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Outie Belly Button Piercing: What Type of Belly Button Piercings and Jewelry Can You Get With an Outie?
These days, belly button piercings are some of the most popular forms of body modification.
The ideal candidate for a belly button piercing has a navel with a defined upper "lip" and some space behind the lip for the jewelry to hang comfortably. In other words, "innie" belly buttons are preferred.
However, people with "outie" belly buttons may still be able to sport a navel piercing with a few extra considerations.
What Does an Outie Belly Button Look Like?
As the name suggests, an outie belly button protrudes from the abdomen rather than sitting in a concave position. Appearance wise, a true outie looks like a small knob of flesh, which forms in early infancy during the umbilical healing process.
What Causes an Outie Belly Button？
The exact cause of outies remains unknown, but most scientists agree that the shape of your belly button is dictated largely by chance.
Can You Get a Belly Button Piercing With an Outie? Is It Possible?
Even if you have an outie, you may still have the right anatomy for a belly button piercing, like the standard (vertical) belly button piercing, the inverse (lower) belly button piercing, the Floating belly button piercing, and the True Navel piercing.
The standard (vertical) and the inverse (lower) belly button piercings are common belly button piercings for those with "innie" belly buttons. But in some cases, it's also a suitable choice for an outie.
This is because there is a lot of variation between all belly buttons, and many people with outies actually have a combination of both an innie and an outie.
If your outer belly button also has a defined upper or lower lip, you likely have enough skin and flesh in the area to support a piercing.
However, if you have a true outie navel and you find that you don't have enough skin above or below the belly button to comfortably pierce, the true navel piercing will be your only option and it is not recommended.
The true navel piercing can be quite dangerous as there's a greater risk of infection spreading to the body's organs, due to the presence of blood vessels in an outie navel.
Belly Button Piercing With an Outie: What Types of Belly Button Piercings Can You Get?
Any experienced piercer will tell you that the anatomy of your belly button will determine what type of piercing you can get.
Depending on the type of outie you have, there are 4 main piercing types that may be right for you: the standard (vertical) belly button piercing, the inverse (lower) belly button piercing, the Floating belly button piercing, and the True Navel piercing.
1. The Standard/Vertical Belly Button Piercing
This is the most common belly button piercing for those with "innie" belly buttons. But in some cases, it's also a suitable choice for an outie.
Look to see if there's a small lip of skin right above the protruding part of the belly button. If you can pinch this flap of skin, it may be big enough.
There must be enough space for a piercing jewel to sit comfortably without putting uncomfortable pressure on the belly button.
2. The Inverse/Lower Belly Button Piercing
Some people with outies don't have that lip of skin above the belly button itself, but they do have one below. If you do, you might be able to get an inverse belly button piercing. This is where the piercing is below the "button" part, rather than above.
3. Floating Belly Button 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.
4. The True Navel Piercing
In a True Navel piercing, the protruding part of the belly button itself is pierced. It's called a "true" navel piercing because the navel itself is being pierced. In other navel piercings, the skin around the navel is pierced.
If you find that you don't have enough skin above or below the belly button to comfortably pierce, this is a good option. But as we'll see in a moment, there are a few precautions to take with a true navel piercing, as it can be quite risky.
With a true navel piercing, you can choose from a range of different jewelry types. You can go with a "banana barbell," the slightly curved barbell used for most navel piercings. Alternatively, you can choose hoops, captive bead rings, or horseshoe barbells, too (but it's recommended not to sleep in ring-type jewelry).
Regarding the True Navel Piercing, Can You Pierce an Outie Belly Button?
If you don't opt to pierce the tissue of the belly button itself (the outie), you only have to take normal aftercare precautions.
But if you go for a True Navel piercing and have the actual navel pierced, it is more dangerous and there are a few risks to consider.
Outie navels are made of scar tissue from the umbilical cord. Piercing it can be quite dangerous as there's a greater risk of infection spreading to the body's organs, due to the presence of blood vessels in an outie navel.
In addition, this type of tissue will usually heal more slowly, and the longer healing takes, the more risk there is of an infection or other complications. Belly button piercings in general can take several months to a year to heal, and true navel piercings tend to take closer to a year.
Another thing to consider is the risk of irritation. Clothing will irritate most new belly button piercings. But with an outie, the piercing will more frequently rub against clothing and towels. That can increase your risk of infection.
Before choosing a true navel piercer, be sure to talk to your piercer about risks and aftercare procedures so you'll know what to expect.
Outie Belly Button Piercing: Jewelry Types
1. Curved Barbells
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When most people think of belly button jewelry, they will imagine a curved barbell with a gemstone on the lower end, meant to be worn on the upper ridge of the navel.
This type of jewelry requires having enough space for the gemstone to hang below the upper ridge (the standard belly button piercing), making them ideal for innies and some outies.
If your outie belly button is pierced on the lower ridge (the lower belly button piercing), you may also be able to wear this type of barbell.
Curved barbells can also be used for true navel piercings. But again, this type of outie belly button piercing is quite dangerous and is not recommended.
2. Floating Navel Barbells
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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.
3. Rings
While rings are relatively safe for piercings that have completely healed, they aren't recommended for outie belly buttons unless you want to get a true navel piercing.
Rings naturally have more width than barbells and are more likely to get caught or snagged on other objects.
Outie Belly Button Piercing: Jewelry Size
1. Gauge
Most belly button rings are available in 14g (1.6mm) or 16g (1.2mm). The appropriate gauge for you depends on the needle that was used for your piercing.
However, the difference between 14g (1.6mm) and 16g (1.2mm) is quite small, and many people are able to switch comfortably between these two sizes after the piercing has healed.
True navel piercings can also be done at 12g (2mm). A thicker radius is better for this area because it's more stable, whereas a thinner gauge would be more likely to migrate.
2. Length
The standard post length for a belly button bar is 10-12mm (3/8"-1/2"). Going too short or long can increase the risk of developing complications, but some outie belly buttons may do better outside of this range by 1-3mm.
Outie belly buttons are more likely to require a shallower depth of piercing because most of the pierceable tissue will be closer to the surface, so it's possible to need something shorter than 8mm (5/16") after the initial swelling goes down.
If you have an outie, be sure to return to your piercer after you've healed completely to determine the best length for you.
3. Diameter
For belly button rings, a diameter of 10-12mm (3/8"-1/2") is common. Due to the risk of complications, it's not recommended to wear hoops much larger or smaller than this.
If you are still interested in the look of a navel hoop, you can spring for a D-shaped floating barbell with an appropriate post length.
Recommended Materials for Outie Belly Button Piercing Jewelry
When choosing your jewelry material, picking the correct type of metal is important. Some metals are more allergy-prone or easier to care for than others. Nickel can cause contact dermatitis in some people, so it's best to stay away from this metal for your initial piercing.
1. Titanium: About $20-$40
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Titanium has a reputation for being the best metal for piercings for many reasons. It is lightweight, hypoallergenic, durable, nickel-free, non-corrosive, and won’t tarnish.
Its non-porous nature reduces places bacteria can hide, promoting healing.
Titanium is also hypoallergenic, meaning it is less likely to cause allergic reactions. Titanium is nickel-free.
Its high density-to-strength ratio means your jewelry is very durable.
A lower density also makes titanium lightweight, a big plus for many users. Finally, the metal comes in many colors because you can anodize it.
The only real downside to titanium jewelry is that you will pay more for all those positive traits. Shop for implant-grade titanium with designations like ASTM F-136, ASTM F-67, or ISO 5832-3.
2. Solid Gold: About $40-$200
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This metal will not rust or tarnish. It is also easy to decorate and shape. The added alloys in 18k, and especially 14k, make them more durable than 24k gold pieces.
One downside to gold jewelry is the price tag, which is expensive. Another concern will be that the metal is soft, making it susceptible to bends, breaks, and gouges. Gold can also be heavy, especially with more pure karat ratings.
3. Surgical Steel: About $5-$30
Although it's generally considered hypoallergenic for most people, even surgical-grade steel may contain some nickel. Choose a different option if you are concerned about irritation or a nickel allergy.
Steel combines iron and carbon, improving its strength and ability to resist fracturing.
However, this silver alloy can contain other elements, including nickel. Make sure to buy surgical-grade steel jewelry. These will have ratings: ASTM F-138, ISO 5832-1, ISO 10993-6, ISO 10993-10, or ISO 10993-11.
One of the pros most people cite for steel jewelry pieces is the lower price point. Steel is also a durable option. These pieces are low maintenance because the steel does not corrode, rust, or tarnish.
Weight is the top complaint for those using steel jewelry pieces. Steel can be less comfortable if worn in piercings for long periods.
4. Niobium: About $20-$60
Niobium is a light grey metal known for its hardness that is like titanium. The metal resists corrosion and tarnishing like others on the list, creating minimal maintenance for you.
It might be the best metal for a piercing if you want titanium-like durability with more malleability. That extra pliability makes it easier for jewelers to shape pieces. Niobium can come in various colors as it is something that you can anodize.
The only real downsides are that it weighs a bit more than titanium and you will likely pay a bit more due to the process involved in manufacturing this metal.
Outie Belly Button Piercing Risks
Navel piercings are a little more likely to develop complications than other areas of the body. This is because the area is prone to experience a lot of movement during the day, and it takes a specific type of anatomy for the piercing to be successful.
Some of the risks include:
- Infection
- Rejection
- Migration
- Scarring
- Prolonged bleeding
- Allergic reaction
If you have an outie, you are even more likely to experience complications compared to people with innie belly buttons. To minimize the risk, it's important to discuss your anatomy and expectations with a reputable piercer and follow all aftercare instructions for the recovery period.
After healing, return to your piercer when you're ready to change your jewelry to ensure your next belly button ring is of the appropriate size.
Outie Belly Button Piercing Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fashionable
- Wide variety of jewelry styles
- Accessible in most cities
Cons
- More likely to develop complications
- Limited jewelry choices compared to innie belly buttons
- May be painful
- May require more skill or aftercare
To Conclude
Even if you have an outie belly button, you may still be able to enjoy a navel piercing. Choose a reputable piercer with experience performing outie belly button piercings, and commit to following a strict aftercare routine until you've fully healed.
The key to a positive piercing experience is to do your research ahead of time and manage your expectations.
Read More
Belly Button Piercing: Pain, Healing, Cost, Aftercare, Jewelry
Floating Belly Button Piercing (Floating Navel Piercing): Everything That You Need to Know
