here in east tx Claire's is like crazy expensive for ear piercing with cute earrings. for a good pair of cute earrings its like $80 & at the tattoo shop it was $50 I think. I went with my friend when she was going to get her baby's ears done! I was like holy cow lol @bryawna13 but either way if I was having a girl I would pay the extra at a tattoo shop if I needed to
3 months generally and I agree with @katedwards it will be more expensive at a tattoo shop but places Claire's don't clean the guns correctly so more chance of infection or God knows what.
Some places require them to be a certain age, but if I were you I would go to a tattoo shop, they are properly trained & their equipment is better. it sounds scary but that's what I have been told by several people!