Body piercings have become a huge part of modern culture. Many see it as a way to express themselves along with tattoos. But in some areas of the world, it can even be considered as a spiritual journey. While belly button piercing is normally for the former, some do believe that this kind of piercing actually helps stabilize the third chakra or the solar plexus.
But what should you know about these piercings and body modifications? Can you handle it, especially the pain that goes with a piercing? Or are you indeed able to get one if you want to?
There are a lot of things you have to research. Yes, even the truth behind the Hinduism and alternative medicine beliefs about piercings and chakras. If you are actually a believer, this might help you. That means you don’t only have a cool piercing, it can help you become better, too.
If you are curious and want a belly button piercing, continue reading for important information and guide.
What is a Belly Button Piercing?
Headings
To be honest, the name is a little misleading. You are not really getting pierced on the navel exactly. Rather, the piercing goes around the navel, usually on the upper part. It just look like your navel has been pierced because of most navel piercing jewelries where the design covers the belly button.
Belly button piercing goes through the skin so it’s one of those straightforward piercings you can get. But make sure that you get a professional to do it. If the piercing is done either too high or too low, it can cause several problems.
Note that there are nerves and blood vessels around the navel area. You will want to avoid piercing these. So, if you do not have any prior experiences with a belly button piercing, don’t attempt to do it yourself. Do not agree even if a friend tells you then can do it for you unless they are pros themselves.
However, not everyone can get one. It doesn’t mean that you want it, you can have it.
Everyone has different belly button structures. Some have protruding belly buttons and they normally have to pass on this kind of piercing.
Does a Belly Button Piercing Hurt?
People always ask this whenever they get a new piercing. While some are rather “numb” to piercing pain, especially enthusiasts who have had several piercings all over their body, some are still anxious. If it is their first time getting in pierced in a certain area, you will want to know how much it hurts. Of course, nobody really wants to get tortured with pain.
But rest easy, navel piercing fans. It’s rather low on the pain scale.
Think of it as an ear lobe piercing. Plus the belly button area is less sensitive to pain unlike the nose. Plus as you might already know, the piercing process is actually done in a matter of seconds. With such fast procedure, you don’t have to worry about extreme pain.
However, yes, you will still a bit of uncomfortable pressure. It is a whole lot like getting pinched extremely hard. But then it’s gone as soon as it came.
The aftermath of the piercing will do make you feel uncomfortable. This will last for a few days but belly button piercings are relatively fast to heal. That means you will feel a little better after a few weeks.
What Happens During a Belly Button Piercing?
After choosing your piercer and going to their shop, they will have to check whether you are eligible to get the piercing. Again, not everyone can have it.
If your piercer deems you are okay to get one, they will check where the pierce will be. Usually, they will mark the area with a surgical marker just to make sure they accurately pierce the area.
And then, the procedure will commence. It’s really very fast so it usually just takes two to three steps.
Step One
Your piercer should wash their hands thoroughly first. This is important since they will be handling the needle that will go through your skin. Dirt means bacteria and bacteria could cause infection. They will also likely use a latex glove, just to be extra careful.
After washing their hands, they will put antiseptic on the area where you will be pierced. This gets rid of the dirt and microorganisms you may have on that area.
Step Two
You are usually asked to lay on a bed. This is to help stretch the skin on your navel and get the exact position of the pierce. It is also to help you relax and be more comfortable during the piercing.
Step Three
Your piercer will then take the hollow needle and then pierce the area. It will take a few seconds at least. If you bleed, that is completely normal. They will make sure that it stops immediately and it will after a few minutes.
After getting the pierce through the skin, they’ll put the jewelry in.
And that’s really it. They may put another layer of antiseptic or they may not. But that’s pretty much the whole procedure. Before you go, they will just give you some advice about the aftercare – which is very important and should be followed.
What Happens After + Aftercare Guide
After you had your piercing, you will feel a little soreness and tenderness in the area. But don’t worry, that is completely normal.
You can do activities that your normally do, but you’ll just have to be a little careful with your movements to avoid pain and discomfort. You should never touch it as well – unless you’re cleaning it. That means you should avoid playing with the jewelry at all costs. Most especially, do not ever change it when it hasn’t fully healed yet.
The aftercare is perhaps the most important phase of getting a belly button piercing. The following is a cleaning and aftercare guide to make sure that you are free from infection and that your wound heals faster.
How to clean piercing
Cleaning your wound is important to guarantee that it can heal completely and that the risk of getting infection is lower.
But what do you use to clean a belly button piercing?
It’s actually pretty simple. You’ll just need warm water and a quarter of a teaspoon of sea salt. Dissolve the sea salt in the water and never use common table salt.
Now, there are two ways you can clean the area. First is to get in a low rise pants or shorts and then take off your top. Bend at the waist until the rim of the cup is around your piercing. Put firm pressure on the cup as you rise and lie down while the rim of the cup is wedged against your navel. Then just let it stay for a while. Your piercing site will be drenched in a water solution that helps clean and heal it.
You’ll want to keep this for at least 10 minutes. That’s why it is best to use a Dixie cup for this purpose.
Then, just stand up carefully to avoid spilling some water. Pat the area with a clean dry cloth. Be careful not to rub the area or it will get irritated.
However, not anyone can actually do this method or have the time for it. If you are having trouble, you can always just use a cotton ball. Simply soak it into the water and then dab the area. Make sure that the water gets inside the wound so keep the cotton in the area.
You should keep the area nice and wet for at least 10 minutes so change the cotton every 2 minutes.
Using commercial products
If you do not want to go into the trouble of mixing your own saline solution, you can always buy a commercial cleaning product.
You will find saline solutions in a spray can. The only thing you should do is to spray the piercing area and let it air dry.
However, be careful of your choice. You should always ask your piercer for their recommended product just to make sure that it does not contain any harmful chemicals. It is also good to check the ingredients of the product and try to figure out if you are allergic to any of those.
Avoid drying your skin
There are also several things you have to avoid and do so your piercing will heal faster.
One of the things you should do is to avoid anything that dries the skin. That means you will not be able to stay under the sun for a while. If you want to do some sunbathing, it is best that you get your piercing months away from summer.
You should also stay away from tanning beds. Dry skin will make your skin itchier so you might subconsciously scratch the area and harm your new piercings. Plus, it will just make you extremely uncomfortable.
Stay away from various body products
While you want to stay away from anything that dries the skin, you’ll also want to keep it dry. The only difference here is that your skin is naturally dry but still moisturized. That means you should stay away from various body products such as those spray tanners.
You might even want to avoid using lotions.
The important thing is to keep it dry and keep it clean during the whole process. Only the saline solution should be on that area.
Even soap is prohibited. You’ll want to try and do everything you can to keep the soap away from it when you’re taking a bath. It will take you a longer time to shower but it’s only for a few months. Once it’s fully healed, you can get back to your old, normal day to day routines.
No swimming
Say “see you later” to swimming pools, the beach or any bodies of water for a while. Well, at least for a little while until your piercing has fully healed. Swimming pools are filled with various bacteria that could be really harmful to your piercing. Getting one can use infection.
Also See:
Symbol Of Good Life: 112 Best Tree Tattoo Designs
Make sure everything is clean
You should not really be touching your piercings. So unless you really have to, don’t. But if you’re cleaning the area or you really have to touch the area around it, make sure that your hands are clean. Wash it thoroughly and don’t forget to use some antibacterial soap.
Apart from your hands, you should also make sure that you’re wearing clean clothes. Your sheet should also be clean, especially if you like to sleep naked.
Just don’t take any chances. It may be more extra work but you’ll be thankful that you never got any infections. Plus, if it heals quickly, you can be back to your normal routine once more.
How Long Does a Belly Button Piercing Heal
Everyone can expect a different time for their piercing to completely heal. There are several factors that you’ll have to consider such as your overall health and how well you follow the aftercare guide. But depending on how you care for your piercing and how healthy you are, your belly button piercing can be healed in a three to six months period.
While that may seem like a long time, it’s actually the fair amount of time. Some people will have to wait for at least a year for their piercings to completely heal. In the event you encountered an infection, it will be longer since you have to let the infection heal first before the wound can get back to healing.
Navel piercings will look like they have been fully healed after 6 weeks. But don’t be fooled. There’s still a lot going under the skin. It’s only the topmost layer that has healed.
You’ll also expect a longer healing time if you have some health conditions such as diabetes. Usually for someone with diabetes, wounds will take longer to heal.
If you want your piercing to heal more quickly, you should boost your immune system and take care of yourself in general. Getting good sleep and eating healthy foods would be really helpful.
And while your wound is still healing, never touch the jewelry. Most especially, never remove it, attempting to change to a new one.
