What you should know before getting a belly piercing.
As the demand for belly button piercings continues to rise, it’s clear that this trend is here to stay. With style driving the appeal for body piercings forwards, you might be considering getting one yourself.
There are some important things you should know before getting one of these pierced belly button rings. So, what do you need to know before making this decision? Read on for more information!
What is a belly button piercing?
Firstly, it’s probably worth noting what a belly button piercing actually is. This type of body piercing, also called a navel piercing, is a piercing that takes place around or in the navel. A true belly button ring piercing is centered straight above the navel.
With a pierced navel, healing times can vary, with it sometimes healing quickly like an ear piercing, whilst sometimes healing within an extended period like a surface piercing. However long it takes, this piercing is very easy to hide.
Jewellery options
One thing to know about belly button rings is that there are many different jewellery options to decorate them with. Pierced jewellery is gaining popularity, with the curbed barbell being the most obvious choice for this type of piercing. This curves outwards, popping against your belly button. Barbells usually fit better with your natural bodily figure. Having a small bead on opposite ends, one of the beads is removable to allow you to change out any jewellery. The usual material for belly button piercing jewellery is implant-grade stainless steel. This is very safe due to its low allergic sensitising feature.
How to change out a piercing
Another thing you need to know about this type of piercing is how to change it out. You can, in fact, change out the piercing by yourself, but you need to make sure that the piercing is completely healed before you do this. It’s recommended to wait a full year before swapping a piercing out, but if you want to do it before this period, then going back to your original piercer might be your best and safest option of changing it.
How painful is it?
Belly button piercings are actually less painful than the majority of other piercings because stomachs are fleshy. This means that these piercings should be less painful than cartilage piercings. Despite this, with piercings still pushing a needle through the skin, you should still expect a short rate of pain to welcome you.
How much does it cost?
Pricing will vary depending on where you live, the piercer’s level of experience, which studio company you choose, and how complex the desired piercing is. Low rates are usually at around $30 whilst higher prices settle at around $70. If a studio offers a price lower than this, you should be cautious of the piercer and the studio’s reputation. This is a very specific job, so paying a little extra to get the job done properly isn’t always a bad thing.
How long does it take to heal?
Whilst some belly ring piercings can take as little as 6 months, this can vary and be up to 12 months. This is why it is recommended to only change out your piercing after a year to ensure that it is fully healed.
How to take care of a belly button piercing
Aftercare is a crucial step with any piercing, and belly button piercings are no different. This ensures that the piercing will heal properly to make the process as smooth as possible.
Washing your hands before touching the piercing is vital. This stops bacteria from infecting the piercing. Furthermore, you should clean your piercing around two times a day using a sterile saline solution. The area should be dried afterwards with a paper towel since normal hand towels could potentially pass on bacteria. Wearing loose-fitting clothes during the healing process is also wise as this will prevent irritation around the healing site. After washing your hands, the area should be rinsed with warm water.
What side effects are possible?
There are a few side effects to be aware of with belly button piercings. These include infections caused by bad aftercare, discharge, and rashes. If these symptoms are worrying you, it could be worth seeking medical attention.
Conclusion
We’ve covered the key things you need to know before getting a belly button piercing. You need to be aware of how to handle these piercings correctly to avoid infection, so hopefully, you will now know how to tackle this process head-on!