Belly button piercing: how to do, how long it heals, and how to care for the piercing

Piercing on the belly - a great way to decorate your body: pierced belly button always looks sexy and attracts the eyes of the opposite sex. If you have decided to pierce the belly button, you should read the information about piercing: how to do piercing, what to treat the wound and how to care for the pierced belly button to the healing passed without inflammation and suppuration.

Belly Piercing

What earring should I choose for a piercing?

The idea, which appeared in ancient times among African tribes, allowed modern women to express themselves in an original and fashionable way. Today, belly piercing can be found in girls engaged in oriental dance or pole dance. And also in those ladies for whom belly button piercing is a beautiful and special decoration.

Having decided on this procedure, it is important to choose a suitable earring because the jewelry varies in shape and is made of different metals. There are several types of belly button piercing jewelry for every taste.

  • Ring: a round-shaped piece of jewelry;
  • Barbella: an earring with two balls around the edges;
  • Circular: a horseshoe-shaped earring with balls on the edges;
  • Banana: a curved barbell with balls of different sizes.

Banana Earring

Banana

Below we look at the metals that are used for piercings, their pros and cons.

  • Copper steel: is a stainless alloy made of steel, chromium and nickel. In general, the metal is safe: allergic reactions occur in rare cases. As a rule, the price of such products is low.
  • Titanium: a strong stainless metal that has a high grafting rate and does not cause complications.
  • Gold: an expensive metal that does not cause allergies. The disadvantage is the high cost of the product.
  • Silver: a cheap metal that does not cause allergies. Disadvantages - over time, it may darken.
  • Bioplastic: products used for navel piercing on a temporary basis. Serve as a replacement for metal jewelry in the case of festering wounds.

Brief description of the procedure

The entire procedure, with the preparatory and final stage, takes at most half an hour. The master (with gloves on!) decontaminates the jewelry and the place of the piercing, makes a mark on the skin, seizes the fold and pierces it with a special disposable needle in the targeted area. The jewelry is inserted at once.

Regular punctures are often done without anesthesia. But for double piercings or navel piercings of irregular shape, the puncture site is almost always anesthetized.

There is almost no pain during the piercing, but during the healing process, discomfort and soreness are not excluded.

How do you pierce the navel?

Many people, having decided to pierce, do not know how to pierce the belly button. In general, the procedure is quite fast:

  1. The master puts on disposable gloves and makes a decontamination of the jewelry.
  2. Then, using a marker, marks a place on the belly button where the piercing will be located.
  3. Then anesthesia is carried out, disinfects the skin and makes a needle puncture.
  4. Then the jewelry is placed and the wound is treated with antiseptic.

Belly button piercing
It is worth knowing that qualified masters do belly button piercing only with a needle. Using a gun is not allowed, because it tears the tissue and delays the healing process.

After all the manipulations, the piercer explains how to properly treat the navel and how to care for the puncture to heal as quickly as possible.

How long does it heal and what to treat with

Reviews state that the healing of belly button piercings is purely individual. The average time is from 1 week to 2 weeks, in men this period can be reduced to one week. Interestingly, for fat girls, the process slows down a little due to the greater amount of damaged tissue under the piercing.

The wound should be treated as needed. In the first few days, you need to flush the puncture hole 3 or more times. This is to prevent rotting. Chlorhexidine is used for rinsing, which heals both large wounds and microcracks. It is not necessary to drip alcohol on an open wound - it severely dries the skin.

Belly button healing
Healing the belly button

Lubricate the earring with Spasatel, Celitel, Levomekol or any other antiseptic ointment. Apply a small amount to the earring itself, then move it several times so that the ointment spreads inside the wound. Also apply a pea of the product under and over the earring.

Is it possible to pierce the belly button for full girls?

Any girl can have her belly button pierced, regardless of her build, because everyone has different tastes and preferences. Some like lush and rounded shapes, others like a flat stomach with cubes.

However, people who are overweight can have some complications. In fact, excess fat on the belly and around the belly button reduces blood flow to that part of the body, which slows down the healing of the belly button after the piercing. This is why belly button piercings are not recommended for diabetics who are overweight, as in these cases the risk of developing edema or other more serious infections cannot be ruled out.

Popular methods for festering belly button

Eliminate festering in the area of the piercing can also be done with the help of folk methods. However, it is worth considering that the belly button is very close to the abdominal cavity, so it is best to use proven means that can do no harm.

Recipes of folk medicine for festering belly button:

  • Aloe. You need to cut a leaf of the plant, which is at least 3 years old, remove the skin and chop it to a puree. Now apply the ointment directly to the sore spot. Cover the application with a cotton pad and plaster. Don't forget to treat with antiseptics. Aloe speeds up the healing of the wound, and helps to draw out the pus.
  • Onions with laundry soap. This recipe is very common and simple, yet effective. To prepare a remedy, grate a small amount of 72% laundry soap on a fine grater to a crumb. Next, grind an onion with a meat grinder or a fine grater. Mix the soap crumbs with the onion until you get a homogeneous puree, which will be similar to an ointment. The remedy is applied to the abscess and covered with a bandage and plaster. It is best to carry out the treatment at night. Note that the remedy smells unpleasant, so in the morning you need to remove the compress and take a warm shower, then treat the wound with an antiseptic.
  • Cabbage leaf. Everyone knows that this vegetable perfectly draws pus and helps resorption of seals. To do this, you need to put a cabbage leaf in the fridge so that it becomes cold. Next, using a hoe, it is necessary to beat off the leaf, so that some of the juice comes out. Apply the leaf to the sore spot and fix it with a plaster.
  • Vegetable-based folk remedies have proven to be a good way to fight pustules. As mentioned above, you can use a cabbage leaf, but this is not the only means by which you can remove and pull pus from the wound. Potato juice or compresses are very often used for this purpose. It is necessary to grind a potato on a grater, wrap it in gauze and apply to the sore spot. In the same way, you can act with the juice. It is moistened with a cotton swab, applied to the navel and secured with a plaster. Change the compress should be changed every 2-3 hours.

Sexy Belly
Sexy belly

How to take care of a belly button piercing?

If you will do the piercing in the salon, a professional master will tell in detail how to take care of the piercing, as well as, give a memo that you can take with you.

But if for some reason this did not happen, you can read the detailed care instructions below. To promote rapid healing, a number of rules should be followed:

  1. The first 2 weeks, morning and evening, you need to treat the navel with a solution of sea salt. The solution is prepared as follows: dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in 200 ml of warm water. This procedure should be performed to remove lymph and dried crusts that can traumatize the puncture.
  2. During the day, you should make lotions with cotton disks soaked in antiseptic, such as Chlorhexidine or Miramistine 2-3 times.
  3. When wearing clothes and before going to bed, the navel should be covered with a plaster, as excessive friction can traumatize the skin.
  4. Then, for the next 1.5 months, the puncture is washed with a soapy solution 2 times a day.

After the initial healing has passed, you can experiment with different types of jewelry and insert other earrings. But you should not forget about hygiene: at least once a month the piercing should be taken out and the piercing should be thoroughly washed.

Then, after several years, when the body will adapt, it will be possible to walk without jewelry for much longer: the piercing will not overgrow.

Where and how to pierce the belly button: step by step instructions with photos

The place of entry of the needle - along the midline, inside the navel hollow, along the midline above the belly button. The distance between these points depends on the length of the shank of the jewelry. Usually the ornament shackle for the first puncture is 0.8 mm.

Fix a final clamp to the skin fold so that the marked puncture points in the windows of the clamp coincide with each other. Use a sterile catheter needle to pierce through the skin fold. The puncture is made from the bottom up. The needle is removed, leaving the catheter tube. The stem of the banana is inserted into the catheter from bottom to top and as if pushing the catheter with the stem of the banana out of the canal. When the threaded part of the ornament shows from the upper hole, it is necessary to remove the catheter from the stem of the banana and screw the balloon on. The skin fold should be held while doing this. If this is not done, the catheter may slip off the stem.

Care after the puncture: Healing of the puncture is 5-9 months, the formation of the canal takes 3 months. The injured place should be treated with a special gel or chlorhexidine bigluconate.


You may be wondering

What must not be done after the puncture?

  1. Do not touch, twist or jerk the jewelry, especially with dirty hands: this slows the healing process.
  2. It is forbidden to treat belly button piercing with alcohol lotions, hydrogen peroxide and ointments. The former can provoke chemical burns, and ointments - clog pores and act as a breeding ground for pathogenic microflora.
  3. For the first 2 weeks, you should refrain from going to the gym and physical activity in general. Pressing exercises can be done only after 2 months, as unnecessary movements can traumatize the skin near the earring.
  4. In order not to catch an infection during the wound healing process, you should avoid swimming in fresh water bodies, including swimming pools, for 1-2 months.
  5. It is not recommended to take hot baths or go to a bathhouse or sauna for 2 months after the procedure.

Specialist recommendations for the navel healing process

To avoid relapses, as well as the occurrence of suppuration in this area, try to adhere to the following recommendations of the specialist on the process of navel healing:

  1. Wear loose clothing that does not rub in the waist area, navel. It is best if it will be cotton products, which perfectly absorb and do not provoke a greenhouse effect.
  2. Properly take showers and hygienic manipulations. Two weeks after the belly button piercing you should not take a bath. It is best to bathe under a warm shower with constant antiseptic treatment of the wound afterwards. Never use towels to wipe moisture from the navel. Wipe away moisture from this area with blotting motions.
  3. Experts' opinions on when it is best to get a belly button piercing differ. They believe that in summer there is a lot of dust, as the skin is not protected and there is only a thin layer of clothing. Therefore they say that it is necessary to carry out manipulations in the winter. Others, on the contrary, believe that during the winter, the skin may sweat and create additional friction in this area because of the pants or thermal underwear, which fits tightly to the body.

Belly button piercing
Belly button piercing
Carry out the manipulation when it is convenient for you. However, use only natural fabrics during this period, which do not adhere to the body, and loose enough to allow the skin to breathe.

Belly button piercing does not heal - what to do?

There are certain risks after the piercing: the belly button can become inflamed and purulent. Often these phenomena are observed in cases where the artist violates sanitary rules: works without gloves, does not disinfect the tools and skin properly. And also, when the person himself does not perform proper care for the piercing.

Belly button piercing
It is important to follow the recommendations that the master gives you, so that the belly button after the piercing will grow back without the appearance of negative consequences.

If the puncture in the navel does not heal for a long time, it is likely that a microbial infection has joined the wound. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor: he will recommend a suitable ointment with antibiotic, which will eliminate the unpleasant symptoms that have appeared after the piercing. Also, it is necessary to go to the hospital in cases where:

  • the skin around the puncture has acquired a deep red hue;
  • there is a throbbing pain in the navel area;
  • pus begins to discharge from the wound (yellow or green discharge with an unpleasant odor);
  • An allergic reaction to the metal of the item appeared;
  • An eczema has developed.

Choice of jewelry material

Not only your image, but also the success of the entire procedure depend on the right choice of earring material. The most popular are precious metals: it is a silver or gold belly button piercing. If you want to immediately insert your own earring, the master should be warned about it before the session, especially if he works with a gun.

Types of materials for belly button piercings:

  • Steel. In fact, there is no concept of "surgical" steel. It is a regular steel alloy with nickel and chromium added to it. Thanks to the alloying, it does not rust and promotes healing (due to the perfectly smooth surface of the jewelry);
  • Bioplastic or medical plastic. It is used when all other earrings cause redness and inflammation. It is rarely inserted immediately after the puncture, more often in the 3rd week of healing;
  • Titanium. A stainless metal that is often used in medical practice. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties;
  • White and yellow honey gold. Naturally, the higher the assay - the better. That said, some girls may be allergic to beautiful gold earrings for belly button piercing. This metal promotes accelerated tissue regeneration, protection from infections.
  • Silver - A more affordable analogue.

Piercing jewelry
Jewelry for piercing
Buy jewelry (with a diamond or Swarovski stones) for belly button piercing can be found in specialized stores. Some salons also provide the opportunity to choose an earring just before the session.

Why can't I get my belly button pierced?

Many girls do belly button piercing spontaneously, without thinking about the consequences that this procedure may entail. Nevertheless, the belly button piercing, in addition to age restrictions, there are several other contraindications. Indeed, even an experienced artist will not be able to predict the possible complications, not knowing the characteristics of your body.

In order to foresee negative consequences, you should not do belly button piercing if you have:

  • HIV, AIDS;
  • Psoriasis or other chronic inflammation of the skin;
  • blood clotting disorders;
  • High blood sugar levels;
  • liver dysfunction or liver damage;
  • Infectious or inflammatory processes in the body;
  • Allergies and individual intolerance to painkillers and metals.

The consequences of belly button piercing in the above cases are manifested in the fact that the piercing is inflamed, does not heal for a long time, pus, swelling, etc.

Piercing during pregnancy

Of course, if you are already pregnant, it is extremely undesirable to pierce the navel. It can cause stress to the body. But after many years of wearing an earring and the subsequent pregnancy - what to do with piercings?

If the size of the earring (and belly) allows, then it is quite possible to leave it. It does not harm the baby or the mother in any way, and besides, it is an exact guarantee that the hole will not heal. If the tummy is quite large, and the skin is strongly stretched, it is better to remove the earring. Otherwise, it can tear the belly button and leave an ugly scar. After pregnancy, you can re-pierce the piercing.

This is not a critical contraindication, although beauty salons are reluctant to work with such patients - there is a great risk of infection or further inflammation and rejection.

The price of belly button piercing as pictured in different cities and by different artists varies significantly.

Signs of normal healing

You don't need to worry if you have the following symptoms in the first few days after your session:

  • Slight bleeding and swelling. Small bruises may appear. But if this lasts for more than a week, you should contact the handyman who did the piercing.
  • Change in skin color. Occurs because of whitish fluid secreted from the puncture site.
  • Itching. This is not very pleasant phenomenon occurs due to the growth of new skin cells.

Reasons for immediate treatment to the master are the appearance of purulent discharge, hardening around the canal, an increase in temperature.

There are cases when the body rejects the jewelry because it is made of an unsuitable alloy. Most often, this process is accompanied by painful sensations, but they may be absent. The following signs will help identify the fact of rejection:

  • The dilation of the puncture, the discharge of transparent fluid;
  • The presence of constant itching, the appearance of a rash;
  • Transmission of jewelry through the skin.

Signs of normal piercing healing

How did the popularity come about

Some researchers argue that belly button piercings were made by the ancient Egyptians of the aristocratic class, which can be seen on the sculptures of that time. But there are also opponents of this theory, who argue that this procedure has no echoes in the past, it is the brainchild of modern fashion. In addition, belly button piercings were common among eastern peoples. Whatever it was, but one thing is certain - it came to Europe relatively recently.

For a long time, the abdomen, and with it the navel, was the part of the female body, which was unacceptable to demonstrate to others. However, with the passage of time, fashion requirements are becoming less stringent, and now no one will be surprised girl walking down the street in short shorts and a tank top. Particularly widespread belly button piercing for beach lovers: it can attract the attention of men to your flat tummy, as well as perfectly emphasizes the bronze tan.

In the late 80s of the last century for the first time made such a bold step, as a demonstration of a pierced belly button to the public, the famous model Christy Turlington. Then her rival was Naomi Campbell, who, having a fearless disposition and a gambling nature, repeated this step and showed everyone her belly button piercing.

piercing

In addition to interest in models, at that time young people were growing interest in rock music. In the video of the famous rock band Aerosmith for the song "Cryin'" starred actress Alicia Silverstone, who was just beginning her career. In the video she gets her belly button pierced in the salon and she is very satisfied with the result. As you know, people want to imitate their idols, so gradually the piercers got more and more customers.

A special frenzy for belly button piercing occurs in girls 12-17 years, because any visible modifications of the body can cause anger of relatives and teachers, and belly button piercing can easily be hidden by clothing. Despite this, consent to the procedure and the girls after 20 years to emphasize their sexuality. Strange as it may seem, but even men, mostly Latin Americans and Europeans, began to pierce the navel. Only the jewelry they choose more modest than the girls.

Prohibitions

Why piercing the navel with a gun - a dangerous idea! Even an experienced master, practicing the technology for years, is not able to control the process and predict the outcome. The reason lies in the mechanism of the device. The cutting element is set in motion by a spring, and therefore the precision suffers. When the piercing of the umbilical scar is on the agenda, the slightest deviation from the safe zone is fraught with serious consequences. "Oblique" piercings with curved tunnels bring a lot of trouble: the skin takes longer to tighten, there are problems with the insertion of jewelry.

Avoid places where they offer to pierce the belly button with a pistol, and for medical reasons. It is impossible to completely clean the device after piercing. On it remains the biological material of each client, as the manufacturers of the device prohibit the use of mechanical methods of disinfection, and chemical means to completely solve the problem is simply impossible.

The second prohibition is associated with pregnancy. Is it possible to have a beautiful belly button piercing for women who are preparing to become a mother? No. When is it better to make an appointment at a medical center or salon for the procedure? In 6-12 months after childbirth and restoration of the figure. Do people wear belly button piercings while expecting a baby? Yes, but the question should be raised during an obstetric checkup.

Is it worth piercing the umbilical cord again after delivery? About this kind of belly button piercing reviews do not contain negative. If the tunnel gets overgrown during the 9 months of pregnancy, it is quite possible to go through the procedure again. However, the new hole will not be in the same place, but a little to the side or underneath.

How long does an umbilical puncture of this kind heal? The second time pierced umbilicus heals at the usual rate. It is slower to heal in young ladies who have been diagnosed with blood clotting problems. Ladies who fall ill with a cold on the day they come to the medical center have a full withdrawal.

Please note! There is a taboo on a single double piercing. You will not get 2 punctures in 1 session.

Price for belly button piercing

The cost of piercing depends on the type of services rendered, the fame of the salon or studio, and the reputation of the master who will provide the service. Please see the table for a sample price range in Moscow:

Type of service Approximate price in rubles
Standard piercing without jewelry 800-3000
Standard piercing with jewelry 1200-5000
Bottom piercing without earring 1500-5000
Bottom piercing with earring 2000-7000
Multiple piercings 3000-10000

Nature

For women

For men