QuestionThanks in advance for helping me with a rather silly question. I am a healthy, 33 year old woman professional, and I am interested in getting my belly button pierced (silly, I know, but I've worked hard to really get into shape and I want to have it done). I've done my research on the tattoo shop I will go to in order to ensure that they have safe practices, but I'm just wondering what the risks could be. How long will it take to heal? My husband and I are going to the Caribbean at the beginning of June - any risks to going in the water with a new piercing? What is the best soap to clean it with? The literature I've read says sea salt and Provon soap - what do you think? What's your opinion on navel piercing in general? Any other risks? Thanks for your help!
AnswerTo my knowledge, as long as the conditions of the shop are clean, and the procedure is done under sterile conditions, the risk should be minimum.
The best type of wound care is plain soap and water washes 3x a day with some sort of antibiotic ointment applied until it heals. That is the best way to avoid infection and minimize scars.
Harsher soaps can damage the delicate tissue that is healing, and I would imagine sea salt could do the same, though I know of no data to support either sea salt of Provon soap as being more effective. There is a lot of studies out there on wound care, and for what you looking for I don't think you need anything special.
As far as your trip, it shouldn't be an issue. The skin "seals" itself off from the environment pretty effectively within 24-48 hours of the original incision. I would follow the wound care until the piercing is healed.
