The first thing you should do before touching you piercing is to wash your hands. During the healing process, as much as the piercing is kept clean, it should also be kept dry. The scab that had formed earlier on will fall and new skin will form. : These unusual navel rings contain twisting, spiral designs that are sure to catch attention. These prolong the healing process. This can help the pus drain and cause the swelling to go down. This smaller jewelry style is perfect for those who lead a very active lifestyle or don't feel the need to show off their navel piercing all the time. Rinse with plain water. The process was quick and almost painless. Jewelry made from lower-grade metals such as nickel, cobalt and chromates is more likely to cause issues. Here are some tips and guidelines for belly button piercing aftercare. New piercings can be problematic and often need to be removed as your stomach stretches.). Excessive rubbing or friction can irritate your skin and delay healing. Do the same if you experience swelling, pain, redness past the initial stage and for extended duration of time. @fkirons was in the building at the God of Inks Ta, Artist @betsy.ebsen.tattoos protects her work + cl, Get into the Mamba Magic on this @apoundoffle, Lets go over some tips with PP Proteam @tattoos, The @peakneedles Dotwork cartridges are the hottes, We got our hands on the new "The healing process is not quick," notes Dr. Hodes. Just take your antibiotics on schedule and clean your belly piercing regularly. We get into the details of these as well as how to rid the piercing off itch, pussing and swelling. Use these saline wash wipes as a nose piercing cleaner, belly button cleaner, or earring cleaner for pierced ears. This long healing time is due to the location of the piercing. If you want to keep your piercing for the long term, put jewelry in it all the time. Once you have had your piercing, the piercing may with time start oozing white stuff that crusts around the jewelry. In case you feel like looking at it use a mirror. Learn more about the piercing & healing process with this guide! Dr. John P. Cunha on MedicineNet.com says that some symptoms of an infected belly button piercing are: 2. It was originally used to treat umbilical hernias in infants. Treating keloids often requires the help of a dermatologist, although silicone scar therapy gel can help reduce their appearance in some cases. For some, full healing can take months. From dangling jewels to funky charms to glow-in-the-dark options, these belly button rings are sure to make an impression. Use paper towels instead of cloth since the later comes with the risk of transferring bacteria which cause infections. Bent barbells make ideal belly button jewelry because the shape is a good fit for the area being pierced. If your navel appears healed after a month or two, chances are your piercing is going through a good stage of the healing period. Remove any crust or discharge that has formed on the piercing. If you notice any of these symptoms or a combination of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, as they may indicate an infection or other issues. When there is trauma on the healing wound, it is also possible for blood to ooze. Heres how to avoid it. This is much larger than the jewelry used in a typical ear piercing, which is 1 mm or less in diameter. Directions. Carefully! First, the area will be cleaned, and if you have some hair there, your piercer will most likely shave the area with a disposable razor to allow for a smooth and clean piercing site. Check out some of our options below. If you experience any unusual symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Belly button piercings are done either with tools or freehand by a professional piercer. The signs to look out for are discharge of thick, yellow pus (not clear lymph, which is benign), red streaks emanating outward from your piercing, skin thats hot to the touch around your piercing, and fever. Belly button piercings are slightly more prone to migration and rejection than other piercings. Before touching the piercing while cleaning it, ensure that your hands are clean. The skin starts feeling tender and gains thickness with time as the edges heal completely. is this normal? So, good hygiene and belly ring care are essential from Day 1 to reduce the risks of problems., (On that note, think carefully about getting a belly button piercing if youre considering a pregnancy in the next 18 months, says Dr. Hodes. Wearing low rise trousers and a loose-fitting top will help your navel piercing to heal. the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry . Without drainage, the infection could potentially cause an abscess. Di. Since belly button piercing is certainly here to stay, were happy to provide you with this comprehensive overview all about navel piercing. It can take up to a year or longer for the wound from a belly button piercing to fully heal, explains Dr. Hodes. The information is also backed up with photos and pictures. While cleaning, use sea salt solution and avoid hydrogen peroxide and alcohol as these tend to delay the healing process. . Also, a bent barbell or traditional. Yes, it is important to clean any crust or discharge off of your new belly button piercing to prevent irritations that could lead to infection. 0:00 / 13:52 Intro GETTING MY BELLY BUTTON PIERCED | experience, pain, & care Polina Cherepkova 6.46K subscribers Subscribe 245K views 2 years ago welcome back to my channel! So, good hygiene and belly ring care are essential from Day 1 . The belly button is located in an area that is easy to gather sweat and remain wet and dark. Do not use a cotton ball to clean your piercing because a loose fiber can accidently get caught inside your belly piercing and cause a delay or interfere with the healing process. Some metals can irritate the skin. Keep the jewelry in place. That makes the placement of a belly button piercing and the gauge of your starter jewelry important to a belly piercings success. Required fields are marked with *. Follow the golden rule of worry: If in doubt, check it out.. However, people can react to any foreign material, he adds. You can consult your piercer and enquire if you can use tea tree oil or lavender oil to hasten the healing process. : These are a little different from your normal belly button rings. If you notice these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, as rejection can be a sign of an infection or other issue. . We have a range of gem and metal colours to choose from, clear crystal double gem and single gem belly banana bars are the most popular. Belly Button Piercings Placement: Pierced through the skin right above the naval, with a true belly button piercing centered directly above the navel Pricing: $30-$75 Pain level: 4/5 Healing time: 6-8 months, fully healed by 12 months Aftercare: Wash the piercing two times a day with a sterile saline solution and pat dry with a paper towel. When a piercing is performed outside of a specialized, sterile environment, your risk for contracting an infectious disease increases. This is normal and the crusts formed from it help to prevent infection. In extreme cases, your bodys response to the infection could lead to sepsis and a need for urgent medical attention. Other than this, it is also possible for an infected piercing to discharge pus. ), then let the mixture cool off. Most likely, a curved piercing needle will be used and will be followed by a bent barbell or possibly a captive bead ring. : Our comfortable pregnancy belly rings will bend and flex as your belly grows. The process of changing your belly button ring is simple and painless once your piercing heals. Since at this point the wound is still fresh, expect some pain as well. Belly button piercing healing times vary widely from person to person. ", Association of Professional Piercers: "Aftercare: Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercing," Safe Piercing FAQ, Picking Your Piercer, Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings., HealthyChildren.org: "Body Piercings, Teens & Potential Health Risks: AAP Report Explained. Some people choose to have their belly button pierced in a different configuration. In some instances, you may be faced by circumstances that force you to remove your belly button piercing ring. If thats not possible, make sure that its the right time to change it, and [that you] have good quality jewelry to replace it.. (That rule holds true whether its to prevent an infection or to treat one, too. Reviews on Belly Button Piercing in Salinas, CA - Amory Body Arts, Vaughn Body Arts, Make Me Holey Body Piercing, Creative Visions Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio, Black Pearl . Youll also be at more risk of infection. This could be as a result of increased sensitivity in the skin. Unboxing the PEAK Solice Pro with @austin.tattoo.a, Flamingo x @tiaberrys using the @fkirons Flux, Lets chat about Medium Stroke Length and the di. ), If you suspect an infection in your belly button piercing, its time to up your cleaning game. Continued use of saline soaks can clear it. You'll most likely find 14- and 16-gauge offered for this style, which hugs the navel and lays outward, so the side of the ring is showing. However mixing the sea salt water improperly can actually irritate the piercing and slow down the healing process. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Depending on your chemical makeup, you may heal faster or take longer to heal than the average person. Belly button piercing healing times vary widely from person to person. So, how do you know when trouble arrives? Appropriate after care will result in fast and effective healing. With old piercings, swellings could occur if the piercing is subjected to trauma and one side is scarred and hard as a result of formation of scar tissue. In general, an allergic reaction to jewelry metal will more closely resemble hives or dry, itchy eczema patches. While getting pierced, talk to your piercer on what to expect day by day so you can watch out for red flags indicating infections, migration and rejection. A belly button piercing is when you have a ring or other ornament through the skin around your belly button. Aftercare Products: Packaged sterile saline labeled "wound care" is the best choice for body piercing aftercare. Metals regarded as safe for body piercings include stainless steel, titanium or gold (14- or 18-karat). You should be in touch with your piercer because he knows how to take care of the piercing better than you. You can then insert the taper into your piercing and use it to pull the rest of the jewelry through. Where the discharge is too much, it will form crusts around the jewelry. Be patient with the piercing. Once the barbell is in the correct position, you can unscrew the taper and replace it with the ball. This is the initial stage of the healing process. Choose from plain bent barbells and belly button rings with a charm loop, where you can attach any charm to create a completely custom look. And how should you treat that festering hole? With old piercings, the itch could be caused by the jewelry. To get to this, the piercing undergoes the following stages of healing. One common symptom of a belly button piercing infection is persistent sharp pain. You should allow the piercing to heal on itself and your responsibility is to just keep it clean to help speed up the process. How to clean your belly button piercing with antibacterial Soap and Water Before applying soap, soak your navel area for a few minutes (do it during your shower for convenience). Harsh solutions and the use of alcohol can irritate the piercing. Dont change your jewelry prematurely. All rights reserved. Following some simple procedures will make caring for your belly button piercing a breeze: Wipe your piercing two times a day with natural, skin-friendly treatments, particularly while it's healing. In case you wish to change your initial jewelry and are not certain if you have healed, get checked by your piercer to be certain. Getting a belly button piercing is a popular and stylish way to express yourself, but the healing process can be slow and uncomfortable especially if not properly taken cared of. Know what doesnt look good with a pierced belly button? In most cases, this can be noted by the ring tending to look bigger that it initially was as the piercer always gives room for swelling when inserting the jewelry. While most belly button piercings heal without issues, bacteria can infect the area before healing is complete. Perfect for school, work, travel, quick touchups, and ongoing care after the healing process is complete. For at least the first 6-8 weeks of recovery, you should try to wear loose, flowing, or low-waisted clothing that doesnt sit tightly against your new piercing. Soak the area for at least 10 minutes. Although these piercings look great, the belly button healing process takes a long time. This is caused by increased perspiration resulting from friction and lack of aeration on the area. : These unique belly rings are framed by decorative loops that beautifully encompass your belly button. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Once it has healed, you can change your jewelry and change to different designs, colors and patterns as much as you can. In this final stage of the healing process, the skin around the piercing heals. During pregnancy, some women complain of ring itches and redness around the piercing. Talk to your doctor first if you have: If you are pregnant or overweight, a belly button ring could move around under your skin, which can lead to scarring. The only reason you should change jewelry before your belly button piercing is fully healed is if youre experiencing an allergic reaction (see below). You should always be aware of any signs of the belly button piercing becoming infected. These fun navel rings feature charms that overlay your belly button and bent barbells that go through your belly piercing from the top down, with the ball screwing on the bottom behind the charm. Belly Button Piercing Aftercare It's important that you follow proper aftercare during the healing process.
