Outie Belly Button Piercing- A Complete Guide!

By - Shaila Amaraj

Outie belly button piercing has been a famous culture for a long time. Have you always felt it look attractive and effortless from the outside? You’re not wrong! But they demand great responsibility if you want them to appear healthy.

So, what to know about outie belly button piercing?

Outie belly piercing is painless due to its fleshy site. It is also easy to manage because you don’t have to look in a mirror to view it. But, the aftercare of piercing may be tiring and troublesome to you.

Did you know that they heal slower than other types of piercings? This article will guide you through exciting facts about belly button piercing. Bonus with aftercare and reasons on why you should get one!

So, jump into the article to unravel the mysteries!

What is Belly Button Piercing?

A belly button piercing is the process of inserting a type of jewelry above the belly button. It enables the jewelry to hang or stick over the belly button to showcase the beauty itself.

A professional piercer will use tools or freehand to insert the piercing. Still, the type of jewelry inserted depends on your liking.

Types of Belly Button Piercing

There are many types of belly button piercings available worldwide. Here are a few types of it which may be common to you:

Belly button piercing has become a trendy concept these days. Many women choose to pierce the belly button after pregnancy!  

Now you might be wondering what exactly is an outie belly button piercing? The next section will give your answer.

What is an Outie Belly Button Piercing?

Outie belly button piercing is piercing with a convex surface. It also means a true-navel piercing. 

I’m sure the question that ‘who can get a belly button piercing?’ is bothering you. Lucky for you, anybody can get a belly button piercing! But outie piercing suits only the anatomy of a turned belly button. Many people even chose to get rid of an outie belly button!

So, can you get an outie belly button piercing? Yes, you can as long as you have the suitable belly button. 

These piercings are located on the belly tissue, above or below the navel. 

Getting an outie belly button pierced is much more complex than an innie belly button piercing. Outie belly buttons develop after birth. Hence, they consist of a distinct tissue from other belly buttons.

Consequently, there is an increased risk of infection during outie belly button piercing. Regardless, you’ll know how to protect yourself by following safe-piercing practices and aftercare.

Outie Belly Button Piercing Procedure

Firstly, piercers should wash their hands and wear gloves to practice good hygiene. Wearing a good pair of gloves will protect piercers from blood-borne diseases, in case they get a cut while piercing.

Below are the steps to follow to pierce a belly button: 

Step 1

Start the procedure by sanitizing the area around your navel. 

To make it easier, soak some cotton swabs with alcohol. Later, grab the cotton swabs using a tweezer. Wipe them in and around the navel to cover the entire area.

Make sure to coat around the skin of your outie belly button. This must include the upper and lower lip. 

You can get infected if the piercer doesn’t sanitize your navel. Bacteria can colonize from areas that are not cleaned or wiped.

Step 2

Next, piercers sketch the part of the outer lip you wish to pierce. 

Grab a piercing-safe marker. Mark the spot to ease the piercing process. Yet, remember to only poke the upper lip or lower lip of your outie belly button.

Step 3

Lift the site with the piercing clamp. Slip the clamp over the outie lip and grasp down. The clamp should hold on to the part of the lip you opt to pierce. 

If it’s not safe, the piercing might not succeed altogether.

After that, push it through the clamped area that was marked. Don’t go slow, as this will interrupt the process and result in throbbing pain. Once the needle has punctured through the skin, briskly remove it.

Step 4

Finally, attach the jewelry. When you leave the piercing hole untouched for a long time, the bigger the possibility it will close. Secure the piercing after your favorite jewelry is in.

Well then, now you know what steps should be followed to pierce your outie belly button.

Complications

There are many things to know before getting a belly button pierced.  These include the complications.

There are some complications that may develop during or after belly button piercing. These include:

Bacterial Infection 

Bacterial infection at the piercing site is the most distressing hazard. Recent surveys conducted show that one-fifth of body piercings become infected.

The chances of developing a bacterial infection multiply with pre-existing health problems. This means if you are dealing with illnesses like diabetes or a weakened immune system, the chances of infection are higher.

Allergy

There can be allergic skin reactions due to the piercing material used. Healing with keloid, blood loss, scrapes, and jewelry rejection are many other issues.

Pain

Keep in mind you need to endure the pain from the piercing. Nonetheless, it varies for every individual on how much agonizing the piercing pain will be.

Good news is that technology has evolved way beyond our imagination. 

Does belly button piercing hurt? Not anymore! Because you can now do a painless piercing at the tip of your hand. With the help of topical anesthetic agents, piercing every part of the body becomes easy. 

The application of anesthetic spray will make the piercing area numb for at least one hour. Thus, you need not handle any pain. Mostly, piercers will spray it for you. 

You can also apply it 30 minutes before you get your piercing done. Online anesthetic creams are now available in the market worldwide.

So, now you know how piercing is done and the complications it might have. Let’s look at ways to take care of yourself after the piercing is done.

Aftercare 

Outie belly button piercing may not completely heal for at least 1 year. Below are methods for maintaining healthy outie belly piercing. 

What are the do’s and don’ts of a belly button piercing? Here are a few of them:

Do’s After Piercing

Pat the site with sterile gauze or unused paper towel drenched with saline at least twice a day. 

Saline solution is now available at pharmacies. The instructions given at the back of the solution bottle are also simple and easy to follow. 

Still, if you want to use the soap, pick a mild, scent-free one.

You may be wondering what to wear when getting belly button pierced. Tight and rough fabric like high-waisted jeans will irritate your piercing. 

You may want to try an elastic bandage over your belly button and shield the area. But make sure to handle it with care!

These include changes in color, pain score, and body temperature. You may be having pus or abscess formation. Following this, you will have to complete antibiotics, as well as analgesics for two weeks.

Take a doctor’s advice in case of any infection.

Don’ts After Piercing

It’s usual for a white-colored fluid to ooze from your new piercing. It may develop into a crust that feels itchy and tight. 

Do not pick because it can cause bleeding and permanent scarring. Slowly, the scab will peel on its own as your belly button piercing scar heals.

That comprises lotions, medicated oil, and fragrance. 

Did you know that antibacterial cream can slow healing? Yes, it can! It traps bacteria inside your belly button piercing and delays the healing process. 

Here is why you need to seek medical advice from a physician before applying antibacterial creams.

Types of Jewelry to Use

There are many types of jewelry that can be worn on an outie belly button piercing. These include:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is usually the most preferable type of outie belly button ring. It has low irritant properties. 

Titanium

If you want to prevent the harmful results of surgical steel, titanium is your finest choice. It’s also an alternative option if you’re allergic to nickel and gold.

Gold

Who does not like gold? If you are more of a gold person for the rich look, don’t hesitate to select gold jewelry for your belly piercing. 

Likewise, ensure it’s at least 14 karats, because anything less is too frail and dangerous for the piercing.

FAQs

Question: Can I Do Belly Button Piercing During Pregnancy?

Answer: The answer is a big NO! Don’t pierce during pregnancy. You should not even remove a recent outie belly button piercing during pregnancy. 

Pregnancy can drain your energy and health, placing you at threat of getting an infection. So, avoid piercing any parts of your body during this period. Also, unsterile piercing instruments and poor hygiene practices can cause hepatitis. There’s the danger of allergic reaction and contact sensitivity. All things harmful to the pregnancy.

Question: Can I Swim with My Outie Belly Button Piercing?

Answer: Yes, you can! But, it’s better to postpone swimming for at least three weeks with a new outie belly button piercing. This way, you prevent outie belly button pain and infection from occurring in the area.

Take-Home Message

Outie belly button piercing can be fun, but you must be patient during the healing process. It’s important to follow the aftercare guidelines and know the symptoms of infection.

If you think your belly button piercing is not healthy, take measures immediately. Visit a doctor if things aren’t improving after some self-treatment.

Most importantly, just be a little cautious and there is nothing to worry about!

Follow the information provided in this article, and get a healthy, happy belly button piercing!