I wanted it to be more authentic," says Maedke-Hall. "I made sure the piercer was licensed and that they were comfortable working with children."

Before you choose a location, decide if you want the procedure done via a piercing gun -- which is used at chain boutiques like Claire's -- or a surgical needle used at most tattoo / piercing shops. Not all tattoo / piercing shops will pierce kids, so be sure to call ahead. Parents will need to bring an ID.

Also, prepare for some tears regardless of the child's desire to get their ears pierced. Maedke-Hall says her daughter cried a lot during the procedure, but she was very happy to have her ears pierced after it was done.

"I would say it was a traumatic experience with a happy ending," says Maedke-Hall.

Here is a list of places in Milwaukee that pierce kids' ears.

Altered Evolution
7234 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 302-1777
Kids must be at least 5 to get their ears pierced at Altered Evolution. Needles are used to pierce the lobes and the cost is $30 for rings or $40 for small "barbells."

Avant-Garde
7219 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 607-4068
www.avant-garde-piercing.com
Avant-Garde charges $15 to pierce both lobes if you bring in your own jewelry. Otherwise, it's $30 for a pair of small rings. Kids of any age are welcome, as long as they are with a parent or guardian with an ID.

Bay Street Tattoo
322 E. Bay St., (414) 483-5000
baystreettattoo.com
Bay Street will pierce kids' ears with a surgical needle for $20 per ear. They use tiny hoop earrings.

Body Ritual
1459 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 273-3777
bodyritualink.com
Body Ritual will pierce a child's lobes with a surgical needle (as opposed to a piercing gun.) The cost is $25 for both ears and includes small rings. Parent must be present and show an ID. Kids must be at least 16 to get facial piercings.

Claire's
Southridge, Bayshore, Mayfair and Brookfield Square Malls
www.claires.com
Kids must be at least 3-months-old to get their ears pierced at Claire's. The cost ranges from $16.50 to $42, depending on the type of earrings used, and the procedure is done with a piercing gun. Parents must bring an ID.

Skin Tattoo & Design
3483 N. Oakland Ave., (414) 962-8750
www.skinmilwaukee.com
Skin will pierce a kid's lobes with a needle for $20 per ear. Kids must be at least 16 and be accompanied by a parent to get a facial piercing.

Starship Tattoo
4380 S. 76th, (414) 321-1336
www.starshiptattoo.com
Kids must be at least 8 to get their ears pierced at Starship. The cost is $35 for rings and $45 for small "barbells." The piercers at Starship use surgical needles, not guns, and parents must be present.