From beach bums to #fitstagrammers, belly button rings are the piercing of the summer. Whether they’re shown off or kept under wraps, belly button piercings are one of the most popular piercing types.
With their high-demand, there are always going to be people looking to make a quick buck or to find shortcuts. The result is DIY belly button piercing kits and online self-piercing tutorials, that put people, and their piercings, at risk.
Because the belly button is one of the least painful piercings people sometimes assume the piercing is easy. Without proper training, this piercing is potentially dangerous.
Importance of Going to a Professional
A professional piercer should always be consulted when piercing the navel. The navel area contains a lot of nerves and blood vessels, so a misplaced piercing can result in a bloody mess and/or lasting nerve damage.
In fact, not every belly button is safe to pierce. While most innies are, outie belly buttons can cause complications and usually aren’t. Sometimes, however, the outie (outward belly button) itself can be pierced, instead of the skin above it. This is known as a true belly button piercing.
A professional piercer will tell you if a navel piercing is right for your body and, if not, can recommend another body piercing type that is.
In addition to making your piercing safe, professional piercers also ensure a higher quality of piercing. The placement is precise and the process is sanitary, ensuring a great looking piercing and proper healing.
Look for a piercing studio that follows strict sanitary precautions and pierces with a needle instead of a gun. A piercing gun is usually a sign of an untrained piercer, and it is a blunt, imprecise piece of equipment.
How the Belly Button is Pierced
Piercing the belly button is a 6 step process:
- Sanitize Environment/Equipment
- Clean Surface
- Mark the Target
- Pierce & Insert Jewellery
- Clean
- Aftercare
Sanitize the Environment & Equipment
Before the client comes in, the artist focuses on sanitization. Equipment is sealed in bags and sanitized in the autoclave to be opened in front of the client. The area is cleaned and any surface that will touch bare skin is wrapped.
Cleaning the Surface
When the client comes in they have a seat in the prepped area. The artist puts on new gloves and cleans the navel with an antiseptic wipe. This is an added precaution to prevent infection.
Mark the Target
The artist then uses a surgical marker to mark where they will pierce. This is a good chance for the client to make sure the piercing location is where they want it to be. As well, it makes accuracy easier for the artist, so they can focus on careful, proper piercing.
Pierce & Insert Jewellery
The moment of truth. The artist now pierces the belly button, inserting the jewellery. This jewellery will stay in until the piercing heals. Once fully healed you can replace with new jewellery. Jewellery for a new piercing differs from a healed piercing. It usually focuses on being hypoallergenic, minimal movement, irritation, and the chance of catching.
Clean (Again)
Make no mistake about it, a piercing is a wound. So it doesn’t hurt to be careful. The artist follows up by cleaning the navel one last time with an antiseptic wipe.
Aftercare
The final role of the piercer is to advise you on piercing aftercare. They will usually supply a printed sheet of instructions, as well as go over the process verbally. Following aftercare instructions is important for ensuring your belly button piercing heals safely and properly.
A navel piercing can take as much as 3-6 months to completely heal, and aftercare continues throughout this whole time. If you have any questions or concerns during or about aftercare, call or visit your artist.
Types of Navel Piercings
There are a number of different ways to pierce the navel:
- Traditional
- Inverse
- Horizontal
- Double/Multi
- True Belly Button Piercing
Traditional Navel Piercing
This is the most common type of navel piercing. The piercing goes through the skin above the belly button and into the inside of the belly button hole. It usually features a ring, curved barbell shield or dangler as jewellery.
Some people will opt for a deep navel. It’s similar to the traditional piercing, except that it goes through a larger area, with the top extruding higher above the navel.
Inverse Navel Piercing
Similar to the traditional piercing, the inverse navel instead pierces through the bottom of the belly button. Sometimes called a lower navel piercing, it usually features a curved barbell or dangler.
Horizontal
The horizontal piercing goes above the navel and usually features a curved barbell placed horizontally. To actually go through the belly button piercers will perform a double horizontal navel piercing. This is two piercings, one on each side of the navel and connected by a single piece of jewellery. The double usually uses a barbell.
Double or Multi-Navel Piercing
Double piercings aren’t always connected by a single piece of jewellery. For example, a common double piercing is one traditional navel and one inverse navel. This leaves room for lots of cool piercing jewellery combinations. Multi-piercings are any combination of more than two navel piercings.
True Belly Button Piercing
The only piercing that pierces your actual belly button, the true navel goes right through an extruding, outie, belly button. The jewellery is usually either a ring or a curved barbell.
Get A Belly Button Piercing in Newmarket
No matter what type of navel piercing you choose, you want to make sure it comes out looking just right. With experienced artists and a safety-first mindset, the Pierced studio is the best place to get a belly button piercing in Newmarket. Contact us for an appointment, or visit us in the Upper Canada Mall.
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Working with an experienced piercer can make all the difference when it comes to your piercing experience. If you’re in the Mississauga, Ontario area and have any questions about ear piercing, body piercing or jewelry, give us a call or stop by our piercings studio today. We’d love to help walk you through what to expect and help you choose the right option.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Belly Button Piercings: Importance of Professional Piercing and Types of Navel Piercings
As an expert in body piercings, I can provide you with information about belly button piercings, the importance of going to a professional piercer, and the different types of navel piercings.
Belly Button Piercings: A Popular Piercing Type
Belly button piercings, also known as navel piercings, are one of the most popular types of piercings. They have gained popularity among beachgoers, fitness enthusiasts, and those who want to show off their style. Whether they are flaunted or kept hidden, belly button piercings are a trendy choice for many.
DIY Belly Button Piercing Kits and Online Tutorials
Due to the high demand for belly button piercings, there are DIY (Do-It-Yourself) piercing kits and online self-piercing tutorials available. However, it is important to note that these options can be risky and potentially dangerous. Without proper training and knowledge, self-piercing can lead to complications and put both the person and their piercing at risk.
Importance of Going to a Professional Piercer
Consulting a professional piercer is crucial when considering a belly button piercing. The navel area contains numerous nerves and blood vessels, making it essential to have a properly placed piercing to avoid complications such as excessive bleeding or lasting nerve damage. Additionally, not all belly buttons are suitable for piercing. While most "innies" (inward belly buttons) can be pierced, "outies" (outward belly buttons) can cause complications and are generally not recommended for piercing. However, in some cases, the outie itself can be pierced, which is known as a true belly button piercing. A professional piercer will assess your body and advise you on whether a navel piercing is suitable for you. If not, they can recommend alternative body piercing types.
Benefits of Professional Piercers
Professional piercers offer several advantages over DIY methods or untrained piercers. They ensure a higher quality of piercing by providing precise placement and following strict sanitary precautions. Professional piercers typically use a needle instead of a piercing gun, which is a sign of an untrained piercer and can result in a blunt and imprecise piercing. By choosing a professional piercer, you can ensure a great-looking piercing and proper healing.
The Process of Belly Button Piercing
The belly button piercing process typically involves six steps:
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Sanitize Environment/Equipment: Before the client arrives, the artist focuses on sanitizing the environment and equipment. They seal the equipment in bags and sanitize it in an autoclave, which is then opened in front of the client. The area where the piercing will take place is thoroughly cleaned, and any surface that will come into contact with bare skin is wrapped.
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Clean Surface: When the client arrives, they are seated in the prepped area. The artist puts on new gloves and cleans the navel with an antiseptic wipe to prevent infection.
-
Mark the Target: The artist uses a surgical marker to mark the precise location for the piercing. This allows the client to ensure the piercing location is where they want it to be and helps the artist achieve accuracy during the piercing process.
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Pierce & Insert Jewelry: The artist pierces the belly button using a sterilized needle and inserts the chosen jewelry. The initial jewelry will remain in place until the piercing heals, after which it can be replaced with new jewelry. Jewelry for a new piercing typically focuses on being hypoallergenic, minimizing movement, irritation, and the chance of catching.
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Clean (Again): After the piercing is complete, the artist cleans the navel once more with an antiseptic wipe. This step helps maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of infection.
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Aftercare: The final role of the piercer is to provide aftercare instructions. They usually supply a printed sheet of instructions and verbally explain the process. Following these instructions is crucial for safe and proper healing. Navel piercings can take 3-6 months to fully heal, and aftercare should be continued throughout this period.
Types of Navel Piercings
There are several types of navel piercings to choose from, including:
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Traditional Navel Piercing: This is the most common type of navel piercing. It goes through the skin above the belly button and into the inside of the belly button hole. It usually features a ring, curved barbell, shield, or dangler as jewelry.
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Inverse Navel Piercing: Similar to the traditional piercing, the inverse navel piercing goes through the bottom of the belly button. It is sometimes referred to as a lower navel piercing and typically features a curved barbell or dangler.
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Horizontal Navel Piercing: The horizontal piercing is placed above the navel and usually features a curved barbell positioned horizontally. Some piercers may perform a double horizontal navel piercing, which involves two piercings on each side of the navel connected by a single piece of jewelry.
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Double or Multi-Navel Piercing: Double piercings can be connected by a single piece of jewelry or can involve different types of navel piercings. For example, a common double piercing is one traditional navel piercing and one inverse navel piercing. Multi-piercings refer to any combination of more than two navel piercings.
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True Belly Button Piercing: This type of piercing goes through an extruding or outie belly button itself. The jewelry used for a true belly button piercing is usually a ring or a curved barbell.
Conclusion
When considering a belly button piercing, it is important to consult a professional piercer. They can assess your body and advise you on the suitability of a navel piercing. Professional piercers ensure a higher quality of piercing, precise placement, and follow strict sanitary precautions. Remember to follow aftercare instructions provided by your piercer to ensure safe and proper healing.
Please note that the information provided here is based on general knowledge about belly button piercings and does not constitute medical advice. It is always recommended to consult with a professional piercer or a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.
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