Having a navel piercing can be an exciting experience. It reflects your fashion sense and confidence. For some individuals, it can be a discreet accessory that gives their fashion sense some personality. Navel piercings are quite popular among young people, especially. It is safe to have, if done properly, but there are still some risks and considerations associated with navel piercing. This guide will help you understand navel piercing aftercare and its potential risks, for developing a better care regimen for the procedure.
Understanding Navel Piercing
A navel piercing is done through the skin around the belly button. It is most commonly done at the upper rim because this area of the body moves frequently. When you bend, stretch, or due to the clothing friction, other areas of the body can have a longer duration of healing as compared to the upper rim. Typically, a piercing takes six months to a year to heal completely. Being consistent with your piercing after-care ensures long-term healing and prevents further complications.
Who Should Consider a Navel Piercing
Anyone interested in body piercings can have a navel piercing, but here, the body anatomy of the person matters a lot. It is important because some belly buttons do not provide much space for piercing. You should consult a professional piercer, he/she will give you the best advice possible. Additionally, if you engage in activities that cause excessive pressure on the belly button, you should consider its timing and aftercare.
Potential Risks of Navel Piercing
The following are some risks of piercing that may occur as a result of improper handling and aftercare. Early detection of potential risks of body navel piercing can reduce the risk of further complications and promote healing. These risks are given as:
Navel Infection
Infection is one of the most common concerns that may occur as a result of navel piercing. It may present as redness, warmth, and swelling. In some cases, a yellow or green discharge may be released, and this infection also causes pain.
The infection risk increases when one touches the piercing again and again with dirty hands, or there is any exposure to bacteria due to tight clothing or sweat enhancement. Additionally, poor hygiene also leads to the development. To reduce the risk of navel infection, proper cleaning of the wound is necessary, and if the infection worsens, you should consult a doctor.
Delayed Piercing Healing
The belly area moves frequently and can easily be irritated by waistbands, belts, or sleeping positions. These constant movements can slow down the piercing recovery. It delays the healing. Even if the piercing looks fine on the surface, the internal tissues may still be repairing themselves for months, as a navel piercing heals in about six months to a year.
Navel Scarring
Usually, navel scarring occurs as a result of improper piercing care and repeated irritation. Occurrence of minor scarring due to piercing is totally normal, but excessive tissue buildup or raised scarring may be due to navel trauma or infection. The risk of navel scarring can be reduced by keeping the navel area clean and avoiding unnecessary handling.
Allergic Reactions
Low-quality jewelry used for navel piercing may contain metals that can cause skin irritation, leading to allergic reactions. It could present as itching, redness, and rashes around the piercing. This could be avoided by opting for high-quality materials like surgical steel, titanium, or gold.
Migration or Rejection
Sometimes the body treats the jewelry as a foreign object and slowly pushes it toward the skin surface. This is known as migration or rejection. You may notice that the jewelry is becoming more visible under the skin or the hole is stretching, it might be a sign of migration or rejection.
When you have very thin jewelry pierced, the risk of migration increases. Moreover, if jewelry is poorly fitted and is exposed to pressure frequently, it can also displace the piercing.
Preparing for a Safe Piercing Experience
For a safe piercing experience, lessening risks and ensuring healthy healing is necessary. Choosing a professional piercer is one of the most crucial steps in having a safe and successful piercing experience. You should always opt for a licensed studio that practices strict hygiene procedures, uses sterile equipment, disposable needles, and proper hand washing. Ensure a clean environment because it is a big factor in significantly reducing the risks of complications.
Choosing the right jewelry is another crucial step in having a safe and successful piercing experience. Choose the one that is made of high-quality material that causes the least swelling. For this purpose, curved barbells are often recommended because they are comfortable and do not put excessive pressure on the belly area.
Necessary Aftercare for Navel Piercing
Simple daily habits make a noticeable difference in progressing or reducing the healing duration. You should follow the following aftercare for navel piercing to reduce the infection and promote healing. These are given as:
Cleaning Routine
It is good to clean your piercing two times day. You can use a saline solution or a mild saltwater mixture. Gently rinse the piercing area to remove buildup and bacteria at the place. Pat dry with a clean paper towel to clear the surface. You should not use harsh soaps, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide because these can dry and irritate the pierced skin. Avoid using fabric towels because these can harbor germs.
Hands Off Approach
When you touch the pierced area or the pierced jewelry, again and again, it can cause skin irritation, leading to bacterial infections. It can delay the healing. Twisting and spinning of the jewelry also causes damage to tissue healing. You should clean your hands before touching the jewelry.
Shower Routines
You can take a shower immediately or the day after piercing, but avoid having long baths afterwards. Swimming, hot water tubs, and saunas should be avoided as excessive exposure to water can cause pus and inflammation to occur at the pierced site. Such waters also contain bacteria that increase the risk of infections.
Sleeping position
After getting a piercing done, you should avoid sleeping on your stomach as it can cause irritation and may lead to tissue damage. You can set a pillow by the side to avoid rolling and stressing the navel piercing.
Clothes Choices
Tight waistbands and rough fabrics should be avoided. Such a type of clothing can irritate the pierced area and slow down the healing process. Loose-fitting clothes are good to wear. These loose clothes reduce the friction and pressure on the piercing. Soft, breathable materials are best to wear.
Signs Your Piercing is Healing
If you notice any mild tenderness or swelling around the pierced area, do not worry, as it is common in the initial days of getting a piercing done. There may be crusty skin formation around the pierced area, this is also normal. No signs of discomfort and reduced irritation are also experienced with the passage of time. These signs show that your piercing is healing.
Long Term Care and Maintenance
Once the navel piercing is healed completely, it does not cause any discomfort, and the individual becomes habituated to it. Long-term maintenance is necessary to ensure healthy piercing. Your daily lifestyle habits as being hygienic and having a good nutrition and diet helps your piercing remain healthy, avoid discomfort, and reduce the risk of infections.
You can try new jewelry styles once the piercing is healed. Some occasional irritation may occur as a result of clothing and weather changes, as a hot environment causes excessive sweating, and you may irritate the piercing at the belly button.
Conclusion
A navel piercing can be a beautiful form of self-expression when it is done safely and cared for properly. There are certain risks involved with it, but proper aftercare regimens reduce the complications. Maintaining good hygiene not only supports health and wellness but also improvesthe healing process of a piercing.
At Xendo Health, we create awareness regarding such interests so our readers can make informed decisions leading to better health outcomes.
FAQs
What is the healing duration for a navel piercing?
This piercing usually requires six months to a year to heal completely. In the initial stages of healing, you may see the outer skin healed completely, but it is important to know that the inner skin layer is still healing, so avoid irritants.
Can I change my jewelry before it fully heals?
Typically, it is not recommended to change the jewelry before healing. If you change your pierced jewelry with a new one when it’s not healed, it may lead to further irritation and may enhance the infection. So, before changing your jewelry, consult a piercing professional or your doctor.
How does an infected navel piercing present?
An infected piercing can present as redness around the pierced area with mild swelling and sometimes a discharge. It may cause pain and discomfort, leading to fever in some individuals.
Which jewelry is best for a new navel piercing?
Try to opt for high-quality jewelry made up of titanium, surgical steel, or solid gold. These materials are good and often recommended as they reduce the infection risk and promote healing.
Does a navel piercing cause scarring?
Yes, it does. Navel Piercing leaves a minor scar at the belly button, as it’s normal. But when any severe infection or irritation occurs, it may lead to sever scaring. Migration and rejection of the piercing can also lead to severe scar formation.
