At A Glance Author anonymous When A year ago Studio Blood Sweat & Ink Location Howell, New Jersey Let me start off by saying, that under no circumstances should you get a piercing (in this case a navel ring), unless you are absolutely sure that you want it. Wrong reasons include but are not limited to: all of your friends have one so it is imperative that you get one as well, you feel like doing something spontaneous without thinking about the personal consequences you will feel afterwards, someone else that you know thinks that it would look good, or you think that there is a possibility of you becoming a better person by obtaining a piercing. All of these examples are situations that I considered before getting my piercing, and that you should also consider. Ask yourself the critical and personal question, "is it really worth it"? If you can find no contraindications in your personal response, than by all means go for it!
The first thing that you must do once you are sure of your decision is to find a place that will give you the highest quality work that you deserve. The business should be clean, well known, and a place that caters to their clients without rushing procedures. It doesn't hurt to ask around for this information. After you hear a general response several times, this is probably your best bet. If you are nervous, it might help to bring along a friend or family member who will make you feel comfortable, and of course this should be someone who doesn't mind being around needles or a little blood. It is important to remember that if you are under 18 years of age that you need a birth certificate and parental consent. A major indicator of a shady place is when they don't mind doing piercing or tattoos on minors without parental consent.
The primary reason that I chose to get a navel ring was because I thought it looked "hot" and I was totally secure with the idea of having a piercing on this part of my body. I could have cared less what other people thought; after all it's my life, right? So, the place that I chose to do this at was Blood Sweat and Ink. It is a reputable tattoo/piercing business located in Howell, New Jersey. After hearing about it several times, I had visited the place once previously to see what it was like. I was satisfied with the results, so I went back another day.
My initial reaction when I walked in was that it was in a nice atmosphere, and the employees were very friendly. I'm not a big fan of needles, so I was hesitant about the procedure at first. They made me feel calm, and assured me that it wasn't as bad as I thought. I'm sure all of you are aware of the rumors of navel piercing being horrible, and the worst experience ever. I have learned that relaxing always makes the situation better. After all, how long does it actually take a needle to pierce your body? It is over before you know it, and that's that.
The piercing professional led me into one of the back rooms, where I had my mother; a nurse checking to make sure everything was sterilized one last time. I was asked to sit on a chair that resembled one that you would find in a dentist's office. He adjusted the chair, and I became more nervous. My mother told me to just relax, which can be hard when you don't know what to expect. After the large needle was cleaned, he told me to relax as well. I closed my eyes and said, "Owe," when I felt a big pinch. But, that's all it was, a big pinch. It was nothing like what I had imagined, by any means. After the blood was patted and wiped off, he put a hoop ring in the area that was pierced. I looked down, and to my surprise, the procedure was complete.
Right away, I realized that no one should get a navel piercing unless they are prepared to clean it appropriately on a daily basis. The employee informed me that I should clean my navel ring no more than twice a day (morning and night), and that I should use a good product. Usually they sell cleaning products at the place where you get your piercing, but thankfully they told me I could get it cheaper at most local super markets. I used Satin, and antimicrobial therapeutic skin cleanser. It replenishes natural emollients, and is hydration treatment for dry skin.
People's piercing heals at all different times. The usual time that it takes for a navel ring to heal is anywhere from six to eight months. Mine took around nine months, and some people I know took as long as year. During the healing process there will be brown crusty skin drying up around the ring. It is normal for a whitish yellowish secretion to come out of the area that is pierced. Usually you will see this when you turn the ring to clean it. Sometimes it can appear as if your navel is healed, and then the dry skin and secretions might come back. It is not a bad thing, it is only normal.
I wouldn't advise changing your ring for a while, and when you do, start off with ones that won't bother your particular type of skin, sometimes gold might even be good to start with. If your navel area starts to puss (greenish fluid) or you feel pain, ask a professional piercer or a doctor what you should do, because this isn't a good sign.
Once you pick out a ring that satisfies you and doesn't irritate your body, have fun with it, and make sure to refer everyone to where you got it done!