Everyone will feel restless when their stomach will be pierced. This happens because there is always a chance to get infected. Do not worry! Here are a few quick steps you can take to keep it clean and prevent infection.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Piercing
Step 1. Ask permission
If you are under 18 years of age, be sure to get permission from your parent or guardian before you get your piercing. You need to get this permission so you don't spend time caring for a piercing that you will have to remove later.
Step 2. Do your research
Find a reputable piercer at a tattoo or piercing shop. Read online customer reviews to find out about the piercer's reputation and make sure that the piercer has had an apprenticeship with a reputable piercer.
Step 3. Check the shop
Tattoo and piercing shops are essential to keep them sterile and clean. If you go to the store and it doesn't look unclean, don't get your piercing there.
Step 4. Be sure to use sterile tools
When you do your piercing, make sure that the piercer uses a sterile needle that has never been used to insert a piercing. This is very important to prevent the spread of infection and disease.
Step 5. Anticipate with less pain
The piercing will hurt you a little. The initial period of healing and swelling is the worst period.
Step 6. Don't be surprised
The piercer will use tongs and place them on your belly button to hold it in place. This can keep you from flinching when the piercing occurs.
Step 7. Know what to expect
There will be other symptoms shortly after getting the piercing for the first 3-5 days. Expect to see swelling, light bleeding, bruising and pain, especially during this initial period.
Step 8. Anticipate discharge
Even if you have followed these steps and did what is described in the post-treatment sheet, a solid white liquid may still come out of the piercing hole. This is considered normal and not an infection. Make sure that the fluid is not pus.
Part 2 of 4: Cleaning It Well
Step 1. Wash your hands
Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning or touching piercings or jewelry. Never touch your piercing except during cleaning.
Step 2. Rinse the pierced area
Wash your piercing with antibacterial soap once or twice a day. Remove any scale on the piercing using a swab or Q-Tip. Then, gently clean the piercing area using anti-bacterial soap and water. Don't pull the piercing; this will be painful and slow down the healing process.
Step 3. Make sure the soap foam goes into the hole
The easiest and most gentle way to do this is to fill half a cup with soapy water, gently placing it around the piercing. After that, shake it gently. It will be a little painful if the piercing is new, but the pain will go away after a few days.
Dial's antibacterial foam soap is best suited for cleaning newly pierced navels. The soap is easy to use and easier to rinse off than liquid soap
Step 4. Rotate the jewellery
Gently twist the jewelry through the hole when the piercing is wet from cleaning. This will prevent the piercing from scabbing and becoming too crusty.
Step 5. Dry the piercing well
Dry the piercing after cleaning. Use a tissue or napkin instead of a towel or cloth. Towels can contain germs and bacteria, so you are better off using disposable paper.
Step 6. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol
The mixture can slow down the healing process and kill new healthy cells.
Part 3 of 4: Avoid Things That Can Make Piercings Worse
Step 1. Avoid using ointments
This can prevent the entry of oxygen which is essential for the healing process to reach the piercing.
Step 2. Avoid swimming
Avoid swimming in water other than soapy water on the piercing such as chlorinated pools, hot tubs containing bromine or natural streams.
Step 3. Avoid touching the piercing
You should only touch your belly button piercing when you clean it. Remember to always wash your hands before doing it.
Step 4. Beware of infections
If there is a clear or white discharge, it means that the healing process is taking place. If the discharge is yellow, green, or smelly, then you are infected. If that's the case, go see a doctor, or visit your piercer and discuss appropriate treatment.
Part 4 of 4: Wearing the Right Jewelry
Step 1. Check the pendulum regularly
The pendulum on the navel piercing can sometimes come loose or loosen after a while. It's important to check regularly to make sure the pendulum stays tight. Use one hand to hold the bottom of the pendulum and use the other hand to tighten the top of the pendulum.
Note: To tighten the pendulum, turn it to the right to tighten it and turn it to the left to loosen it
Step 2. Keep your jewelry on
Do not remove jewelry during the healing process. While most piercings heal in about six weeks, in other cases it can take months to heal and the hole can close after a few minutes if the jewelry is removed too quickly. Consult the piercer (or read the documents you must have with the piercing) to find out an exact timeline.
If you want a new look and the piercing doesn't hurt you to the touch, you can remove the pendulum from the barbell and replace it. However, keep the barbell in place at all times. Changing the barbell can injure the piercing and can invite bacteria into the wound
Step 3. Choose the right style for you
Once the healing process is over, you can choose any style of jewelry for your belly button piercing. Keep in mind if you have a metal allergy or sensitivity to certain ingredients.
Tips
- Salt water is a good cleanser too.
- Don't touch your piercing!
- For African-American and Latino skin, the black/brown/red mark on the top will disappear after about 4 months.
- Clean your piercing regularly even if the area has healed. You can stop cleaning regularly at 3 months after the piercing is in place. As long as the piercing is in place, you can clean the area twice a week.
- Tea tree oil is a very effective antibacterial agent and has a pleasant aroma. You can also buy tea tree soap.
- Keep your intake of vitamins, such as Vitamin C by consuming orange juice and milk. This can speed up the healing process. Avoid sitting hunched over and don't lie on your stomach for some time. In addition, avoid abdominal exercise too!
- Don't twist the piercing. This can move the crust and fluid inside, thereby prolonging the healing process.
