Many young people, including teenagers, still want to get their belly button pierced — those this particular kind of piercing appears to have seen a drop in popularity since the turn of the millennium.
Parents of teenagers are usually against the idea of belly button piercings, and most will not allow it. However, not so many people know how to explain their reasons for being so opposed to allowing their teenage children to get piercings.
The medical risks of a belly button piercing
As a parent, you may be opposed to the idea of your teenager getting a piercing because you are concerned about the medical risks.
A navel piercing can pose a dangerous risk of infection, just like any other piercing can. It is risky because the needles used to pierce the skin can spread infections, including very dangerous ones such as HIV and viral hepatitis. It is essential that any piercing be done by a licensed professional in sterile conditions to minimize the risk of infection that originates from the piercing studio itself. [1]
Even belly button piercings made by responsible professionals can still become infected, however, if the newly pierced person does not follow meticulous aftercare instructions. [2] A hole in the navel can be an open pathway into the abdominal cavity for infection, as the ring constantly catches on clothing. Unless a new piercing is washed, rinsed with saline, and allowed to dry, the risk of infection can be significant.
Other reasons to be opposed to your teenager getting a belly button piercing
Parents may also:
- Feel that a piercing is a permanent and "adult" choice, one their teenager is too young to make.
- See belly button piercings as counter-cultural, and be worried about any judgment their teen or they may fall victim to.
- Think the money their teen may spend on getting a piercing is better used in different ways.
Reputable piercers will never pierce minors without parental consent, unless they are emancipated — so if your teen has found a body piercer who is willing to give them a belly button piercing without your permission, that is in itself a sign that the piercer is not upholding modern standards. This, in turn, raises questions about the sanitary conditions at their studio, too.
Body piercing is still gaining popularity, and belly button piercings are also very much here to stay. Girls of all ages are getting their belly buttons pierced, and some boys, too. What once was considered an alternative venture is now mainstream. With a variety of belly rings on the market, anyone with a belly button piercing will surely find that special gold belly ring, platinum belly chain, diamond navel stud, or whatever unique body piercing jewelry they were after.
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Belly button piercing is the most popular type of piercing, followed by tongue piercing at a close second. [3] A large selection of piercing jewelry is available, including many types of belly rings and navel-piercing body jewelry. There are also many styles of belly rings. Acrylic belly rings, for example, typically have a stainless steel shaft with two acrylic balls that can come unscrewed.
Anyone who is getting a belly button piercing should be informed about the pros and cons, so let's examine that further.
What is a belly button ring?
A belly button ring is an adorning decoration for the navel, typically in a curved barbell or circular shape. Metals for belly button rings include surgical steel, solid 14k gold, silver, niobium, or titanium.
Gold or silver plated metals may break easily or cause irritation to your belly button [4], so it is good to know the risks involved in getting your belly button pierced.
Who should not get their belly button pierced?
If your belly button does not have the skin for the piercing to hold, the ring will likely slip out, instead of lying flat against the navel. Outie (protruded) belly buttons have more surface scar tissue to deal with, but a seasoned body piercer can pierce an outie belly button as well. Most people choose a vertical piercing that enters inside the belly button and exits through the skin above it.
How to take care of a new belly button piercing?
To help with the healing process of your navel button piercing, wash it twice per day. However, over cleansing can interfere with your body’s natural ability to fight off infection. Always sanitize your hands before touching your belly button ring. You can apply a diluted salt solution to your piercing for five minutes to soak off dry material. After that, clean it with soap that contains antibacterial properties, and rotate it through the piercing for approximately one minute. Rinse your piercing thoroughly and make sure no traces of soap are left, and then pat it dry. [5]
How Long Will The Piercing Take To Heal?
A belly button piercing can take up to one and a half years to heal completely, and it can be difficult to treat, which is due to exposure to poorly chlorinated waters. Besides, clothing and sweat can irritate the piercing as well. Factors that can slow the healing process include poor quality jewelry, stress, and illness, lack of proper care, or a poor diet. If not cared and treated properly, a belly button piercing can take up to two years to heal and is an easy target for recurring infections. [6]
Can you leave your belly button ring in during pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, you can wear your belly button ring up to the fifth or sixth month. Once the skin on your abdomen begins to stretch significantly, you should take it out or upsize that gauge. [7]
How To Remove Your Belly Button Ring?
If your piercing is new, you will most likely be wearing a captive bead ring, so it would be best to go back to the shop you got the piercing from at and ask them to remove it and replace it with new body jewelry. If your belly button piercing heals properly, wash your hands, your navel, and the new body jewelry that you wish to insert. Next, unscrew the ball in your piercing and pull the barbell down and out. After that, insert your new body jewelry into your piercing from the inside of the belly button up and out, and screw the ball on.
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How To Get A Safe Body Piercing?
- Consult a licensed or well-apprenticed piercer for advice on whether your belly button will accommodate piercing. The piercer will decide how well your tissue will hold a ring in place.
- Confirm that your chosen piercer works with sterilized equipment and disposable hollow needles and that he or she wears new latex gloves for each client. Confirm also that he or she offers only piercing-quality jewelry, and is accessible post-treatment should you have any questions or concerns.
- Schedule your appointment when your calendar is clear of any strenuous or even moderate physical activities. Yoga, dancing, swimming and most other sports may be out of the question for a few weeks following the piercing.
- Try to wear loose-fitting clothes to your piercing appointment; opt for low-slung pants or skirts and tunic or wide-belly tops. Wear anything that will not rub or pull around your belly button.
- You should also remain focused on your breath and fix your gaze on a stationary point during the procedure which could keep your muscles relaxed and help minimize any discomfort.
- Go with the jewelry that your piercer offers, provided that it is titanium, stainless steel or niobium. These are the metals least likely to promote infection. Gold may not mesh well with your body’s chemistry.
Although the freedom to wear belly-baring clothes makes summer a logical season to get your belly pierced, you have to remember that swimming and bathing are not advisable for a few weeks after a belly button piercing procedure. [9]
Moreover, you have to take special care when getting dressed during the initial weeks that follow the piercing, since clothes may catch on the ring and, when pulled, may cause a lot of pain.
It is important to be aware that piercings can cause nerve damage if the piercer positions jewelry improperly. Also, communicable diseases may spread during the procedure if performed with unsterilized equipment as some piercers do. [1]
Remember that belly button piercings are popular among models and celebrities. However, a belly button piercing is not for everyone. They work best on innies (intruded belly buttons), and the more recessed the indent, the better the case. Most people say that belly button piercings do not hurt that much at all; if anything, the clamp hurts more than the actual needle. At the same time, some people are surprised by the pain, so this is individual. The piercer tells you to take a deep breath in and then let it out.
By the time you finish that breath, the procedure is over, so at least it is relatively fast. When some people have pus and crust on their piercing, they will most commonly think it’s infected. However, it is just healing in most cases, but you have to be careful. You could put warm salt water in a shot glass and lay down with it on the navel, which could help the healing process. If you notice there is something wrong report it to a doctor because it might be imperative for the healing of your belly button piecing.
Sources & Links
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