3 Ways To Pierce Your Belly Button - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Pierce Your Belly Button PDF download Download Article A step-by-step tutorial for DIY belly button piercings Co-authored by Indy Chabra, MD, PhD

Last Updated: December 23, 2024 Approved

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  • Piercing Your Belly Button
    • |
  • Getting a Professional Piercing
    • |
  • Taking Care of Your Belly Piercing
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Indy Chabra, MD, PhD. Dr. Indy Chabra is a Board Certified Dermatologist and a Board Certified Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. He is the Founding Member of DMC Dermatology & Mohs based in Tucson, Arizona. With over 15 years of experience, he provides medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology care for adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Chabra earned a BS in Chemistry and Biological Sciences and an AB in Economics from Stanford University. He also received his MD and PhD in Microbiology and Genetics from Stony Brook University. He completed his Dermatology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh. While at UPMC, Dr. Chabra received extensive training in complex Medical Dermatology, hair and nail conditions, Pediatric Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology, and Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery. Dr. Chabra is a Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Chabra also provides in-patient Dermatology consults at Tucson Medical Center. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 82% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 867,182 times.

You want to pierce your belly button, and you're wondering how to do it on your own. You can follow these instructions to pierce your own navel or to find a top-notch artist to do the job for you. You'll also find some instructions for taking care of your piercing after you're done.

Piercing Your Belly Button: Quick Advice

  • Wash your hands with soap and wear sterile gloves to pierce your belly button. Rub antiseptic over the piercing spot, then stretch the skin taut and push the needle through.
  • Find a clean, tidy business to get a professional belly button piercing. Be prepared to show identification; then, you can select the jewelry you want and let them handle the piercing.
  • Care for your piercing by washing it with a warm saline solution, then gently blotting it dry. Don't use harsh chemicals like rubbing alcohol or try to wash it more than twice per day.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Piercing Your Belly Button On Your Own

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  1. Step 1 Buy a belly button piercing kit. 1 Buy a belly button piercing kit. Make sure that includes a 14 g piercing needle and a clamp. You'll also need sterile gloves, antiseptic, cotton balls, a body ink marker, a mirror and some jewelry. Your first piece of jewelry should be small and thin.
  2. Step 2 Pick the location for your piercing. 2 Pick the location for your piercing. Typically, people pierce an area above their navels. Hold some jewelry against your navel until you find the right angle and location. Mark both the entry point and the exit point of the jewelry on your skin using the body ink marker. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Wash your hands with soap and water. 3 Wash your hands with soap and water. Put on your sterile gloves.
  4. Step 4 Put antiseptic on cotton balls and rub the antiseptic over the area that you plan to pierce. 4 Put antiseptic on cotton balls and rub the antiseptic over the area that you plan to pierce.
  5. Step 5 Pinch the fold of skin that you want to pierce. 5 Pinch the fold of skin that you want to pierce. Use the clamp in your kit to hold the tissue in place.
  6. Step 6 Stretch your skin taut and push the needle through in a swift motion. 6 Stretch your skin taut and push the needle through in a swift motion. Pull the needle through the hole and thread the jewelry through right after the needle.
  7. Step 7 Secure the end of your jewelry to make sure that it stays in place. 7 Secure the end of your jewelry to make sure that it stays in place.
    8. Advertisement
Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: What Piercing Should I Get?

Piercings are a great way to express yourself and enhance your style, but there are so many to choose from. How can you be sure you pick the perfect piercing for your personality and look? You’ve come to the right place. Answer these fun questions, and we’ll match you to the piercing of your dreams. 1 of 13

Which words best describe you?

Fun & bubbly

Hip & adventurous

Artistic & unique

Edgy & rebellious

Next Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Getting Your Belly Button Pierced Professionally

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  1. Step 1 Assess the cleanliness of the shop. 1 Assess the cleanliness of the shop. Look for general tidiness and watch the artists to make sure that they wear sterile gloves and use sterile solutions on the skin. Ask them if they own an autoclave. Don't be afraid to walk out of the piercing studio if you don't feel that they are very hygienic with their piercing techniques.[1]
  2. Step 2 Be prepared to show identification to prove you're at least 16 years of age. 2 Be prepared to show identification to prove you're at least 16 years of age. You will likely be asked to sign a paper for legal purposes. If you are younger than 16, you'll probably need a parent to provide consent before the shop will perform the piercing.
  3. Step 3 Select the jewelry you would like. 3 Select the jewelry you would like. A knowledgeable piercing artist will help guide you with what type of jewelry is best for healing.[2]
  4. Step 4 Relax in the chair or lean-to. 4 Relax in the chair or lean-to.[3]
    • On request, expose your belly button and the piercing artist will size up your navel with a felt tip marker.
    • A surgical-type clamp will be attached to the upper region of your navel to stabilize the tissue in preparation for the puncture.
  5. Step 5 Take a deep breath and relax as much as you can during the procedure. 5 Take a deep breath and relax as much as you can during the procedure.[4]
    • Out of the autoclave comes a very long, very sharp hollow needle of sorts, which will be used to pierce the skin for your new piercing.
    • Your jewelry is placed on the end of the spear and guided through your new piercing.
    • Remember to breathe throughout the procedure for maximum calm and comfort.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Taking Good Care of Your Belly Button Piercing to Prevent Infection

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  1. Step 1 Invert a cup of warm saline solution over your piercing to form a vacuum. 1 Invert a cup of warm saline solution over your piercing to form a vacuum. If you don't have store-bought solution, then make your own using 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt in 8 ounces of warm water.[5]
  2. Step 2 Hold the solution in place for 5 to 10 minutes and blot the area with a piece of sterile gauze. 2 Hold the solution in place for 5 to 10 minutes and blot the area with a piece of sterile gauze. Rinse the residue away with a stream of cool water.[6]
  3. Step 3 Skip the rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or harsh soaps to avoid damaging your skin cells. 3 Skip the rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or harsh soaps to avoid damaging your skin cells.[7]
  4. Step 4 Avoid washing your piercing more than 2 times per day. 4 Avoid washing your piercing more than 2 times per day. Squeeze a pearl-sized drop of soap onto the piercing and gently rub the piercing and jewelry with your fingers. Rinse the area and dry it with sterile gauze. Make sure the soap is antimicrobial and it has no scent, the fragrance will make the chances of infection higher.[8]
  5. Step 5 Keep all bodily fluids and lotions off of your piercing. 5 Keep all bodily fluids and lotions off of your piercing. Steer clear of any oral contact with your navel, and avoid applying lotions, creams or cosmetics to the wound.[9]
  6. Step 6 Protect your piercing if you go into a lake, pool or hot tub. 6 Protect your piercing if you go into a lake, pool or hot tub. Try a waterproof wound-sealant bandage, which you can get at a drugstore.[10]
  7. Step 7 Buy a hard, vented eye patch at a drugstore. 7 Buy a hard, vented eye patch at a drugstore. Put the eye patch over the piercing and secure it by wrapping a cloth bandage around your abdomen. The eye patch will help to protect your piercing if you have to wear tight clothing or engage in contact sports.
  8. Step 8 Keep the jewelry in until the piercing has completely healed. 8 Keep the jewelry in until the piercing has completely healed. Don't hang any charms off of the jewelry until the healing process is finished.
    9. Advertisement

Video

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Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I pierce my belly button with an earring? Community Answer Community Answer No, because the size, or gage, of a belly button hole should be bigger than a hole for an earring. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 74
  • Question If I have an "outie" belly button, will they have to remove it before the procedure? Community Answer Community Answer No, but you might experience more bleeding. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 36
  • Question How can I relax when the pain would make me tense up my muscles? Community Answer Community Answer Bring someone with you, as a distraction (or chat with the piercer). The pain's over pretty quickly, and it really just feels like a pinch. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 36
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Jogging pants and low cut jeans are your new best friends for the next few months as your new piercing will be quite tender. It is important to wear soft, comfortable clothes to avoid irritating the navel. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
  • Don't touch the piercing too much as you may irritate it and cause an infection, especially with unwashed hands. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • Don't take it out when you can move it and if it hurts when you move it then wait a month or two. When you move the piercing around and it doesn't hurt then you can take it out. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • If you're under 16, don't attempt to get your belly button pierced without a parent's permission. Just wait a few years and then you can make the decision for yourself!
  • You should really avoid swimming for at least six months, then wear a waterproof bandage over your piercing for up to a year.
  • If you really can't handle pain, use a numbing cream that's specifically designed for the navel area.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Avoid touching your belly button ring if your hands are dirty. Thanks Helpful 93 Not Helpful 8
  • Don't pierce your own belly button unless you have experience with other types of piercings. Thanks Helpful 82 Not Helpful 28
  • If your piercing does get infected (continuous redness, extreme pain, pus and maybe fever)[11] do not take out the piercing. Otherwise, it may heal and seal the infection inside you. Instead, see a doctor as soon as possible.[12] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If you are or are planning to become pregnant soon, you can buy pregnancy piercings which are a soft tubing that bends. They also come with o rings in case you need a c- section. This way there is no metal in your body and the piercing can be taped over to stop it from getting in the way as you will have to take out the jewelry during your pregnancy if it is standard metal jewelry.[13] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
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Things You'll Need

  • Belly button piercing kit with 14 g needle and clamp
  • Sterile gloves
  • Cotton balls
  • Antiseptic
  • Body ink marker
  • Mirror
  • Small, thin jewelry
  • Identification
  • Cup
  • Warm saline solution
  • Clean gauze or paper towels
  • Waterproof wound-sealant bandage
  • Vented eye patch
  • Cloth bandage

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/how-to-pick-a-tattoo-shop
  2. ↑ https://www.who.com.au/belly-piercing-all-you-need-to-know-about-belly-button-piercings
  3. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/belly-button-piercing/
  4. ↑ https://authoritytattoo.com/belly-button-piercing/
  5. ↑ https://healthfully.com/196180-aftercare-instructions-for-navel-piercing.html
  6. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
  7. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
  8. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
  9. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
More References (4)
  1. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
  2. ↑ Indy Chabra, MD, PhD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323547.php
  4. ↑ https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/piercing-and-pregnancy/

About This Article

Indy Chabra, MD, PhD Co-authored by: Indy Chabra, MD, PhD Board Certified Dermatologist This article was co-authored by Indy Chabra, MD, PhD. Dr. Indy Chabra is a Board Certified Dermatologist and a Board Certified Mohs Micrographic Surgeon. He is the Founding Member of DMC Dermatology & Mohs based in Tucson, Arizona. With over 15 years of experience, he provides medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology care for adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Chabra earned a BS in Chemistry and Biological Sciences and an AB in Economics from Stanford University. He also received his MD and PhD in Microbiology and Genetics from Stony Brook University. He completed his Dermatology residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh. While at UPMC, Dr. Chabra received extensive training in complex Medical Dermatology, hair and nail conditions, Pediatric Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology, and Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery. Dr. Chabra is a Fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Chabra also provides in-patient Dermatology consults at Tucson Medical Center. This article has been viewed 867,182 times. 13 votes - 82% Co-authors: 104 Updated: December 23, 2024 Views: 867,182 Categories: Self Piercing Article SummaryX

While you can pierce your belly button at home, it’s always safest to have it done by a pro. If you choose to go to a professional piercer, visit the shop first to make sure it looks clean and tidy, and do some research to make sure the shop is reputable and the piercers are credentialed. Be prepared to show your ID, since in most places you must be at least 16 to get a body piercing without a parent’s consent. If you decide to do the piercing on your own, buy a belly button piercing kit that includes all the equipment you’ll need, including a sterilized 14-gauge piercing needle and a piercing clamp. You’ll also need a body marker, sterile gloves, antiseptic, and body jewelry. Wash your hands, clean and disinfect your belly button, and use the body marker to mark where the needle will enter and exit the skin above your belly button. When you’re ready to pierce, clamp the skin where you made the marks and push the needle up through the marks in one fluid movement. Load the end of the jewelry into the bottom of the hollow needle and push it up through the piercing, then remove the needle and screw the ball onto the end of the piercing. Whichever way you get your piercing, care for it by soaking the area in warm saline solution for 5-10 minutes every day, then blotting the piercing with sterile gauze and rinsing with cool water. You can also wash your piercing once or twice a day with mild soap and water. If you go swimming or soak in a tub, cover the piercing completely with a waterproof bandage. It usually takes a few months for a belly button piercing to heal completely. Until then, don’t change the jewelry or add any charms. If you notice signs of an infection, such as increasing redness or swelling, a bad odor, or greenish or yellow discharge coming from the wound, see a doctor. Keep reading for tips on caring for your piercing, like how often to clean it. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Alynna Anderson

    Alynna Anderson

    Jun 7, 2016

    "I've done a lot of piercings on my body myself, but this was very helpful for piercing my belly button."
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Indy Chabra, MD, PhD Co-authored by: Indy Chabra, MD, PhD Board Certified Dermatologist Co-authors: 104 Updated: December 23, 2024 Views: 867,182 82% of readers found this article helpful. 13 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote Alynna Anderson

Alynna Anderson

Jun 7, 2016

"I've done a lot of piercings on my body myself, but this was very helpful for piercing my belly button." Anonymous

Anonymous

Jan 19, 2018

"The options you have to cover your navel so it won't get infected helped." Layla Smith

Layla Smith

Jun 29, 2016

"Very practical steps and ingredients for the cleaning solution." Anonymous

Anonymous

Mar 9, 2017

"Very useful information made piercing my own navel very easy." Paige Westmoreland

Paige Westmoreland

Jan 28, 2017

"Always clean very well! Infections are no fun at all." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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