Navel Piercings
The modern popularity of navel piercings (also known as belly button piercings) can be traced back to one key moment: Aerosmith’s 1993 music video for “Cryin’.” In the video, Alicia Silverstone’s body double had her navel pierced by Gauntlet piercer Paul King. Shortly after, celebrities like Madonna and Christy Turlington were seen flaunting their own belly button piercings, sparking a lasting trend.
However, not all navels are suitable for piercing. While most can technically be pierced, successful healing depends on anatomy. To be a good candidate, you need a protruding lip of skin at the top (or, less commonly, the bottom) of your navel, with enough space behind it for jewelry to sit comfortably. The skin should have a defined front and back with a clear edge. If your navel slopes inward, collapses when you sit, or lacks enough space for jewelry to rest properly, healing may be difficult or impossible. If you’re unsure whether your navel is suited for piercing, visit us for a consultation—we’ll assess your anatomy and advise you accordingly.
Navel piercings are known for being challenging to heal. The healing process can take anywhere from six months to a full year, due to the low vascularity of the navel (since it’s primarily scar tissue from birth). Additionally, it’s a high-traffic area, prone to irritation from clothing, waistbands, and movement during activities like sitting or exercising. If you want a fully healed navel piercing by swimsuit season, it’s best to get pierced in winter to allow ample healing time.
For initial piercings, we recommend a 12-gauge curved barbell, as rings are typically unsuitable for healing. Overly large, ornate, or dangling jewelry can prolong the healing process, but once your piercing is fully healed, the options are endless! Check out our gallery for inspiration and jewelry ideas.
FAQs
Are navel piercings for everyone?
Not everyone has the right anatomy to heal a navel piercing successfully.
For a navel piercing to heal properly, there needs to be a well-defined flap of skin above (or sometimes below) the navel, with enough space behind and beneath it for jewelry to sit comfortably without pressure. This flap should have a distinct front and back, similar to an earlobe, with a clear edge separating the two. Without this structure, the risk of rejection and healing complications increases significantly. Additionally, even if there is a flap, insufficient space behind it can make healing difficult and problematic.
This is why we always assess a client’s anatomy before proceeding with a navel piercing. If we believe your navel is unlikely to heal well, we may decline to pierce it. Our goal is to ensure you have the best chance of a successful, hassle-free healing process rather than subjecting you to months of discomfort for a piercing that may not last. If your navel isn’t suited for piercing, it’s not a reflection of your weight, body shape, or appearance—it simply means the anatomy of your navel isn’t ideal for healing this particular piercing.
If the top of your navel isn’t suitable for piercing, can the bottom be pierced instead?
Some people do have enough of a flap on the bottom of their navel to allow for a piercing—but this is quite rare. In most cases, the lower navel doesn’t have the necessary structure to support proper healing, so the answer is usually “no.” However, if you’re curious, a piercer can assess your anatomy in person and determine whether a bottom navel piercing is a possibility for you.
Can I get a piercing if I have an outie?
Piercing an “outie” navel is generally not recommended. Traditional navel piercings go through surface skin at the edge of the navel, whereas an outie is formed from residual scarring of the umbilical cord. Because of this, an infected outie piercing can pose serious health risks.
That being said, some individuals with outies also have a defined flap of surface skin above or below their navel. If this is the case, it may be possible to pierce that surface skin, but it depends entirely on your anatomy. The best way to determine if a navel piercing is an option for you is to consult with a professional piercer.
Why do navel piercings take so long to heal?
The skin around the navel has minimal blood flow, which slows down the healing process. Additionally, its location makes it prone to constant movement, stretching, and friction, further extending the healing time to anywhere from six months to a year.
Because of this prolonged healing period, navel piercings are more susceptible to irritation or infection. While proper care can help prevent issues, a wound that takes up to a year to heal has a higher risk of complications. To reduce the chances of irritation or infection, avoid unnecessary contact with hands, mouths, and bodily fluids during the healing process.
Why is the jewelry gauge so thick?
At Precision Piercing, we typically pierce navels with 12-gauge jewelry, as we’ve found this size to be the most suitable for most lifestyles. While 14-gauge jewelry can be used and successfully healed, it requires extra care. Thinner jewelry increases the risk of injury, scarring, and migration if it gets caught or pulled.
A thicker gauge provides more internal surface area, meaning more skin is supporting the jewelry’s weight. Think of it like carrying a heavy bag—thin straps dig into your shoulder, while wider straps distribute the weight more evenly, reducing strain. Similarly, thicker jewelry helps minimize small tears and scarring, increasing the chances of successful healing.
Can I go swimming?
It’s best to avoid swimming for the entire healing period. The risk to your piercing depends on the water quality—while saltwater and chlorine may not pose a major issue, other bacteria in the water can be problematic. The cleanliness of a tropical beach differs from that of the Jersey Shore, and you can never be certain about the chemical balance or hygiene of someone else’s pool.
Hot tubs, quarries, and lakes should be strictly avoided, as their water quality is even more questionable. At a minimum, refrain from swimming for at least three months. If you do go in the water during healing, be sure to thoroughly clean your piercing afterward to reduce the risk of complications.
Does exercise, specifically sit-ups, affect healing?
Exercise and sit-ups typically won’t cause issues for your piercing, but it’s a good idea to modify your routine to prevent unnecessary pressure on the jewelry, especially early on. Pay attention to your body—if something feels uncomfortable, stop. Sweat won’t harm your piercing, but be sure to shower afterward to keep the area clean.
Can I go tanning?
Whether you keep your jewelry in during pregnancy depends on your body and how it adapts to the changes. As your belly expands, your navel’s shape will shift—sometimes stretching flat or turning inside-out—which may make wearing jewelry uncomfortable. In the later stages, some women find the pressure unbearable and remove the jewelry, while others experience no discomfort and leave it in throughout the pregnancy.
If your piercing was fully healed before pregnancy, you may be able to remove the jewelry and reinsert it after delivery. The hole might shrink slightly, but stretching it open later can often eliminate the need for repiercing.
If the piercing closes completely, you can usually have it redone after giving birth. However, it’s best to wait until your body has fully recovered before getting repierced. Similarly, if you plan to breastfeed, it’s advisable to wait until you’re finished nursing, as healing a new piercing while lactating can be challenging. Also, keep in mind that newborns are frequently held close to the body, and their movements could make healing more difficult.