How to Keep Your Navel Piercing Clean
Get permission., Do your research., Check out the shop., Make sure sterile utensils are used., Expect a little pain., Don't be surprised., Know what to expect., Expect some discharge., Wash your hands., Rinse the area., Make sure the soap suds get...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get permission.
If you are under 18, make sure you get permission from a parent or guardian before you get the piercing.
You need to have this approval so that you don't waste your time taking care of a piercing that you'll just have to take out anyway. -
Step 2: Do your research.
Find a piercer with a good reputation at a reputable tattoo or piercing shop.
Read customer reviews online to find out information about the piercer's reputation, and make sure the piercer has completed an apprenticeship with a reputable piercer. , It is very important for a piercing/tattoo shop to be sterile and clean.
If you go to the shop and it does not appear immaculately clean, don't get a piercing there. , When you get the piercing, make sure that the piercer opens up a package of unused, sterile needles to use for your piercing.
This is very important to prevent the spread of infection and disease. , The piercing itself will hurt minimally.
The initial healing and swelling are the worst part. , For the actual piercing, the piercer will take a clamp and put it on your belly button to hold it in place.
This protects you from jerking when the piercing happens. , There will be more symptoms for the first 3-5 days immediately after getting the piercing.Expect to see swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and tenderness, especially during this initial period. , Even if you follow these steps and do exactly what the aftercare sheet says, there could still be a whitish goo that come out of piercing hole.
This is normal and is not an infection.
Just make sure that it is not puss., Always wash your hands with soap before cleaning or touching the piercing or jewelry.Never touch the piercing except during moments of cleaning. , Wash the piercing with a basic soap with no dyes or extra chemicals (that is not antibacterial soap) once or twice a day.
Remove any crust on the piercing with a cotton swab or Q-Tip.
Then gently clean the site with the basic soap and water.Avoid tugging on the piercing; this will be painful and slow the healing. , The easiest, gentlest way to do this is to half-fill a cup with soapy water, gently place it over the piercing, and lightly swish it around.
It may hurt a little if the piercing is fairly new, but the pain will wear off in a few days., When the piercing is wet from cleaning, gently turn the jewelry in the piercing hole.
This will prevent it from scabbing over and getting too crusty., Dry the piercing after cleaning with a paper towel or napkin instead of a bath towel or a cloth.
Towels can contain germs and bacteria, so it is better to use a disposable paper product instead. , These solutions can slow the healing process and kill new, healthy cells., This will prevent oxygen, which is essential to the healing process, from reaching the piercing., Whether it’s a chlorinated pool, a hot tub with bromine, or a natural river, it’s best to avoid getting anything besides soapy water in your piercing., The only time you should touch your belly button ring is when cleaning it.Always remember to wash your hands beforehand. , If there is clear or semi-white liquid, it means it's healing.
If it's yellow, green, or smelly, it may be infected.
In this case, go to a doctor,or visit your piercer and discuss the proper care. , Occasionally, the balls on naval piercing bars can become unscrewed or loose over time.
It is important that you regularly check to make sure they are tight.
Use one hand to hold the bottom ball in place and use the other hand to tighten the top ball.Note:
To tighten the balls, remember twisting to the right tightens and twisting to the left loosens. , Don’t remove the jewelry during the healing process.
Though many piercings heal within six weeks, others can take months and the piercing can close within minutes if the jewelry is removed too soon.Check with your piercing artist (or read the paperwork you should have gotten with the piercing) for an exact timeline.
If you want a new look, and your piercing does not hurt when you touch it, you may unscrew the balls from the barbel and change them, but leave the barbel in place at all times.
Changing it will irritate the piercing and may introduce bacteria to the wound. , Once the initial healing process is over, you can pick any of the many styles of jewelry for your belly button piercing.
Just keep in mind if you have metal allergies or sensitivities to certain materials. -
Step 3: Check out the shop.
-
Step 4: Make sure sterile utensils are used.
-
Step 5: Expect a little pain.
-
Step 6: Don't be surprised.
-
Step 7: Know what to expect.
-
Step 8: Expect some discharge.
-
Step 9: Wash your hands.
-
Step 10: Rinse the area.
-
Step 11: Make sure the soap suds get in the holes.
-
Step 12: Rotate the jewelry.
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Step 13: Dry the piercing properly.
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Step 14: Avoid hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
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Step 15: Avoid ointment.
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Step 16: Avoid swimming.
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Step 17: Avoid touching your piercing.
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Step 18: Keep an eye out for infection.
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Step 19: Check the balls regularly.
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Step 20: Keep your jewelry in!
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Step 21: Choose the right style for you.
Detailed Guide
If you are under 18, make sure you get permission from a parent or guardian before you get the piercing.
You need to have this approval so that you don't waste your time taking care of a piercing that you'll just have to take out anyway.
Find a piercer with a good reputation at a reputable tattoo or piercing shop.
Read customer reviews online to find out information about the piercer's reputation, and make sure the piercer has completed an apprenticeship with a reputable piercer. , It is very important for a piercing/tattoo shop to be sterile and clean.
If you go to the shop and it does not appear immaculately clean, don't get a piercing there. , When you get the piercing, make sure that the piercer opens up a package of unused, sterile needles to use for your piercing.
This is very important to prevent the spread of infection and disease. , The piercing itself will hurt minimally.
The initial healing and swelling are the worst part. , For the actual piercing, the piercer will take a clamp and put it on your belly button to hold it in place.
This protects you from jerking when the piercing happens. , There will be more symptoms for the first 3-5 days immediately after getting the piercing.Expect to see swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and tenderness, especially during this initial period. , Even if you follow these steps and do exactly what the aftercare sheet says, there could still be a whitish goo that come out of piercing hole.
This is normal and is not an infection.
Just make sure that it is not puss., Always wash your hands with soap before cleaning or touching the piercing or jewelry.Never touch the piercing except during moments of cleaning. , Wash the piercing with a basic soap with no dyes or extra chemicals (that is not antibacterial soap) once or twice a day.
Remove any crust on the piercing with a cotton swab or Q-Tip.
Then gently clean the site with the basic soap and water.Avoid tugging on the piercing; this will be painful and slow the healing. , The easiest, gentlest way to do this is to half-fill a cup with soapy water, gently place it over the piercing, and lightly swish it around.
It may hurt a little if the piercing is fairly new, but the pain will wear off in a few days., When the piercing is wet from cleaning, gently turn the jewelry in the piercing hole.
This will prevent it from scabbing over and getting too crusty., Dry the piercing after cleaning with a paper towel or napkin instead of a bath towel or a cloth.
Towels can contain germs and bacteria, so it is better to use a disposable paper product instead. , These solutions can slow the healing process and kill new, healthy cells., This will prevent oxygen, which is essential to the healing process, from reaching the piercing., Whether it’s a chlorinated pool, a hot tub with bromine, or a natural river, it’s best to avoid getting anything besides soapy water in your piercing., The only time you should touch your belly button ring is when cleaning it.Always remember to wash your hands beforehand. , If there is clear or semi-white liquid, it means it's healing.
If it's yellow, green, or smelly, it may be infected.
In this case, go to a doctor,or visit your piercer and discuss the proper care. , Occasionally, the balls on naval piercing bars can become unscrewed or loose over time.
It is important that you regularly check to make sure they are tight.
Use one hand to hold the bottom ball in place and use the other hand to tighten the top ball.Note:
To tighten the balls, remember twisting to the right tightens and twisting to the left loosens. , Don’t remove the jewelry during the healing process.
Though many piercings heal within six weeks, others can take months and the piercing can close within minutes if the jewelry is removed too soon.Check with your piercing artist (or read the paperwork you should have gotten with the piercing) for an exact timeline.
If you want a new look, and your piercing does not hurt when you touch it, you may unscrew the balls from the barbel and change them, but leave the barbel in place at all times.
Changing it will irritate the piercing and may introduce bacteria to the wound. , Once the initial healing process is over, you can pick any of the many styles of jewelry for your belly button piercing.
Just keep in mind if you have metal allergies or sensitivities to certain materials.
About the Author
Barbara Stokes
Writer and educator with a focus on practical crafts knowledge.
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