October 13, 2024

Floating Belly Button Piercing (Floating Navel Piercing): Everything That You Need to Know

What Is a Floating Belly Button Piercing (Floating Navel Piercing)?

This unique type of piercing is a good one to get if you want to stand out. It gets its name from the fact that the finished piercing looks like there is a single piece of jewelry "floating" above the belly button.

The look is accomplished with a short curved barbell. However, the end of the barbell that comes through the belly button is small and/or flat, making it difficult or impossible to see.

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Floating Belly Button Piercing vs Regular Belly Button Piercing

The standard belly button piercing is probably the most common type of belly button piercing. It's especially popular among teenagers.

You often see it done with a curved barbell so it looks like there is a smaller bead above your belly button and a larger one under it. Once the initial piercing heals, many people switch out the barbell for a ring or add dangly jewelry to the bottom of the piercing.

Belly Button Piercing: Pain, Healing, Cost, Aftercare, Jewelry

Floating Belly Button Piercing Pain

A floating belly button piercing typically rates around 3-5 on a pain scale of 1-10. If you ask most people, belly button piercings are some of the least painful piercing types.

This reflects moderate discomfort during the procedure, with sharp pain lasting a few seconds and residual soreness for a few days, varying based on individual pain tolerance and proper aftercare.

Floating Belly Button Piercing Healing

A floating belly button piercing typically takes 6 to 12 months to fully heal. Initial healing occurs within the first 6 to 8 weeks, but complete healing requires ongoing care to prevent infection and complications.

Healing time can vary based on individual health and adherence to aftercare instructions.

Floating Belly Button Piercing Cost

A floating belly button piercing typically costs between $30 and $90. The price varies based on factors such as the piercer's experience, the studio's location, and the type of jewelry used. Always choose a reputable piercer to ensure safety and quality.

Belly Button Piercings and Pregnancy

What happens if you get pregnant with a belly button piercing? If your piercing is fully healed, it is generally safe to leave in. But depending on how much your belly grows, you may find it too uncomfortable. Occasionally, you may even experience small tears around the piercing.

If the piercing is still healing, it's likely a good idea to remove it. If the piercing stretches out white still healing, it may heal irregularly. And since the piercing hole will be stretched wide, your risk of infection may increase.

Similarly, don't pierce your belly button while pregnant: you're at a much higher risk of developing infections!

Floating Belly Button Jewelry Type: Curved Barbells

Ashley Piercing Jewelry Floating belly button ring with cz titanium $22.9, SHOP NOW.

The floating belly button piercing is accomplished with a short curved barbell (banana barbell). However, the end of the barbell that comes through the belly button is small and/or flat, making it difficult or impossible to see.

Curved barbells (banana barbells) are probably the most common jewelry type used for navel piercings. These have one end bead that is larger than the other. That makes them great for showing off larger stones.

Pros:

They're popular enough that you'll have plenty of jewelry options.
You can use them for a number of different types of belly button piercing.
If you want a high-end look, you can often find them in precious metals and/or with embedded precious stones.

Cons:

The larger bead at one end is easy to snag on things.
It's not advisable to wear them with tight clothing.

Floating Belly Button Jewelry Size

For a floating belly button piercing, the typical jewelry specifications are:

Gauge: 14 gauge (1.6 mm) is standard, though some may use 16 gauge (1.2 mm).
Length: 1/2 inch (12 mm) for the barbell. 3/8 inch (10 mm) and (9/16 inch) are availabel too.
Gem Size: Top gem size is usually around 3-6 mm.

Metals Recommended for Floating Belly Button Jewelry

As with any piercing, choosing a high-quality jewelry material is essential. The right material will help protect you from infections and any complications that may happen in the healing process. Here are some of the best materials:

1. Implant-Grade Titanium

This is the best choice for people with sensitive skin and nickel allergies, as titanium is 100% nickel-free. Titanium is also quite durable, though it's generally more expensive than surgical steel.

Pros:

It's an outstanding choice if you have sensitive skin.
It's durable and its finish won't generally wear off.
It's lighter than surgical steel.

Cons:

It's almost always more expensive than steel.
Since it's less common than steel, you may have somewhat limited design choices.

2. 14K Solid Gold

Though this luxurious option is expensive, it's great for people with nickel allergies. If you're willing and able to spend a little more for a beautiful piece of jewelry, it's a great option.

Pros:

Its finish won't wear off over time.
It has a beautifully high-end look.
You can usually find it embedded with diamonds and other precious stones.

Cons:

It's very expensive.
Since it's less common, your design choices may be limited.

3. 316L Surgical Steel

This is probably the most common material for any belly button piercing. It's quite durable and you can find a huge selection of available designs! However, even surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions in those with skin sensitivities.

Pros:

It's an inexpensive material that's safe for the majority of people.
You can find a massive variety of jewelry types and designs.
It's both common and affordable.

Cons:

It does contain some nickel, so it's not the greatest choice for those with nickel allergies.
It will sometimes get discolored over time.

4. Bioflex

This bendable, light option is made of body-safe plastic. If you're very active and don't want a healing belly button piercing to get in the way of that, Bioflex is a great choice.

Pros:

It's relatively inexpensive.
It moves with your body.
It comes in a range of colors.

Cons:

It generally doesn't come with embedded stones.
Some wearers have complained that it feels too cheap.

How to Clean a Floating Belly Button Piercing?

It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing.

Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.

If you prefer homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.

If you see signs of infection, you can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.

Then proceed with the following steps to clean your piercing:

Soak a cotton ball, a paper towel, or a non-plush cloth with the solution. Avoid fabrics that could snag and pull the jewelry or leave fibers behind. Gently saturate the piercing and cleanse it. Don't remove the jewelry!
If you have a sterile saline wound wash that you buy from stores, then spay it while healing.
Ensure you cleanse the piercing of any discharge or crusty material.
Take clean gauze or cotton swabs and pat the area dry.

Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.

Floating Belly Button Piercing Aftercare

You can protect your piercing from excess irritation, physical trauma from activities like sports, or tight clothing with a hard, vented eye patch.
Avoid tight waistbands and belts that can rub against the piercing.
Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
Avoid touching it.
Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
Clean your piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions.
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.