About Belly Rings

Body piercing has been around for centuries. Navel piercings date back to the Aztec civilization. They were also popular among the Egyptians and Incas. Belly piercings denoted status in society for those cultures. Over the past decade, navel piercings have become increasingly popular. Women of many ages pierce their belly buttons. The fashion trend has become mainstream in society. The rings come in only three sizes but have many shapes and designs.

Why

In society it is very common for women to get belly piercings. Men get them very less frequently. Women get belly rings for a variety of reasons. Some like to draw attention to the shape of the belly or curve of the waist. Belly rings can help women to feel good about themselves. The beautiful sparkle of a gem, the vibrant color of the ring, and the shine of stainless steel calls attention to the navel and makes it very attractive. The navel is a very hidden and different place for a piercing.

Risks

There are several risks to consider when piercing your navel. There is a strong risk of infection if the piercing is not kept clean. The piercing also may have bleeding, but this is rare. An allergic reaction may occur, especially with certain kinds of jewelry. Nerve damage could also potentially occur. Keloids, or thick scarring at the site of the piercing, are a potential risk.

Jewelry Type

Belly rings come in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes and material. Stainless steel is a good choice for a ring because it is the least likely to create an infection in the skin or a foreign body reaction. Titanium and gold are also great choices for new piercings; these cost more than stainless steel. Belly rings come in banana barbell shapes, rings and spiral designs.

Size

There are three main sizes for a belly ring. The rings are measured according to gauge, which is the thickness of the jewelry. The higher the gauge number, the thinner the jewelry. The smallest is a 16 gauge piercing, which is normally used for holes that are smaller and already healed. The most common and standard size is a 14 gauge. The largest size for a belly piercing is a 12 gauge.

Piercing

It is important to get the belly piercing at a clean, popular place with employers who have piercing licenses. The experienced body piercer will use a needle instead of a piercing gun. This is because piercing guns can damage tissue and cause infection. The needle will pass through either the top or bottom skin of the navel. The jewelry is placed through the hole. Pain medication that contains aspirin should not be taken the week before the belly piercing. Doing so will cause the hole to bleed more than it should. It will take 4 months to 1 year for the belly piercing to heal.

Parental Notification

It is a very big decision to get a belly ring. Risks should be considered. If a woman is under 18 years old it is imperative to have a parent's permission. Most body piercing places require a parent at the site for piercing for anyone under 18. It is important to talk with parents and discuss all the positive and negative effects of piercing. Never make a piercing decision without consulting a trusted adult first.

References

• Navel Rings
• Young Women's Health
• Painful Pleasure