Ok, so here goes! My navel piercing experience!!
At A Glance Author Christine Jeffries Contact dalabmation@aol.com Artist Desta Studio Adorn Body art Location Portland OR I am 35 years old and thought I was too old for something like this!! But one day, my friend from work was talking about her belly button piercing and a thought just formed. Hey, maybe I should get my belly button pierced too? I had been dieting and working out for a couple of months and decided to set a goal. If I can get to my goal weight of 130lbs by June 1st, I would get my navel pierced. I set this goal on May 1st, so I had 10 pounds and 1 month to go.
During this 1 month, I visited the studio I had selected and talked to this very nice woman named Desta!!! She is a member of APP!! Association of Professional Piercers!!! She would be my piercer! She examined my belly button to see if I was a good candidate for a navel piercing. She said I was and suggested I use a curved barbell and not a ring since my navel was shallow!! It would make for better healing and not get caught up on clothing!!! She then informed me about the importance of using internally threaded barbells as opposed to externally threaded ones. I made my appt for June 1st and left feeling anxious and excited.
I spent the next 4 weeks looking at every website about piercing I could find!! There were so many!!! Finding internally threaded barbells was difficult but I finally found two great websites. Tonguestud.com and Steelskin.com sold only internally threaded jewelry. Their feelings on using internally threaded jewelry are that fresh piercing do not need a threaded piece of jewelry shoved through them, it only causes more trauma to a new wound!! I truly believe after 1 month of researching both internally and externally threaded jewelry, that I have made the right choice!! Internally threaded jewelry is the only way to go!! Except of course if you select a captive bead ring!
I ordered an internally threaded curved barbell 14gage and ½"long. I couldn't wait to get it!!! I also spent every day looking at pictures of bellybuttons that have been pierced and that just made me want it done even more!!! MY girlfriend that had her belly button pierced told me that her piercing hurt really badly when she had it done!! Boy, that just made me more nervous!!!
Ok-Two weeks to go and I have reached my 130lbs. Now time to shop for new clothes!!
I haven't shopped in the juniors department in years!!! But, that is the only place to find low-rise jeans and hip huggers!!! Boy I went on a spending frenzy!! My friends told me that the piercing would be painful for at least the first two weeks and that I would not want anything rubbing on it. That meant nylons and especially jeans and waistbands!!!
I guess summer is the best time to get a navel piercing because you can get away with not wearing nylons. Also with the low slung pants being in style right now, they are easy to find.
Ok, so now June 1st has come and I am really nervous!! I have read many horror stories about the pain and infections on many a website so I was still a little reluctant. But, I had reached my goal of 130lbs and decided to follow through!!! My two girlfriends went with me for support!! My piercer made me feel very relaxed and comfortable!!!
I lay down on the table, she marked me with a felt tip pin, and then she brought out the clamps. She put the clamps on and said to count to 3 with big breaths on each number.
On the 3rd breath I felt this sharp sting and then she was done!!! WOW!! The pain only lasted for 1-2 seconds!!! Nothing like I had anticipated!!! I was so happy it was finally done! (My husband was too! -because getting my navel pierced is all I have been talking about for 4 weeks straight). I chose a curved stainless steel barbell with purple titanium balls on the ends!!! Right afterwards I was so excited!!! It looked so good!!!
Next morning it was tender but not bleeding or crusty at all. I wash twice daily with Provon soap and do sea salt soaks 2-3 times a week as my piercer recommended!!!
I think my posture has improved also as I had a tendency the first 2 weeks to sit up as straight as possible!!!
I highly recommend Desta at Adorn Body Art!!!
It has now been 3 weeks today, and I am very happy!!! I have had absolutely no problems!! I follow the aftercare instructions to the letter!!! Which is very important!!
If you are considering getting any kind of piercing I highly recommend visiting studios and talking to the piercer!!! Also check out the Association of Professional Piercers web site! www.safepiercing.org. Internet research is also very helpful!!! Don't just rely on friends advise!!
Find out all you can and then go for it!!! Any questions, feel free to email me!!!
Chris