Navel piercings are becoming more and more popular.Some people choose to do it on their own.Read on if you choose to.It is always safer to go to a professional.
Step 1: The correct equipment should be gathered.
It's important to use the correct equipment for belly button piercing.If the piercing goes badly wrong, it could result in a nasty infection.You will need a 14 gauge sterile piercing needle, a belly button ring made from titanium, rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes, body ink marker, and cotton balls.Using a sewing needle, safety pin or piercing gun to pierce your belly button is not a good idea as these items are unsafe and will not produce good results.
Step 2: The environment should be clean.
If you want to pierce your belly button, you need to take all the necessary precautions.Any used countertops or tables should be sprayed with a disinfectant.
Step 3: You should wash your hands.
Don't forget to wash your hands in warm water.Everything needs to be sterile.If they're sterile and haven't been sitting out, you should wear latex gloves.It's better to dry your hands with a paper towel than a cloth towel.
Step 4: The piercing needle and belly button ring should be sterile.
All of these items should be in sterile packaging if you bought them new.You will need to sterilize them before piercing if they did not or you have handled them already.You can submerge the items in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and leave them to sit in the liquid for a couple of minutes.Remove them from the liquid and leave them on a piece of paper towel to dry.
Step 5: Clean around the belly button.
Before piercing, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the belly button to remove anybacteria from the surface of the skin.It's best to use a gel that is specifically designed for piercings.Thoroughly wipe the cotton ball around the area to be pierced after applying the antiseptic or rubbing alcohol.Wait until the area is completely dry.It's important to use a rubbing alcohol with a concentration of at least 70% isopropanol to achieve the necessary level of disinfection.If you have to, use a Q-Tip or similar device.The piercing site needs to be cleaned above and below.
Step 6: A mark is needed where the piercing should be.
A body ink marker is a good idea to mark the entrance and exit locations of the needle.Belly button piercings are usually located at the top of the belly button, but the choice is yours.If the marks are aligned vertically, use a small mirror to check them.When sitting, your stomach will not give you a straight pierce, so only do this while standing.
Step 7: Do you want to numb the area?
Some people who are squeamish about pain may want to numb the skin around the belly button with an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel.It is important to know that numbing the area with ice will make the skin tough and rubbery, making it harder to push the needle through.You can use a q-tip to apply a numbing gel to the area.
Step 8: You can remove the ball from the top of the belly button ring.
You don't want to be messing with this while trying to hold the needle in place.
Step 9: The cleaned area needs to be fastened.
You are ready to start!If you want to pull out the skin from the body, you have to take the piercer and use it.The exit point should be centered on the top half of the clamp, while the entrance point ought to be in the bottom half.If you want the stronger, steadier one holding the needle, make sure to hold it with your weaker hand.
Step 10: Prepare the needle.
The jewelry won't fit inside a 14-gauge needle.The hollow center of this needle will allow you to easily insert the belly button ring once you push the needle through.
Step 11: From the bottom down.
Align the end of the needle with the mark on the underside.Take a deep breath, then with one fluid movement push the needle through the skin to make sure it doesn't get stuck at the top of the clamp.Don't pierce from the top down.If you're piercing downwards, you can't see where your needle is going.The best way to pierce is standing up, as this will allow you to see what you're doing.You can pierce while lying down.Don't be worried if the piercing bleeds a little.Remove the blood with a q-tip dipped in a solution.
Step 12: The belly button ring has to be inserted.
Place the end of the jewelry without the ball into the hollow needle and push it out.Don't pull the needle out.The contact between the needle and the ring is important for a smooth transition.As the needle exits the skin, be prepared to catch it as it falls off the end of the jewelry.Don't pull the needle out before the jewelry is done.Attach the loose ball to the belly button ring.That's right!Your belly button is pierced.
Step 13: You should clean your hands.
After you've finished, wash your hands with soap and water.Take a cotton ball soaked in a solution or a cleaning solution and gently clean around the piercing.The most important day of your cleaning regimen is this one.To be thorough, take a few minutes.Don't try to grab your new piercing.Leave it alone to heal.The last thing you want to do is touch it or play with it.
Step 14: Take care of your piercing.
The work is not done yet.It is important that you maintain a strict cleaning regimen over the next couple of months because a new piercing is like an open wound.You will need to keep this up until the piercing heals completely, in order to prevent any itching and infections.It's a good idea to wash the piercing with soap.It's a good idea to avoid rubbing alcohol, peroxide, or ointments as they can be very drying and irritating on the skin.
Step 15: Use a salt solution to clean.
Salt solution is a great way to keep your piercing clean.You can either buy a solution at a drugstore or get some sea salt dissolved in a cup of water.Carefully clean around both ends of the piercing by dipping a q-tip in the solution.To clean the ring, push the jewelry from one side to the other.
Step 16: Don't swim in water.
It's a good idea to stay away from the water for the first few months, as it can harborbacteria which can easily get you a piercing.
Step 17: Allow time for the piercing to heal.
It's healing if you see a clear or white liquid.Anything with color or smell should be seen by a doctor.A care routine of up to 3-6 months is advocated by some professionals.Do you know how your piercing is doing?Don't mess with it.Before you change rings, allow it to heal.Don't touch the barbel, you can replace the balls.This will cause pain and slow the healing process.
Step 18: You should keep an eye out for infections.
Your piercing can get infections even after it seems healed.If you suspect an infection, apply a warm compress to the area every three to four hours, then wash it off with an antiseptic cleanser and apply an anti-bacterial cream.You should consult your doctor if you don't see an improvement within 24 hours.If a doctor isn't an option, see a professional piercing artist.They can help you adjust your care routine.The risk of the infection becoming trapped inside the piercing is greater if you take the belly button ring.