Belly Button Piercing Pain & Care
Belly Button Rings
Piercings are fun and a great way to express one’s inner-being. The kinds of modifications that we can make to our bodies are abundant and really help us to set ourselves apart from others in society. With summer right around the corner, you might be looking for a new piercing to show off, and if you don’t have one yet, take a gander at that belly button of yours!
Belly button piercings are perhaps one of the cutest and most feminine of body piercings one can get. Very few men get their belly buttons pierced, but if they want it, why not? Most commonly, belly button piercings involve the top flap of skin over the belly button, but some people opt to pierce the bottom part, or even the middle. (ouch!)
How is it Done?
Before making the decision to go through with the piercing, it’s a good idea to find out just how it is done first so that you know what to expect. Not only this, but it’s also very important that you go to a place that specializes in piercings, has the appropriate experience and sterile environment to perform such a piercing. You get what you pay for, and if you cheap out, you could just get an infection! Here is how a true professional will do a belly button piercing:
- Cleaning. The selected piece of jewelry and supplies are sterilized, the piercing area is cleaned and marked for the needle insertion point.
- Piercing. The person performing the piercing will sometimes use clamps and other times just go for it depending on how they feel comfortable approaching the piercing. The 14 gauge needle is inserted through the belly button skin.
- Inserting. The jewelry is stuck inside the end of the needle and “threaded” through the pierced hole, the ball is screwed on, the area is cleansed and you are given aftercare instructions.
Will it be Painful?
Yes! Any time you are sticking a foreign body through a flap of skin, you should expect at least a little pain.
The belly button piercing pain felt will vary depending on the person getting the piercing done, as everyone has a different pain tolerance and some people have had many piercings before and already know what to expect.
If a clamp is used, the clamp usually hurts worse than the actual piercing of the skin. Most people that I know with this piercing say the belly button piercing pain afterward is worse than the process of getting it done.
How Long Will it Take to Heal?
Getting a piercing means recovery time, and if you plan on getting it done in time to show it off for summer, you should consider getting it done in the fall or winter as belly button piercings can take up to six months or longer to heal totally!
Although this may seem like a long time, it is worth it as long as you take good care of it to heal well.
How Should it be Cared For?
Before leaving that shop, be sure to get proper aftercare tips! If you want to know what’s involved in aftercare before going through with the piercing, it’s a smart move. Here is how you will need to take care of your piercing:
Don’t touch it. Although it is always tempting to touch something new in your body, doing so can introduce infectious germs.
Keep it clean. Sea salt water is one of the best things you can use to clean the piercing site. Dissolve a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt into an 8oz cup of warm water, and use a clean cotton ball to cleanse the area. Others opt to use a mild antibacterial soap. Just make sure you use clean hands!
Wear loose clothing. You don’t want anything snagging on that new piercing of yours, causing unnecessary pain and a prolonged healing process.
Avoid sleeping on it. Again, unnecessary pain. Most will avoid this naturally following a belly button piercing, but others will need the reminder.
Don’t change jewelry. Wait at least 6 months before thinking about putting new jewelry in!
Avoid swimming or stretching. Avoid swimming and any kind of exercise that might stretch around the area and you should be good to go!
Watch for infection. Don’t forget to watch for signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, pus, and if the area becomes warm to the touch. In such case, you should seek medical attention as your body may be rejecting the piercing.
All-in-all, the piercing can look great when properly done and cared for!
