Laura Ljaze
Body Piercing

Navel piercing has it roots based in ancient cultures, with evidence suggesting it was practiced in ancient Egypt where is was a symbol of royalty or status.  Navel piercings have been one of the most popular piercing choices since the 1990's. They are aesthetically pleasing and, due to their location, you can choose when you want to show them off and when you want to keep them covered. There are lots of pretty navel jewellery options which you can experiment with once your piercing has healed. 

Will it hurt?  The majority of people report that they feel only a slight discomfort or sense of pressure during the piercing, however some people have more sensitive navel areas and report the piercing to be more painful. It is also important to remember that piercing pain is entirely subjective and that each individual will have a different experience of the amount of pain caused by a piercing.

Healing: This form of piercing generally takes approximately 6-9 months to heal but can sometimes take up to 12 months or more. The healing process takes longer than other piercings due to the lack of blood supply in the abdomen and the area being under stress from movement and friction from clothing etc. Belly button piercings are not necessarily more susceptible to infections but there may be more scope for picking one up because of the long healing process.  Activities that disturb the navel tissue can increase the risk of irritation so people who lead a sporty or active lifestyle might be prone to this. Aftercare protocols should be followed for at least 6 months for this piercing. 

When caring for your Navel piercing, ensure that you:

• Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid friction. It's best to avoid tight jeans and belts.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach, Sleep on your back to reduce pressure.
• Don't change your jewellery yourself for at least 6 months, see your piercer instead.
• Avoid elaborate jewellery until your piercing has completely healed.
• Refrain from touching the piercing to allow the tender tissue to heal and to reduce the risk of inflammation and pain.
• Avoid applying lotions, moisturisers, perfumes to the area.
• Avoid swimming until after your piercing has healed.
• Clean both exit holes of your piercing twice a day.

You can dramatically reduce your risk of any problems by following this advice.

Jewellery: Piercing usually occurs with a curved barbell which should be kept in place until the piercing has healed completely. More and more decorative jewellery is being offered, making your choice even broader. The initial jewellery used is a curved bar, J-curve, or in certain circumstances a ring. This varies depending on your anatomy but your piercer will be able to recommend the best option for you. You should not remove your jewellery during the healing process. The jewellery must be kept in at all times or you can risk the piercing closing over. Once your piercing has healed, you can be really creative and can find some high quality navel bars featuring everything from simple circular barbells and pretty jewels to skulls and fairies.  All of Our Titanium Body Jewellery is made from Ti6-Al4-V ELI Medical Grade Titanium, the only grade conforming to ISO 5832-3:1996 and comes from UK suppliers direct, only the best available for our clients. 

DISCLAIMER: Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your Piercer. These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor.