Thinking of getting a belly button piercing… then read this first
No, this article is not meant to dissuade you from getting a piercing. As a matter of fact, this article aims to give you an overview of the piercing process and how to avoid possible problems during the healing period. Belly button piercings cannot be done out of whim for they entail a serious caring procedure that one must follow in order to avoid any infections and enjoy the piercing in the long run.
First and foremost, belly button piercings heal slower than other types of body piercings and so a substantial amount of time should be devoted for its aftercare.
Risks in Belly Button Piercings
Knowledge is power. So before you head out to a professional piercer, you ought to know that there are some risks associated with belly button piercing. These risks are allergic reactions to the jewelry, bacterial infections, jewelry rejection or migration, and permanent scarring.
Rejection happens when your body starts to push out the belly button jewelry while migration means the piercing moves to a slightly different spot through time. Permanent scarring is brought by the failure to remove promptly a jewelry after it has been rejected by your body. Minimize the possibility of these risks by having the procedure done by a professional and caring for your new piercing correctly.
What You Need to Do Before the Procedure
To ensure that you have the best and safest piercing experience, follow the steps below. This article cannot stress enough how important the piercer is and how his handling of the piercing procedure can spell the difference between a dainty piercing and a deadly one.
- Legally Pierced: Know the laws and regulations of your state before getting a piercing. Yes, some state regulate the piercing industry. Some has age limits where an ID is needed before the piercer can proceed.
- Quality Piercing: Look for places with good reviews and credentials like those accredited by the Association of Professional Piercers. Check the websites of different piercing places and discern from their portfolios and customer reviews if these places are worth your trust. If the piercing is done by a professional using sterile equipment in a hygienic place, then there are less chances of the piercing getting infections.
- Preparation 24 Hours Before the Procedure: Take a shower beforehand and clean thoroughly the belly button area, it’s just a must both for hygiene and social etiquette. Live a healthy and responsible lifestyle 24 hours before the piercing. This means you cannot get drunk before the procedure. Moreover, eat and stay hydrated an hour before to avoid any nausea during the process.
- Jewelry Matters: Some infections are caused by allergic reactions to the type of metal used in the piercing. Before buying that cute jewelry, find out first if you are allergic to any specific kind of metal. Most people are allergic to nickel so veer away from that. The usual choices are surgical stainless steel, titanium, plastic, and 14k gold. The form of your jewelry can also affect the healing process. Choose barbells over rings for the former does not usually get caught on stuff that may irritate the pierced area.
- Price: Usual cost of a piercing is between $40-$60. These amount includes both the procedure and the cost of the jewelry.
How to Deal with the Risks
In case of allergic reaction, talk to your piercer and ask if you can change your jewelry. For bacterial infection, follow a good aftercare procedure or if you have one already, strengthen it by soaking the pierced area ten minutes in the saline solution. If there is no progress within a week or two, seek the help of you physician.
