He has good research skills, and thats why you can see why his articles are packed with info that is factual and not readily available. If you still want to swim before the healing period is over then please at least get a waterproof bandage from any pharmacy to cover your navel piercing. Although you may think a belly button piercing wouldnt hurt that much due to being on your stomach, it will hurt slightlyjust like any other piercing. You can but you need to avoid swimming after ear piercing for at least 24 hours - but ideally, until the piercings have healed properly. If you're going to show off your belly button piercing, dangle jewelry is the way to do it. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. You can consult your piercing professional for knowing the right quantity and frequency of application of these essential oils or any other healing ointment. For more advice, like how to shower with a new piercing, read on. It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. By the time this phase comes to an end, the piercing is considered almost healed. At times, there may be movement from stage three to stage two for a number of times before it heals. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! On average, however, you can expect a belly button piercing to run between $30 and $75. This will help to loosen any crusts that may have formed and thus ease their removal. We spoke with tattoo and piercing experts to get all the essential info and learn if its safe to work up a sweat while a new tattoo or piercing is still in the healing process. Take a lot of water to stay well hydrated. Try to follow all of the aftercare instructions directly from your artist in terms of keeping your new piece of body art clean, using a lotion to moisturize, and protecting it from the sun. By using our site, you agree to our. This ThoughtfulTattoos article tells you how to swim with a belly button ring. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Depending on what piercing you have and what kind of workout youre doing you may run the risk of getting snagged or bumped. Belly button piercings can take longer to heal. When an infection occurs, do not be tempted to remove the jewelry. Consider the kind of clothing you wearif you normally wear yoga pants, it might be time for sweats.. As for your gym attire, its also best if you try to avoid wearing a sports bra consistently while a nipple piercing is healing, though wearing one for a short time is alright if necessary. This includes avoiding swimming before you are completely healed. Sabrina Crews is a copy editor and fact checker. Apply a small amount of soap on the new piercing and the area for about 30 seconds. There is no timeline for this since the healing durations for each individual vary. Each day, clean the piercing with a mild soap and warm water daily. This is the same kind of infection you are likely to get if you accidentally scratch the area. Jason | April 16, 2022. Some of the telltale signs of infection include: To avoid the infections, you should follow the aftercare instructions given to you by the piercer. Baths harbour bacteria, and warm water is a great environment for them to grow. Absolutely do not go swimming in the first month. After the piercing has been done, some care you can give it involves adopting the correct lifestyle to facilitate healing. When you are having an infected piercing, it is unlikely for it to go unnoticed. Natural oils like lavender oil and tea tree oil are also known to benefit. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Make sure you clean the area very slowly and thoroughly including the piercing jewelry. The symptoms of an infection can include: If you develop an infection or other irritation, be sure to speak with your piercer or doctor before applying any ointment or other topical treatment to the area. Stages of a Piercing's Healing Process After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. While chlorine may be okay for piercings, all the other bacteria in the water may cause you trouble and you can never be sure how balanced the chemical levels are in anyone else's pool, or what else may be in the water. [3] Disinfectant and a very good rinse. When getting instructions from your piercer, one of the things they should tell you is that you should not go swimming with your piercing. Well Help. No, you shouldnt swim for at least 24 hours after getting your belly button pierced. Also, if your tattoo is in an area that will be stretched or flexed a lot during exercise, it's smart to put exercise off until the wound is fully healed. But you need to essentially wait for the piercing to heal off completely before you start swimming with it. 2-3 months before the piercing can be submerged. Do not touch, pull, tug, brush against, wash over, scrub around or near the piercing whilst you are in the water. These are: The Inflammatory Stage This is the first stage of the healing process. It can take anywhere from nine months to a year for a belly button piercing to fully heal. If the concern with swimming around lakes and rivers is developing an infection, is it okay to swim in a pool? Those who sport the reverse/top-down style of jewelry typically showcase the larger part of the jewelry above the navel and the smaller part inside it. If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. Infections in the belly button are common. If youre still interested in a belly button piercing, the best place to start is to find a licensed, experienced piercer who will work with your anatomy to give you the best piercing. "You need to cover the piercing area completely and make sure the bandage is secure," the outlet notes. But this time the pain is worse. Here's a breakdown so you can plan your piercing accordingly. Heres What You Need to Know About Pain and Healing Time, All Your Helix Piercing Questions, Answered, Considering a Conch Piercing? What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? This is because of the constant movement associated with the location. A surgical procedure called umbilicoplasty might be able to help. Take the cotton bud and rub it lightly to form a lather. Weird Things Asked About Swimming? If thats not possible, make sure that its the right time to change it, and [that you] have good quality jewelry to replace it.. We look at belly button piercing aftercare and how to deal with any infections that may arise. Its normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. The right choice of jewelry and how professional the piercer is also affect how long it takes for the piercing to heal. With any fresh piercing we generally recommend you avoid swimming for the first month, though the risk to your piercing depends on where you're swimming. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. After washing your hands with soap and water, clean the area with warm water. For a traditional belly button piercing, theyll mark the true center above your navel. How much a piercing costs is entirely dependent on the studio you go to, your geographic location, your piercers experience, and how complicated your piercing is. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Wow! Pus is not to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion. When there are infections, pus which is a thick drainage that is yellow or green will be produced. Generally, piercers use an autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the equipment. Your email address will not be published. In case you are changing jewelry, ensure that it is sterilize before putting it on. https://ironbrush.com/about/piercing-aftercare/, https://almostfamouspiercing.com/tea-tree-oil/, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a657043/bathroom-cleaning-tips-sparkling-bathroom/, https://www.byrdie.com/body-piercing-aftercare-new-piercing-care-to-common-piercing-problems-4077438, https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/can-i-go-swimming-after-a-piercing/, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/, . Taking aftercare measures and precautions suggested by your piercing professional are the best ways to care for a recently done belly button piercing. A belly button piercing will most likely take anywhere from six months to a year to fully heal depending on how you care for it and your day-to-day lifestyle; however, the most common time frame is between six and eight months Regardless, its important to check with your piercer when you believe its healed before stopping aftercareif it's still healing, the site could become infected. The full breakdown, according to NHS, is that ear piercings take six to eight weeks, belly button piercings take six months to a year, and nose piercings take up to six months. Any kind of trauma no matter how slight is bad for the unhealed piercing. The placement is then marked; you should have agreed on location with your piercer beforehand, but now is the time to double-check that its marked in the correct spot. The oozing of pus, general discomfort and at times lumps around the area can be discouraging. Read our, How to Change Out a Belly Button Piercing. Later on, you can enter the pool but need to follow certain precautions to avoid an infection. How to Swim? For some, this may be as long as 12 months. This thus disqualifies it for use on piercings. As the infection advances, the infected area will become swollen. These are yeast and bacterial infections. Required fields are marked with *. Knowing what to expect and how to care for the piercing can help you avoid complications. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue Everyone heals differently, so they may provide you a range. The discharge will at times produce a foul smell. Always follow the instructions given by the piercer when taking care of the piercing. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. (Fun To Read!). Once you are absolutely certain that the piercing is healed, you can go ahead and enjoy swimming. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. After washing your hands with soap and water, rinse the area with warm water. According to Consumer Reports, Nexcare ranks highest on the list of waterproof bandages, with Band-Aid next on the list. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Answer (1 of 26): If you where pierced with a needle (best and only way) your pierced nose should have a spacing that is healing using fun stuff like white blood cells. For more info, read on for everything you need to know about the popular piercing. Handle your piercing with clean hands. Ideally, you shouldnt swim for the entire healing period. My belly bottom stays with a infection, like it will come and go come and go. This practice has expanded to many different areas of the body, including the belly button. Use disposable, soft paper products to pat dry. It's best to avoid hot tubs, baths, and other forms of water immersion for at least two weeks after getting a belly button piercing. Copyright Thoughtful Tattoos & Buzzle.com, Inc. Unlike pierced ears, which take 4-6 weeks to heal, your belly button may not fully heal for up to 1 year. If you've got it done, you must have gotten a [Read More] about Swollen Tongue After Piercing. Non-dangle jewelry hugs closer to the belly button and is usually seen as a drop, hinge, or curved barbell. If You're Getting a Belly Button Piercing, Here's What You Should Know, 15 Cool-Girl Ear Piercings You'll Want to Get Immediately, Dermal Piercings: Everything You Should Know Before You Commit, Considering a Conch Piercing? 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