Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Getting the piercing
• Part 2 of 4: Keeping your piercing clean
• Part 3 of 4: Preventing irritation
• Part 4 of 4: Wearing the right piece of jewelry
• Tips

Everyone has their insecurities about putting on a belly button piercing, especially because there is always a chance that the piercing will become infected. Don't worry too much about this though! In this article you can read exactly how to keep your piercing clean and prevent inflammation.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Getting the piercing

1. Make sure you have permission. If you are under 18, you will need to get permission from your parent or guardian to have the piercing done. You need this permission to avoid having a piercing first and then having to take it out again.
2. Do the necessary research. Go to a piercer with an immaculate reputation in a good shop. Read online reviews to find out how the piercer works and check that the piercer is working carefully.
3. Visit the shop. It is crucial that a piercing / tattoo shop is sterile and clean. If you notice that this is not the case, it is better not to get a piercing here.
4. Check that sterile equipment is used. Make sure your piercer opens a new pack of unused sterile needles for piercing. This is crucial to prevent the spread of infections and diseases.
5. Expect some pain. The piercing itself is not too painful. However, the healing period and the swelling that occurs afterwards can be annoying.
6. Don't be surprised. To pierce you, the piercer will first put a clamp on your belly button to hold it in place. This prevents the piercer from slipping out if you move unexpectedly.
7. Know what to expect. The first 3 to 5 days after getting the piercing, most symptoms will occur and you can expect some pain. Your belly button will swell, bleed a little and it is very sensitive.
8. Expect some exudate. Even if you take optimal care of the piercing and do exactly what the piercer has advised you, it is normal for some whitish fluid to run out of the wound. This is not a sign that the wound is infected, but a normal reaction of your body. Make sure that the moisture is not pus.

Part 2 of 4: Keeping your piercing clean

1. Wash your hands. Make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning your piercing or touching the jewelry. Do not touch the piercing at all outside of cleaning.
2. Rinse the area regularly. Wash the piercing with antibacterial soap once or twice a day. Remove crusts with a cotton swab. Then gently clean the skin with antibacterial soap and water. Touch the piercing as little as possible; this hurts and also ensures that the wound heals more slowly.
3. Make sure the soap gets into the wound as well. The easiest way to do this is to fill a cup with some soap and water and then place this cup over your belly button. Move the cup back and forth so that the water is evenly distributed over the wound. This can hurt at first, but as the wound heals it becomes less and less.
   • Foaming antibacterial soap is the best way to clean a newly pierced wound. This soap is easy to apply and is also easier to rinse away than liquid soap.
4. Rotate or move the piercing. When the piercing is wet, you can gently turn or move the jewelry. Never do this when the piercing is dry! This way you prevent wounds from opening and they will have to heal again.
5. Dry the piercing well. After cleaning, carefully dry the piercing with a paper towel. Avoid using towels to avoid infections.
6. Avoid products that contain alcohol or peroxide. These substances can slow down the healing process and kill new, healthy cells.

Part 3 of 4: Preventing irritation

1. Do not put ointment on the wound. This prevents your piercing from being exposed to oxygen, which is essential for the healing process.
2. Do not go swimming. Avoid chlorinated pools, as well as hot tubs, lakes and rivers. Your best bet is to keep your piercing exposed to soap and water only.
3. Touch your piercing as little as possible. The only times you need to touch your belly button piercing are during cleaning. Don't forget to wash your hands before cleaning!
4. Make sure the wound does not become infected. If clear or slightly white fluid comes out of the wound, this indicates that the wound is healing. If the moisture is yellow or green or smells, an inflammation may have developed. In this case, see your doctor or piercer to discuss how to get the wound to heal.

Part 4 of 4: Wearing the right piece of jewelry

1. Check the balls regularly. The balls of your belly button piercing can sometimes come loose. It is therefore important that you occasionally check that they are still properly secured. Use one hand to hold the bottom ball in place and the other to firmly tighten the top ball.
   • Note: Turn the ball to the right to tighten it and to the left to open it.
2. Keep the jewelry in! Never remove the jewelry during the healing process. While many piercings heal within six weeks, it can sometimes take months. If you take the jewelry out too early, the wound can close in a few seconds. Ask your piercer exactly how long it will take to heal or read this in the folder he or she gave you.
   • If you are ready for a new look and your piercing does not hurt when you touch it, you can detach and replace the balls. However, always leave the actual piercing in place. Changing your piercing often can irritate the skin and also rub bacteria into the wound.
3. Choose a piercing that suits you. Once the healing period is over, you can choose a piece of jewelry that suits you. Make sure that you choose a type of metal that your skin responds well to.

Tips

• You can also clean the wound with salt water.
• Don't touch your piercing too much!
• For people with dark or tinted skin: the black / brown / red spot above the piercing will disappear after about 4 months.
• Clean the piercing regularly, even after the wound has healed. You can start cleaning the piercing less often about 3 months after getting the piercing. Now do this about twice a week.
• Tea tree oil is an effective antibacterial oil and also smells good. You can also buy tea tree soap.
• Get enough vitamins such as vitamin C by drinking plenty of orange juice and milk. This will speed up the healing process. Try to sit upright so that there is not too much pressure on the wound and rather not sleep on your stomach. Don't train your abs for the time being!
• Never twist or move the piercing when the wound is dry. This can tear the scab on the wound and disperse the wound fluid, which slows down the healing process.