What I Learned About Belly Button Piercing Might Surprise You

As someone who has been fascinated by all forms of body art my entire life, I've been drawn into the world of body art's history. I'm fascinated by the cultural and spiritual impact body art can have, and I can honestly say that belly button piercing is something that really intrigues me more than most types of body art.

For starters, I think that this type of piercing looks really cool, and in the right context can be very alluring. Moreover, for the truly artistic individuals out there, a belly button piercing can be the crowning piece necessary to take a body art project to new heights. In short, these piercings rock.

Then again, this type of piercing tends to be seen as more of a novelty and a cosmetic decoration. It can often carry less-than-savory connotations for the person donning the piercing, and the belly button piercing tends to be seen as a high-school and college girl crowd type thing that no self-respecting adult would find admirable to have.

It is this wide spectrum of opinion about a belly button piercing that prompted me to learn a little more about the procedure, and for all of the body art fanaticism that I claim, it turns out that I learned a thing or two.

Here are a few things I learned about belly button piercing that might surprise you, too:

Gauge of Jewelry Is Important - A 14g tends to be the standard width of the piercing jewelry, with occasional piercer using thinner jewelry. The standard tends to be seen as the way to go, especially to help keep issues from developing during the healing process.

Healing Can Take A Long Time - You might be surprised to know that healing can take somewhere between four months to one year, depending on your source.

Your Piercer Needs to be Trusted - It can be tempting to just get a belly button piercing from someone who says they've done it, especially if you're a spur-of-the-moment type of person. Resist this urge, and do some research on piercers in your area.

Pain Can Vary Quite A Bit - Will It Hurt? It depends. Not everyone handles pain the same way, so truth be told, there's no way to peg an actual answer down. That said, assume you're going to feel some discernible pain.

Every Belly Button Is Different - Whether you're talking about an innie or outie, or talking about the way the skin above & below your belly button presents itself, not every piercing is the same. This means that your experience won't be the same as your BFF, so think a piercing through.

A belly button piercing is a low-key entry into the world of body art and one that, for all of the back and forth about what message about you it conveys, ultimately says what you want it to say. That said, put in the work in finding the best piercer you can with the right credentials, experience, and satisfied clients. And, of course, don't rush into things.

How to Protect New Piercings While Tanning

Fashion is something that virtually everyone can relate to, whether man, woman, or child. One of the longest-standing fashion trends for both genders are surface piercings. Body piercings can be dated back all the way to the beginning of humankind, from ancient Egyptians with stretched ear lobes and lower lips, to ornamental tribal piercings and similar body modifications. Although these civilizations primarily used piercings and stretches for spiritual and cultural purposes, you can see these same trends in today's society as a form of fashion.

Today, we have the technology and medicine to ensure that surface piercing is safe; however, it is up to you to ensure that your pierced skin remains in good care while it heals. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is neglect post-piercing care. Not only must you keep your piercing clean and intact, you must also protect it from excessive heat and sun exposure. This includes taking certain precautions when tanning, whether in a bed or out in the sun. Continue reading to learn how to protect your new surface piercing while tanning.

Surface Piercings

Surface piercings are different from traditional ones since they do not go all the way through the skin and out on the other side; much like ear and belly button piercings. Surface piercings are often seen on the face, by the upper lip or on the cheek. They are also commonly seen on abdomens, arms, and more.

It is important to protect regular pierced areas when they are new, but surface piercings require even more consideration when tanning. Basically, you will treat a surface piercing the same as you would a regular one when tanning, but it is important to really take some extra precaution so that it does not get infected.

What To Do:

If your piercing is very new, you should avoid tanning and sun exposure altogether. Wait at least a week before tanning to ensure that no infection has formed as a result of the actual appointment. If you were to get a sunburn around your pierced skin, it would take even longer for the piercing to heal, plus cause more pain and discomfort, as well as permanent scarring. It also opens you up to a higher risk of post-piercing infection.

Whether you have a surface or regular piercing, the first step to take before tanning is to clean the area thoroughly. Use an antibacterial soap, clean water, and a clean rag to eliminate any dirt or germs. Instead of soap, you can also use antiseptic liquids like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.

Once it is clean, be sure that you do not get any sunblock, tanning lotion, or oil near the area. This can also cause infection, pain, swelling, and discomfort.

To avoid sunburn and product contamination, cover your pierced skin with a bandage. Just be sure that the adhesive from the bandage does not get into the hole of your piercing. For even more security, consider covering the bandage with another bandage, like medical gauze or a clean washcloth. In fact, this is recommended for larger surface piercings.

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Navel Piercing Aftercare: Three Things You Must Do

We live in a pretty neat time in history when what was once thought to be the mark of a social outlier and outcast is now fairly commonplace. We're talking about body art, with a specific concentration on navel piercing. It used to be that piercing a part of your body meant rocking some great earrings. Nowadays, the idea of having a navel piercing is not only not that big a deal - it can also serve as a bit of a rite of passage.

There are certainly a number of you out there who went out to the biggest city near your hometown while you were in college, and you all decided you'd get either a piercing or tattoo together. This way, you'd become "sisters" for life, and be the best of friends forever. At least, this was the idea until you had to be part of an audience as you watched your roommate or dorm cluster neighbor get her navel pierced. Some of you were stoked while others were aghast. Still, you all made a pact to be "sisters", right?

One of the things you may have all not been listening to closely while getting your navels pierced was the process of aftercare. The last thing you wanted was for something to go wrong with your new body art, so now you had to stick to the rules of aftercare. You managed, and after a bit, you got a real kick sporting croptops & low-rise jeans.

So, if you're reading this & looking to get your own navel piercing, it's important to do so with the understanding that you'll need to follow the aftercare procedures exactly as your piercer breaks them down.

Procedure may change slightly from artist to artist, but all will agree on these three "musts":

Wash Your Hands Thoroughly - It's the one reason that germs get spread in this world, and yet, it's one of the easiest things to do. Before you even think of putting your hands near your belly button, wash them with soap and warm water.

Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing That Won't Make Contact with Piercing - It's not about being cute or alluring - it's about making sure you don't irritate the area. By wearing clothing that steers clear of your navel piercing, you give the area a chance to fully heal.

Get Your Dixie Cups, Sea Salt, and Purified Water Ahead of Time - Part of the aftercare work you have to put in is keeping your new piercing clean. This involves a saline solution in a cup and working with the physics of a vacuum seal. That said, if you know you're getting a navel piercing, start getting your aftercare supplies before you get pierced.

A navel piercing can be a neat, sassy way to break into the world of body art. With the right mindset, a trusted piercer, and a willingness to follow a regimented aftercare procedure, your piercing experience will be a great one.