Its normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case after taking enough caution infection still occurs, adopt the treatment methods discussed below to minimize it and prevent it from spreading. If your dip into the water is a bit more premeditated, you'll want to wear"a wound sealing waterproof bandage over the piercing" (via Koox Diving). This is the same kind of infection you are likely to get if you accidentally scratch the area. Most people know that they should avoid swimming after getting a tattoo, but it's the same for a piercing. (As always, this is only a minimum time, and you should have a piercer take a look to confirm that it has fully healed before stopping aftercare practices.) This website uses cookies to improve your experience. You could soak a cotton ball in the solution and place it over the area for about five minutes two times each day. These are labelled as solutions to wash and clean wounds. I would say around a 4 or 5 with my clients based on their feedback; I would rate my own at a 4 or so, says Kristina Outland, a body piercer at Deep Roots Tattoo & Piercing. If the customer chooses another option, we charge [for] the jewelry.. This will be totally dependent on an individuals rate of healing. If you experience any discomfort or tightness, its recommended that you remove the jewelry thats currently in place. Placement: Pierced through the skin right above the naval, with a true belly button piercing centered directly above the navel, Healing time: 6-8 months, fully healed by 12 months. This being the case, how long before you can go swimming after belly button piercing? What do I do? How to Swim? This is why choosing your piercer is so important. Pricing: $30-$75. Although many pools today are foregoing chlorine because of the toxins and are using sea salt instead, salt can still sting and burn a wound. Anything that is in the water is getting into your piercings, and even in the cleanest of pools chlorine is going to hurt your piercing as well, Brooks says. When you make a decision to have your belly button pierced, the thinking is that it will heal soon and you will be in a position to flaunt the new body modification art within no time. However, this may cause the hole to close. For a traditional belly button piercing, theyll mark the true center above your navel. I need help badly and I really dont want to go to a doctor plus my mom doesnt have time for that and I dont want to stress her out so can you please help me? 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. At this point, the piercing is an open wound. Get enough rest to avoid straining the area. For some, this may be as long as 12 months. 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. The piercing could secrete fluids that crust around the belly button piercing. If you have body hair around your navel, they may remove this with a new disposable razor. That means that summertime and vacation might not be the best time to add another hole to your body. (Fun To Read!). The healing time for a body piercing can vary depending on which part of your body is pierced and how well you look after it. After having a piercing, it's important to keep the area clean and dry. Always follow the instructions given by the piercer when taking care of the piercing. Halloran L. Body Piercing: Avoiding Complications. [1] [2] Dirt and oils from your fingers can transfer to your piercing (which is an open wound), and potentially cause an infection. Piercings are relatively inexpensive, and they will eventually heal if you change your mind. Clients dont need to completely avoid exercise after a new piercing, they just need to exercise with care. Brooks says. These are: The Inflammatory Stage This is the first stage of the healing process. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Manage Settings 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. That way, its healed and ready to be shown off at the beach, the lake, or by the pool! Since there could be irritation to cleansing products, ensure that a very mild cleanser is used. It's normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Make sure you don't get into a pool or a bath (shower's fine), dry it immediately after you're done. The initial jewelry should not be changed until such a time that the piercing is deemed healed. So now that you know that swimming isnt recommended until your piercing is fully healed, you may want to take a deeper dive into why that is. Never go swimming after a new piercing. I have had my belly piercing for about 4-5 months now. Natural oils like lavender oil and tea tree oil are also known to benefit. Next, theyll mark the spot on your navel they wish to pierce. Very hot water will cause your piercing to swell and hurt. This means that along with the saline spray that you pick up for aftercare, you might want to grab a pack of bandages as well. Enjoy! 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don't need antibiotics. At this phase the body normally seals the piercing channel. These swimming places are known to be unsanitary. If thats not possible, make sure that its the right time to change it, and [that you] have good quality jewelry to replace it.. The right initial jewelry also has to be used. "Thanks for the info. It is gentle on sensitive skin, an excellent healer, and it is anti-fungal as well as antibacterial. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should avoid swimming after getting a piercing. Your email address will not be published. So just avoid chlorine, right? Ensure that any sweat is cleaned out properly. This way the possibility of complications resulting from negligence is minimized. 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. "Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside," Koox Diving states. 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. Running will flex and expand your calf musclesyou cant avoid that repetitive motion, and if you just got a calf tattoo, this could be stressful on it and impact how it heals. When it comes to new piercings and working out, the location of said piercing is the main issue to contend with. You'll most likely find 14- and 16-gauge offered for this style, which hugs the navel and lays outward, so the side of the ring is showing. Once you get out of the bath, lightly pat your piercing dry and immediately rinse the area out with sea salt water. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It may have a lot to [Read More] about Do Nose Piercings Leave Scars? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Healing time: 6-8 months, fully healed by 12 months. While body piercings are no longer restricted to hippies and fashionistas, you can find many teens and and even elderly ladies getting the most happening body piercings to show off their sense of style. Safe piercing: FAQ. Karen L. Hudson is a tattoo artist and contributing writer for Byrdie. Alcohol and peroxide are too drying. If you're going to show off your belly button piercing, dangle jewelry is the way to do it. Plus, chlorinated pools are still a source of germs. Keep reading to find out! Should I use just the saline water and nothing else? When the urge to get a piercing comes along, many people give right in. Better to wait until fall or miss a dip in the ocean rather than suffering with an infection. Dont pick at the area, as it can cause further irritation or bleeding. To avoid this, take good care of the piercing. However, a piercing is created by pulling a needle through the skin, so there is, of course, some pain involved. Also, I learned this was key: Make sure you get the belly ring with a post instead of an actual ring. 2. Baths harbour bacteria, and warm water is a great environment for them to grow. You can consult your piercing professional for knowing the right quantity and frequency of application of these essential oils or any other healing ointment. Use H2ocean healing ocean to expidite healing, and a little sea salt (natu. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Considering the piercing is fairly painless due to a fleshy placement and easy to take care of since you dont have to look in a mirror to see it, theyre a great choice that has endured the test of time. First and foremost, hide the navel from the direct hitting sun. No, you shouldnt swim for at least 24 hours after getting your belly button pierced. Make sure you keep the area clean and dry now until it is fully healed. Ensure any clothing and bedding that may come into contact with the area around the piercing is clean. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. But if signs of infection are present, seek medical treatment. JNP. During the healing process, you should do the following: Its normal to see an off-white fluid coming out of the area in the first few days after your piercing. However, its important to note that not everyone can get a belly button piercing. In case you are changing jewelry, ensure that it is sterilize before putting it on. The one thing to keep in mind is to always wash your hands before touching the piercing in any way to avoid irritating it or transferring bacteria. During this time, the piercing goes through three stages of healing. During this time you can expect tenderness and swelling. It could produce a bad odor as well and is an indication of an infection. Brooklyn tattoo artist Carmen Figueroa breaks it down for us, including why its important to follow the artists aftercare instructions to the best of your ability. Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable towel before touching or washing your piercing. This mainly includes application of ointments that will help speed up the healing process. An infection can be painful, cause scarring, and increase healing times. Generally, piercers use an autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the equipment. 1. Remember, a new piercing is a deep, open wound, and should be treated with all of the care of a normal deep wound. Piercing is one of the oldest and most practiced forms of body modification. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg\/aid7373968-v4-728px-Take-a-Bath-with-a-New-Piercing-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"