Can You Swim With A Belly Button Piercing?

A belly button piercing is perfect for bikini season and is a wonderful way to stand out at the beach. However, the question arises: is swimming safe after getting your belly button pierced?

No, it would be best if you did not swim for a minimum of twenty-four hours after the belly button has been punctured. It is best to avoid swimming during the whole process of healing. 

Submerging your piercing in water increases the likelihood of infection in the fresh belly button puncture wound. Get a waterproof bandage to cover your navel piercing from any pharmacy if you still want to swim before the healing period is finished.

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A belly button piercing is one of the most incredible yet most terrifying body modifications due to the intensity of the pain. Eventually, belly piercings always look fantastic, especially if you adhere to the aftercare suggestions made by your piercers. Swimming with a belly button piercing comes with a lot of challenges. You must therefore adhere to a few rules in order to avoid that.

Why You Should Avoid Swimming In Water During The Healing Period?

You should avoid swimming in pools or beaches while your piercing heals because it is possible that your new piercing can catch an infection there easily.

Experts advised waiting for at least 24 hours after getting a new piercing before going swimming. However, the best course of action is to hold off until the piercing has had time to heal fully and properly.

It’s best to keep your new piercing as dry as possible because if it’s moist for an extended period of time, it could become infected.

It can take a belly button piercing at least three weeks to appear healed but up to six to twelve months to fully recover.

Even if your belly button piercing has been in place for six months and seems to be healing, it’s still a good idea to keep it as dry as possible. To lessen the possibility of irritation and excessive moisture when you swim, a good solution is to cover your piercing with a waterproof bandage.

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Tips To Fasten The Healing Process

The time it takes for a belly button piercing to heal varies from individual to individual. However, to keep it in good shape, you must pay close attention to its aftercare by adhering to the advice provided by your piercing artist.

The aftercare of belly piercings is very simple; all you need to do is be consistent. Also, avoid activities like swimming in open water because this exposes your piercing to infections.

The aftercare instruction listed below will help your belly button piercing heal more quickly and protect it.

1. First and foremost, shield your navel from the sun’s direct rays. Going outside is not a problem, but to prevent sunburns, turn your navel away from the sun.

2. Wear garments that fit loosely on the body rather than too tight ones. It is due to two factors:

• Wearing form-fitting clothing will block off the oxygen that the pierced region needs to recover, which will slow down the healing process.
• Wearing restrictive clothing puts the piercing region in constant conflict since it rubs against the clothing, hurting the area and delaying the healing process.

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3. Use a saline or sea salt solution to clean the belly piercing for the best results. You must apply the solution to your belly, penetrating for a few minutes before thoroughly washing and drying it. To use, soak the solution in a cleaning towel before applying it to your piercing. A cotton bud is an ideal implement to use.

4. Always wash your hands with an antiseptic soap before touching your piercing. The majority of germs are mostly found on our hands. Therefore, always keep your hands clean to prevent infections from spreading to the belly piercing.

5. You don’t want your belly button piercing to become tangled up in the pillow or bed sheet when you’re sleeping. To avoid this, sleep on your back rather than your stomach.

6. Stay away from wearing fitting clothing to lessen the possibility of your piercing becoming caught or pulled out.

7. When working out, you should cover the piercing with safety bandages and clean it afterward to avoid infections and irritations.

8. Covering the region around the belly button with anything as simple as a transparent eye patch (which is generally available in any medical store) guards from rubbing against garments and allows oxygen to enter.

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What Are The Threats Of Swimming Too Soon?

Going swimming immediately after getting a new belly piercing puts you at risk of contracting the infection and this infection will encourage you to initially reconsider getting a piercing in this location.

Many medical professionals recommend not swimming for a minimum of three weeks after getting a belly piercing. But if you can’t wait for that long, give it no more than 24 hours.

Your belly button piercing must heal entirely before being exposed to chemically treated water, which is of utmost importance. The skin around a belly button piercing becomes extremely sensitive and vulnerable to infection.

Your piercer can give you specific aftercare instructions, such as keeping the belly button area dry most of the time.

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Chlorine, which is the main allergen to belly piercings, is found in large quantities in swimming pools. It is particularly vulnerable if the belly piercing has not undergone the necessary healing process.

Bacteria are frequently found in swimming pools. Consequently, when chlorine and bacteria come into contact with one another, they may effectively spread infection. They can respond to your belly button piercing very badly, which could result in an infection.

Depending on the degree of the infection, it could be necessary to remove your piercing. Your belly button piercing experience will be ruined because of this, which will make you feel quite uncomfortable.

Belly button piercings are not only an attractive ornament, but they also alter your look. You may feel even more self-assured as a result of them. So, avoid swimming if you want to experience the benefits of having a navel piercing.

How Can I Cover The Belly Button Penetrating While Swimming?

It’s crucial to use caution anytime you swim, even after the belly piercing has undergone the necessary recovery. Every time you enter the pool, you must ensure the belly piercing is covered.

Follow these straightforward instructions to ensure that the belly piercing lasts longer and maintains its beauty.

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The very first thing you’ll require is a waterproof bandage to put on the belly button piercing. The best precaution for swimming and avoiding infection is the use of a bandage.

Make sure you select the appropriate waterproof bandage from the various varieties that are available in the market. For the first time, it could seem unusual, but it won’t interfere with your swimming. And the best thing is that it will prevent any diseases from happening to you.

The removal method and subsequent cleaning of the belly button region are more crucial than the bandage itself. Avoid pulling out the bandage all at once to avoid damaging the piercing.

Loosen the bandage with care by applying the appropriate level of force to the skin. After you’ve pulled the bandage, throw it away right away and proceed to clean the belly button region.

When it comes to cleaning, you’ll need a sterilized cotton bud or any sterile material you can trace. Add some antibacterial soap and a few drops of warm water to the belly button region to dampen it.

Then slowly massage it with a cotton bud, and afterward, thoroughly rinse it with plain water to remove all soap residue. Make sure the area has been thoroughly cleaned. Nothing should be left that might later irritate or infect the piercing.

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When you get out of the pool, clean your belly button piercing with sea salt solution for a more comprehensive cleaning and disinfection. You need a one-quarter cup of boiling water, which you should let cool to room temperature. Then add one and a half tsp of non-iodized sea salt.

When the mixture is ready, pour it into a glass and apply it over the belly piercing. Place it appropriately so that the mixture pours in smoothly.

After applying the solution, sit back and wait 15 minutes as the saltwater solution on your belly button piercing dissolves, and after that, carefully clean and dry the affected area.

Do The Rules Differ Depending On The Type Of Water?

In general, depending on the type of water, the regulations for protecting your belly button piercing don’t differ. Any contact with your belly button piercing is harmful and increases the risk of infection.

Therefore, you must use precaution when swimming in any body of water, whether the ocean, a lake, or a river. Before jumping in, make sure to cover any piercings.

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The same remains true for hot tub baths. Your piercing won’t survive if you spend too much time in the tub. Perhaps you should stick to taking showers until the belly piercing has healed sufficiently rather than taking a tub bath.

Can I Go Swimming In The Ocean After Getting A New Belly Button Piercing?

The answer to this question is simply no. The ocean is not really a recommended destination for new piercings, despite the fact that it can have some healing and therapeutic advantages. After all, they are exactly open injuries, and beaches frequently contain more bacteria than we would like to think.

FAQ

Can I Wear High-Waisted Jeans At The Time Of The Appointment?

It is advised that you avoid wearing high-waisted jeans to your consultation. They will restrict the piercing site unless you pull them down to a certain extent. High-waisted jeans would squeeze your newly pierced belly button and possibly catch your jewelry afterward.

When Is The Ideal Time To Puncture My Belly Button?

Getting the belly button punctured in the winter is a fantastic choice because it’s advised to avoid swimming for the majority of the healing time (minimum of six months). Getting the punctuation in winter will give your piercing a lot of time to heal, and after that, it will be ready to flaunt at the lake, the beach, or the swimming pool in the summers.

What Should I Do To Clean My Belly Button Piercing After Taking A Shower?

There may be occasions when it is essential to expose your piercing to water, such as while taking a shower. In that scenario, pat the piercing dry to prevent moisture collection (bacteria loves humidity and needs it to develop!), then use clean saltwater to clean your piercing gently. Don’t twist the piercing when cleaning, and remember to clean your hands before!

Does Vaseline Work For Belly Piercings?

While a navel piercing is healing, you should not really apply petroleum jelly to it. Sticky substances, like petroleum jelly, should also be avoided near piercings because they block pores and prevent the airflow around the wound, which is necessary for good healing.

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Does Salt Water Help Piercings Heal?

Maintaining a regular schedule of salt water soaks is the most promising thing you can do for your piercing. Clean the piercing, support in the elimination of discharge, boost the blood circulation, and dismiss irritations. In order to speed up the healing process, we urge you to soak your piercing more frequently than twice daily.

Should I Always Need To Hide My Belly Button Penetrating While Swimming?

It’s a good idea to maintain your belly button piercing as dry as you can, even if you’ve been wearing it for five to six months and it seems to be healing. To lessen the possibility of discomfort and excessive wetness while you swim, an intelligent alternative is to cover the penetrating site with a help of a waterproof bandage.