This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. There are some dos and donts when it comes to this. 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. It can take anywhere from nine months to a year for a belly button piercing to fully 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Its a super quick process which makes it very manageable.. If thats not possible, make sure that its the right time to change it, and [that you] have good quality jewelry to replace it.. How to Swim? Read our, How to Change Out a Belly Button Piercing. When there are infections, pus which is a thick drainage that is yellow or green will be produced. Saltwater and chlorine may be okay for your piercing, however, other bacteria in the water may be problematic. Generally, theyll recline your chair until youre lying in a relaxed position. Plus, chlorinated pools are still a source of germs. Not necessarily. Everyone's body heals at different speeds depending on your immune system and overall health. To emphasize, it's important that you shower and clean the piercing well after your workout is complete. Your belly button piercing must heal entirely before being exposed to chemically treated water, which is of utmost importance. 1. You could also settle for jewelry made from PTFE material. 3. You shouldn't even be taking baths in this early stage of healing. Some infection-causing bacteria can still linger in pools even after treatment, so its not wise to swim in a pool after piercing, either. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Sabrina Crews is a copy editor and fact checker. During the healing period, there may be bleeding or secretion of other fluids, and that can be an entry point for bacteria. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Neosporin is an antibiotic product that is used to prevent infections and speed up the healing of wounds. This is not to be confused with flexible plastic jewelry. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Soap and bacteria can both really harm your new piercing, remember how important it is to rinse it out after bath or shower! Submerging your piercing in water can put you at risk of developing an infection in your new belly button piercing. You can also leave the piercing empty. This means that it will take time before swimming after you have had a belly button piercing. 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. You may be advised to gently clean the area with a sterile saline solution. Enjoy! How long does it take for your belly to heal after piercing? The oozing of pus, general discomfort and at times lumps around the area can be discouraging. 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. After the piercing channel has been sealed, it matures. All these must be sterile when allowed to get into contact with the raw pierced skin. How Can I Clean My Belly Button Piercing After A Shower? Nipple and navel piercings often require extra care, as even gentle workouts like pilates, yoga, and rock climbing can irritate the new piercings. Piercings heal on the outside first and then on the inside. Ask your doctor if ther. If you're going to show off your belly button piercing, dangle jewelry is the way to do it. Piercing is one of the oldest and most practiced forms of body modification. 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. Consider the kind of clothing you wearif you normally wear yoga pants, it might be time for sweats.. If the customer chooses another option, we charge [for] the jewelry.. Repeat this step every single time you bathe with a new piercing. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue It may have a lot to [Read More] about Do Nose Piercings Leave Scars? Reusable piercing guns can transmit bodily fluids across customers. How Long Does It Take For A Belly Button Piercing To Heal Before Swimming? We try to partake in some form of exercise on a daily basis (to varying degrees of success, admittedly) but have been cautioned against doing so, as it can impact the healing process of any new body modification. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You need to clean the piercing daily using a sterile cotton bud or other disinfected material. Do not touch, pull, tug, brush against, wash over, scrub around or near the piercing whilst you are in the water. Any initial itchiness and localized tenderness is normal. When one gets a new belly button piercing, some of the things that may seem harmless may end up causing infections. The first thing to note is that you should wash your hands before touching your piercing to ensure youre being as sterile as possible and to avoid passing any bacteria. The following sections will give you some tips on how to swim with a belly button ring. Her work can be seen across the web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and more. While it may be great on wounds, putting it on is known to block fresh air from infected piercings and delay healing. Depending on what piercing you have and what kind of workout youre doing you may run the risk of getting snagged or bumped. Be sensible with the temperature of the water. If youre still unsure and not willing to skip a gym day, don't be shy about asking your tattoo artist for guidance. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603. However, unlike ear piercings or face piercings, theres no way to avoid submerging your belly button in a hot tub! Karen L. Hudson is a tattoo artist and contributing writer for Byrdie. These cookies do not store any personal information. Some studios may even have you pay a separate fee entirely for both the piercing itself and the jewelry. After washing your hands with soap and water, clean the area with warm water. 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. Wait 48 to 72 Hours for Ears (in General) The general rule of thumb is to avoid swimming for 24 hours after a piercing because you need to keep the "wound" dry, but we suggesting erring on the side of caution. Can I wash my hair in the tub after getting an ear piercing? Keep scrolling to find out more, and remember, its your choice whether you hit the gym, but the facts dont lie. 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. 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. 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. So if youre interested in getting a navel piercing, be prepared to be in it for the long haul! Swimming lasts a couple hours, infections last weeks of pain, a misshapen piercing scar lasts a lifetime. Keep reading to find out! Dont worry if you experience slight bleeding, swelling, or redness immediately after the piercingthats completely normal and should subside quickly. They can increase your risk for an allergic reaction. Here's What You Need to Know, Medusa Piercings: What to Expect During and After, 15 Cool-Girl Ear Piercings You'll Want to Get Immediately, Rook Piercing 101: Everything You Need to Know, Lip Piercings: Cost, Placement, Aftercare, and More, Septum Piercings 101: From the Pain to the Price, Everything You Need to Know. To help avoid infection, it is possible to choose jewelry that can minimize the risk. Try pure aloe gel for new piercings. 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. The discharge will at times produce a foul smell. Of course, the best way to avoid these is to not go swimming at all! It is important to note that during pregnancy, belly button piercing infections are common. Skimping on the material can lead to undue irritation or infection. Always follow the instructions given by the piercer when taking care of the piercing. You can do this yourself with clean hands, or have it done at the shop where you got pierced. NHS states that the problem comes with submerging your head underwater and being at risk to any bacteria that could get in. These are as listed. With this in mind, it is absolutely no surprise that we get so many questions asked about belly button piercings. Every body is different, but you need to give yourself at least two to three months to let your previous belly ring heal completely. While youre at the shop, ask the piercer about their process and the sterilization methods they use. 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. Because they are very anatomy dependent, some piercers may deny you service or suggest a different type of belly button piercing (like a floating navel piercing) or location over the traditional style and placement. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! If the piercing needle wasn't sterile, there . Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject. The right initial jewelry also has to be used. Make sure you don't get into a pool or a bath (shower's fine), dry it immediately after you're done. Ask the 1 piercing u: Be sure to go to a licensed and highly qualified expert on piercing, and ask them how long to wait before swimming in the ocean. Watch what you wear as clothes may rub against the new piercing. There however are varying sentiments on whether Neosporin on belly button piercing is appropriate or not. These are: This is the first stage of the healing process. Association of Professional Piercers. The initial jewelry should not be changed until such a time that the piercing is deemed healed. Take the cotton bud and rub it lightly to form a lather. A new body piercing may be red and tender for a few weeks. When the urge to get a piercing comes along, many people give right in. The chlorine in a pool reduces the number of bacteria. But what odds of harm are you prepared to accept? This will be totally dependent on an individuals rate of healing. This ThoughtfulTattoos article tells you how to swim with a belly button ring. An autoclave is typically used to sterilize tools that are reusable, such as opening and closing pliers for body jewelry. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We may earn a commission when you purchase via links on this page. When you get a piercing, youre at risk for catching a bloodborne disease, such as hepatitis C. The degree of risk depends on where you go to get the piercing and the standards of the place and person performing the piercing. Copyright Thoughtful Tattoos & Buzzle.com, Inc. According to Healthline, you should at least cover your piercing with protective bandages when working out and must clean it afterward to avoid infections and irritations. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Let the establishment be a clean one to minimize the likelihood of infection. Word of mouth is often the best way to find a reliable and reputable shop. Safe piercing: FAQ. The ocean is a natural bathroom for living things you dont want that in your new piercing.. This can be in the form of gray or green discharge. This means they havent been used on anyone else. 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. I pierced my ears a few days ago, and they've started swelling, and they're painful. Should I use just the saline water and nothing else? Ensure that any sweat is cleaned out properly. In very serious infections, it can also be detrimental to your overall health. Read Also: Can You Swim After Getting Ears Pierced?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'outdoorfavor_com-box-4','ezslot_8',667,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-outdoorfavor_com-box-4-0'); While many simple piercings, like the ears, take only around 6-8 weeks to heal, the healing period for a navel piercing is much longera belly button piercing takes 6 months to 1 year to heal completely[source]. 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. [3] Disinfectant and a very good rinse. Its normal for the area to feel sore for a few days after the piercing. Find How to Pierce Your Nose And Get to Know the Safety Tips to Follow, What You Need to Know About Nape Piercing Jewelry, Incredibly Effective Treatment Measures for Nose Piercing Bumps, Self-care Tips to Follow for an Industrial Piercing Infection, Covering your body piercing with a waterproof bandage is one of the best ways to avoid an. When getting instructions from your piercer, one of the things they should tell you is that you should not go swimming with your piercing. Up causing infections and at times produce a foul smell 're painful also settle jewelry. Editor and fact checker to help avoid infection, it is to rinse out! That is yellow or green discharge piercings, theres no way to avoid is. Varying sentiments on whether neosporin how long to wait before swimming after belly button piercing belly button piercing, dangle jewelry is the way avoid. Gently clean the piercing is appropriate or not Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 outside first and then on outside. 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