I got my belly button pierced at 18 for $20, and it rejected. I don’t regret it. It was a cute piercing that made me feel confident while I had it, and when it started causing problems, I took it out. The scar is not as bad as people make it seem, in reality very few people even notice it. There is a lot of fearmongering out there about piercings beyond the lobes, so it makes it hard to actually have a conversation about the facts — here’s my advice.
Check your own anatomy
I went to a cheap shop, and they didn’t check my anatomy correctly. I have a collapsing belly button, which means that it squishes in on itself when I sit or bend over. This is something that lots of cheap shops miss. If you have this, then you can get a floating belly button piercing or a lower belly button piercing. I personally want to get a lower belly button piercing when my failed one heals. If you notice that your piercing is getting pushed up and forward, then your piercing will eventually reject like mine did. There are a ton of other ways your anatomy can affect a piercing, so look into your anatomy and figure out if there is an alternative if a typical belly button piercing doesn’t work for you.
Consider how this will change the way you dress
I hate to say it, but you can’t have high rise pants with a belly button piercing no matter how healed you are. They will snag and press on your piercing causing it to hurt, trap bacteria and sweat, move position over time, or reject. Think about how your wardrobe will affect it. Mesh shirts are also questionable, but they can work depending on how fine the netting is. Corsets can also catch the piercing between the two folds of fabric. The best way to avoid this is to take out the piercing for the day if you can, or to put a Band-Aid over it.
Sports are affected, and for a long time
Particularly high contact sports are going to have an issue with a belly button piercing. Remember that it takes at least 4 months, usually 6, for a belly button piercing to fully heal. I boxed for 3 years, and even though I didn’t box while I had my piercing, it would’ve caused issues. If I had been uppercut in the stomach, the piercing very well could have been damaged. Other high contact sports like wrestling and jujitsu would also have an issue with this, as different holds could cause damage. Understand your sport if you have one, and make sure you review the rules. Again, the Band-Aid trick might work for lower contact sports like soccer or volleyball, but in boxing a punch to the stomach will cause damage either way.
Swimming is a no-go for a hot minute
Get your piercing in the winter, because you should not be swimming after it is pierced for about 6 months, the full time it takes to heal. If you have an aquatic sport or hobby, then you should be careful about the season you get it pierced in. Try to get pierced right after your competition season ends, so it has the maximum amount of time to heal. You also dramatically increase the chance of it getting infected if you swim in a chlorinated pool. Also, if it does get infected, go to the doctor or grab a triple antibiotic cream. I had to do this because I didn’t take my own advice and swam in a nasty river.
Be gentle in the shower
Loofahs and African net sponges can and do snag or even tear at any body piercing — ask me how I know. It hurts and can damage your belly button permanently, but you can easily avoid it by covering the piercing to really scrub the area then gently washing the direct area with a washcloth. You might be asking “Why don’t you just take it out?” You shouldn’t take out your piercing until it is fully healed in 6 months. Take that timer period seriously. Don’t be the diva that takes it out too soon and complains when it heals wonky.
Have backup jewelry and tools to help you change the jewelry
One thing that happens with belly button piercings is that the jewelry will unscrew. Randomly. At the worst times. Ask me how I know. It’s nice to have a spare at least at home, so you’re not stuck with half a belly button ring. Tools are sold online to help hold and screw-on piercings and they can be really helpful for tricky spots like the belly button.
Be aware of the scar, especially if you get pregnant
There will be a scar if or when you decide to take the piercing out. In my opinion its not a big deal, but it could be for you. If you get pregnant and don’t get a specific type of jewelry for pregnancy, then it will scar badly or even reject. I have also been told that the scar will not take fake tan well, so be aware of that if you tan frequently. It will make the scare more noticeable. Even if it rejects, it’s a small scar and it will tell a story about your life. I understand not everyone sees it this way, so I wanted to mention it.
Overall, it’s a really great piercing, and it made me really confident. Don’t be scared to get a new piercing, be educated about how to take care of and maintain it. There are work around for most of these issues. You just need to be creative and safe. Don’t listen to fearmongers or mean ladies on Facebook; you look hot. The piercing is sexy, and the scar isn’t the end of the world if it doesn’t work out.