I got my belly button pierced about two months ago. It took my almost two years, lots of promising, showing I was mature enough, and a little bit of begging before my mom decided to let me get it done. (my brother helped convince her) I'm 14.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact angel_babe1291@yahoo.com When A month ago Studio area 51 Tattoo and Piercing Location colo spgs, co... flintridge and acedemy I looked into it for at least a week or two, but I suggest you take as much time as needed to find information about every piercing parlor near you. Since my brother sells body jewelry and has been going to school for piercing, and is now doing so (he would have done it, but he's living in Washington right now).... He taught me lots of stuff and filled me in on what to look for when checking into these places....
They should have information on ALL of their piercers and should show how long, or where they studied at, and you should also check to see if any of them have a nursing degree(yes, it is a requirement that good piercing places insist on). If you can, go to different places and check out the environment and make sure to ask questions.... Ask to see their auto clave, and see how often they clean it (if they are a good, clean place... it should be either every other day, or every few days- possibly a week). And ask them if they reuse their needles. If they do, leave immediately. Even if they say they sanitize them, it's not enough. You have a higher risk of infection, and it is possible to have a disease transmitted to you from a used needle. They should wear gloves (always!) If they seem to be hiding something (as in they refuse to show you the auto clave) or can't answer all of your questions, then they probably aren't a very good place.
My procedure.... I went to area 51 tattoo and piercing. When I went into the room, he had me lie down on this table/chair type thing and he cleaned in and around my belly button. Then he had me stand up so he could make a mark on the top and bottom where the needle had to go through. Then he had me lie back down and he put the clamp on. It is like tiny pliers with this little bar on them to hold them closed. My friend stood behind my head since the table was against a wall and she held my hands for me which helped a lot. Then he told me to breathe in deeply and hold it. Then he counted to three and told me to slowly let the air out as he did so. Since the clamp is holding your skin together, you don't feel both pokes, only one, like when you get your ears pierced. It was just a tiny sting as the needle went through and it was over. He took the clamp off, which didn't hurt. Then he got a hoop ring (barbells are better) and as he slowly pushed the needle out, he put the ring in. it hurt a little bit when he had to put the ball on the end and had to use pliers to close the ring, that's why I recommend barbells, they are painless and a lot easier to put in. he cleaned around it with a Q-tip one more time, and I was done!
I was so happy I got it done and if I had a chance to do it again, I'd definitely do it again. Before I left, he told me how to clean it... he said to clean it with witch hazel three times a day, and do I sea salt soak for 5 minutes 2-3 times a week (just soak a washcloth in sea salt water and hole it on your stomach. And he told me to move the ring around a little bit each day (slid the barbell back and forth), but wash your hands first, and don't mess with it! Make sure that, before they put the ring in, you ask them to make sure that it is a nickel free-surgical steel ring. If it has nickel in it, it can cause an allergic reaction and even infection, but that's not with everybody, but most. The healing process can be anywhere from 3weeks to 5 months. Mine healed in 4 weeks, which usually doesn't happen(as he told me).
If you decide to buy a ring later on from a different place(such as the mall or jewelry store), ask for nickel free(until the first year is up, sometimes)... some people can't wear nickel at all. Soak your new ring in witch hazel (or that ear cleaning stuff works almost as well) for a few minutes before putting it in, to prevent possible infection.
Have fun and I hope my advice helped.... If you have any more questions or would like information on where to get good jewelry, please e-mail me at angel_babe1291@yahoo.com