I had been considering getting my navel pierced for the last two years but my parents had always objected to any body piercing. After much prompting and careful research, I convinced them that I would take care of it and I wouldn't let it get infected. I was very nervous because several people had told me it hurt a lot and others said it didn't hurt at all! I was 15 at the time when I had it done, just a couple months before my 16th birthday. I could have waited but I am going traveling in a couple months, so for anyone who is traveling overseas anywhere: get your piercing done well before your vacation, especially if you will be in the water or the ocean. Navel piercings take 6 months to fully heal, if it doesn't get infected and you cannot swim in the ocean, pools or hot tubs for that entire 6 month period, so pick a good time (like winter) to have your piercing done.
At A Glance Author toxickandy4 When Six months ago Studio To the point Location Alberta, Canada When I had my ears pierced, I quickly discovered that I am allergic to a lot of different types of metals, so I picked out a titanium barbell for my navel piercing. I highly recommend titanium to anyone who is sensitive to certain metals, but titanium will be more expensive. I also went to the same body-piercing studio where I had my ears pierced, so I was very comfortable with the piercer and the studio.
At first, I was extremely scared. After he had marked the spot with a pen and sterilized the area, I was ready to have it pierced. The most painful part of the whole experience was the clamp he used to pinch my skin in order to pierce it. Then after I took a few deep breaths he said, "Ok I'm just going to mark this with the needle, you will feel a tiny prick." So I steeled myself, nodded, and waited. I felt a tiny prick of pain and then a little bit of a hot burning sensation on my stomach. And that was it! I was done! When he finished, I thought he was still marking it, that's how little it hurt! My ear piercings hurt much more than my navel piercing.
Cleaning a navel piercing is very long (6 months) and very tedious. It didn't hurt to clean but I had a very careful method of cleaning it. First I would wash my hands and my stomach. Then I would put a lot of soap directly on the piercing as a form of lubricant. Next, I would carefully clean around the piercing using a Q-tip to help get rid of any "crusties". Finally, I would push the barbell up so I could clean the upper half of the barbell and then I would push it down so I could clean the lower half. I would move the barbell through 10 times and then I would rinse it thoroughly under running water 10 times. I did this twice daily and it worked quite effectively.
My new navel piercing also hurt when I played sports. I am an avid soccer player and I was afraid that the ball would hit me in the stomach and tear my piercing. I was very careful when I played soccer and I also placed gauze on the piercing, and then covered it with a Band-Aid in order to protect it from damage and my soccer jersey. Also, for the first week after I had it pierced, it hurt to sit down for long period of time and it bled a couple times. I couldn't wear tight jeans or tight shirts for a week or so but it stopped hurting after a week.
I've had my piercing for approximately 6 months now. I clean it regularly with Dial soap and a Q-tip. It was never infected but it did get slightly irritated about 3 months ago. My friend suggested using pure tea tree oil to help sooth it. I used tea tree oil for one week and the irritation was gone, like magic! I have also used tea tree oil on other piercings as well; it is very good for infections, irritations or allergic reactions.
The only problem I have with my navel piercing is the piercer screwed the ball on to the barbell too tightly. I cannot seem to take it off at all and I've used everything from cheesecloth to pliers. I've decided that I will go in soon to have it taken off by the piercer himself. But besides that, I love my navel piercing! All the hassle of cleaning and taking care of it was worth it; it's going to look amazing for my vacation! Navel piercings look very good with bathing suits and a nice tan! If you're thinking of getting your navel pierced, go for it! You'll love it!