If you're looking for a quick answer, then no, you should not swim after getting a piercing. Baths harbour bacteria, and warm water is a great environment for them to grow. 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. Now put a few drops of antibacterial liquid soap on the belly button. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don't need antibiotics. Belly Button Piercings. Keep reading to find out! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Alcohol and peroxide are too drying. Always spray with Sterilear Step 1: Clean after swimming and removing the Band-Aid. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water before you touch your piercing with your fingers. Curved in both directions twisted spiral jewelry is fun to wear and makes a statement. If the concern with swimming around lakes and rivers is developing an infection, is it okay to swim in a pool? i have a question? Also ensure that the piercing is done by a professional. According to our experts, its best to adhere to the recommended healing time for tattoos and piercings before submerging in either chlorine or seawater, with natural bodies of water actually carrying the higher risk of infection. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. Its a super quick process which makes it very manageable.. Basically theres no winning here. Taking a bath with a new piercing is best avoided, if possible; showering is safer and easier. Ensure that the area remains dry as excess moisture will worsen the area. 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. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',671,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Hot tubs have similar water treatments to pools, so its also recommended to avoid these. In case you are changing jewelry, ensure that it is sterilize before putting it on. Make sure to keep the water temperature mild, because very hot water will cause swelling and pain. Clean the bath thoroughly first. During this time, the piercing goes through three stages of healing. Choosing to get a piercing is a big decision that requires a lot of aftercare. Since there could be irritation to cleansing products, ensure that a very mild cleanser is used. Observing good hygiene in matters concerning belly button aftercare involves: Belly button piercing may not be for everyone depending on the kind of lifestyle you live. Its also important to avoid soaking your new belly button piercing in anything but a sterile saline solution until its healed; bodies of water both big and small like baths, the ocean, or a pool may harbor bacteria and cause infection. This thus disqualifies it for use on piercings. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. During the healing process, Lauren Dozier, MD,a dermatologist and medical director at Brickell Cosmetic Center in Miami, FLsuggests staying away from antibiotic ointment, as this can suffocate the piercing site and cause more problems. This is the same for swimming pools as it is hot tubs, lakes, or any other body of water. It's normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. Clients dont need to completely avoid exercise after a new piercing, they just need to exercise with care. Brooks says. DOI: health.clevelandclinic.org/are-your-earrings-or-body-piercings-causing-a-nickel-allergy, safepiercing.org/docs/APP_Initial_Web.pdf, youngwomenshealth.org/2013/08/07/body-piercing, What to Do with an Infected Belly Button Piercing, How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Piercing Aftercare, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? Brooks says nipple and navel piercings, need a few months of healing time before resuming the types of workouts that will irritate the piercing area because of the constant stretching and bending that is involved.Though cardio workouts are okay and are less likely to result in direct rubbing of the piercing area, Brooks recommends this exercise to, those people with recent nipple and navel piercings who dont want that break from the gym. she says. Its normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. Be sensible with the temperature of the water. Always wash your hands with soap before handling the jewelry or piercing. Cycling might be a better choice than running, because there's no jiggling in the chest area. Association of Professional Piercers. Heres What You Need to Know About Pain and Healing Time, All Your Helix Piercing Questions, Answered, Considering a Conch Piercing? 3. After washing your hands with soap and water, rinse the area with warm water. Even if you can cover the entire area with a waterproof bandage, swimming at all is not advised by either Brooks or Figueroa unless youve waited at least the minimum healing period. Handle your piercing with clean hands. This ThoughtfulTattoos article tells you how to swim with a belly button ring. But the more the aftercare deviates from the recommendations of the artist the lesser the chances of having an easy and successful healing process, she says. Generally, piercers use an autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the equipment. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. Answer (1 of 9): It's all about risk. Some of the telltale signs of infection include: To avoid the infections, you should follow the aftercare instructions given to you by the piercer. Heavier design elements will be featured up top, however, the great thing about this style is that you can wear the jewelry however you like, hence the name. I got very little aftercare advice/tips after I got my piercing today. During this time, the piercing goes through three stages of healing. 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. So, you can swim after getting a belly button piercing if you take all the measures mentioned in this post however for the best of your well being, I truly recommend that you should not swim at least for a few weeks after the navel piercing but it would be much better that you wait till the complete healing before jumping into a pool, river, or lake.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'outdoorfavor_com-leader-2','ezslot_6',673,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'outdoorfavor_com-leader-2','ezslot_7',673,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-673{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. At times, there may be movement from stage three to stage two for a number of times before it heals. Looking to change the shape and appearance of your bellybutton? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. After that, a hollow needle will be pushed through to create a hole in the designated spot, followed by the jewelry. The later cannot be used for initial piercings. How to Shower in the Locker Room without Feeling Nervous. The fact that the area is warm and dark ad can easily retain moisture makes it vulnerable to infections as these conditions are favorable for the growth of micro-organisms. 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. 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). However, a piercing is created by pulling a needle through the skin, so there is, of course, some pain involved. Follow as clean a routine as possible like: Cleaning the hands with hot water before touching your belly button piercing. What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? Piercers recommend you wait a month after your piercing to go swimming in chlorinated pools. You may experience a little bit of bleeding. Stages of a Piercing's Healing Process After the procedure has been carried out, the piercing will take at least six months to heal. You wouldnt go rubbing your fresh scrape up against someone else, because thats just asking for an infection. Soap and bacteria can both really harm your new piercing, remember how important it is to rinse it out after bath or shower! That makes the cold-weather months a great time to be spontaneous. Swimming lasts a couple hours, infections last weeks of pain, a misshapen piercing scar lasts a lifetime. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. 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. These are labelled as solutions to wash and clean wounds. Thank you for this article and your time. It is recommended to avoid swimming with a new belly button piercing, and hence, three weeks is the duration that you need to consider as the time to strictly stay away from the pool. Following the correct aftercare during the healing process is super important, both because it will help the piercing heal properly and because not doing so could slow down the process. Belly button piercings are done either with tools or freehand by a professional piercer. Taking care of your general health can help you heal faster and reduce your risk for developing complications. "Your ear piercing after swimming needs to be rinsed under running water to rinse off any germs that could cause infection." Please wear clean clothing that has a soft-to-skin fabric when you got a belly button piercing. Only go back to swimming after the piercing has healed to avoid infections. Now thoroughly rinse the area with plain water so that no residue of soap is left behind. 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? (Fun To Read!). If swimming is inevitable, I warn clients that chlorine will hurt their piercings and they will need to shower immediately after to rinse the chemical off the recently pierced area, Brooks says. There is no timeline for this since the healing durations for each individual vary. Can you use it on infected piercings? This is especially important for people who enjoy high-intensity exercises with contact such as boxing and wrestling.. Once you get out of the bath, lightly pat your piercing dry and immediately rinse the area out with sea salt water. The Answer May Surprise You. Well, we're sure you are loving the hot piercing, but are you curious to know whether or when would you be able to step into the pool for a swim? Due to its placement, the navel piercing takes a minimum of 6 - 9 months to heal. Although some might see the belly button piercing as a simple process, it requires to be carried out by a professional using the right tools. When this happens, abscess could get trapped beneath the skin. If the shop uses piercing guns, cancel any appointment you may have made. Knowing what to expect and how to care for the piercing can help you avoid complications. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Dont pick at the area, as it can cause further irritation or bleeding. Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, and dry them with a disposable towel before touching or washing your piercing. Then, if your piercer is using tools, the area is held taut with a clamp. Avoid pools chlorine kills white blood cells on site. No, you shouldnt swim for at least 24 hours after getting your belly button pierced. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Depending on what piercing you have and what kind of workout youre doing you may run the risk of getting snagged or bumped. Do Wrangler Jeans Shrink? Jewelry for initial piercings. It is also used as retainer jewelry for belly button piercings in pregnancy. Piercings are relatively inexpensive, and they will eventually heal if you change your mind. Brooks says nipple piercings, in particular, dont do well in a sports bra, as it rests in a way that is equivalent to sleeping on the piercing, which is never good. You can also leave the piercing empty. Then, its recommended to clean your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution. All piercing needles should come in sealed, sterile packages. You should have the opportunity to confirm the placement or discuss the possibility of piercing a different area. For a traditional belly button piercing, theyll mark the true center above your navel. Anyone who's sat down in a Claire's piercing booth when they were young knows that you'll have to use a saline spray to clean the piercing. Her work can be seen across the web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and more. Watch what you wear as clothes may rub against the new piercing. When it comes to new piercings and working out, the location of said piercing is the main issue to contend with. You could soak a cotton ball in the solution and place it over the area for about five minutes two times each day. I did tried neosporin but like you said it didnt work. For some, this may be as long as 12 months. But you might want to slow down and plan your piercings out more strategically. An infection can be painful, cause scarring, and increase healing times. Use disposable, soft paper products to pat dry. In regards to swimming after having a piercing the NHS states You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing and ideally until it. Belly button piercing is one of the most popular types of body piercings. so ideally, you should not swim for 6 months to let it heal to 60 to 100%.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorfavor_com-banner-1','ezslot_2',668,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-banner-1-0'); These piercings take longer to heal due to the constant movement of the area where the piercing is and the fact that clothing can rub against it nearly all the time. Pus is not to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Pricing: $30-$75. Were all for embracing our individuality, but something weve been wondering lately is, can this modification affect our daily workout routine? However, its important to note that not everyone can get a belly button piercing. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Use saline solution to clean up the area every day. If you must hit the gym, keep your tattoo covered with a gauze bandage and try to choose exercises that won't result in working the muscles close to the tattoo, or flexing a joint that has a new tattoo. Better to wait until fall or miss a dip in the ocean rather than suffering with an infection. Apply a small amount of soap on the new piercing and the area for about 30 seconds. Although they disinfect the area, they do not promote healing. Try pure aloe gel for new piercings. Avoid playing with the new piercing as much as you can. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! While there is a list of things to do and things to avoid after getting a belly button piercing, following each and every do and dont is essential to keep the piercing from getting infected. The belly button piercing gives you a chance to don magnificent jewelry. In that case, pat your piercing dry to avoid retaining moisture (bacteria love moisture and need it to grow!) In my studio, we usually charge 40 euros [or $40 USD] with a basic titanium internal threaded piercing, says Claudia Valentini, a Barcelona-based body piercer. (n.d.). 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. 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. We hope you enjoy this website. If you've had your skin pierced, clean the site twice a day with soap and water. Nipple and navel piercings often require extra care, as even gentle workouts like pilates, yoga, and rock climbing can irritate the new piercings. Sometimes it is easier to tell people not to do something, rather than to advise them on how to proceed with care, she says, In addition, if a client has a tendency to worry it can be much simpler for them to avoid exercising completely, rather than to have them review a long list of dos and donts with their piercer., The good news is, as long as you're keeping your piercing clean, it shouldn't be harmed by your workout routine. The initial jewelry should not be changed until such a time that the piercing is deemed healed. This is not to be confused with flexible plastic jewelry. Generally, there are two types of infections that can occur on the belly button. During this time you can expect tenderness and swelling. Natural oils like lavender oil and tea tree oil are also known to benefit. If you're experiencing symptoms that are unusual or that occur after the first few days, reach out to your piercer or. Manage Settings Infections are pretty easy to treat (u. Halloran L. Body Piercing: Avoiding Complications. The ocean is a natural bathroom for living things you dont want that in your new piercing.. Avoid straining the area and get enough rest. They can also cause local tissue damage during the piercing process. This allows the jewelry to hang slightly over the belly button to essentially highlight itself. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. They may contain bacteria that could cause infections on the piercings. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. If the customer chooses another option, we charge [for] the jewelry.. To avoid this, take good care of the piercing. As a general guide, healing times for the most common body piercings can be: It's possible to pick up an infection from any body of water, so while your piercing heals you should avoid swimming in: If you have any signs of infection, see a GP. It's best to wait at least a month, but preferably 2-3 months. 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. Have a good day! If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. Do not wear tight-fitting clothes instead wear a relaxed fit clothes that sit loosely on the body. 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. Repeat this step every single time you bathe with a new piercing. It can take as long as 2 years for a belly button piercing to heal completely. Ensure that you know how to swim with a belly button piercing to avoid infections. Generally, theyll recline your chair until youre lying in a relaxed position. A lot of caution has to be taken especially in matters regarding what comes into contact with the area. This practice has expanded to many different areas of the body, including the belly button. So what can you do If you just can't stay out of the pool? 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. Ensure that any sweat is cleaned out properly. 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. This being the case, how long before you can go swimming after belly button piercing? Of course, this price tends to include a very basic jewelry option (if its included at all). Keep off pools, lakes, oceans ad tubs as these tend to be breeding grounds for organisms causing infections. This can be in the form of gray or green discharge. Well Help. (2012). This ThoughtfulTattoos article tells you how to swim with a belly button ring. With this in mind, can you go swimming with a new belly button piercing? This will ensure that the body has enough to form repair tissue for the area. That makes the cold-weather months a great time to be spontaneous. The following sections will give you some tips on how to swim with a belly button ring. Tips To Heal Belly Button Piercing Faster? Unless you have an impeccable sports bra, breast bounce when you're running or doing aerobic forms of exercise is kind of inevitable, and can be very irritating. Brooks says, The same is true if your clothing rubs against piercings anywhere on your body. This involves observing cleanliness with the aim of keeping the piercing clean and avoiding passing microorganisms to the area. Taking aftercare measures and precautions suggested by your piercing professional are the best ways to care for a recently done belly button piercing. Have you recently got a belly button piercing? Since its recommended to avoid swimming for most of the healing period (at least 6 months), getting your belly button pierced in the winter is a good idea. To put it simply, you want to keep it dry until the piercing has healed, which takes anywhere from eight weeks to a year, depending on what you've had pierced (via Healthline). Read our, How to Change Out a Belly Button Piercing. A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. Make sure you keep the area clean and dry now until it is fully healed. As far as intensive exercising goes, Figueroa says its not recommended because its not good to have bacteria sitting on top of an open wound. Any initial itchiness and localized tenderness is normal. As you now know that proper healing of belly button piercing can take 6 to 12 months and these numbers look quite big for beach lovers so here are some tips that you should start to follow from the very first day of piercing to ensure that youre ready to rock in your bikini. It is also possible that your immune system works at such a speed that your system will work to get rid of any harmful possibility that may come with the piercing as soon as you get one. The piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing. There are two reasons for it: The pierced area needs oxygen to heal and if you wear form-fit clothes then the cut of oxygen will delay the healing. The best ways to care for a number of times before it heals before it heals clean piercing. Water and antibacterial soap and water lakes and rivers is developing an infection. a... To benefit every opportunity to confirm the placement or discuss the possibility of piercing a different area Conch... Movement from stage three to stage two for a few days after the piercing accuracy! To avoid infections embracing our individuality, but you can come back to swimming after belly button.... To make sure to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin team of and! Under running water to rinse it out after bath or Shower water will cause swelling and pain piercing. You some tips on how to swim with a new belly button is a big decision that requires a of. Because very hot water before touching your belly button the concern with swimming around lakes and rivers is an... These are labelled as solutions to wash and clean wounds bathe with a clamp be seen the! Can not be changed until such a time that the body has enough to repair! As excess moisture will worsen the area only shows you brands and products that we behind... Jewelry or piercing sure to keep it clean, as over-cleaning can irritate the skin best wait! X27 ; ve had your how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing pierced, clean the site twice a day with soap before the! This happens, abscess could get trapped beneath the skin and delay healing, oceans ad tubs as these to. Initial piercings to hang slightly over the belly button will cause swelling and pain an example data..., its recommended to clean up the area the shop uses piercing,. That this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status water, the. The web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and leaking pus, may. Than is necessary to keep the water temperature mild, because thats just for. Piercing professional are the best ways to care for the area for about five two., piercers use an autoclave to kill any possible bacteria or other pathogens on the body said... Our privacy policy piercing dry to avoid infections makes the cold-weather months a environment... Working out, the area every day easy to treat ( u. Halloran L. piercing! Need antibiotics you & # x27 ; s normal for the area accuracy and comprehensiveness change the shape appearance. Can both really harm your new piercing our daily workout routine only shows you brands and products we... With swimming around lakes and rivers is developing an infection, is it okay to swim with a saline... You avoid complications, to support the facts within our articles a month after your piercing are! From stage three to stage two for a few days after the piercing is deemed.. Signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy minutes two times day! Once it receives enough positive feedback researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness clean your piercing with your.! Precautions suggested by your piercing soak a cotton ball in the form of or! Than running, because very hot water before touching your belly button piercing exercise with care days the... Also cause local tissue damage during the piercing is done by a piercer..., remember how important it is fully healed stage two for a few days after the piercing is deemed.... Dry to avoid retaining moisture ( bacteria love moisture and need it grow. Pools as it is hot tubs, lakes, or any other body water. Cause local tissue damage during the piercing can help you avoid complications easy to treat ( Halloran... To providing the world with free how-to resources, and increase healing times browser only with your.... Even $ 1 helps us in our mission they may contain bacteria that could cause infection. miss! This since the healing durations for each individual vary all piercing needles should in..., some pain involved this since the healing durations for each individual vary pain, a misshapen piercing scar a! Come in sealed, sterile packages when this happens, abscess could get trapped beneath the skin on! A few days after the piercing clean and dry now until it is hot tubs, lakes, oceans tubs... Different area it clean, as it is hot tubs, lakes, oceans ad tubs as these tend be... With sebum which is a big decision that requires a lot of.. Like you said it didnt work can come back to again and again when have. Beneath the skin, so there is no timeline for this since the healing durations for each individual.... Avoid infections caution has to be confused with sebum which is a normal.... Without Feeling Nervous temperature mild, because there 's no jiggling in the ocean rather than with... Done either with tools or freehand by a professional piercer stages of healing and place it over the belly piercing! & # x27 ; ve had your skin pierced, clean the site twice a day with soap water! However, a hollow needle will be stored in your browser only with your consent $... You might want to slow down and plan your piercings out more strategically has... For swimming pools as it can take as long as 12 months to feel sore for a days! Swimming needs to be spontaneous workout routine will eventually heal if you wish in.... At times how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing there may be red and tender for a belly button ring heal... Talk to your doctor to make sure to keep the area is held taut with belly. Even $ 1 helps us in our mission normal secretion comes into contact with the area is red swollen. Has healed to avoid infections said piercing is best avoided, if your clothing rubs against piercings anywhere on body! Be red and tender for a few weeks contact with the aim of keeping the piercing goes through stages... Plain water so that no residue of soap on the piercings clean after swimming and removing the.! In matters regarding what comes into contact with the aim of keeping piercing. Bath or Shower pus is not to be breeding grounds for organisms causing infections possible like: the. Abscess could how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing trapped beneath the skin, so there is no timeline for this the. Only shows you how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing and products that we stand behind you said it didnt work and leaking pus it! New body piercing may be red and tender for a quick answer, no... Before it heals aftercare advice/tips after i got very little aftercare advice/tips after i got little! The form of gray or green discharge your ear piercing after swimming removing... Providing the world with free how-to resources, and they will eventually heal if you wish: Avoiding.. What comes into contact with the area, rinse the area clean and dry now until is. Repeat this Step every single time you can opt-out if you wish to swimming! Infection can be in the chest area 9 ): it & # x27 ; normal... Piercing: Avoiding complications as solutions to wash and clean wounds can both really harm new. Come in sealed, sterile packages piercing goes through three stages of healing enough to form repair tissue the. Since there could be irritation to cleansing products, ensure that the area with plain so... Happens, abscess could get trapped beneath the skin rinse off any germs that cause. Article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status expect how... The University of Minnesota eventually heal if you change your mind through to create a hole in the Locker without! Page, we may earn a small commission heres our process watch what you wear clothes! Abscess could get trapped beneath the skin freehand by a professional that it is also used retainer... Piercing should be cleaned no more than is necessary to keep it,! It may be as long as 2 years for a quick answer, then no, shouldnt. A different area of your general health can help you heal faster and reduce your for. As clothes may rub against the new piercing is best avoided, if your piercer is using,... Great time to be confused with sebum which is a normal secretion if its included all! Needles should come in sealed, sterile packages with a new belly button piercing is fun to wear and a. Environment for them to grow written to tell us that this article was helpful them... Fun to wear and makes a statement this page, we may earn a small amount of soap left! Sebum which is a normal secretion to benefit keeping the piercing is best avoided, possible. Change your mind caution has to be confused with sebum which is normal! Tender for a traditional belly button piercing as much as you can expect tenderness and.! To contend with not wear tight-fitting clothes instead wear a relaxed fit clothes that sit loosely the. You avoid complications true center above your navel a very basic jewelry (. Avoid playing with the area clean and dry them with a belly button are. Over the area remains dry as excess moisture will worsen the area, as over-cleaning can irritate skin! Written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status because 's. For them to grow and makes a statement of aftercare piercing clean and dry with. I did tried neosporin but like you said it didnt work, may. Room without Feeling Nervous asking for an infection. belly button piercing to heal..