How to Pierce Your Bellybutton at Home

Exercise caution when piercing your navel at home.

Belly button piercing, or navel piercing, has become a trend that transcends age. Body piercing should be done by a trained professional who has access to the proper sterile equipment and tools. However, if you do choose to pierce your own belly button, you will need to take extreme caution.

Things You'll Need

• Sterile gloves
• Alcohol
• Cotton balls or swabs
• 14-gauge sterile piercing needle
• Body ink/Sharpie marker
• A clamp
• Starter jewelry

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself before you undertake this task. Read all instructions and gather all materials you will need in advance. Wash your hands and put on sterile gloves. Clean the belly button area with alcohol and clean cotton balls and use the marker to make a dot where you want the piercing to go -- both the insertion point at the top and the piercing opening at the bottom.

2. Clamp the piercing area, keeping the skin taut. Double check the placement of the marking. Push the needle through the entry and exit points you have marked. Insert the needle with even pressure and at a steady speed. Put the starter set or jewelry onto the needle and push all the way through. Remove the needle and clasp the jewelry to keep it in place.

3. Clean your newly-pierced belly button area with soap and water several times a day. Q-tips can be used to clean underneath the jewelry. Use antibacterial soap, and avoid touching and pulling on the jewelry. Allow air to reach your piercing, which will stimulate the healing process. Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid snagging your piercing.

Tips & Warnings

• Piercing should be done by a trained professional. Attempting to pierce yourself could result in infections, excessive bleeding, scarring and allergic reactions to metal. Proper hygiene and sterile tools are critical if you choose to pierce yourself.

References

• Mahalo: How to Pierce Your Belly Button