The question
My 13-year-old daughter wants to get her bellybutton pierced and I told her I'd consider it. How safe is it?
The answer
You'll need to invest some time into researching piercing studios. Any reputable studio will be more than happy to answer your questions explaining the process and aftercare. They also won't shy away from showing you their sterilization equipment and showing you around. The aftercare and healing process are both crucial issues, as the healing time for this procedure can vary from six months to as long as one year. This means your daughter had better be in it for the long haul. Considering she, at 13, is going to be responsible for the aftercare herself, both of you should also take into consideration that an improperly-cared-for piercing can lead to infections or scarring. Let your daughter read this and see if she might prefer a new cellphone instead.
When she gets tired of that, at least she won't be left with a permanent scar.
Bahar Niramwalla is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty specialist on The Marilyn Dennis Show . Have a beauty question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com