Navel Piercing Beaten to Death

In addition to my Blog series, Beating Each Piercing to Death, I will be focusing on the Navel piercings. I chose to do this in September because this is the best time of the year to get the piercing. Every spring, there is a massive increase in demand for Navel piercings. Mainly because people began to think and hope for summer, and what better way to celebrate summer than to show off a piece of jewelry in your Navel. Whether at the beach, the pool, or on a sunny day, it's that perfect accent. However, Navels have a long healing period due to the location, length of the piercing, and blood flow.

In some cases, a Navel piercing can take up to a year, but for most it's at least a six-month healing time. That means no beach and no swimming for at least six months. Making September the perfect time to get the piercing and have it healed in time for next summer.

In the twenty-plus years that I've been piercing, the navel has got to be the piercing that I've done the most. When I started in May 1994, I would estimate that at least 8 out of the total piercings I performed were navel piercings. It was the piercing that took Body Piercing into the mainstream and launched a thousand piercers.  Over the years, it has declined in popularity, but it remains a popular choice for many people's first piercing. Since there is often a large number of them done on inexperienced clients, they have a long history of being prone to problems and difficult to heal. However, with the correct anatomy, jewelry, and placement, the piercing can be an easy heal. 

History and Background:

Though it is commonly believed that navel piercing dates back to the Egyptian Pharaohs, who would wear a gem in their navel, there is no documentation of this fact. It may be nothing more than another Urban Legend created by Doug Malloy. It's claimed that it was a sign of manliness and courage, and the Egyptians believed that the navel piercing represented the transformation from life on Earth to eternal life in the beyond.

Although the piercing had been around since the 1970s, it would take a few changes in mainstream culture to bring it into the mainstream. In part, this was because it was considered sexual and taboo to show the midriff. This is why the bikini was so risky when it was introduced in the 1950s and why showing a navel was banned from TV and Movies until the late 1960s. Additionally, the navel was considered to be below the waist on men until the mid-1960s and, for the most part, on women as well, until low riders became popular in the 1990s. During the 1980s, mainstream culture and fashion began to expose the midriff, and the waistbands of women's pants began to lower. 

Two events would expose the general public to Navel piercing and bring not only the piercing but Body Piercing into the mainstream. The first example would be fashion model Christy Turlington displaying her piercing at a London Fashion show, and perhaps creating even a larger impact was the Aerosmith video for "Cryin'" that featured Alicia Silverstone getting the piercing. When I began piercing, I couldn't even count the number of times when clients referenced the video of two teenage girls running wild and getting their navels pierced. It also ensured that the piercing would become almost exclusively a female piercing.

Migration, Anatomy, Marking, and Placement:

Navels like people come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes. Some will heal well with no problem, while others cannot be pierced, or due to the person's anatomy, cannot be pierced. When deciding if the anatomy is suitable to be pierced, the build of the piercee and the shape of the navel need to be considered. Risks or possible issues that your anatomy might pose should be discussed beforehand, as they may affect the type of jewelry that is suggested. 

The key to whether a navel is going to be a good candidate for piercing is whether there is a ridge with loose tissue. This can be determined by putting the index finger in the navel and then pinching the tissue with the thumb. There should be a thinner lobe-like area or fold that can be pulled from the body. When we mark the location of the piercing, we will place our index and middle fingers on each side of the navel and pull down. This will cause the tissue to form an upside-down "V," which dictates the loose tissue that can be pierced. If the tissue isn't loose or there isn't enough of it, this can increase the risk of migration and rejection. Additionally, the navel will need to be large enough to accommodate the jewelry comfortably. 

Marking is done while the piercer is standing or fully reclined. As mentioned above, the tissue is pulled down to determine the length of the loose tissue or fold. I will usually make a small dot and then release the tissue, allowing it to return to its natural state. Then I will draw a straight line leading down to the start of the navel or center of the fold. Often, I hold up the jewelry to ensure a proper fit and to visualize how it will sit in the piercing. Sometimes, regardless of the jewelry chosen or preferred, the placement may require the piercing to be deeper into the navel.  Anatomy may also require that the piercing be slightly off center or at an angle, and this should be discussed before the piercing is done.

Outies and ​Abdominoplasty:

Navels that are considered "Outies" often can not be pierced because they add pressure to the tissue, and there is no room for the jewelry. The outie is a scar-like remnant of the umbilical cord. Although I've had several requests to pierce the button of tissue, I've always refused because it could be connected to the abdomen and internal organs. Thus making the risks that might present themselves with an infection too high to risk.  When accessing an outie or partial outie, I will first do the piecing test to ensure that there is enough loose tissue or a pronounced fold that can be pierced. 

Abdominoplasty or tummy tucks can greatly affect whether the piercing will heal and significantly increase the likelihood of the piercing rejecting. This is mainly due to the reconstruction of the navel, lack of blood flow, and the tightness of the tissue. Often, there is so little loose tissue that the piercing can not be done at all. I have done a number of them in the past with mixed results. The key seems to be waiting as long as possible till after the procedure and giving the tissue time to loosen and become more natural. Even there, you should consider the risks before getting the piercing and consult your piercer on the added risks, including migration, rejection, and infection.

Bottom Navel Piercings and Angled Groupings:

Like any piercing, it comes down to anatomy, and often, the folded loose tissue does not exist on the bottom of the navel.  The main issue this creates is that it turns the piercing more toward a surface-to-surface piercing, which means it is significantly more prone to problems, including complete rejection of the piercing. The other issue is that the location is more prone to contact with pants and stress and abuse than the top of the navel. The best candidates are a navels that have the same structure on the top and bottom and are deep enough and large enough to have room for the jewelry.

Groupings of navel piercings can be done; it all depends on the shape, size, and structure of the navel. Whether it's top and bottom or angled piercing, if the structure and space are there, additional piercings can be done. However, like any grouping, you should discuss and plan out the placement of all the piercings before getting the first one done. Sitting down with your piercer and planning out the placement of all that you are wishing to get done is a great deal easier than trying to squeeze in additional piercings later. Additionally, the sides of the navel are often not sufficiently developed to be pierced, and the angle and positioning of the jewelry can cause migration and rejection.

Jewelry Size and Types:

With a navel piercing, there are two placements and angles. The traditional one that works better with a curved barbell and the floating navel that is pierced deeper into the navel. What works best depends significantly on your anatomy.

Two issues should be considered before choosing jewelry size and type: 

1. The first is the shape of the navel and how the jewelry will hang in the piercing. If the navel is shallow, a barbell may work better, but if the navel is deep or small in size, a float navel may be a much better choice. The length of the jewelry should be long enough to fit loosely in the piercing. How large the jewelry will need to be depends on the style of jewelry:
   1. Curved Barbell: Though the jewelry is designed to be a perfect 1/3 of a circle, there should be at least 1/6 of an inch longer than the piercing to allow for swelling, easy cleaning, and to allow the piercing to discharge easily.
   2. Floating Navel Curved Barbell: The only absolute difference is that instead of having a ball on one end, it has a flat disc. This allows the jewelry to fit better in the navel when it is pierced deeper into the navel. On the top side will be a gem or other setting that will appear to "float" while the rest of the jewelry is concealed inside the navel. With navels that close when sitting, this can also be used.
2. The second consideration is the thickness or gauge of the jewelry itself. The thickness can add the advantage of increasing the resistance against the body migrating or rejecting the piercing, or the piercing being ripped or torn if the jewelry is caught on something. However, thicker jewelry will add weight to the piercing, which can also increase the risk of problems. I would suggest nothing thinner than 14g and nothing thicker than 12g. Both are thick enough to give us the resistance we need without the weight that may cause issues.

Jewelry Styles: 

• Curved Barbells - A curved post that is about a third of a circle with a threaded ball or end on each side. Another option is the threadless or pressure ends. With piercing, the best option is the simplest design available, either with matching or unmatched ball sizes. The most common would be the curved barbells with a small gem on the top and a larger ball with a gem on the side. I can't express enough to avoid large ends, shape, have sharp edges, or anything that hangs off the jewelry. Even after the piercing has healed, "Novelty" style curved barbells can cause a nicely healed navel piercing to have issues and should only be worn for short periods or not at all. Since navel piercings are popular, there is a great deal of "novelty" low-end jewelry that has flooded the market over the last 20 years or so. A majority of products are made in Asia with uncertified and substandard materials.
• Floating Navel Curved Barbells - These are curved barbells with a fixed disc on one side. These can be threadless or threaded and are designed for that piercings are placed deeper into the navel. There is a vast variety of ends that can be used, from simple balls and gems to gem clusters with dangling chains.
• The following should be avoided:
  1. Large gem settings or other large objects. First, consider whether it will fit inside your navel at all. A large object that doesn't fit inside your navel will cause outward pressure on the piercing, causing it to migrate, reject, or have other problems. It doesn't matter if the piercing is fresh or well-healed.
  2. Shaped charms or settings - Since Implant Grade Steel and Titanium can be very difficult and expensive to mold into shaped objects and polish. So, even if the packaging states that the jewelry is made of a body-friendly material, they are only referring to the packaging itself. These settings and charms are often made of substandard materials and then attached to the post. It is common to find that charms and settings are made of Chrome-Plated Plastic, Pot Metal, Silver, Pewter, Bronze, Copper, Cadmium, Chromium, and Tin. Some of these materials are toxic, while others can cause reactions, infections, or other health issues. Understand that there are better manufacturers, such as Anatometal, that produce shaped objects and settings in Titanium, implant-grade steel, and Gold. However, you won't find them at the department store or the "Alternative" shop at the mall. Also, the price will be higher to reflect the skill and craftsmanship that went into manufacturing the jewelry.
  3. Dangling Charms - Often, the chain and charms are made of substandard materials that are not body-friendly, but the real issue is that they act like a boat anchor. Dangles, as they are often called, will catch on just about everything they come in contact with, increasing the risk of damaging the piercing. I have only seen two cases where a navel piercing has been ripped out of the body, and in both cases, the jewelry had a dangle on it.
• Circular Barbells & Rings - A circular-shaped horseshoe with two threaded ends or rings. After the piercing is healed, Circular jewelry can be worn in piercings that are deeper inside the navel. The main disadvantage is that they have a higher profile.

For more detailed information on what Jewelry to buy, go to my blog Post Healing Jewelry Guide 

Procedure:

I always do the piercing with forceps. Do not be sold on the idea that a freehand piercing is going to be less painful. The reality is that the forceps are needed to pull the tissue away from the body, support the tissue, and ensure the angle of the piercing is correct. This is a considerable factor with navel piercings because the tissue will need to be pulled from the body and folded to get a straight piercing.  With freehand, there is a greater risk of the piercing being angled wrong, with the piercing deeper on one side than the other, or the piercing being crooked. Because the forceps flatten out the tissue, giving the needle a shorter distance to travel, the piercing is faster and less painful. The forceps should be tight but not painfully tight.

The Procedure:

• Consultation and paperwork
• Setup
• Disinfecting the piercing area with a surgical scrub
• Marking the piercing while the piercee is standing at attention
• Reclining the client and attaching the forceps
• Lining up the needle and having the client do a deep breathing exercise.
• Injecting the piercing needle through the piercing area
• Removing the forceps, inserting the jewelry, and closing the jewelry
• Stop any bleeding and clean the piercing area.

Hassles and Aftercare:

Navel piercings are prone to bleeding, redness, and swelling. In most cases, this will fade after a few days and often appears much worse than it is; these aftereffects are usually slight and completely unnoticeable. The piercing will, however, be tender to the touch and can throb off and on right after the piercing is done.

Basic aftercare will involve cleaning the piercing area with a sterile saline spray, such as Neilmed's Piercing Aftercare, twice daily, and rinsing for 30 to 60 seconds to remove any discharge. Additionally, you will need to take steps to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. For more details, go to Basic Aftercare Instructions. Due to the location of the piercing, you need to take precautions to avoid abuse, including heavy or tight-fitting clothing(especially pants or clothing that has a waistband that is against the navel), laying items against your stomach, and sleeping on the piercing. Everyone reacts differently and is shaped differently, so experiment with different clothing to find what is comfortable for you. Since sweat tends to accumulate in the area, it is a good idea to clean the piercing after engaging in strenuous activity. When lifting heavy objects, avoid using your stomach to support the object. If you are wearing pantyhose or other clothing that is tight or covers the piercing, either roll them down below the piercing, cut out a hole for the piercing, or wear a hard plastic vented eye patch over the piercing. This can also be helpful during sporting activities to avoid trauma to the piercing.  

It is essential to avoid stress and abuse to the piercing during healing and after. Mainly avoid sleeping on your stomach and try to sleep on your side or back. If you must sleep on your stomach, try to elevate the piercing off the bed using a donut-shaped pillow, a rolled-up nest-shaped towel, or a pillow under your chest.  Also, avoid wearing clothing and sports safety equipment, such as chest protectors and other heavy items, that are tight in the piercing area. If you are required to wear safety equipment for a job or sport that is tight-fitting in the area, you may want to consider a different piercing.

One of the most significant issues with healing is the time it takes for the piercing to heal. On average, a navel piercing will take six months to a year to finish the healing stage when it is no longer an open wound. This will require that you develop habits to reduce the risks of infection and abuse early on. Understand that it will not be in pain the whole healing time, but navels are prone to going through periods of "grumpiness" and tightening and loosening. They will be tender and off limits to your sexual partner, and this may be something that you want to discuss with them before getting the piercing. Contact with a healing navel piercing of any kind can lead to infection or other problems. It doesn't matter if they are tender or not.

Pregnancy:

Pregnancy can impact several different piercings slightly, but the impact on the location of the piercing is far greater. The rate and degree of growth in the area can cause problems, including migration, rejection, and other issues, even in a well-healed piercing. Additionally, since the area undergoes significant changes, the piercing that initially looked perfect may become off-center or appear misplaced afterward, requiring re-piercing. 

Everyone is different, and I've had clients who have worn the piercing without issue through pregnancy. The piercing looked as good as the day it healed. However, that is often not the case. There are plastic and bioplastic manufacturers that sell jewelry for pregnant women. There are two issues with this: the first is that since the manufacturer refuses to disclose the material's composition or submit to third-party testing, it may be toxic and contain PFAS, also known as "Forever Chemicals." The second reality is that the changes in the body that pregnancy brings will often require the piercing to be abandoned and redone. Also, if you are having a hospital birth, they are likely going to demand that you remove your jewelry for the birth.

What I've found is that the best approach is to take a wait-and-see approach and monitor how the piercing is reacting to the pregnancy. Then, at the first sign of an issue, remove the jewelry and abandon the piercing. The main reason is that the last thing you want to happen is for the piercing to become infected or have other issues that may cause additional strain on the mother's body or put the baby at risk. 

Pain:

Navel piercings are one of the least painful piercings I do. Often, clients will mention that all they felt was slight pressure. However, we are all wired differently and all have different pain experiences. Some people are simply more sensitive in this area, or the tissue is tougher, which causes more resistance to the needle and greater pain. I can tell you that often pinching the area hurts more than piercing the area.

Risks & Concerns:

As with any piercing, the most significant risk is infection. This is compounded by the fact that navel piercings often take a long time to heal, thereby increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens. This will involve a commitment to aftercare, maintaining good hygiene, and developing habits to prevent abuse and cross-contamination. Please don't fool yourself, it can be a commitment and a little life-changing. Know your facts beforehand and take steps to ensure your piercing heals without infection or other problems.

Due to the location of the piercing and if you are sexually active, changing positions and activities may need to be taken to avoid contact between the piercing and your partner. Make sure that they are aware of the piercing and understand that no part of their body can come in contact with the piercing. Also, no bodily fluids from your partner should come in contact with the piercing, and this includes sweat. It's never a bad idea to clean the piercing after sexual activity. 

When I first started piercing, a significant cause of the issues and problems I saw with navel piercings could be traced back to clothing, mainly because the jean style at the time was still those with a waist that was in contact with the navel. Over the last year or so, high-wasted jeans have been making a comeback, so I have reinstated the waistband location in my consultations and aftercare instructions. Never wear any clothing that is in tight contact with your navel piercing until it is completely healed. Even after the piercing is healed, you should limit contact. Pantyhose or tights that are worn over the piercing should also be avoided. Oxygen is vital in the healing process, and since pantyhose and stockings are usually not made of breathable materials, wearing them can not only irritate the piercing but also prolong the healing process. Consider rolling them down below the navel, cutting out a hole around the piercing, or wearing a vented plastic eye patch over the piercing. If you are involved in any activity like sports where there may be contact, trauma, or abuse to the piercing, protecting it with a plastic eye patch is a good form of prevention. 

Migration and rejection areas are always a concern with navel piercings. Especially those with a larger build, who are pregnant, have had a tummy tuck, or are naturally thin.  You should always discuss the risks of migration and rejection with your piercer beforehand. This is not only to understand the dangers but also to make an informed decision about jewelry style and size, or whether getting the piercing is worth the risk. Usually, rejection is slow and frustrating. Let's face it, no one likes abandoning a piercing, but if you are at a high risk for rejection, you should be prepared to remove the jewelry if there is a risk of the body completely rejecting the piercing. Not removing the jewelry can cause splinting of the tissue and often results in the nipple appearing to be split in half. 

Pregnancy is also a concern. If you are a woman who is considering starting a family, you may want to delay getting the piercing or at least discuss how your piercing will be affected by the changes your body will go through. Of course, pregnancy is an issue, as I mentioned above. Still, the female body also undergoes numerous changes during pregnancy, which can affect how the piercing heals and even cause a change or rejection of a well-healed piercing. I strongly advise waiting if you plan to get pregnant in the following year. The strain of pregnancy combined with the stress of healing a piercing is asking for problems, and depending on where the birth takes place and the medical personnel involved, they may require that you remove the jewelry during the birth. 

Another concern is the balance between your work and play. If your job involves a lot of lifting, you may have added discomfort in the abdomen with a newly pierced navel. Employment that requires contact with the stomach can cause stress, abuse, and pain. Additionally, if you are involved in sports or other physical activities that involve contact or stress on the area, it can prolong healing or at least increase discomfort during the healing process.