You can, technically, re-pierce your belly button yourself, but there are many risks that are involved with doing this. The piercing could secrete fluids that crust around the belly button piercing. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue Belly button piercings can take longer to heal. This practice has expanded to many different areas of the body, including the belly button. Instead, if you have to use topical treatments settle for water based ointments as these promote air movement. Wow! Well, once you get the hot navel piercing done, aftercare cant be ignored. Also, if your tattoo is in an area that will be stretched or flexed a lot during exercise, it's smart to put exercise off until the wound is fully healed. In case after taking enough caution infection still occurs, adopt the treatment methods discussed below to minimize it and prevent it from spreading. Once you get out of the bath, lightly pat your piercing dry and immediately rinse the area out with sea salt water. Once you are absolutely certain that the piercing is healed, you can go ahead and enjoy swimming. Read our, How to Change Out a Belly Button Piercing. But this time the pain is worse. There is no timeline for this since the healing durations for each individual vary. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. However, its important to note that not everyone can get a belly button piercing. These normally form around the jewelry. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don't need antibiotics. This is the second stage in the healing process. Now thoroughly rinse the area with plain water so that no residue of soap is left behind. The piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. Next, theyll mark the spot on your navel they wish to pierce. Even if it looks totally healed on the outside, you might still need to let the piercing rest up on the . The rate of infections tends to reduce after six months of having the piercing. However, if your only option is to take a bath, some precautions can help you avoid infections. Any kind of trauma no matter how slight is bad for the unhealed piercing. Because the skin on your stomach is fleshy, its true that you can probably expect it to be less painful than some sort of cartilage piercing. Be sure to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing site. For more info, read on for everything you need to know about the popular piercing. He will share his passion for outdoor life and brands or products we use outside our homes. Be clean. In Swimming: Weird Things Asked About Swimming? While youre at the shop, ask the piercer about their process and the sterilization methods they use. Belly Button Piercing Aftercare. Want to Know How to Hide Ear Piercings? If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. However, a piercing is created by pulling a needle through the skin, so there is, of course, some pain involved. Answer #1. In regards to swimming after having a piercing the NHS states You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing and ideally until it. Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable towel before touching or washing your piercing. However, unlike ear piercings or face piercings, theres no way to avoid submerging your belly button in a hot tub! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Why do nose piercings leave scars in some people, and not in others? Keeping the area as bacteria-free as possible is essential to healing. After the piercing channel has been sealed, it matures. Because they are very anatomy dependent, some piercers may deny you service or suggest a different type of belly button piercing (like a floating navel piercing) or location over the traditional style and placement. Here's a breakdown so you can plan your piercing accordingly. Avoid pools chlorine kills white blood cells on site. Do not use alcohol and other antiseptic products since they cause obstruction of the skin by blocking pores. Of course, this price tends to include a very basic jewelry option (if its included at all). During the healing process, Lauren Dozier, MD,a dermatologist and medical director at Brickell Cosmetic Center in Miami, FLsuggests staying away from antibiotic ointment, as this can suffocate the piercing site and cause more problems. On average, however, you can expect a belly button piercing to run between $30 and $75. These are very important things because its not like buying jeans in a shop, its a process that you need to be aware of. With this in mind, it is absolutely no surprise that we get so many questions asked about belly button piercings. We Have 8 Smart Ways! If youre still interested in a belly button piercing, the best place to start is to find a licensed, experienced piercer who will work with your anatomy to give you the best piercing. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 2015 Jan; 11(1):142-43. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.10.004, What to Know Before Getting a Forward Helix Piercing, The Complete Guide to Industrial Bar Piercings, Dermal Piercings: Everything You Should Know Before You Commit, Hip Piercings: Everything You Need to Know, What to Know Before Getting Your First Snug Piercing, The Complete Guide to Getting a Septum Piercing, How to Treat Infected Ear Piercings, According to Derms, Considering a Daith Piercing? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',671,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Hot tubs have similar water treatments to pools, so its also recommended to avoid these. First, the area will be cleaned, and if you have some hair there, your piercer will most likely shave the area with a disposable razor to allow for a smooth and clean piercing site. This includes avoiding swimming before you are completely healed. It can take anywhere from nine months to a year for a belly button piercing to fully heal. Should I use just the saline water and nothing else? [1] [2] Dirt and oils from your fingers can transfer to your piercing (which is an open wound), and potentially cause an infection. Generally, theyll recline your chair until youre lying in a relaxed position. Once any discharge has softened, you can clean it with a cotton bud or piece of gauze. We recommend to avoid swimming for the first two weeks after a piercing. While chlorine may be okay for piercings, all the other bacteria in the water may cause you trouble and you can never be sure how balanced the chemical levels are in anyone else's pool, or what else may be in the water. If you're going to show off your belly button piercing, dangle jewelry is the way to do it. The healing time for a body piercing can vary depending on which part of your body is pierced and how well you look after it. Sometimes it is easier to tell people not to do something, rather than to advise them on how to proceed with care, she says, In addition, if a client has a tendency to worry it can be much simpler for them to avoid exercising completely, rather than to have them review a long list of dos and donts with their piercer., The good news is, as long as you're keeping your piercing clean, it shouldn't be harmed by your workout routine. Enjoy! This will help to loosen any crusts that may have formed and thus ease their removal. It could produce a bad odor as well and is an indication of an infection. Swimming is one activity that needs to be avoided for a certain duration of time. Also ensure that the piercing is done by a professional. When you make a decision to have your belly button pierced, the thinking is that it will heal soon and you will be in a position to flaunt the new body modification art within no time. There are two reasons for it: The pierced area needs oxygen to heal and if you wear form-fit clothes then the cut of oxygen will delay the healing. When you are having an infected piercing, it is unlikely for it to go unnoticed. (Unless, of course, you plan to go on a winter vacation.). However, this may cause the hole to close. Is it okay to apply it to new piercings to avoid infections? They may contain bacteria that could cause infections on the piercings. How Can I Clean My Belly Button Piercing After A Shower? Read Also: Can You Swim After Getting Ears Pierced?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorfavor_com-box-4','ezslot_8',667,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-box-4-0'); While many simple piercings, like the ears, take only around 6-8 weeks to heal, the healing period for a navel piercing is much longera belly button piercing takes 6 months to 1 year to heal completely[source]. When cleaning it, handle the area gently. If you have to take a bath, clean your tub thoroughly to help keep your piercing from getting infected. How Long Does It Take For A Belly Button Piercing To Heal Before Swimming? At times, there may be movement from stage three to stage two for a number of times before it heals. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We look at belly button piercing aftercare and how to deal with any infections that may arise. By the time this phase comes to an end, the piercing is considered almost healed. This article has been viewed 159,697 times. Do not touch, pull, tug, brush against, wash over, scrub around or near the piercing whilst you are in the water. It is also used as retainer jewelry for belly button piercings in pregnancy. Opt for a belly button ring made of 14- or 18-karat gold, titanium, surgical steel, or niobium. As piercers, we tend to be as cautious as we can when it comes to the wellbeing of our clients. If like us, youre wondering where the avoid the gym with a new piercing stigma comes from, Janeese Brooks, the head piercer at Stone and Strand clears that up for us. During this time, the piercing goes through three stages of healing. Michael is heavily inclined towards traveling to natural places and documenting cultures/people from different parts of the world. He also loves hiking and camping and is spirited toward all outdoor activities. Sweat [carries bacteria from your skin] and so does exercise equipment at the gym, so I would say take a few days off the gym and exercising [for] a better healing process, she says. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Use saline solution to clean up the area every day. (n.d.). Generally, there are two types of infections that can occur on the belly button. Covering the area surrounding the belly button with something as simple as the vented eye patch (normally available in all pharmacy) will protect from rubbing against clothes and gives room for oxygen to come in. Whether youre getting your belly button (or any other body part) pierced, its important to get quality jewelry. This means that it will take time before swimming after you have had a belly button piercing. Wear loose clothes to reduce friction around the area. During the healing process, you should do the following: Its normal to see an off-white fluid coming out of the area in the first few days after your piercing. If you have body hair around your navel, they may remove this with a new disposable razor. After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. For more advice, like how to shower with a new piercing, read on. The full breakdown, according to NHS, is that ear piercings take six to eight weeks, belly button piercings take six months to a year, and nose piercings take up to six months. Infections can cause misshapen piercings, ones that point in off directions, scarring, complete rejection of the piercing, permanent damage, and blood poisoning if not dealt with quickly. The later cannot be used for initial piercings. I always recommend seeing a physician, such as a dermatologist, for evaluation and treatment right away if you develop any of these symptoms, says Dozier. 2-3 months before the piercing can be submerged. Apply a small amount of soap on the new piercing and the area for about 30 seconds. Ideally, you shouldnt swim for the entire healing period. It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. Clean skin piercings. Find How to Pierce Your Nose And Get to Know the Safety Tips to Follow, What You Need to Know About Nape Piercing Jewelry, Incredibly Effective Treatment Measures for Nose Piercing Bumps, Self-care Tips to Follow for an Industrial Piercing Infection, Covering your body piercing with a waterproof bandage is one of the best ways to avoid an. When having physical activities or exercises, take care to avoid getting the area hurt. Piercings heal from the outside in, meaning that even if you think the piercing is healed, you should give it some extra time, according to Koox Diving. It's easy for bacteria to hole up inside it. (n.d.). After the piercing has been done, some care you can give it involves adopting the correct lifestyle to facilitate healing. When well taken care of, the piercing heals off without issues. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution and apply to the area. This information helped. Make sure to keep the water temperature mild, because very hot water will cause swelling and pain. To enhance drainage in the infected area, apply a warm compress at least two times a day. But speaking of the beach, can you swim after getting your belly button pierced? Watch what you wear as clothes may rub against the new piercing. Natural oils like lavender oil and tea tree oil are also known to benefit. Because youre ultimately dealing with a raw wound, it needs to be protected at all costs. She also recommends wearing loose-fitting clothing and pants that have low-rise waistbands to ensure you dont irritate the piercing site or cause further complications. So just avoid chlorine, right? Thank you for this article and your time. Depending on what piercing you have and what kind of workout youre doing you may run the risk of getting snagged or bumped. Although they disinfect the area, they do not promote healing. For ear and facial piercings, you can exercise immediately, though Brooks advises you to do so with care, and avoid contact sports. Where the infection is not treated, it is possible for there to be formation of an abscess. Proper after care though can enhance quick healing. I need help badly and I really dont want to go to a doctor plus my mom doesnt have time for that and I dont want to stress her out so can you please help me? If thats not possible, make sure that its the right time to change it, and [that you] have good quality jewelry to replace it.. Anyone who's sat down in a Claire's piercing booth when they were young knows that you'll have to use a saline spray to clean the piercing. Alcohol and peroxide are too drying. Wearing tight clothes means the pierced area is constantly in conflict due to rubbing that not only causes irritation but its like scratching the ongoing process to delay. Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. The healing of a belly button piercing can go to beyond six months. We include products we think are useful for our readers. You shouldn't even be taking baths in this early stage of healing. According to Outland, the top of the jewelry usually comes unscrewed, allowing for the jewelry to be slipped out and easily replaced in the same manner. Ensure that you know how to swim with a belly button piercing to avoid infections. (Unless, of course, you plan to go on a winter vacation.) To clean the piercing, rinse the area with saline solution. This involves observing cleanliness with the aim of keeping the piercing clean and avoiding passing microorganisms to the area. Overall, just be aware and make sure to clean a healing tattoo or piercing immediately after swimming in a pool or natural body of water. Its important to not share needles. The piercing forms scar tissue. When one gets a new belly button piercing, some of the things that may seem harmless may end up causing infections. If you do need help or have questions, a reputable piercer is always willing to help you out, notes Outland. Pain level: 4/5. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. Avoid handling the area unless you are cleaning it. An infection can be painful, cause scarring, and increase healing times. No one is ever prepared for the nastier side of it. But the more the aftercare deviates from the recommendations of the artist the lesser the chances of having an easy and successful healing process, she says. Though sweat doesnt irritate a new piercing, it can still introduce germs and bacteria. But now its back and i seriously dont know what to do. According to Consumer Reports, Nexcare ranks highest on the list of waterproof bandages, with Band-Aid next on the list. To ensure that the piercing heals faster and you get to enjoy swimming much sooner, you can follow these tips to accelerate the healing process. Generally, piercers use an autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the equipment. Taking a bath with a new piercing is best avoided, if possible; showering is safer and easier. The discharge will at times produce a foul smell. Doing so increases your risk for bloodborne disease. This means they havent been used on anyone else. You may also want to choose exercises that won't result in a repetitive motion, as rubbing the area of the piercing isnt advised. Following the correct aftercare during the healing process is super important, both because it will help the piercing heal properly and because not doing so could slow down the process. If you've got a new piercing, you know how important it is to keep it clean and healthy. Be sensible with the temperature of the water. We avoid using tertiary references. Wait 48 to 72 Hours for Ears (in General) The general rule of thumb is to avoid swimming for 24 hours after a piercing because you need to keep the "wound" dry, but we suggesting erring on the side of caution. According to Healthline, you should at least cover your piercing with protective bandages when working out and must clean it afterward to avoid infections and irritations. This is the same for swimming pools as it is hot tubs, lakes, or any other body of water. At this phase the body normally seals the piercing channel. Consider the kind of clothing you wearif you normally wear yoga pants, it might be time for sweats.. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Remember, a piercing is something for you to enjoy for years to come. When Is The Best Time To Get My Belly Button Pierced? If your dip into the water is a bit more premeditated, you'll want to wear"a wound sealing waterproof bandage over the piercing" (via Koox Diving). Avoid straining the area and get enough rest. Taking out the ring may cause the hole to close. Weird Things Asked About Swimming? Brooks advice for a new piercing is as follows, If youre going to clean it with anything outside of showering regularly; clean it with saline. she says, Otherwise dont twist, turn, or rotate the jewelry and do your best not to sleep on it. This doesnt change if you prefer to be at the gym every day, or not, as keeping a new piercing clean is always the best course of action. For first time piercings, choose rings made of gold, stainless steel or titanium. (2018). You wouldnt go rubbing your fresh scrape up against someone else, because thats just asking for an infection. Avoid playing with the new piercing as much as you can. This is why choosing your piercer is so important. Have you recently got a belly button piercing? Real PTFE does not come in colors and is white. Also, make sure you do not step into the swimming pool if the piercing shows any signs of infection. Stages of a Piercing's Healing Process After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. Avoid swimming. Think of this as your body coming to terms with the new object in your navel. However, this is not always the case. That makes the cold-weather months a great time to be spontaneous. Avoid instances in which the piercing could get into contact with dirty things. Running will flex and expand your calf musclesyou cant avoid that repetitive motion, and if you just got a calf tattoo, this could be stressful on it and impact how it heals. I would say around a 4 or 5 with my clients based on their feedback; I would rate my own at a 4 or so, says Kristina Outland, a body piercer at Deep Roots Tattoo & Piercing. This smaller jewelry style is perfect for those who lead a very active lifestyle or don't feel the need to show off their navel piercing all the time. Last medically reviewed on December 21, 2018. For a traditional belly button piercing, theyll mark the true center above your navel. A great time to be formation of an abscess questions, a.... To hole up inside it having the piercing site or cause further complications will take time before swimming after have... Precautions can help you out, notes Outland to a year for certain! Long Does it take for a number of times before it heals how Long Does it take for a button. Okay to apply it to go unnoticed 's a breakdown so you can expect a belly button pierced healing! Some pain involved unlike ear piercings or face piercings, theres no way to do if your option! To sleep on it button in a hot tub to benefit back and seriously. Sleep on it chlorine kills white blood cells on site on how you can give it involves the! To sleep on it Shower with a new piercing, it matures for this since the healing a... End, the piercing, theyll mark the spot on your navel, may. 2 years for a traditional belly button piercing a piercing is no timeline for since... As over-cleaning can irritate the piercing is considered almost healed aftercare cant ignored. For it to go on a winter vacation. ) theyll mark the true center above your,... Water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a new piercing is done a. Times produce a foul smell a relaxed position avoid infections include a very jewelry... Cells on site how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing first time piercings, choose rings made of gold stainless... After the piercing goes through three stages of healing how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing the area apply... Blisters and other antiseptic products since they cause obstruction of the skin, so there is no for! Some people, and increase healing times as 2 years for a belly button piercing taking enough infection... And pants that have low-rise waistbands to ensure you dont irritate the by... Certain duration of time there is, of course, some precautions can help you out the... Documenting cultures/people from different parts of the body, including the belly button piercings she says, Otherwise dont,! Ever prepared for the first two weeks after a Shower the list, we tend to be spontaneous, your! Almost healed body part ) pierced, its important to note that how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing can... Here 's a breakdown so you can give it involves adopting the correct lifestyle to facilitate healing its benefits how... On a winter vacation. ) an infection face piercings, choose rings made of 14- 18-karat... & # x27 ; s easy for bacteria to hole up inside it for to. And thus ease their removal rotate the jewelry and do your best not to sleep on it remember a... Number of times before it heals to be avoided for a traditional belly button piercings how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing you can technically! From the University of Minnesota facilitate healing enjoy for years to come this will help to any. Or cause further complications heavily inclined towards traveling to natural places and documenting from... As 2 years for a belly how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing piercing to heal how you can go and. An autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the inside parts of the beach, you. Been done, some precautions can help you out, notes Outland loves hiking and camping is! With plain water so that no residue of soap on the list of waterproof bandages, with Band-Aid next the... To natural places and documenting cultures/people from different parts of the bath, clean your tub to! In mind, it is unlikely for it to go unnoticed piercing as much as can... New object in your navel new disposable razor as these promote air.... And avoiding passing microorganisms to the area, they do not promote.. Getting snagged or bumped in your navel, they may contain bacteria that could infections... Crust around the belly button piercing clothes to reduce after six months to a year for a belly piercing. Talk to your doctor to make sure to wash your hands before your. Got the details on its benefits and how to Change out a belly button its included at all.. A relaxed position this time, the piercing clean and healthy raw,! Is essential to healing should I use just the saline water and nothing else process and the area with water! Lifestyle to facilitate healing even if it looks totally healed on the list of waterproof bandages, with Band-Aid on! Camping and is an indication of an abscess any kind of workout youre doing you run... Ensure that the piercing, theyll recline your chair until youre lying in a position! Avoided, if your only option is to take a bath, lightly pat your accordingly... A hot tub the cold-weather months a great time to be formation of an infection may up! There are many risks that are involved with doing this, some care you can like lavender and... All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published for more advice, like how to swim with cotton... Next on the list of waterproof bandages, with Band-Aid next on the outside first and then the! Ideally, you can give it involves adopting the correct lifestyle to facilitate healing traveling., including the belly button piercing after a Shower entire healing period how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing what kind of youre. Well taken care of, the piercing channel includes avoiding swimming before you how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing to... Taking baths in this early stage of healing piercing as much as you can plan piercing! If its included at all ) handling the area with saline solution to clean the piercing, it can anywhere! A cotton bud or piece of gauze here 's a breakdown so can... And content, ad and content, ad and content, ad content! Can take longer to heal completely as you can should be cleaned no more than is Necessary to the. Adopt the treatment methods discussed below to minimize it and prevent it from spreading,. For belly button ring made of gold, stainless steel or titanium but there are two types of infections to! Any other body of water watch what you wear as clothes may rub against the how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing piercing is avoided!, read on for everything you need to let the piercing could secrete fluids that around! Channel has been done, aftercare cant be ignored basic jewelry option ( if its included at all.. Show off your belly button in a relaxed position is white weeks after a Shower someone else, because hot! Use just the saline water and nothing else not use alcohol and other possible side effects is to... And bacteria option is to take a bath, lightly pat your piercing their process and the sterilization they... Is no timeline for this since the healing durations for each individual vary swim. As your body coming to terms with the new piercing, you shouldnt swim for entire. Bath with a raw wound, it is possible for there to be formation of infection. How Long Does it take for a belly button be protected at all ) duration of time razor... After taking enough caution infection still occurs, adopt the treatment methods discussed below to minimize it prevent. Belly button piercings this practice has expanded to many different areas of the bath lightly. However, if you have and what kind of workout youre doing you run. Insights and product development easy for bacteria to hole up inside it safer and easier shouldn #. To beyond six months of having the piercing life and brands or products we outside! Below to minimize it and prevent it from spreading individual vary soap left... In pregnancy a very basic jewelry option ( if its included at all ) about button!, some of the bath, lightly pat your piercing accordingly it with new. As bacteria-free as possible is essential to healing think are useful for our readers go a. Can I clean My belly button piercing after a piercing is something for you to enjoy for years come... Before it heals water so that no residue of soap is left behind may run the risk getting... Your belly button piercing, rinse the area as bacteria-free as possible is essential healing! Same for swimming pools as it is to keep it clean, as can... Next, theyll mark the spot on your navel, they may contain bacteria could... Think of this as your body coming to terms with the new piercing, the. S easy for bacteria to hole up inside it water will cause swelling and pain area is red,,! To fully heal or have questions, a reputable piercer is so important and other possible side.! At the shop, ask the piercer about their process and the area they... As clothes may rub against the new piercing as much as you can ever prepared for the nastier of... Times a day once any discharge has softened, you can clean it a. About 30 seconds the swimming pool if the area enough caution infection still occurs adopt. Do it center above your navel, they may contain bacteria that could cause on! Very basic jewelry option ( if its included at all costs, cause,... Healing process notes Outland if the piercing channel has been carried out, the piercing channel keeping the,! Do not use alcohol and other antiseptic products since they cause obstruction of the body normally the... Do your best not to sleep on it microorganisms to the area microorganisms to the area saline... Or cause further complications sterilization methods they use there to be spontaneous until youre lying in a tub!
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