How To: 3-month Navel Check

While I truly prefer to do the 3-month navel recheck in person, Covid has made that far more difficult. So I decided to post some instructions as an alternative.

Around 3-4 months post-piercing, the openings of the piercing will look more normal. (No redness, slight to no dry or raised edges.) A lot of people confuse this outside healing with full healing, and make the mistake of changing the jewelry. Let me warn you: it is WAY too early to do this safely. Not only could the piercing get infected, but it could be rejected fully from the skin. (Remember, this is what the skin is actually SUPPOSED to do with any foreign objects.) Once it rejects, it is highly unlikely to ever be successfully pierced again. So be patient and follow this simple guide.

WHAT TO DO:

During a shower, very carefully run your finger across the center of the piercing. You will notice that it feels firm, with the jewelry at the center of a very notable surrounding channel. (This is called the “healing ridge”. It is shaped like a tube and is where your body stores the materials it uses to line the piercing with new skin.) It feels similar to a pencil eraser - firm with some give to it. This is what you will monitor during the remaining duration of your healing period.

The healing ridge will change as the piercing gets closer to complete healing. It will both soften and reduce in thickness. Gaining familiarity with it at this current stage will allow you to notice when it changes. It takes about 4-6 weeks to fully reduce, so just a little more patience is needed! (I know. I know. Lol!)

Once the ridge is fully reduced it is safe to change the jewelry. You can schedule the changeout appointment. Or, if you are changing it on your own, follow the tips on the post concerning safe jewelry changes.

Happy Healing!