AFTERCARE
FOR NAVEL
You
are responsible for the care of your piercing. The
tools and implements used on your piercing are completely sterile, If your
piercing becomes infected you only have your self to blame. If you follow the
instructions on this care sheet the likelihood of complications is minimal.
The
most important thing you need to know about the care of your new piercing is not
to touch it unless you are cleaning it with freshly washed hands, Your
hands are the dirtiest part of your body. If you play with your piercing you are
all but guaranteed to get an infection.
Your
navel should take anywhere from six months to a year to heal. During that
time your piercing will be pinkish red around the opening. It will also secrete
a milky white discharge. Do not be alarmed it is just a natural part of the
healing process.
Your navel takes a long time to heal and because it is a hinge in your
body and the jewelry gets knocked around a lot. Try to wear lose clothing and
avoid rubbing your piercing up against things. If you are in a situation where
covering the piercing is in order such as wearing tight clothing, or any
situation where the piercing has a good chance of getting snagged or bumped a
lot use a clean bandage. Keep in mind that a bandage will limit the oxygen to
the piercing which will impede healing so only do this if you absolutely
have to.
You
should wash your new piercing twice a day with a mild fragrance free
liquid antibacterial soap. The Association of Professional Piercers
recommends Provon or Satin witch are medicated soaps but these
products are very hard to find. So to make things easier for you dial
will work just fine.
1)
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing.
2)
Remove the crusty matter from the jewelry
3)
Lather the antibacterial soap around the piercing.
4)
Gently work the soap through the piercing using the ring
5)
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a paper towel
You
should also do a sea salt in warm water compress two or three
times a week. Fill a Dixie cup with the warm water and mix approx a tbsp of sea
salt, compress the cup against your navel, tilt back and let soak for 5
minutes, after the compress rinse the piercing thoroughly. This stimulates
the circulation of blood which speeds healing time and naturally draws out any
infection that could be developing in your piercing.
Don’t submerge your piercings in unclean water such as pools, lakes,
jacuzzis, etc while it is healing. Most bodies of water harbor large amounts of
bacteria. Realizing that some people wont cancel their vacation plans because of
a new piercing you can protect your piercing slightly in unclean water by using
a breathable, non water-permeable wound sealant such as Tegaderm or Clean Seals
(available at drugstores and pharmacies).