Navel Care Information

Healing Rate is ~a year, with required recheck at 3-4 months

DO:

  • Flushing rinse to area; showers are best for this

  • *Wait to change the starter jewelry until fully healed. (How to tell?)

  • Hot water compress as needed for discomfort and immediately following damage

DON’T:

  • Move the jewelry (not necessary for the surgical steel jewelry used for healing)

  • *Touch, turn or pull at the skin of the stomach when monitoring the piercings (this is tough because we instinctively use our hands to see things…which is weird, but universal!)

  • Remove the healing jewelry before it is fully healed, no matter what!

Do not use any of the following:

Rubbing alcohol:  Too drying, can harm new forming skin cells

Hydrogen peroxide:  Can cause infection by adding oxygen into the deeper tissues

Saline:  While saline doesn’t really cause harm, it is mostly just a waste of time. The spray delivery only contacts the surface which can be done with warm water in the shower to the same effect. Alternatively, saline needs to be heated and used to soak the piercing site for ~20-minutes. Shower is easier!

Soaps:  Drying and can get stuck inside the piercing where it can grow bacteria

Antibiotic gel or lotion:  Only safe for topical use so there is a risk of it going into the piercing where it can grow bacteria

*These are the primary healing issues we see here. Both touching and early changeout will cause “piercing bubbles” to form from the damage to the surface openings. They are also the primary causes of the skin rejecting the piercing completely. Be thoughtful that this is a healing wound. Hot water compressing will help with these.

common healing issues

Here are some links to more detailed information on some of the most common issues healing body piercings.

Fluid Discharge & “Crusties” - Know what you’re seeing

Piercing Bubbles

Migration or Rejection

Swelling & Fluid Congestion

Embedding of Jewelry

getting help

  • Begin hot water compressing as detailed in this link.

  • Have someone else take a clear picture of the piercing - this is a much better way to monitor it than mirrors or trying to selfie. And you can text it to us for evaluation.

  • Schedule a care appointment if there is no improvement after the 3rd day of hot water compressing. Do not remove or manipulate the piercing jewelry.

Text us: 724-745-9415

a year may seem like forever, but forever is how long we want your piercing to last