I've wanted my navel pierced ever since I saw my cousin's when I was 12, however my mom wouldn't even let me get second holes in my ears let alone "let someone named Spike stick a rusty spear through your belly" as she put it. So, I waited, and I finally made a deal with my mom. If I could lose 50 lbs. (I was a bit overweight) then she would let me get my navel pierced. I don't think she expected me to actually do it, but I did, and soon after, I was once again begging for a navel ring. My mom was still stubborn, and afraid about the safety of a navel piercing, so I began to check it out.
At A Glance Author Samantha Contact Samantha@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Jamie Studio Bluz Tattooz Location Waterford MI I searched online and by word of mouth to find a good shop in my area. Luckily, I did find a shop, Bluz Tattooz, right down the road. So, I gave my mom all the details. I assured her that they were licensed and safe, and that everything was properly sterilized. She looked at the web site too and decided that it looked professional. So, on Saturday, my mom and my friend Ashley accompanied me to the shop for my long awaited piercing. I met the owner Dan, and my piercer Jamie. As I was speaking with them, I noticed all of the certifications on the wall and was reassured. My mom and I both gave the receptionist picture ID and my birth certificate (since i'm a minor). After we filled out paperwork, Jamie explained aftercare and gave me an aftercare sheet with all of the important parts highlighted. He asked me what kind of ring I wanted and I picked a light purple titanium CBR. After that, he took me into a piercing room.
The first thing I noticed was that Jamie put on gloves and wiped off his whole area in alcohol. As he opened each instrument, he explained to me what it was and assured me that it was sterilized. He had me stand up and marked me bellybutton with a permanent marker. After that, I laid down in a dentist- like chair with my hands behind my head. He clamped my navel, which was uncomfortable, but didn't really hurt. Then I saw the needle. I remarked that it looked vicious. Jamie told me that I had probably never seen a needle that sharp, but that's what made it less painful. I was beginning to get jittery, so I had my mom come in the room with me. Jamie told me to breathe in and out, and on the second time, he pushed the needle through. The pain wasn't terrible, just a kind of stinging. He left the needle in my stomach while he got the jewelry. The tugging when he put the jewelry in was probably the worst part, but it still wasn't bad.
I was a little shaky afterwards, so Jamie told me to sit as long as I needed to. I had Ashley come in and bring me chocolate to replenish all the sugar I had lost in my adrenaline rush. I stood up so that he could take a picture for his web site, and he put a Band-Aid on that I couldn't take off for four hours. Luckily for me, it didn't bleed or bruise, and wasn't very painful at all.
I went to the store after thanking all the people at Bluz. There I bought cotton balls, Bactine, and liquid dial antibacterial soap to help me in my cleaning routine. Only after this did I notice what a commitment a navel piercing is. I have to clean it twice a day with the anti-bacterial soap, once a day with Bactine, and do six salt water soaks a day. I'll share a tip for anyone who is in school like me and needs to do salt water soaks. Get a 32-oz. bottle of water and dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in it. Keep it in you locker and between classes douse a cotton ball or tissue in the salt water and keep it on your navel until your next class. It's a great way to fit in all those soaks. And another tip, don't try to spin your ring unless it's been well lubricated with soap, steam, or water. Trust me, I learned that one the hard way.
I've had my piercing for two days now, and I absolutely love it. I can't wait for the four months to go by so that I can get a barbell. So far, I've cleaned it without too much pain or problems. It's a little painful to bend over, and I'm dreading hitting it on something, but other than that everything is great. Also, no bruising or redness as of yet, hopefully never. I can't wait to show all of my friends tomorrow, but no touching! I'm so glad that I finally did it.
My piercing experience was such a good one because I prepared myself for it. Reading the experiences on BME was very helpful, because I knew what was going to happen. To anyone who is thinking about getting a navel ring, go for it! Just make sure you're prepared for it first.