How to Change Pierced Navel Jewelry

Change the piercing only after it has fully healed.

Navel piercing is accomplished by inserting a piece of jewelry through the rim of the navel, or belly button. The abdomen is not a vascular region, meaning that there is restricted blood flow to the area, making healing more difficult. It can take up to a year for a navel piercing to fully heal. New navel jewelry should not be used until the piercing has fully healed, is not tender to the touch and is not oozing any pus or fluid. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching or changing the navel piercing.

Things You'll Need

• New piercing jewelry
• Saline solution
• Antibacterial soap
• Towel

Instructions

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and dry them with a clean towel.

2. Get the new piercing ready for insertion. Screw off the metal ball and wipe the entire piercing with saline solution or clean with warm water and antibacterial soap. Set aside on a clean surface.

3. Unscrew the metal ball on the current piercing. Gently pull the piercing out of the navel. Move slowly so that you do not tear the surrounding skin.

4. Take the new jewelry and gently push it through the hole in the navel.

5. Screw the metal ball back onto the new piercing to hold it in place if the jewelry slides easily through.

6. Stop immediately if you feel resistance or the piercing gets stuck. Do not force the piercing through the skin.

7. Go to the studio where the piercing was performed and ask for assistance if the skin tears, the piercing won't go through or you feel pain.

References

• Mom's Body Shop: Aftercare
• Belly Button Rings Guide: How to Change Belly Ring