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Belly Button Piercing: Pain, Healing, Cost, Aftercare, Jewelry
If you're looking to get an exciting, exotic piercing, the belly button piercing or the navel piercing is a great option! Once only popular in eastern cultures, this piercing has now found its way into the Western world. But is it right for you?
How Popular Are Belly Button Piercings?
These piercings were especially popular in the 90s. But thanks to a lot of celebrity support, they're quickly becoming more popular.
Here are some of the celebrities who have belly button piercings and love showing them off: Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Vanessa Hudgens, Meghan Thee Stallion, and Normani.
5 Common Types of Belly Button Piercings
If you aren't too familiar with the world of belly button piercing, you might think there are only one or two actual piercings you can get. However, there's a remarkable array of belly button piercings and jewelry to choose from.
Here we have listed the 5 most common types of belly button piercings, of which the standard/vertical is the most popular one.
1. Standard/Vertical
This is probably the most common type of belly button piercing. It's especially popular among teenage girls. 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.
2. Floating Belly Button Piercing
This unique type of piercing is a good one to get if you want to stand out. The Floating belly button piercing 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.
3. Inverse/Lower Navel
This piercing is a lot like the standard navel piercing. However, it places a (usually) curved barbell so it looks like one bead is sitting inside the belly button and one is sitting under it.
4. Double Belly Button Piercing
This piercing can look really special when used with the right jewelry. It's a combination of two different types of belly button piercings: a standard and an inverse belly button piercing.
5. True Navel
If you have an "outie" belly button and want to pierce it, you'll be getting what's called a "true navel" piercing. This one actually goes through the protruding belly button. You often see barbells used as jewelry for true navel piercings.
How Bad Does a Belly Button Piercing Hurt?
Everybody's pain threshold is different. But if you ask most people, belly button piercings are some of the least painful piercing types. You'll usually feel a little pinch and maybe some pain.
Piercing shops will often tell you the pain level is about that of an earlobe piercing, so it shouldn't be bad at all!
How Long Does a Belly Button Piercing Take to Heal?
If you opt for a belly button piercing, you should know that you're in for a long haul when it comes to aftercare! It will usually take one of these piercings nine months to a year to heal.
A word of warning, though most belly button piercings will appear to be fully healed after four to six weeks. However, they are not. They still need daily aftercare. If you stop regularly cleaning your piercing after this, you'll be likely to develop an infection.
How Much Is a Belly Button Piercing?
On average, a belly button piercing will cost you about $30-$70 for just the piercing. This might sound steep. However, it's not a good idea to cheap out on a piercing! A skilled piercer will be able to ensure your piercing looks good and will have minimal risk of infection.
The cost of the jewelry varies dramatically. For an inexpensive Bioflex piece, you might pay $10 or less. But for a solid gold piercing, you might pay $200 or more.
Belly Button Piercing After 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 while 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!
What Gauge Is a Belly Button Piercing?
And despite the large variety, the standard gauge for each one is 14G (1.6 mm or 1/16-inch in thickness). For this piercing, piercers will often use a slightly larger needle to make healing easier.
To be detailed, the larger hole allows for some swelling and prevents the healing from getting too tight as it heals.
Types of Jewelry for Belly Button Piercing
As with any piercing, one of the most exciting things about a belly button piercing is that you get to choose what jewelry to wear with it! But there's a lot more to consider than just the look. Here are some things to take into account before choosing.
1. Curved Barbells (Banana barbells)
Heart belly button ring with pink clear red purple black CZ titanium $22.9, SHOP NOW.
This is probably the most common jewelry type used for navel piercings. However, most shops use specially designed curved barbells called "banana barbells." 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 piercings.
- 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.
Simple and minimalist curved barbell piercing ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium internally threaded $16.9, SHOP NOW.
2. Dangles
Dangle belly ring with diamond CZ cute belly button piercing titanium $22.9, SHOP NOW.
Dangles aren't really a separate piercing type. Rather, they are attachments that you can connect to a ring or barbell used in the piercing. You can find dangles with charms, jewels, or even just shiny chains! They're a great way to dress up your piercing.
Pros:
- They offer you an exciting way to personalize any belly button piercing.
- They are interchangeable, so you can have a different look each day.
- Many are surprisingly inexpensive.
Cons:
- They can pull on a piercing, so they might hurt newer piercings.
- It's especially easy to snag them on clothes, towels, and sheets.
3. Floating Navel Barbell
Ashley Piercing Jewelry Floating belly button ring with cz titanium $22.9, SHOP NOW.
For an outie with a pierced upper ridge, a floating navel barbell (the floating belly button piercing) is safer than the regular curved barbell.
Instead of having the gemstone on the lower end, a floating navel barbell has the gemstone on the top. They will also have a flat end rather than a ball or a dangle on the lower part of the bar. The final look will have the feature floating outside of the navel.
4. Circular Barbells (Horseshoe Barbells)
Titanium ring curved barbell horseshoe barbell 14G 16G $18.9, SHOP NOW.
If you can't decide between a captive bead ring and a curved barbell, a circular or horseshoe barbell is a great compromise. With this jewelry, the bar bends into a horseshoe shape, and there is a ball at each end.
Pros:
- They're much easier to put in and take out than captive bead rings.
- You can decorate them with a number of interesting stones.
- They offer a tougher look than some other types of belly button piercings.
Cons:
- They can easily become crooked.
- They heal more slowly than curved barbells.
5. Captive Bead Rings
Titanium ring captive bead $18.9, SHOP NOW.
With a captive bead ring, a stone, bead, or other decoration is held "captive" on the ring. Thanks to its placement, the bead makes it look like the ring has no seams or openings.
Pros:
- Since it's less common than curved barbells, it's a good way to stand out.
- The captive bead can be a precious or semi-precious stone.
- Its seamless look makes it especially interesting.
Cons:
- Captive beads can be very hard to put on and take off.
- This jewelry type often ends up leaning to one side or otherwise looking asymmetrical.
Materials Recommended for Belly Button Piercings
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
Cute belly button ring with CZ titanium 14G $24.9, SHOP NOW.
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. 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 contains 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.
3. 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.
4. 14K Solid Gold
14k gold belly ring with opal and diamond CZ $215.9, SHOP NOW.
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 on a beautiful piece of jewelry, it's a great option.
Pros:
- Its finish won't wear off over time.
- It has a beautiful 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.
How to Clean a 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.
Belly Button Piercing Aftercare
- 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.
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