Belly button piercing has become very popular over the years. Many celebrities have had them done, and now they are becoming more common among young women and men.
A belly button piercing is a type of body modification where a piece of jewelry is inserted into the skin at the base of the navel. The piercing is usually done using a needle or surgical tool.
There are several types of belly button piercings, each with its benefits and drawbacks.
In this article, we will be covering the most frequently asked questions surrounding navel piercing and other related topics.
What Is A Belly Button Piercing?
A belly button piercing is an incision made in the skin at the top of the abdomen near the navel. This area is called the umbilicus (Latin for “navel”). It is also known as the belly button.
The piercing itself is not actually through the navel but rather just above it. The piercing is typically performed by inserting a thin metal barbell or ring inside the piercing hole. This can be done either with a small needle or by making a larger cut to insert the jewelry.
The size of the piercing varies from person to person. Some people get a large piercing that extends down below the belly button while others prefer smaller ones. The piercing may stay there permanently or come out after some time.
Do Belly Button Piercings Hurt?
Pain is subjective to every person and how tolerant they are of pain. Everyone experiences pain differently, so it is hard to provide a definitive answer. Of course, most piercings are going to hurt but the level of pain when you have your navel area pierced is generally moderate.
The pain of the piercing itself will only last a few seconds, but then you should also consider the pain of the healing process as well.
What Is The Healing Process Like For Belly Button Piercings?
When you have a navel piercing, you need to go through a period of healing before the piercing becomes permanent. During this time, you will experience swelling around the piercing site.
You may notice redness, bruising, and tenderness. These symptoms will gradually subside as the piercing heals. After about a month or so, you should see no signs of inflammation or infection.
At this point, you can apply any topical ointment or cream to help speed up the healing process. If you do not use anything on your piercing, it will heal naturally. You should wait until all the swelling goes away before removing the piercing.
How Long Does A Navel Piercing Take To Heal?
It takes anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to fully recover from a navel piercing. Most people take 4-6 weeks to completely heal.
However, if you want to remove the piercing sooner than that, you can always ask your piercer to perform a quick removal.
How Much Does A Belly Button Piercing Cost?
Navel piercing prices vary depending on what kind of jewelry you choose and also what piercer you go to. You must research a safe and qualified piercer to do your piercing.
You should also select a high-quality piece of jewelry to lower the risk of infection, or your body rejecting the piercing.
If you decide to get a navel piercing, make sure you plan. Make sure you know exactly what type of jewelry you want and where you want it placed. Also, find a reputable piercer who has experience performing these types of piercings.
What Happens To Your Belly Button Piercing If You Get Pregnant?
Pregnancy does affect navel piercing because it changes the shape of your stomach. As your pregnancy progresses, your belly grows bigger, and your navel moves further down towards your pubic bone.
When you give birth, your navel stretches even more. This causes your navel piercing to move closer together and possibly close up.
To avoid this problem, you should stop wearing your navel piercing once you become pregnant. Once you deliver your baby, you can start wearing your navel piercing again.
How To Tell If Your Belly Button Piercing Is Infected?
You should check your navel piercing regularly to ensure that there is no sign of an infection. If you notice any discoloration, pus, or other signs of infection, you should immediately consult with your piercer.
They will be able to tell you if your piercing needs to be removed or cleaned.
Signs of infection may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Discoloration
- Fever
- Nausea
If you are concerned that your navel piercing may be infected, you should seek professional or medical advice.
How To Know If Your Belly Button Piercing Is Rejecting?
Your navel piercing may be rejected for several reasons. The most common reason is that your navel piercing was done improperly.
Another reason could be that you did not clean your piercing properly after getting it. Sometimes, the piercing may just fall out over time. If you think you may have rejected your navel piercing, you should contact your piercer right away.
In any case, you should consult a medical expert if you experience piercing rejection.
Signs To Watch Out For
Your body may be rejecting your navel piercing if you notice any of these signs:
- Dark red coloration around the piercing site
- Tenderness
- Fluid coming out of the piercing hole
- Aching pain in the area surrounding the piercing
- Unusual swelling
Other Signs That May Indicate Rejection:
- The piercing may feel loose or uncomfortable when you wear it.
- The piercing may look swollen or bruised.
- There may be blood at the piercing site.
- It may hurt to touch the piercing.
How To Clean Your Belly Button Piercing
To keep your navel piercing clean and prevent infection, you need to wash it regularly. This will also help to ensure that it heals correctly and quickly. Here’s how to clean your navel piercing:
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your navel piercing.
Use natural or skin-sensitive products to clean the piercing area. You should clean your piercing twice a day – this is especially important to do during the healing process,
You can create a lukewarm saline solution to use to clean your piercing.
Take a cotton ball or Q-tip and use the solution to gently clean around the pierced area, and the jewelry.
Use a clean paper towel and gently pat the area to dry, to avoid the risk of infection or irritation.
You should avoid fiddling or playing with your piercing, especially during the healing process. This is because the germs and bacteria from your hands can easily cause infection or irritation.
Can You Get A Navel Piercing On An Outie Belly Button?
Yes! It is possible to get a navel piercing on an outie belly button.
However, it is not always recommended to pierce the outie ’tissue. This is because the ‘outie’ navel is more prone to becoming infected, due to it being made of residual scarring from the umbilical cord.
This means that the position of the piercing will be different from those with an ‘innie’.
It is best to consult your piercer to decide whether the piercing will be right for you specifically.
Can You Go Swimming With A Belly Button Piercing?
Yes, you can go swimming with a navel piercing. However, you should take precautions to protect yourself against water damage. Make sure that you keep your navel piercing dry by using a waterproof bandage.
It is also important to allow your piercing to heal before going swimming.
What Is The Proper Placement Of A Belly Button Piercing?
Properly placed navel piercings are usually placed between 2/3 and 3/4 of the way down from your belly button. There are many styles of navel piercings, so it is significant to discuss them with your piercer.
What Is The Best Type Of Starter Jewelry For A Belly Button Piercing?
The best type of starter jewelry depends on what kind of piercing you want. The bent barbell jewelry is the best shape to wear as a starter belly button piece. There are many other types of jewelry you can wear in your navel piercing, which include rings, hoops, dangles, etc.
What Are the Risks Associated With Belly Button Piercings?
There are risks associated with anybody piercing, but there are some specific risks associated with navel piercings. These include:
- Infection
- Risk of bleeding
- Irritation
- Damage to the surrounding tissue
- Nerve Damage
- Skin Discoloration
How To Change Out A Belly Button Piercing
If you have decided to change out your navel piercing, then you need to remove the old jewelry first. This can be done by pulling the old jewelry through the hole in your navel. Once the old jewelry has been removed, you can place new jewelry into the hole in your navel.
To ensure that your navel piercing heals correctly, make sure that you leave the new jewelry in place until the wound has healed completely. If you do this, then you will not need to worry about removing the jewelry later.
Is It Safe To Have More Than One Belly Button Piercing? Can I Have Multiple Piercings?
Yes, it is safe to have multiple belly button piercings. As long as they are all at least 1 inch apart, then you should be fine.
Do All Types Of Jewelry Work For A Belly Button Piercing? What Kinds Of Rings And Hoops Should I Wear?
All kinds of jewelry work for belly button piercings, including rings, hoops, and dangles. However, if you choose to wear a hoop, then you must make sure that it is sized properly. To prevent infections, you should only use a hoop that fits snugly around your navel.
What Is The Best Way To Care For My Navel Piercing? How Often Do I Need To Clean It?
You should clean your navel piercing every day. However, you should wash it thoroughly when you notice signs of infection. When cleaning your navel piercing, you should use soap and warm water. Be careful not to scrub too hard or rub the piercing too much.
You should also avoid getting your navel pierced again while your piercing is healing. This will help to prevent infections and irritation.
Final Thoughts
Navel piercings are one of the most popular body modifications today. They are becoming more and more common because people are starting to realize how beautiful these piercings look.
Whether you decide to get a navel piercing or not, you should always remember to take care of your piercing. You will find that taking proper care of your navel piercing will keep it looking great for years to come.