Body piercing

[Anonymous]

Hi Lori. About 15 years ago I remember a girl that I once knew saying that she had a navel ring and that she nearly had her boyfriend interested too. The comment was made then that she had him wearing a clip on one to see what he thought of it etc. so they might still be available, who knows? Maybe try a body jewellery place (naturally!) rather than a piercing shop to see if they are out there still. Regarding your question about an actual piercing, the only thing to do is talk to a decent piercing shop as the results can vary from person to person. I know of people who have had pierced ears and years later they never closed up, even without being used but others have closed within 3/4 months and so on.

Peta A.

[Anonymous]

Hi Lori, I had my navel pierced in October 2009. I was told to leave it for six months before putting in something new, it was only four weeks for my ears. So winter would be a good option I guess. The only time I’ve exposed mine was at the airport last week, I had to take my belt off at security and when putting it back on I lifted my shirt a little high. Of course in my case it was accidentally on purpose!! And remember you can’t get a navel piercing if you’ve got an “outie”.

[Anonymous]

I have my navel pierced, as well as many other piercings. It is actually becoming quite common for guys to have it pierced…and is not necessarily considered just a feminine type of jewelery.

Having said that, I have never had mine out for a lengthy period of time. I would think it would close up pretty quickly if left out…

[Daniel]

In this day and age I think no one will care, after it heals you can take it out as required. Also you can also say your girl friend Lori likes it Also while at it get your nose done.

Healing times are quoted as long as 12 months! It depends a lot on the person, their well being and how well it is done. The important thing is keep it clean. You normally find after a few weeks you can take it out but I would suggest leaving it in as long as possible. Beside no one can see it unlike your ears. Do not go to your local hair dresser, go to a professional. Ensure they have good hygiene standards; health department approved and use sterilisation technology including autoclaving. Would suggest you get a banana bar not a ring, but a professional will tell you what’s right for you. Get good quality jewellery, solid 14k gold, titanium, or stainless steel not what you find down at the markets to wear at first. A banana bar is less likely to catch on things. Tip: cover with a large band aid when doing any lifting while healing and get used to it being there. It’s amazing how it will catch on things at first, until you get use to it.

Search Google using piercing healing times
General information at:
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Navel_Piercing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navel_piercing
US Association of Professional Piercers. http://www.safepiercing.org/ As a number PDF brochures dealing with care choosing someone etc direct link is http://www.safepiercing.org/publications/brochures/body-aftercare

[Anonymous]

Many moons ago when I had nipple piercings I found rings the best as you can rotate them in the shower to clean them. Bars or bananas don’t work so well at that.

Plus I deliberately got a thin piercing at first then expanded it quickly.

Thin ones (say a 14 guage) can migrate more quickly, but heal faster. So one option os go for a thin ring, be very careful with it, rotate and clean everyday and then expand. If you start at a 14 guage then move to a 12 as quickly as possible (say a month if there are no problems), note that smaller guages are thicker.

I was fine in 3 months and had moved from a 14 to a 10.

Still miss them at times.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info girls, Still not too sure if I will get it done or not. I have a few things coming up where it would be hard to explain away. Call me chicken lol