Thinking about getting a belly button piercing? It's one of the most popular types of piercings both men and women can get – and its popularity seems to be on the rise again. Here are 10 interesting facts about belly button piercings.
Fact #1: Belly button piercings are one of the least painful ones.
Belly button piercings are one of the least painful types of piercings that you can get. There aren't many nerve endings in this area, and this means that the piercing is more of a slight pressure and a quick pinch instead.
If you're wondering about any other piercings and pain tolerance, check out our related video about the 10 Most Painful Piercings here!
Fact #2: Belly button piercings are actually a surface piercing.
Belly button piercings aren't done through the stomach, but instead through the top layer of skin. It doesn't go inside at all as a lot of people might think, but instead the needle just pierces through the skin's surface.
Fact #3: There are different ways to place a belly button piercing.
Not all belly button piercings are the same. There's the standard vertical one that most people are familiar with, but there are also horizontal ones that go through the sides, or ones with a diagonal slant if that's what you're after.
Some people who already have the top piercing later have the bottom one done as well.
If you aren't sure, you can refer to a chart or ask your piercer more about placement.
Fact #4: Yes, you should remove your belly button piercing for the duration of your pregnancy.
It's not recommended to keep a stainless steel piercing in if you become pregnant. If you do, the jewelry will stretch out together with your belly button and can cause a lot of problems, including infection or tearing of the skin.
Fact #5: Navel piercings can vary in healing time depending on the aftercare.
Most navel or belly button piercings will take about six months to a year to heal properly, and a lot of how well the healing goes depends on how well you take care of it.
If you do a lot of things that include physical activities where you're bending down and stretching (or anything else that could be disruptive to your piercing), you should be conscious, consider this and speak to your piercer beforehand about your daily level of activity.
Fact #6: Beware high-waist jeans and swimming.
Always be aware of your piercing when you're wearing high-waist jeans.
Because of the fact that they rise up all the way to your belly button, it can catch your piercing. In many cases – and I've seen it – this can tear out the piercing. Sometimes it's safer to avoid jeans entirely for the duration of the healing period.
Want to know the other most common cause for torn and tugged piercings? Sleeping.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach if you have a recent navel piercing, much the same way as you would avoid sleeping on your ear with a new industrial.
Fact #7: Always take caution around swimming pools with a piercing.
Always be careful with fresh or healing piercings and any exposure to water like a river or swimming pool. Especially where your piercing gets soaked for a long period of time, things like bacteria and chlorine in the water can get inside the wound and disrupt the healing.
Fact #8: Be careful when working out with a belly piercing.
Always be cautious of workouts if you have a belly button piercing. It's not just about the motion of exercising: It's also about sweating. Exercise means that you sweat more and this can easily get inside the piercing and affect how well it's able to heal.
Fact #9: There are many different jewelry types.
From prong danglers to an oval, there are many different varieties of body jewelry that can suit your navel piercing.
Fact #10: Proper aftercare is what makes for a good piercing.
For this piercing, go with saline (salt water) spray, or opt for a special antimicrobial soap.
If you're going with salt water, spray it on a q-tip and make sure that you go around the entire piece of jewelry as best you can.
Slightly push the jewelry out of the way and make sure your piercing is fresh and cleaned.
If you're using the antimicrobial soap, fill a small cup with water, mix it all around and use it as your solution for your piercing cleaning needs.
As long as you do this regularly for the full duration of your healing time, your piercing should be fine.
Have questions or concerns about getting a belly piercing? Give us a call at (714) 280-5453, email us at info@lulusbodyjewelry.com, or visit us at our flagship location at 1025 Westminster Mall #2071, Westminster, CA 92683
We're always happy to help out :)
Megan Tavera
May 24, 2021
I’m thinking of getting a belly piercing ones I turn 16 but how long do I have to wait tell I can go swimming before I get one