It seemed to be the biggest trend in the 90's: getting a belly button piercing. Many models, dancers, and actresses would happily flaunt their newly acquired navel jewelry. There are indications that Egyptian Pharaohs used a ring through the navel as a ritual transition from earthly life to eternity, but otherwise, there are no historical indications that the piercing of the navel was common. After the ear piercing, the belly piercing is the most popular piercing among women and men also increasingly opt for this sexy piercing. But before you make a hasty decision, it's good to think about the pros and cons of this piercing.
Do I have a suitable belly/navel?
Unfortunately, not everyone is a suited candidate for this piercing so it may not be possible for you to get a belly button piercing. If your belly button is too deep or has too much surrounding tissue, it can cause constant pressure on the jewelry, preventing the wound from healing properly. This often causes irritation or can cause infection. When this is the case, it is wise not to have this piercing done. A belly that's too big can also be detrimental to a belly piercing. This, in turn, creates pressure on piercing, which can cause it to grow out. This is the case, for example, if your belly folds over your belly button when you sit or bend over. In general, changes of it growing out are bigger when you have a bigger stomach. The body will reject the piercing and it will fall out over time. In addition, with an outward navel, it is possible that there is not enough room to have it pierced.
Getting your belly button pierced
A belly button piercing is not placed in the navel itself, but through the skin that surrounds it. Therefore, the name is actually a bit misleading. It's most common to have the upper edge pierced, but theoretically, it is possible to have the piercing done on any side you prefer.
When your navel is found to be suitable, you can have the piercing done. Preferably wear a shirt that is not too tight and that you can easily pull up. Your pants should not be too high in the waist. It is important that your clothes do not get in the way during and after piercing.
The belly button piercing is a surface piercing. This means that the jewelry is pierced through a skin fold. This is done in the same way as a cartilage piercing. The skin fold is held with a clamp and a needle is pushed through. When the needle is withdrawn, the piercer pulls the jewel through it.
Aftercare and healing
A belly button will take longer to heal than a piercing in any other part of your body. This may mean that you'll be bothered by the piercing during this period. Sometimes the wound becomes inflamed. This can be painful and annoying.
On average there is a recovery time of about 6 months. The most important thing is that the piercing is kept clean. Due to the large amount of bacteria, it is not recommended to swim in chlorinated water for the first few weeks. However, swimming in salt water can work very well to prevent infections, as well as cleaning the piercing with a saline solution.
You can clean the piercing as follows:
Use a paper cup and dissolve 1/4 teaspoon sea salt in warm water.
Put on low pants and pull your shirt up (or off).
Bend forward from your waist until the edge of the cup surrounds your piercing.
Then move on to a couch or bed carefully while pressing the cup against your stomach.
The saline solution will help to clean and disinfect the wound and the heat of the water will drain any pus or secretion from the piercing. You must keep the cup over your belly button for at least 10 minutes.
When you're done, carefully get up to avoid spilling the liquid, drain the water into the sink and pat your belly dry with a clean tissue or paper towel.
It is also advisable not to wear pants with a high waist. Because of the edge of the trousers, the piercing can get stuck which can lead to unwelcome complications. The jewelry might even get stuck and in the worst case you'll tear out your piercing. A poorly cared for belly piercing can cause considerable scarring, or in the worst case, the infection can lead to serious health problems. If you experience any problems, prevent things from getting worse by contacting your piercer or your doctor immediately.
As with any other piercing, don't change the jewelry before your piercing is completely healed.
Different types of piercing jewelry
You can decorate your stomach with different types of piercings. In general, rods and rings are the most suitable. Below is a brief overview of the different types of piercing jewelry.
Barbell: In the simplest form, this is a rod with a ball on two sides, but can also have other shapes. One ball falls into the cavity of the belly button and the other ball outside it.
Banana bell: A type of barbell where the rod is slightly bent. This is often used when placing a belly button ring after piercing. The ball that falls into the navel cavity can have an extra decoration, such as a stone or a short chain.
Captive Bead Ring (CBR): This is a ring that's closed by a small ball.
Hopefully, we have provided you with enough information about the advantages and disadvantages of belly button piercings, but if you have any questions or doubts, please feel free to visit our store where our team is happy to help you make the right choice.
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Aphraheals - Piercing Aftercare
