Navel piercings are increasingly popular and, for some reason, there are people who choose to have their piercings done at home. If you're planning on doing it yourself, read on! Otherwise, in case of doubts or perplexities, it is advisable to contact a professional.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Choose the right equipment to pierce your navel:
is critical. Otherwise, the piercing could become bad or cause a bad infection. To pierce your navel as safely as possible, you will need:
- A 1.6 mm diameter sterile piercing needle, a 1.6 mm diameter navel ring made of surgical metal, titanium or bioplastic, a little alcohol or alcohol wipes, a marker to write on the leather, a piercing forceps and some cotton balls.
- Using a sewing needle, pin or piercing gun to pierce your navel is a bad idea, because they are not safe and you will not get a good result.
Step 2. Sanitize the environment in which you want to work
You must take all necessary precautions to avoid any infections. Spray a disinfectant (not an antiseptic) on all surfaces.
Step 3. Wash your hands (and forearms) with hot water
Everything must be completely sterile. As a further precaution, it is advisable to wear latex gloves just removed from the package that are obviously sterile. Dry your hands with a paper towel; do not use a towel as it is too porous and may harbor bacteria.
Step 4. Sterilize the forceps, needle and jewelry you will use
If you bought these new items (as you should have done) they should be in sterile packaging; if they are not or you have already used them before, you will need to sterilize them before getting the piercing.
- Immerse these objects in alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and leave them to soak for one or two minutes.
- Remove them from the liquid (using clean latex gloves if possible) and place them on a clean handkerchief to allow them to dry.
Step 5. Thoroughly clean the area around the navel to remove the bacteria found on your skin
It is best to use a non-damaging gel disinfectant made especially for piercings (such as Bactine) or alcohol.
- Apply a generous amount of disinfectant or alcohol to a cotton swab and thoroughly disinfect the area of skin that will be pierced. Wait until the skin is dry before proceeding.
- If you use alcohol, use one with an isopropanol concentration greater than 70% to achieve the required level of disinfection.
- If necessary, use a cotton swab or something similar to clean the inside of the navel. Make sure you clean both above and below where you will puncture your navel.
Step 6. Mark the point where you want to create the piercing with the marker
Before you puncture, you need to get an idea of where to pass the needle; using a non-toxic marker to mark the point where the needle goes in and out is a smart process. You should leave about an inch between the navel and the hole.
- Usually navel piercings are done in the upper part of the navel, the lower part is rarely pierced, but the choice is yours.
- Use a small hand-held mirror to see if the two marks are aligned vertically and horizontally. Do this while standing, otherwise you won't be able to get a straight hole while sitting.
Step 7. Decide if you want to numb the area to be pierced
Some people, for fear of pain, prefer to put the skin around the navel to sleep using an ice cube wrapped in a handkerchief before proceeding.
- In any case, it is important to know that anesthetizing the skin with ice will also make it harder and more rubbery, making it difficult to push in the needle.
- Alternatively, you can apply a small amount of numbing gel (such as used to numb the gums before injections) to the area to be pierced, using a cotton swab.
Step 8. Take the disinfected skin with the forceps
You are now ready to go! Take the forceps and use it to lock the navel skin by pulling it lightly.
Part 2 of 3: Pierce the Navel
Step 1. The entry point you marked with the marker should be centered in the lower half of the caliper, while the exit point should be centered in the upper half
- Make sure you are holding the forceps with your weaker hand, as you will need the stronger, stronger one to use the needle.
- Prepare the needle. Take the 1.6 mm diameter sterile needle - it should be hollow, to allow you to easily insert the piercing once the navel is pierced.
Step 2. You should now unscrew the ball from the top of the ring (leaving the bottom intact)
That way you won't have to fumble to open the piercing while you're trying to hold the needle and forceps in place.
Step 3. You have to pierce the skin from the bottom up
Align the tip of the needle with the mark at the bottom of the caliper. Take a deep breath and in one smooth motion push the needle through your skin, making sure it comes out where you made your mark with the marker. Depending on your skin, you may have to move the needle a bit to get it through.
- Never pierce the skin from top to bottom, because you need to be able to see the direction of the needle and you can't pierce it if it pierces down.
- The best way to do this piercing is to stand up, to have more mobility and to see what you are doing. However, if you are concerned about fainting, puncture the skin in a lying position (do not sit!).
- Don't worry if the piercing is bleeding a little - this is completely normal. Clean the blood using a clean cotton swab dipped in alcohol or antibacterial gel.
Step 4. Insert the ring
Leave the needle in for a second, then put the ring by inserting the metal rod (the side where you unscrewed the ball) into the bottom of the hollow needle. Guide the needle up, out of the hole, leaving only the ring.
- Avoid removing the needle too early, before the jewel has fully entered!
- Take the ball and screw it firmly to the top of the ring. Tah-dah! You have a navel piercing!
Step 5. Wash your hands and the piercing
As soon as the procedure is finished, wash your hands with antibacterial soap; then take a cotton ball dipped in antibacterial gel or alcohol and very gently clean the area around the piercing.
- The first dressing is the most important. Remember that you will have to do this every day, but it will take you a few minutes.
- Do not pull on the piercing you just made. Disinfect it and let it heal. Touching or playing with it will increase the risk of infection and is the last thing you want.
Part 3 of 3: Dressings and Hygiene
Step 1. Take care of the piercing
The work is not done! Remember that a new piercing is like an open wound, so it's extremely important to keep it clean for at least the first few months. You must continue to dress the piercing until it is completely healed, to avoid itching and infections.
Wash the area with antibacterial soap once a day. Avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and ointments, as they can dry out and irritate the skin when used every day
Step 2. Clean using the saline solution; it's a good way to keep your new piercing clean and free from infection
You can buy one at the grocery store or a piercing studio or you can simply dissolve some non-iodized sea salt in a cup of hot water.
- Dip a cotton swab into the solution and gently wipe around the two ends of the piercing.
- Gently move the piercing from side to side to clean the entire bar.
Step 3. Avoid immersing yourself in any type of water
Whether it's a swimming pool, river, or hot tub, stay away from water for the first few months, as the water can harbor bacteria that can easily infect your new piercing.
Step 4. The piercing needs time to heal
If you see a white or clear liquid, it means it is healing properly. Any colored or smelly discharge is a symptom of infection; if so, go to the doctor immediately.
- Some professionals recommend continuing to disinfect the piercing for 4 or even 6 months. Check how healing is progressing after the first two months.
- Don't mess! Don't touch it all the time and let it heal completely before changing your piercing. If you want, you can change the type of closure, but do not remove the body of the piercing: it is not only a painful procedure, but it will also slow down the healing.
Step 5. Beware of infections
The piercing may be infected even if it appears to have healed. If you suspect you have an infection (symptoms include swelling, extreme sensitivity, bleeding, or foul-smelling secretions) warm the area every three to four hours, then clean with an antiseptic cleanser and apply a topical antibacterial cream.
- If you don't notice improvement after 24 hours, see your doctor.
- If you can't see a doctor, go to a professional to ask him for advice on the dressings to be made and the products to use.
- Do not keep the navel piercing if an infection is in progress - you only risk spreading the infection inside the piercing as well.
Advice
- Be well informed before proceeding. You have to be sure you really want a piercing.
- Do not touch the new piercing. Do this only when you need to medicate or wash it with an antibacterial cleanser.
- Beware of infections. If in doubt, talk to your doctor.
- If you are afraid of doing it yourself, consult a professional.
Warnings
- Do not use generic products already in the home if they are not suitable for the procedure, as they could cause infection.
- This procedure is not suitable for children under 13.
- It can be dangerous to do it yourself. It is better to consult a professional.
- This procedure could create scars if you decide not to wear the piercing in the future.
