Belly button piercings, also referred to as navel piercings are considered to be one of the sexiest and safest types of body piercings available. Belly button piercings tend to heal relatively quickly, due to the fact that the rejection chances are quite low. In terms of healing speed, this type of piercings can be easily compared to ear piercings. However, it should be taken into account that results might vary depending on the aftercare process.
Types of navel piercings
There are several styles of body piercings to choose from. The standard navel piercing is the upper rim one, where the piercing is inserted on the top of the belly button. Other possibilities include lower rim piercings and side piercings. True navel piercings are considered those who are located precisely in the middle of the belly button, however, these have higher infection rates. Another style is the double navel piercing or multi navel piercing, which combines several piercing styles.
Body jewelry types
Although the piercing style is a rather subjective decision, when it comes to choosing the actual body jewelry to adorn your body, the material you choose is extremely important. When selecting the material, a good idea would be to opt for a non-corrosive metal. Surgical stainless steel (316L or implant grade steel) , surgical titanium and 14K gold are considered to be the safest options, as they tend to be tolerated well by the body. Tygon plastic is also considered a good alternative for those who have metal allergies. On the other hand, body jewelry made out of nickel, sterling silver or bone jewelry are considered to be less recommendable beacause of the risk for allergies and corrosion associated with them.
Preparation tips
After selecting the piercing style and the appropriate jewelry piece, it’s time to make sure that you are adequately prepared for the actual procedure. First of all, it goes without saying that choosing a professional piercing salon is the best choice to prevent infection and other health risks. Secondly, making sure that your hepatitis immunizations are up to date is a good idea. It is also advisable to avoid getting pierced if the piercer plans on using a piercing gun as it cannot be sterilized properly. 
Needless to say, the piercer should wear surgical gloves during the procedure. Make sure to wash the area with antibacterial soap before arriving at the piercing salon. Wearing lose fitting clothes will diminish the risk of unnecessary irritations.
Aftercare
The aftercare process is extremely important to prevent infections. Any piercing should be treated like an open wound, which means that it should be cleaned regularly and protected with an antibiotic ointment. However, don’t make the mistake of using harsh cleansers, body lotions or products containing strong fragrances.
Doing so might slow down healing. Saline solution is considered one of the best aftercare products. Make sure to clean the navel piercing 2 to 3 times daily and make sure your hands are clean whenever you come in contact with the piercing. If your belly piercing is infected, make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Avoid touching the piercing as much as possible. While the pierced area is healing, make sure to avoid tanning beds, swimming pools. Also, within the first two weeks, skip strenuous physical activity that might exert pressure on the belly button. Last but not least, if your belly button piercing is infected, make sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor and avoid removing the body jewelery in the mean time.
