Showering with a New Belly Button Piercing You should never soap up a new belly piercing directly, because soap can dry out your skin and irritate a new piercing. Above all, do NOT get drunk before you get your belly button pierced. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Lets find out: When the navel area is healing, experts recommend cleaning it two times a day. It heals from the outside in, so if you have signs of fluid or crusties then you have a while yet to go.. This should be applied no over than twice per day. A. Clean your piercing every day with saline solution or a mild soap, taking care to wash around both piercing holes and your belly button. First off, take a shower beforehand. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. There are two other methods for cleaning saltwater piercings. Let soap stay on the piercing no longer than 30 seconds. Remember, you won't be able to take it out for another six months to a year. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. What You Need to Know Before You Try It at Home. If the doctor suggests, apply an antibacterial cream or take antibiotic pills. You should try to avoid jewelry made of nickel or sterling silver because these metals are the most likely to cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Ask below and we'll reply! Youll also be at more risk of infection. If you've had your tongue, lip or cheek pierced, rinse with an alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwash after each meal and before you Keeping your navel piercing clean is essential if you want it to heal quickly and avoid infection. Wash your belly button with soap no more than once-twice a day. Using a Q-tip or swab, gently wipe away any excess ointment or liquid from around your piercing hole. It could be better if you also carefully used the appropriate saltwater solution measurements. If you want to have a belly button piercing, take steps to prevent problems: If the jewelry has irregular surfaces, your skin will grow to fill those areas. Then, rinse it with warm water until all traces of soap are gone. Plus, you can even. Its for occasional use to reduce irritation and inflammation. Although most people can technically get these types of piercings, it's best to have a good flap of skin above the belly button for the piercer to put the jewelry through if you want it to heal properly. Sometimes, if you get the wrong type of jewelry, you can end up with a nasty allergic reaction around your piercing. How Should I Sit For My Belly Button Piercing? They will be able to take out the piercing and replace the jewelry for you. Youve got yourself a clean piercing without the risk of irritation or infection. Whether youre rocking a two-piece bathing suit or want to show off a midriff-baring top, having your belly button pierced gives you an air of confidence and style. A healing piercing will come with a small amount crust, while an infected one will come with a lot more. A belly button piercing is when you have a ring or other ornament through the skin around your belly button. If you develop a chill and fever, you should see your doctor as soon as you can to see if you require antibiotics for a potential infection. My piercer never told me anything about using sea salt with warm water or using antibacterial soap to heal the piercing all he gave me was the cream. Cup your hand under the piercing and allow clean, warm water to run over it for a minute or two. If you dont have a solid flap of skin on the top of the belly button, sometimes piercers can go for the lower lip of the belly button instead (though this is a rare option). ", Mayo Clinic: Piercings: How to Prevent Complications.. Sustaining proper hygiene will protect you from infectious disease risks and allow for a faster healing process. Wash the area with lukewarm water and then clean with a sterile saline solution or a mild liquid soap. However, over-cleaning can create a reverse effect and slow down the healing. Belly buttons are typically pierced with 12 gauge jewelry, which is around 2 mm in diameter. The quality of the piercing place makes a huge difference in the likelihood that your piercing will heal properly. Remove the crusts gently with a wet cotton ball, and then use the liquid soap to wash the piercing area and navel ring. 2 More posts from the piercing community Moreover, it is best to confirm that the salt water solution that contains all of the necessary ingredients and measurement systems for proper care. Its better to have a thicker piece of jewelry because it will make the piercing sturdier and more resistant to tearing and migration. In high school, she earned a 2400 on the SAT, 5's on all seven of her AP tests, and was named a National Merit Scholar. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Let us discuss it! This article received 15 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Wash your hands, and try sliding it back and forth a bit to make sure it moves freely without pain. Although many people don't have any problems after they get a body piercing, you could have: If you run into problems or decide you dont want it, simply take out your ring or stud. Fresh belly piercings tend to close quickly. Swimming pools/hot tubs are bad. Its also not a good idea to go in public pools or hot tubs because the piercing could get infected from whatever gross types of bacteria may be lurking in the water. Here is a list of celebrities who love their navel rings. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. If you prefer to purchase goods, your solution in a store, look for one with no substances and a 0.9 % sterile solution. However, they focus on saving time and are simple to use with the tiny mess. If its a pus infection, draw it out from the affected area and clean it with a wet cotton washcloth. Dont use a washcloth or loofah to clean your belly button piercing. I have another quick question. Ask questions; get answers. Important: Read This Before Getting a Belly Button Piercing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 4 yr. ago Showers are good. The piercing should be done with sterile equipment in a squeaky clean environment to ensure the lowest risk of infection. Suppose the homemade solution makes it sound too complicated. Also, choose a piece of jewelry that you wont get tired of seeing. Before you get pierced, you should: When you're at the piercing studio, you will need to: After you get your belly button pierced, you should: If you have more questions about any specific problems you're experiencing with your piercing, you should talk to your piercer to get an expert's opinion. While ear piercings typically heal in 6 to 8 weeks, a belly button piercing is usually not fully healed for six months to a year (which is why many people suggest getting your piercing in the winter so you can show off the fully healed final product come beach season). healthhema Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Most people can shower normally after a belly button piercing, but its important to avoid getting soap or shampoo directly on the piercing. Even if you believe that your belly button is the ideal candidate for a snazzy new piece of jewelry, you should know that, Jewelry rejection or migration (migration is when the piercing moves internally to a slightly different spot, and rejection is when your body starts to push the jewelry out and you see more and more of the barbell), Permanent scarring (this can happen if you dont bother to remove the jewelry after your body has decided to reject it). Products like Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine, rubbing alcohol, and powerful soaps can dry your skin out and destroy formation tissue. You have to clean it regularly and not pick at it. Heres an example of what a typical belly button piercing looks like: Unfortunately, if you have an outie belly button, you most likely wont be able to get it pierced. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Belly Button Piercing Aftercare. Try to avoid getting soap or other cleaners into or around your piercing as this can lead to infection and drying of the skin around the piercing. Irritated belly button piercings should clear up quickly with proper treatment, so youll be well on your way to feeling better soon! Most reputable piercers will not take this risk. A. 1 How do you shower with a new belly button piercing? As mentioned above, it takes around six months to a year for a belly button piercing to heal to the point where you can take it out and change it. It is easier, safer, and overall a better idea. Moreover, it is best to avoid utilizing ear-piercing solution products like Bactine, which irritates the skin and is not suggested for long-term use. Can my 13 year old choose to live with me? Do it once or twice every day. Clean with antiseptic cleaner and apply an antibacterial cream. How Can I Safely Recover the Nose Piercing Bump? If the crust around the piercing is left to build up, it can harden around the ring, tearing at the wound when the ring moves. Make it at home by combining 1 cup (or half a cup) of distilled water (or cold, boiled water) with two (one) teaspoons of sea salt. Instead of a cotton swab, you can also use a wet paper towel or a clean gauge. Belly button piercings may appear totally cool and effortless from an outside perspective, but they actually require serious commitment if you want them to look good in the long run. This is much larger than the jewelry used in a typical ear piercing, which is 1 mm or less in diameter. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Who Should Not Get a Belly Button Piercing, Oral Piercing Risks, At-Home Care, and Warning Signs, Laser Tattoo Removal: Find Out How to Get Rid of That Tattoo Youve Always Regretted, Possible Medical Risks of Vaginal Piercings. A clean towel and gauze are other good alternatives. This article has a list of piercing regulations for all the different US states if you'd like to verify your state's specific policies. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, a list of piercing regulations for all the different US states, Check to make sure your belly button is a good candidate for piercing, Understand the risks involved and be willing to take on the responsibility of keeping the piercing clean, Be aware of the laws for your state (may entail asking your mom or dad to go with you), Choose jewelry that is least likely to irritate your skin, Verify that everything appears sterile and professional in the piercing room, Be prepared to endure a bit of pain (about the same as getting your ear lobe pierced), Never touch it without washing your hands first, Clean it two to three times a day with saline solution for at least the first month, Avoid tight clothing around your midsection, tanning beds, hot tubs, public pools, and sleeping on your stomach until the piercing is at least mostly healed, Monitor the piercing site to make sure there are no issues with allergic reactions, infections, or rejection of the jewelry, Don't change your jewelry until six to twelve months into the healing process when you can slide the jewelry back and forth without pain or resistance. If you prefer not to purchase any goods, you can start making your own sea salt solution at home by combining 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt with one cup of water. This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Savannah Vold. You mustnt apply too much pressure when cleaning this area because it can irritate your piercing or cause infection. After cleaning the area, rotate your piercing about 4 times. Now comes the long and hard part - caring for your new piercing. To prevent any additives that may be damaging to the sensitive place, stick to pure sea salt, which dissolves easily into the solution. Also, make sure youre fully hydrated and have eaten at least a little something within the hour so you dont feel woozy during the process. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 803,229 times. In addition to checking the laws in your state, research the regulations at the specific place where you plan on getting pierced to see if they have any special stipulations. DO NOT TAKE A BATH!! Then, press the rim of the cup against your stomach around the piercing, and lean back to completely submerge the piercing for two minutes. This article has been viewed 539,095 times. WebAnswer #4. ", Association of Professional Piercers: "Aftercare: Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercing," Safe Piercing FAQ, Picking Your Piercer, Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings., HealthyChildren.org: "Body Piercings, Teens & Potential Health Risks: AAP Report Explained. Going inside deep water in hot tubs, pools, lakes or rivers needs to be avoided for at least a year after getting the belly button pierced. How would you shower when you have a new belly button piercing? Avoid nasal watering and contact lens options because they contain eye-irritating ingredients. Piercing places sometimes take these rules further and say they wont do certain types of piercings on minors or wont pierce anyone under the age of 16 even with the consent of a parent or guardian. "This has put my mind at ease about the secretion, as I wasn't aware that some secretion (clear or whitish) is, "Everything, including the do's and dont's, is very accurate. It is important to refrain from using creams and ointments because they prevent the piercing from healing properly. Typically, belly button piercings go through the lip of skin above the belly button. Avoid swimming, taking baths, and strenuous exercise until the irritation (or infection) goes away. (Sorry, I know it's a little gross, but it's important to know what something bad looks like.). 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Pierced with 12 gauge jewelry, you can end up with a sterile saline solution or a mild soap.