How Do I Clean My Belly Button Piercing?
One of the biggest questions for newbies with a navel piercing is, “How do I clean my belly button piercing?”. Well, I’m here to give you a thorough breakdown.
Caring for your belly piercing is crucial for its proper healing and to avoid infections. Therefore, knowing what to use for cleaning and how to do it effectively is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you can use to clean your belly piercing, ensuring it heals beautifully and remains infection-free.
Understanding the Healing Process
A belly piercing is a type of body modification that goes through the skin above the navel. Like any piercing, it creates a wound that needs time to heal. Furthermore, the typical healing time for a belly piercing is between 4-6 months, but this can vary depending on individual factors like health, aftercare, and lifestyle.
Cleaning Agents:
- Saline Solution: For cleaning a belly piercing, the top choice is a saline solution. This can be a commercially available piercing-care saline solution or a homemade mixture. To create it yourself, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in one cup of warm distilled or bottled water. It’s important to steer clear of regular table salt since it includes additional substances that might aggravate the piercing.
- Mild, Fragrance-Free Soap: At times, it’s okay to gently cleanse the area with a mild, unscented soap. However, this should be done infrequently, as frequent use can cause irritation and dry out the skin.
Cleaning Process:
- Wash Your Hands: Always start by washing your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap. This step is crucial to avoid introducing bacteria to the piercing site.
- Apply Saline Solution: Soak a clean piece of gauze or a cotton ball in the saline solution and gently dab it on the piercing. Do not use cotton swabs as they can leave fibers behind.
- Rinse with Water: After applying the saline solution, rinse the area with clean water to remove any salt residue.
- Dry Gently: Gently dab the area dry using a fresh paper towel. It’s best to steer clear of cloth towels, as they might contain bacteria and could potentially catch on the jewelry.
- Soap Cleaning (If Necessary): When using soap, carefully create a lather around the piercing and ensure to rinse it off completely. This practice should be limited to no more than once or twice a week.
Additional Tips On How You Clean A Belly Button Piercing:
- Firstly, avoid using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh antiseptics as these can delay healing and irritate the skin.
- Secondly, do not touch or twist the jewelry unnecessarily.
- Thirdly, avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and soaking in baths during the initial healing phase.
- Finally, wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritation.
Monitoring Your Belly Button Piercing For Infection
While cleaning your piercing, keep an eye out for signs of infection, such as excessive redness, swelling, foul odor, or yellowish discharge. Also, if you notice any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.
In Summary
How you clean your belly button piercing and proper aftercare is key to the successful healing of the piercing. Therefore, using the right cleaning agents like saline solution and occasionally mild soap, along with gentle handling, will ensure your piercing heals well and remains healthy. Also, remember, that patience and consistent care are your best allies in the healing process of a belly piercing.
See our in-depth article with all the details about belly button piercings here: Belly Button Piercing.
Need to find a piercer? Check out the Association of Professional Piercers.