Belly button piercing was prevalent in ancient Egypt and came back to popularity through the influence of pop culture in the 90s. It’s one of the most common piercings today and is more prevalent among females. It draws attention and gives your tummy a flatter appearance.
If you’re considering getting a belly button piercing, you should have all the facts handy. This guide will go into all the details you’ll need before making that piercing appointment.
Are belly button piercings safe?
Belly button piercings are typically safe. However, the structure of a belly button makes the piercing more susceptible to infections than on other body parts.
Bacteria can hide inside the belly button, especially if you’re not properly taking care of the piercing site. A licensed piercer with sterile equipment and diligent aftercare offers the best chance for a safe piercing.
Getting a belly button piercing
Just like other piercings, a belly button piercing comes with a bit of pain and a long healing journey. But after all that, you’ll have a beautifully adorned belly button.
What’s the process for getting one?
A professional piercer will use a sterile hollow needle to pierce the loose skin, typically on the upper part of your belly button.
Here are the steps they will follow:
- Clean your belly button area with a disinfectant or rubbing alcohol.
- Mark the points where the needle enters and exits your skin to ensure it’s appropriately aligned.
- Pierce your skin with the needle from bottom to top and replace it with piercing jewelry, typically a curved barbell.
- Wipe off blood released from the piercing site.
The entire procedure can take less than five minutes, after which your piercer will give you aftercare instructions.
What is the standard gauge for a belly button piercing?
The standard gauge size for a belly button piercing is 14G (1.6mm).
💡 Take Note: Avoid using a smaller gauge size, like 16G (1.2mm) or 18G (1.0mm), for your belly button piercing, as they increase the chances of piercing rejection and migration.
How much do belly button piercings cost?
Belly button piercings can cost between $40 and $80, excluding the cost of the jewelry. Some studios may include basic piercing jewelry.
How painful is a belly button piercing?
Many people with a belly button piercing say it’s their least painful piercing. However, everyone has different pain tolerance levels. On a pain scale of 1 – 10, it ranks at 3.
How long does belly button piercing take to heal?
A belly button piercing will typically take up to a year to heal. It’s a lengthy healing period because of the location and constant movement. It can take even longer if you don’t take care of it properly.
What belly buttons can’t be pierced?
To get a belly button piercing, you need to have a solid flap of skin above your belly button. People with an “outie” belly button don’t have that flap, so piercers typically won’t pierce them.
A pierced “outie” belly button is complex and can send an infection quickly to your internal organs, causing severe complications.
Caring for your new piercing
The correct aftercare will lead to proper healing. Otherwise, you’ll have infections, and your body may reject the piercing.
How do you shower with a belly piercing?
You can shower normally but avoid rubbing soap directly on the piercing. While rinsing off the soap from the rest of your body, soap may touch your piercing. So, ensure that you rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
To clean your belly piercing, rinse it with a sterile saline solution and use a disposable paper towel to pat it dry.
💡 Take Note: Avoid using your regular bath towel to dry the piercing as it may transfer bacteria from other parts of your body, risking an infection.
When can you change your belly button ring?
You should change your belly button ring when the site heals completely; it usually takes up to a year. The piercing will heal earlier for some people, but waiting for a year is safer.
Can I work out after belly piercing?
Yes, you can work out after your belly piercing, although waiting until after a few days is advisable. When you do choose to start working out, ensure you do it with care.
If any workout routine tugs at your belly button or makes it hurt a lot, you should modify it. Also, ensure that your workout pants do not sit on your belly button.
How can I make my belly button piercing heal faster?
You can’t make your belly button piercing heal faster than it should. But you can avoid irritation and infections that can slow the healing process.
Here are some tips to ensure your piercing heals properly:
- Rinse your piercing with a saline solution daily.
- Take showers (not baths) so you don’t soak your piercing in bath water.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes that will rub on your piercing.
- Keep your hands away from your piercing unless necessary.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your piercing.
- Be on the lookout for irritation or signs of infection like redness, unusual discharge, and rashes several days after the piercing.
How do I know my belly button piercing is healing?
Your piercing is healing when the pain lessens as the days go by and there’s no unusual discharge, rashes, swelling, or redness.
How do I know when my belly button piercing is fully healed?
Your belly button piercing is fully healed when it starts looking like the normal skin you had before the piercing. Also, there’ll be no pain, discomfort, or discharge.
How do you know if your body is rejecting a belly piercing?
When the jewelry moves from its original spot, it signifies your body rejecting the piercing. Also, the pierced skin tissue between both holes gets thinner (less than a quarter inch).
Frequently asked questions
Let’s answer some of the common pressing questions you might have about a belly button piercing.
Can I change my belly ring after 3 weeks?
We don’t recommend changing your belly ring after three weeks because it won’t be fully healed by this time. However, if you need to change your ring because of irritation from the metal type, visit a professional piercer to change it.
What should I wear after getting my belly button pierced?
You should wear free-fitting tops and low pants or skirts that don’t sit across your belly button, so your piercing doesn’t get irritated.
What’s a floating navel piercing?
A floating navel piercing is placed deeper inside the belly button, coming out at the top. You can only get this piercing if you have a deep-set navel. It typically uses a threadless curved barbell with a flat disc at the bottom instead of the traditional gemstone or ball.
The navel folds in on itself, so a conventional barbell will be uncomfortable when you sit. A floating navel piercing takes longer to heal because of its placement. But when it’s healed, you can adorn it with gem clusters, top cascading dangles, and other unique options.
Ready to show off your belly?
A belly button piercing hurts less than most piercings but takes longer to heal. Get one if you’re willing to take care of it for up to a year. If patience and diligence aren’t your strong suit, you may want to consider getting a different piercing.
Don’t skimp on paying a professional piercer and ensure to get the right jewelry metal – solid gold, silver, or titanium. If a piercer advises you against getting a belly button piercing because of your belly button shape, it’s best to listen as they are professionals.
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