Navel piercing - few questions.

[zer0]

I like to be impulsive, so I totally bought a Pikachu navel ring without having a piercing. I do know of at least one place that has a good reputation for cleanliness and will use my own piece of jewelry, so that's good.

I have a bunch of questions, though:

• What do you actually do to care for it? My cousin got hers pierced years ago and apparently had to like lay down and pour something on it twice a day? o_O Is that how you have to clean it?
• Should I not use one with a dangling charm for my initial piercing?
• How soon after the piercing can I change it? And how often?
• I have to avoid swimming for a while, right? How long would that be? Does chlorine vs. ocean water make a difference?
  
• And any other advice would be helpful (:

Also, while we're here, do I have to avoid swimming after getting a tattoo as well?

[Thirteen]

First, I'd suggest NOT using your own jewelry, just because the piercer's jewelry is probably A LOT more sanitary!

Second, for cleaning, it may be easier to lay down, but not necessary. You can clean it while in the shower. I got my bellybutton pierced, and was told to make sure that I cleaned it after washing with body wash. The cleaning solution that usually works best is warm salt water (sea salt, not table salt), to soak it. So really, you could wash yourself, then before you completely finish showering, put a plastic cup with warm water and sea salt against your bellybutton, pour it over, or whatever. Though, if in doubt about that, ask the piercer. They usually give you an information sheet with how to clean it.

Dangling charms are SO BAD for healing! You want it to be plain, so it won't snag on anything, or build extra gunk during healing.

The time to change it depends, usually they say about 1 1/2 - 2 months (or about 6-8 weeks) before you change it, but you should wait longer if it doesn't seem healed by that time. But, once again, that's another thing your piercer should tell you.

The avoiding swimming thing, well, that's usually at least for the first couple weeks. I forget how long, but I know I went swimming like, 2 or 3 weeks after getting mine done, but my body healed faster than average. So, once again, it depends. But, ask the piercer.

The other piece of advice I can give you, is make sure your clothing isn't constrictive, and won't rub against it. This will interfere with healing, and cause irritation.

Any more questions, feel free to PM me.

- Julz, who has a navel piercing, as well as a few other piercings. (Nothing dirty!)

[x-gothic-princess-x]

Originally Posted by zer0

I like to be impulsive, so I totally bought a Pikachu navel ring without having a piercing. I do know of at least one place that has a good reputation for cleanliness and will use my own piece of jewelry, so that's good.

I have a bunch of questions, though:

• What do you actually do to care for it? My cousin got hers pierced years ago and apparently had to like lay down and pour something on it twice a day? o_O Is that how you have to clean it? The person that does your piercing will go through the after care and anything else for you.Generally you use a salt solution to clean around the top and bottom of the bar, and removing any crusty scabing from it. Again what your cousin has said sounds normal. sometimes i use to sit down the poor the salt solution onto it other time i laid down and let it soak for a little while.
• Should I not use one with a dangling charm for my initial piercing? You will be put a ring or a bog standard bar when you first have it done. this is to stop it getting caught or pulls causing the healing time to be longer and infection to set it. After the 6 weeks ish healing time your welcome to put any bar or ring you want it, depeneding if its the right size for you. i do say if you do alot of lifting i wouldnt use a dangling bar.
• How soon after the piercing can I change it? And how often? it all depends on the person that pierced it for you and how quick you are at healing. When i had mine done it was 6 weeks, my friend had her done about 3 weeks ago and she had to wait 2 months before she could change it. after the set healing time you can change it as often as you like. but not make it sure and irrated as this could lead to infection.
• I have to avoid swimming for a while, right? How long would that be? Does chlorine vs. ocean water make a difference? You should avoid all type of water (apart from shower and bath water) I believe its for about 2 weeks you have to avoide, could be a little longer now. You are meant to use a salt water soulation but i believe that the ocean/sea water is a little too strong for the belly at this stage.
  
• And any other advice would be helpful (:

Also, while we're here, do I have to avoid swimming after getting a tattoo as well? yes you have to avoide sunlight and swimming for a certian period of time. Sorry i dont know this period of time as i havent got one just know some people that have.

You will more than likely to have to use their ring/bar rather than your own, but in 6 ish weeks you will be able to change it to your own. they use their own bar or ring because its the right size for your belly, incase any swelling does happy and allows for movement.

i have listed the answers to your questions above.

Good luck and contact me if you need me

[Maloo]

Originally Posted by zer0

I like to be impulsive, so I totally bought a Pikachu navel ring without having a piercing. I do know of at least one place that has a good reputation for cleanliness and will use my own piece of jewelry, so that's good.

I have a bunch of questions, though:

• What do you actually do to care for it? My cousin got hers pierced years ago and apparently had to like lay down and pour something on it twice a day? o_O Is that how you have to clean it?
• Should I not use one with a dangling charm for my initial piercing?
• How soon after the piercing can I change it? And how often?
• I have to avoid swimming for a while, right? How long would that be? Does chlorine vs. ocean water make a difference?
  
• And any other advice would be helpful (:

Also, while we're here, do I have to avoid swimming after getting a tattoo as well?

I soaked mine with a solution called Wound Wash, twice a day.
You should absolutely NOT use a dangling charm. It will get caught on things, and you can rip the hole.
As for how soon after, everyone heals at different rates, but you should wait til it's 100% healed before you change it. Once it's healed, you can change the ring whenever you want.
I would avoid any kind of swimming whatsoever, but ESPECIALLY the chlorine. And public pools. They're not sanitary. I don't know how long you're not supposed to swim for, it was 2 years ago that I got mine done.

And with the tattoo, yes, you're not supposed to soak it for the first week or so. If you go swimming, take a bath, or go in a hot tub too soon, you risk the chance of your tattoo fading.

[PutYourHeartsUp]

Your own might not even fit. The bar I had that they gave me I had to keep in for a while, because it was swollen. Mine took a LOT longer than others to heal. I just hit the six month mark and it's mostly healed (finally) but still leaks sometimes

I don't suggest a dangling charm...because if it gets tugged at all it'll probably hurt. I was told to soak mine in warm salt water twice a day for 20 minutes and they wanted me to technically do it until it healed at six months (my piercers time frame) but you can guess how long that lasted (possibly why mine took longer). I don't remember how long you're supposed to wait before swimming, but pools AND the ocean both are no no's. I was also told taking a bath for at least the first few weeks was a big no no (sitting in your own dirt and all). Pretty much all of that goes until it's healed.

I tried changing mine after a couple weeks, and it turned out it didn't fit right. So I switched back and it had to heal all over again. If you get it, don't be alarmed if it starts leaking white, or even a yellowish color. It means it's healing (or so says the piercers I've seen). It doesn't necessarily mean it's infected. I know mine even leaked green once...which is typically a sign. But I didn't have any other signs, soaked it and cleaned it and it was fine. If it gets really red or sore (after the initial redness and soreness) or gets hot to the touch go see a doctor because it's probably infected.

I'm going to suggest you wear the metal ones most places sell, BUT I'd also suggest having a plastic one lying around somewhere. It's helpful if you end up needing an MRI for something (I just went through this xd ) and before you change it, I ALWAYS clean the one I'm about to put in.