I had my dd's done when she was almost 4. We went to Claire's. There was only one person working, so she wasn't able to do them both at the same time. I HIGHLY recommend having them done at the same time. I have a friend who's dd had one done and refused to have the other done, so she had to take out the one and let it close.
The Claire's we went to was clean, the girl wore gloves and sanitized everything with alcohol. I felt it was very clean and professional, even though the employee was young. They do a lot of piercings, so I wasn't concerned about her knowing what she was doing.
I asked her some questions and she said around your dd's age is a terrible time to do them, though. She said either very young - so they don't realize what is going on and they get over it VERY quickly, or older - like my dd's age, when they are able to actually express an interest in having it done and know the pain is worth it. Really, you could have a baby girl dressed in a fancy, lacey pink dress, wearing a big pink bow on her head, with earrings on, and you will still get people thinking she is a boy! People are stupid and who cares if a stranger thinks she is a boy? Earrings won't change that.
My dd did cry when they did the first one, and the second, and afterwards for a long time. She said she changed her mind and didn't want her ears pierced (she figured if she took the earrings out, they would stop hurting). I did give her Tylenol and she was fine, she was very brave.
We did get the screw off ones, recommended by the Claire's employee. BUT, we could NOT get them off when the time came. We tried and tried and couldn't get them screwed off. I had to take her back to Claire's and have them help me get them off. I will NEVER do the screw off ones again and do NOT recommend getting them unless it is for a very young child.
Good luck with whatever you decide. My parent's didn't allow me to get mine done until I was in 9th grade!
S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider