I have been thinking about piercing my navel for quite a few years and since now I am of age, so I decided to get it. Actually I wanted to go to one of the piercing shops in Far East Plaza, but my boyfriend wasn't supportive of the idea as the shops there looked old and unhygienic. So we decided to go to other piercing shops. After looking for a few piercing shops, I decided on Body Décor.
At A Glance Author Madeline Contact Madeline@bme.anon When A month ago Artist HP Studio Body Decor Location Singapore So my boyfriend accompanied me to the shop in Heeren. The friendly piercer introduced herself as HP and she asked me what kind of piercing I wanted. I told her what I wanted and she told me about the things I have to give up for a time being, for example, tight clothing, going to the beach, and swimming etc. I decided that I wanted to make those 'sacrifices' and I began with choosing a jewel barbell. At first I chose a dolphin one but the piercer, HP advised me to get a round jewel bar bell as it is better for initial piercing because it enables the piercing to heal fast and are less likely to have problem the piercing with a ring. Rings tend to stick out and get knocked about by movement and clothing, this tends to aggravate the wound and hamper healing. Navel jewels sit flush in the navel and don't mover around as much. They are also easier to change yourself after the piercing is healed.
I chose an anodized titanium barbell. I paid $77; $35 for the piercing and $42 for the jewel. I filled up a form and she checked that I was of age and asked me to go back after 15 minutes as she needed time to sterilize it. She also gave me an aftercare manual. After 15 minutes, I went back and she brought me into a room and asked me if my boyfriend would like to go in. I said yes and brought him in. She explained to me what she was doing. She cleaned my belly button with iodine and other solution which I have forgotten. She marked my navel and asked me if it was alright and she explained to me that all navels are non-symmetrical and even if the place that she had marked looks a little crooked, it will turn out looking straight. After asking my boyfriend to see if it was straight, I proceed to lie on the bed (like those in the clinic) and she clamped the flesh and asked me to relax as it will be less painful. She said she would clamp it tighter and I might feel pain. So I said ok and she proceeded suddenly I felt some pain and let out a loud gasp out of shock. It lasted for a few seconds and she screwed in the ball and said it was done. I looked in the mirror and felt so happy with the navel piercing. Before I left, she reminded me to get buffered saline solution to clean my piercing and advise me to get the bottle one rather then the tube one as the bottled one is cheaper and equally reliable. I thanked her and left the shop happily.
After one or two weeks the piercing got reddish and was painful so I called HP and she was very concerned and asked me to see her as soon as possible. She also asked me if I used the correct solution. I went to see her after a few days and by that time the redness had been reduced and the pain was lesser. She asked me some questions and she said it was not infected and asked me to take care. The fourth week I accidentally knocked it and it started bleeding. I was quite worried and called HP again. She patiently asked me the questions to find out what was wrong and asked me to go down to the shop again for her to check and even though if it stops bleeding she also wanted to see how was the navel piercing healing. I thought it was very responsible and caring of her, so I think if you are in Singapore and you want a piercing of any sort you could go there as the people there are friendly and responsible. =)
Also, I had a senior from my school that also had a piercing after 1 week I pierced my navel. She went to a shop in Queensway and had her piercing for $45. The piercing was quite slow and painful unlike the one I had. The person told her that it will take 6 weeks to heal. And the aftercare was to wash it with soap and water. After two weeks, her piercing got infected and she called the person. The piercer asked her to wash it with soap and water. The piercer didn't even asked what kind of soap she used and also did not asked her to use saline solution or sea salt soaks. I think it is rather irresponsible and unprofessional of the piercer.
I think that if one wants to get a piercing, he/ she should find a reputable shop even if the price is more.