I'm three weeks shy of my 19th birthday and I just got my navel pierced two days ago. I've wanted to get my navel pierced for many years now, but I haven't gotten around to doing it, and I wanted to wait until I was old enough. I'm not a big fan of needles, so I put it off for a long time. I work at the border and a girl I work with has hers done. I asked her all about it and expressed my desire of getting it done but that I am terrified of needles. She said it didn't hurt much, and all the guys I work with encouraged me to do it because it's sexy!
At A Glance Author Bekah Contact bekah_de@yahoo.ca When It just happened Artist Steve Studio Artistic Impressions Location Welland, Ontario, Canada So I planned on getting my piercing that weekend, but by the time I got the courage to do it, all the places were closed. Since I work in Fort Erie during the week, I had to wait until the next weekend to get it pierced as there aren't any studios in Fort Erie.
That Friday I went back home to Welland, and I stayed the night at my boyfriend's. On the Saturday afternoon I had to go to the bank to cash my paycheques, then he took me right to Artistic Impressions (bring cash - they don't have interac!).
I suggest Artistic Impressions to anyone in the Welland area. It was clean, not busy, and the staff were professional and very friendly. I walked in without an appointment and there were a few people going through tattoo books, and another girl getting a tattoo on her hip in the next room. I was really nervous at this point and felt like passing out or throwing up. I walked up to the counter, and told them what I'd like done. They asked me for my ID (the piercer introduced himself as Steve and we laughed since we have the same last name) then gave me papers to sign. I signed them then sat down. Just as I sat down, literally I just got my butt on the seat, Steve came out to get me. I was next!
So my boyfriend and I were led to a back room. It was pretty small. The whole place was old looking but well kept. Steve asked me to sit on the table (like one in a doctor's office) and lift my shirt to expose my navel. So I did as I was told. He put on a new pair of gloves, then asked me to stand up. He washed my navel with a towelette that has a sanitizer on it, then marked my navel with a small purple marker. I checked it out in the mirror to confirm the positioning of the piercing. He explained everything that he was about to do and said if I had any questions or concerns to ask then but all I could manage was 'Oh...ok'.
I got back up on the table and laid down. I lifted my shirt. He took all his tools out of their packaging and put them on a tray with a new paper sheet in it (again like a doctor's office or dentist). He put the clamp on my stomach and I was panicking inside. I grabbed my boyfriend's hand and gave it a quick squeeze.
I told Steve I didn't want to see the needle and how big it was since I'm terrified of them. He told me to take a deep breath, then the needle went in. It hurt more than I thought it would. It hurt a whole lot. Many people said the clamp hurt more than the needle, but not for me. Apparently he had to pierce deeper than normal since my navel is so small. I opened my mouth and took a quick breath in out of surprise of the pain, but then it was over. The needle was through the skin. He put in the little hoop and secured the ball in place, then gave me all the ins and outs about aftercare. I was surprised that I didn't feel faint or anything since I sat up right after it was done. I was feeling pretty good. Steve made me watch him bend the needle and put it into a bio-hazardous waste bin aka sharp box.
We all left the room and went to the front counter. Steve put the tools into the autoclave to be re-sterilized, then I paid and gave him a good tip. He gave me a couple papers with aftercare instructions and faqs on them of what to expect. I thanked him and we left. The whole thing took like ten minutes.
It's pretty sore and a bit red, but not too bad. It only hurts when I bump it by accident. I wash it twice a day with antibacterial soap. Make sure to get all the crusties off with a wet q-tip, or it hurts when they stick to the ring. And rinse well! Take ibuprofen if it hurts. I also put on some liquid benzocaine (the freezing stuff the dentist uses before you get a needle- it's in canker sore medication you can buy at walmart - I use Tanac) on it when it was sore. I salt soak it two to three times a day with hot water - it helps a lot. It's easier to get the crusties off after the soak. I heard putting a hot, wet chamomile tea bag helps. I tried it once and found it got cold too fast. Instead, my piercer suggested tea tree oil. I've been using that like crazy, it helps a lot. I make sure it gets right in there by turning the ring with it on it. It tingles and keeps the ring lubricated so the crusties don't stick to it and itch and hurt. Plus it helps promote healing and prevents infection and it's all natu ral. It's about $7-10 per 50ml bottle but all you need if a few drops at a time. The only down side is it smells pretty strong, but if it hurts you really don't care as long as it takes the pain away!
Personally I don't think younger people should be getting their navels pierced. If you need a parent's permission, you're too young to get a body piercing! You're not old enough to take care of it properly or to know what to do if it gets infected, or old enough even to pay for it on your own! Wait until you're older and are sure; a body piercing is a big commitment as well as a way to express oneself. Besides, it's a sexual piercing, little girls shouldn't be dressing to be sexy - grow up first! Other than that, I encourage people to get this done if they are old enough and are prepared to accept the responsibility of paying for and caring for their piercing. The pain is short lived but the pleasure of seeing it will last years!