Navel piercings (also known as belly button piercings) are a popular option among both genders, though it is most commonly seen on women. This is a great body modification choice, as it is not visible on a daily basis, which can be very beneficial when you work in a professional environment with a strict dress code. This piercing may take longer than most to heal, due to the location and can be painful if tugged at or snagged on a piece of clothing. Besides these small inconveniences, navel piercings are a great way to show your creativity and individuality, thanks to the various jewelry designs and metal options that are featured on the piercing market today!
The Facts
Navel piercings have a reputation of slow healing, primarily due to the location. Expect to care for your piercing for 3-4 months on average and, depending on how vigilant you are with your aftercare routine, healing can last up to 12 months!
Since your belly button is often covered by clothing (whether it be a shirt or a pair of pants), the jewelry will often get snagged when putting on and taking off your clothes. Since the piercing site is also located on (or rather, in) a skin fold or roll, the constant movement, stretching and hinging of the area can cause your piercing to heal at much slower rates.
Vitamin B and Zinc supplements are a great way to naturally enrich your health while simultaneously promoting quicker healing. Caring for your piercing consistently and on a regular basis is the difference between a fully healed, painless piercing and one that is infected and rejecting the modification.
The Aftercare
Just like any fresh piercing, make sure your hands are washed and sanitized before attempting to clean the site. Dirty hands can easily result in an infection, which can be spotted and attended to, as the piercing site will ooze a yellow discharge, which may have a foul odor. The area around the jewelry will also be red and painful and can be accompanied by excessive heat. These are all signs of an infection and should be treated by a doctor immediately.
You may experience a white crust forming around the jewelry. This is normal and should not cause any alarm! It is simply dried white blood cells trying to heal the hole in your body around a foreign object. Carefully wash away the crusting in the shower. Twisting and turning the jewelry while dry will rip the scabs before they are ready to come off, reopening the wound once again and allowing an infection to take place.
Make sure to use a mild, antibacterial soap when washing your piercing in the shower and performing salt soaks multiple times per day can expedite healing times further.
Keep any fragranced soaps, body washes and body makeup away from the site when it is in the healing stage! This can cause serious irritation and may result in an infection.
Most importantly, listen to your piercers instructions! If you do your due diligence and choose a competent and well-regarded studio, your piercer will be an experienced professional who will know how to effectively heal your brand-new body modification. Listening to their advice is a surefire way to ensure a happy and healthy piercing!