The Belly Button Piercing: This Is What You Need to Know

Are you considering getting a belly button piercing? Navel piercings aren’t as popular as they once were, but they’re the perfect subtle addition to your overall style. There are plenty of fun jewelry options and no one has to know that you have one if you don’t feel like sharing.

How much do you know about these sweet and stylish little piercings? If you’re on the fence about getting one, we’re here to talk about it. Keep reading for a quick and simple guide all about belly button piercings.

Can Anyone Get a Belly Button Piercing?

Many people are under the misguided impression that you have to have a certain kind of body to get a belly button piercing. For the most part, this isn’t true. People of all weights and body types can get belly button piercings. You can be of any gender, any race, and more. Never count yourself out of getting a navel piercing because you think that you’re too heavy. This isn’t true.

With that in mind, there are some restrictions when it comes to navel piercings that may change what you can do. You’ll only know for sure when you visit a good piercer, but you can take a quick look on your own so you can have a basic idea of what will work for you.

First, if you have an “outie” belly button, you might be limited. A piercer may not be comfortable piercing you, but this is uncommon. If you have an “innie” belly button, it’s most likely that you won’t have a problem, but there are still some complicating factors.

On your own, take a seat and observe how your belly button looks. Slouch forward, lean backward, and watch your belly button move. If your belly button flattens into a line when you’re seated, you’re going to need modifications.

Make sure that you see a good piercer for this (more on that later). You need someone who knows how to do a floating navel. Learn more about body types and navel piercings here.

How Old Do You Have to Be?

This is going to vary depending on the shop. Navel piercings are popular amongst teenagers, but not every shop is comfortable doing them. The piercer wants to know that the client can take care of the piercing, and they may be uncomfortable with the intimate nature of a navel piercing for young clients.

In general, no one under the age of 13 will be able to get a navel piercing, but some shops start at 16. With that in mind, you’re never too old for a navel piercing. Some people may say that you’ve “grown out” of the piercing by the time you’re out of your 20s, but this isn’t true. Don’t let someone shame you out of getting the piercing that you want.

Where Should You Go for a Belly Button Piercing?

Because navel piercings are more complicated than they look on the surface, you want to go to a good piercer. Most piercers aren’t familiar with navel piercings in “different” anatomy, and they may just fit you with a standard piercing. If you get a standard navel piercing and you’re not suited for one, it will reject.

There are many great piercers, but there are more bad piercers. It’s a good idea to look for APP members near you. Not all APP members are great piercers, but they are held to higher standards than your average “run of the mill” piercers.

Most (but not all) of these piercers are in tattoo shops. Good piercers will have a wide selection of high-end jewelry, and they’ll have a private room that you can use. These piercers know how to pierce a belly button the right way, how to advise good aftercare, and how to fit jewelry in such a way that you won’t run into problems. Make sure that you’re comfortable with the piercer. This isn’t the last time that you’re going to see them.

What Kind of Jewelry Should You Use?

Jewelry for navel piercings is tricky. When you get the initial piercing, you’ll likely have implant-grade titanium. Stay wary of anyone that offers you surgical steel for initial jewelry: it often has nickel unless otherwise labeled.

For people with standard navel anatomy, belly button jewelry is a lot of fun and you don’t have to think too hard about it. You’ll likely have a 16g or 14g piercing, and gems can go both on the top and the bottom. Many people like to have dangly jewelry on the bottom as well. If you have a non-standard piercing, you may have to have a flat bottom instead of a gem. In this case, consider putting the dangly piece on the top!

Healed piercings are great for more “fun” body jewelry. While you may not want to wear it full-time, fun pieces are perfect for special outfits or nights out. Watch out for anything that can catch on your piercing!

What Is Aftercare Like?

Healing a navel isn’t complicated, but you should take a few precautions. First, make sure that you don’t use anything harsh to clean the piercing. No soaps, no alcohol, and no peroxide. These things will damage the fistula.

Most good piercers will have saline solution, but you can also use warm water in the shower. Make sure that you don’t remove the jewelry or spin it around. Your piercing is healing from the inside out, so by removing or moving the jewelry, you’re not allowing it to heal. Try to avoid wearing anything high-waisted. You don’t want anything to rub or catch against your piercing.

Finally, while most people want to get navel piercings during the summer, this is a bad move. Try to get it with a few months to spare. You don’t want to get into the ocean, lake, or even pool with a fresh piercing. They’re too dirty.

Go Get Pierced Today

Are you ready for the commitment of a belly button piercing? These piercings are so much fun, so throw aside your hesitation! Make sure you find a great piercer, get good jewelry, and prepare yourself for the healing process. You’ll love your fun new accessory!

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