I have wanted to get a navel ring ever since I was 12- images of perfect 'shiny' tummies and of course the bejeweled rings tantalized me. It all started the day when I came across a website advertising navel rings- all the colorful gems, jewels, and acrylic balls made me feel like a kid in a candy store. There were so many kinds and the kind that jumped to me was a barbell with a dolphin body on the top part, and the tail on the bottom.
At A Glance Author Victoria Contact Victoria@bme.anon When Three months ago Artist scratch Location IL The day finally came when I was 17- It began one typical afternoon in gym class...That day in gym one of my buds, K got her navel pierced. I saw her perfectly placed ring and envied her- my parents wouldn't let me get pierced until the next year- being impatient, I couldn't wait. Later that day, K told me that she was going to bring some friends to the guy who could pierce us- I was excited yet unsure because I wasn't sure if this was "really going to happen". That weekend, I purchased a pink barbell and was excited for the next week.
The day finally came to get pierced- my friends and I were supposed to go to this guys house to get pierced- I couldn't wait. I was nervous when we got to the guys house and I wanted to get it over with. When it was finally my turn, I laid down and the piercer put on gloves and cleaned the area. Then he proceeded to mark me with a pen. After that he got out the clamps and showed me a brand new needle still in its package. He then put the ring I chose in alcohol. After the initial preparation, he placed the clamps on me and that's when the nervousness set it- I grabbed this guy's hand and squeezed it. The piercer clamped it and I could feel the needle's tip against my skin. Then immediately after, I felt immense pressure and a little bit of extremely tolerable pain- it didn't hurt!. He proceeded to put in the barbell and then tightened the ball. He put some Neosporin on my navel and said- you're all set. I got up and ran to the mirror- I had a piercing! I paid him $30.00- a deal! and left. In the car, I was careful not the let the seatbelt really touch my piercing.
When I got home, I cleaned it with Dial (i've done a lot of research on BME-and i'm really confused about the sea-salts thing- i have no idea about how it works so i decided to ignore the step), and then went to sleep. When I got up the next morning, I hopped in the shower again and cleaned it again with Dial. It's been more than 3 months and my piercing hasn't healed as well as it should have.
The next day at school I showed people and I was proud of my new baby!
I work out everyday after school, so one day during workouts, I felt a little pain in between the balls of my bellybutton. After that day, things started to go downhill. My navel turned slightly purple at the top hole- and even my friends were disgusted by it. I ignored it and thought my piercing was healed enough to go without cleaning- BIG MISTAKE. My navel sort of migrated but there was still enough skin in between the balls to hold up the ring- it was a manageble migration. Today, I've purchased the dolphin ring that had inspired me to pierce my navel- but I have not tried it on, and will not for another 4 months. I don't want to lose my piercing. Along with that ring, I've also purchased a bunch of other barbells at a local stand. I can't wait until the day my piercing heals and I will be able to wear rings without the fear of rejection, migration, or infection. Those are the three things a person with a navel ring should fear the most- that could ruin your piercing.
I've done a lot more research and checked out BME to see more pictures of navels to get an idea of my current piercing. I now keep it clean more than ever and as of right now, it's healing again. word of advice- TAKE CARE OF YOUR PIERCING!!! You DO NOT want to get it repierced- scar tissue hurts and is hard to pierce through.
Hopefully you'll learn from my experience and try not to put tension on your new navel. I hope all this information helps- if you really have any problems contact your piercer- or your doctor- but in any case, keep it clean, don't wear tight clothing, and don't touch it even if it is really tempting! Have fun!