:: Navel FAQ ::

Why can't I get my navel pierced?

In order for a navel to be pierced and to heal properly, it must have two things: a good lip of skin to pierce, and space behind and below the lip for the jewelry to sit without pressure. The lip of skin should be a flap (like an earlobe), with an obvious front and back to it, and a defined edge between the two. If the top side of your navel is more like a rounded slope than a two-sided flap, it is probably not piercable. Likewise, if your navel is totally flat, with no inside and outside, it is not piercable. (For details on piercing outies, see below.) If there is no flap, your piercing will usually either grow out or scar, or both.
If you have a flap, but do not have space behind it for the jewelry to sit comfortably, you will generally have a lot of trouble healing, and may have red and purple scarring and a crooked piercing. And this space must be significant, even when you are sitting down. (After all, you will not be standing for the next 6 - 12 months, even if you are really devoted.) A quick way to tell: sit down as you normally would and have a friend look at your navel. Does it close up? Are the top and bottom folds of skin touching each other? If so, you are not a good candidate for the piercing. Imagine what would happen to the jewelry if you were pierced. It would be unable to hang straight, and would be pinched between the two layers of flesh, twisting your skin in an unnatural position. In the short term, it would hurt. In the long run, you would probably end up with a very crooked, scarred navel piercing. Not really worth it.
If you come in to our shop requesting a navel piercing, our staff will first check your navel for the above criteria. If your navel does not have a good chance of healing properly, we will not pierce it. This is not to be cruel, but we donÕt want to take your money and condemn you to a year or so of discomfort and hassle when we know you probably wonÕt get what you want in the end. If your navel is not a piercable shape, it also doesnÕt mean you are too fat, too thin or deformed. It's more a matter of heredity than anything else. We have turned away people of all shapes if their navel isnÕt well suited. If you are currently gaining or losing weight, or are still growing, stop back in a few months and weÕll check you again. Your navel usually doesnÕt change too radically, but it might. And it can definitely change shape if you get pregnant.

Could I pierce the bottom?

If the bottom lip of your navel meets the requirements listed above, then probably yes.

Can you pierce my outie?

No. An "outie" should never be pierced. A normal navel piercing goes only through surface skin at the edge of the navel. An outie is residual scarring from the umbilical cord, and as such is a direct blood link to internal organs. In other words, it is more complex tissue than simple surface skin. An infection in a surface piercing is seldom serious; an infection in an outie could quickly become quite dangerous. If anyone offers to pierce your outie, leave.
Some people with outies also have regular lips of surface skin above or below them, sort of a combination "innie" navel with a little outie inside. Depending on the individual shape of the navel, this surface skin may be piercable. Check with your piercer to see if it is possible. But again, the piercing will not go through the ball of scar tissue, but through the loose lip of surface skin.

Why do navels take so long to heal?

First of all, the navel is not a very vascular area, meaning that there is very little blood flow to the area. The less blood flow, the more slowly cells in the area will grow, repair and replace. (Compare the skin in color to the blood-rich and fast-healing oral and genital tissue.)
Furthermore, the navel is subjected to constant bending, stretching and folding, as well as friction from clothing. An earlobe, say, doesnÕt do anything. It sits there. Navels move. Again, compare the annoyance of healing a cut on your knuckle to one on the back of your hand.
And since it takes so long to heal, the navel has a long window of opportunity for infections to take hold. A properly treated piercing may never get infected, but if a wound is open for a year, as opposed to a month, it has a much greater chance of germs getting in it. So it is even more important to keep hands, mouths and body fluids off it.

Why is the jewelry so thick?

We generally pierce navels at 12g. We have found this to be about the thinnest size that works for most people's lifestyles. It is possible to heal with a 14g, but you must be even more careful and conscientious with your care. The thinner the jewelry, the more likely it is to tear if caught or pulled on. It is also more likely to move around in the piercing and to scar, as well as to grow out.
The thicker the jewelry, the more internal surface area you have, and therefore the more skin you have supporting the weight of the jewelry. You distribute the pressure over more skin cells, and thereby make it more resistant to tearing. Imagine a heavy bag with a thin strap on it. It cuts into your shoulder a lot more than if you had wide straps on it, because the full weight is carried on a smaller amount of flesh. Or a wire cheese cutter--it cuts because it is thin, and therefore sharp. You couldn't cut cheese with a pencil, because its larger diameter makes it blunt.
Navels take a lot of abuse. Bending, stretching, slouching, pressure from clothing--all of these cause jewelry to move around in a piercing and make it more likely to tear or scar. So the more someone does these things, the more difference thicker jewelry will make for them. A 12g navel won't really hurt more than a 14g -- you're getting pierced either way -- but it will definitely be less problematic for healing.

Can I go swimming?

We generally recommend that you avoid swimming for the first month or so of a new piercing, although you should use caution during the entire healing process. While salt water and 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. More than anything, though, you will want to make sure that you clean your piercing afterwards. If you can't get to some antibacterial soap and water, try keeping a bottle of Ear Care, Bactine or saline with you to squirt it off afterwards. Definitely think twice before going in any hot tubs, oceans, quarries or lakes, where the water quality may be even more questionable.

What about sit-ups and exercise?

Usually not a problem, although you may need to adjust your form to avoid putting pressure on the jewelry. Listen to your body, and make changes if it hurts. Do make sure youÕre not wearing Lycra workout clothes over the piercing. But don't worry about your own sweat. As long as you shower afterwards, you should be fine.

What about tanning?

Provided you donÕt get tanning lotions or other chemicals in the piercing, tanning itself should not be a problem. In fact, ultra-violet rays can help promote healing.

Do I have to take it out if I get pregnant? Can I get it repierced after the baby?

Whether or not you take your jewelry out when pregnant will be up to you, and what your particular body does. Your navel can definitely change shape, and even stretch flat or turn inside-out as your belly expands. Some women find the pressure of the jewelry is uncomfortable as their skin stretches, especially after the fifth month or so, and let the piercing close. Others leave their jewelry in the whole time, and are not bothered.
If you want to keep the piercing open, but find the original jewelry too restrictive, you could have a flexible piece of nylon monofilament put in for the duration of your pregnancy. This is similar to a thick piece of fishing line, which is safe for long-term wear and changes shape with your body. This is especially good if you plan to have your baby in the hospital and may be required to remove all metal jewelry. (This is also a good option for anyone else who has to have surgery and needs to take out their metal jewelry.)
In any case, if you do let your piercing close during pregnancy, you can get it repierced after the birth, once your body has healed from its latest efforts. This usually means waiting at least 6 weeks postpartum, longer if you are recovering from complications. Wait until you are back to relatively normal functioning before asking any more of your bodyÕs energies. Plus you'll want to be able to hold your baby close against you, and not be in pain when little feet start kicking around. Also keep your comfort in mind if you carry older babies or toddlers on your hip, as you could easily get a kick in the wrong spot. One good thing about piercing after pregnancy: often your navel will have changed shape dramatically, and the stretched out skin will be more forgiving and easier to heal than before.