Naval Peircing.?

Question

I am going to get my naval pierced with a friend next week but there are loads of questions I want to ask...
- How long does it take to heal?
- Will I need an adult with me? (I am only 14)
- I do a lot of swimming training - will I still be able to swim?
- How do I hide it from my dad?!! (we are going on holiday in July & I will be wearing a bikini!)

Please help!! As you can see - I am completely clueless!!!!
Thankyou! x

I really cant tell him!! He would kill me & probably pull it out! Hes only just let me get my ears pierced!
My mum does know though.

Answer 1

I got my belly button pierced about five years ago. I was told that I should wait at least three months to try to change it, because it takes about that long to heal.

Yes, you will need to take your mother with you, but they may not let you get it at your age, parental consent or not. There are liability issues, that make people hesitate to do that type of piercings on younger individuals.

I was a swimmer when I got mine done, and I had to be in the pool within a few weeks of getting mine done. What I was told by both the piercing place and my doctor was to get large size waterproof bandaids to put over it. Make sure they are the kind that have adhesive all the way around. But these over the piercing about 30 minutes before you go in the water. It should have time to make a good seal. Also, make sure that you get the good ones, because the off-brands don't have good adhesive and the water will seep in.

The only way you will be able to hide it from your dad is not to swim around him. Even in a one piece it will show. You shouldn't take it out that early, because it will start to heal over, and handling it or leaving it exposed to water and sand/dirt/etc will increase your chance of developing and infection. I always had a little bump where the jewelry would sit. If you think that it will be that big a deal you will have to make some choices. Talk to him (with your mom there saying she has your support) or spend your vacation hiding from him.
You might be able to disguise it if you use the band aid under a one piece, which you will have to do for the first few months anyway whenever you swim.

Finally, when you get it done, the most important thing is to care for it properly. DO NOT use antibacterial soap to clean it. It kills the good bacteria that help your body fight off infection. Use a mild soap like dove, everyday. Make sure the last thing you do in the shower is wash the piercing, so that there is no shampoo film or anything in it. Make sure when you wash it you move it around. Also, when you get done washing it, swab the piercing and the surrounding area with witch hazel (you can find it in the drug store). If it starts to get sore and red it make be getting slightly infected, so to stop that before it gets bad put some Neosporin (or other antibacterial ointment - the only point during which you should use any antibacterial stuff) on it after washing for a few days until the redness and soreness goes away. I have heard some bad stories about infection etc, but most of the time they were a result of not taking care of it.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

It takes about a year to completely heal. A naval piercing is one of the most sensitive because its always moving as your breathing. I had mine pierced 7 months ago. There isn't any pain or anything and it looks fine, actually it was fine within 3 months. Though it may not appear to be so, it really takes around a year for a belly button ring to heal. You do need an adult. Since you are only 14 you need your parent's permission. You shouldn't swim with a newly pierced naval. You should wait around 2 months. I wouldn't advise hiding it from your dad. And it would be pretty hard to try if you plan on wearing a bikini.

Answer 3

A naval piercing DOES take a while to heal...well at least mine was easily infected for the first 6 months or so (it probably didn't help that I changed it 5 days after I got it). Don't worry about the pain because it doesn't hurt at all, afterwards it kind of felt like a sunburn on my stomach...it was just a little tender. I got my belly button pierced when I was 15 and I had to lie and say that I was 16 because that how old you were required to be at the place I went. My mom also had to go along and sign a consent form because I was under 18. It took my dad a little convincing but I finally talked him into it. So I definitely think that you should talk your dad into it before you do it, otherwise he will be really upset when he sees it on your vacation. Swimming won't be a problem, it might even be good for it because of the chlorine. This was just my experience, I'm not sure if you'll have to have a parent go, I suggest calling the place and asking. Like I said, this is just what I have experienced and that was like...4 years ago and I STILL have my belly botton pierced and I still love it. I haven't had any problems with it.

Answer 4

In most states you will need a legal guardian because you are under 18. Just like you did to get your ears pierced.
It can take up to 6 months the heal if you take care of it correctly. You will need to clean it with anti bactrial soap at least twice a day . I would not recommend you do do it if you are trying to hide it from your parents. Wait until you are older. The waist band of your pants can irretate it causing an in fection. If you really want it just to show off you can get non pierced body clips at most beauty supply shops or some of the accesory shops at the mall.

Answer 5

well i have mine done for about 6, 7 months, it took about 4 months to heal but it is different for people , some people it is 4 to 6 weeks , if u r under 18 will need a adult, it u r over 18 u must have a Id. U must wait until it is heald to swim, if i were u i would let him know he might get even more mad knowing that u were hidding it from him. well good luck!

Answer 6

ok here it goes.......I am currently 21 and had my navel pierced at 16 yrs. of age........I now regret getting it..... as soon as I found out I was pregnant with my now 6 month old daughter .......I took out the piercing.......even though I had the piercing for four years and had taken it out during my pregnancy it became infected......the piercing is still open and looks disgusting now that my skin has stretched out.....I even went back to my weight that I was before I was pregnant.....I would recommend not getting it done...............but if you do decide to get it done anyway........I think it took mine about 6 months to heal........you can't sleep on your stomach because it will hurt like heck........it depends on where you live on whether or not you will need a parent with you........here in Iowa as soon as you turn 16 you didn't need a parent........you will not be able to go in chlorine for awhile while it heals............I would say to hide it from your dad don't wear a bikkini..........(just to let you know he will find out sooner or later though)........I tried hiding mine from my grandma........after it heals you really don't notice it.........I was reaching to get something from a shelf for my grandma and she noticed it..............well good luck!..........and I hope you make the right decision for yourself!

Answer 7

takes about 3 weeks for it to feel completely normal
yeah you need an adult
when it heals you can pretty much do what you want
don't tell your dad till it is healed in case he wants to make you take it out, that way you can at least put it back in and not have it close
in my opinion, the best way to present it to dad is to just wear your bikini and act like it is no big deal
let him spot it for himself

Answer 8

With the dad part, tell him please.. trust me..it's better now then later.

It takes a while to heal, but doesn't mean it'll stop you from doing anything.

You either need an adult with you or a note or something.

Answer 9

I took mine out 2 years ago and the hole is still plain as day.

Answer 10

What you need is direct adult supervision. It's too bad your parents are doing their jobs - and you're not doing your job as a good daughter.