Complete Guidelines On How To Change My Belly Button Ring

Being able to change my belly button ring can be an exciting way to personalize your style and express yourself. The process may seem concerning for some since it involves changing the ring near a sensitive area. Fortunately, knowing how to change my belly button ring safely has helped me avoid infections or other problems.

I will cover everything in changing your belly button ring with my full guide below!

When Should You Change Your Belly Button Ring

I keep hearing people ask, “When can I change my belly button ring?” Before switching the ring, wait until your belly button piercing heals completely. Depending on your body's response and care regimen, this healing process usually lasts six months to one year. I waited the full six months to make sure it was safe to remove my old ring.

See a professional piercer if you are unsure whether your piercing has healed. Early changing of your belly button ring might cause infections, irritation, and even piercing closure.

Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Changing Your Belly Button Ring

Changing a belly button ring requires careful attention and patience to guarantee safety and prevent problems. Below is how to change belly button piercing safely.

Step 1: Ensure Your Piercing is Fully Healed

The first step on how to change a belly button ring is to allow your piercing to fully heal before taking it off. Piercing usually takes half a year to heal. If you are not sure when is the right time to change your belly button ring, ask your piercer. They will know if it is ready to be exchanged with a new one.

Step 2: Prepare Your Medical Supplies

The next action is compiling all necessary tools for a safe ring change. Have the following ready:

Step 3: Wash Your Hands and the New Ring

Thoroughly clean your hands with antibacterial soap. This will kill any bacteria or harmful microbes that can cause an infection. While using saline solution and alcohol wipes to clean nearly everything, your hands will touch many surfaces throughout the procedure. You want to make sure they are completely clean before taking off your old piercing.

Step 4: Remove the Old Ring

How do you take out a belly ring? Find the mechanism that lets you open your old ring, which is often a ball or decoration you can unscrew. Use your pocket mirror to help you with this process. Take your time since this part on how to change navel piercing requires patience.

If you are worried your ring has no ball or bead, ask the piercer or shop where you purchased it. They can tell you how to take out a belly button ring they sell.

Step 5: Clean the Piercing

After removing your old belly button ring, you must apply a generous amount of saline solution in the hole or where your jewelry was held. Use a Q-tip to apply the solution throughout the area. You need to make sure the area of your piercing is fully disinfected. Any leftover bacteria may build up and cause an infection around your new belly button ring.

Step 6: Insert the New Ring

Finally, to the part on how to replace a belly button ring, wipe the new ring clean with antiseptic wipes first. Then, find the unscrewable ball or bead and remove it. Position yourself in front of a mirror to have a full view of your belly button. Patiently insert the new ring within the piercing until its opposite end emerges from the other side. Once done, screw the bead onto your new ring.

Step 7: Clean Again and Monitor

Using a mirror, check that your new piercing is firmly secured to your belly button. Once the new ring is securely in place, clean the area with a saline solution to soothe it and prevent bacterial contamination. Over the next few days, monitor the piercing for signs of irritation or infection, including redness, swelling, or unusual discharge.

Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Your Belly Button Ring

Part of knowing how to change out a belly button ring is to know the errors you could make during the process. Below are the common mistakes a person makes while changing their ring:

Removing the Ring Early: Taking off the ring before a minimum of one month disrupts your body’s healing process. This mistake can create infections around the piercing. There is also a chance your piercing will close before you can attach a new belly button ring.

Using Unsafe Jewelry: Belly button rings are usually made from hypoallergenic metals such as titanium or gold. Rings from questionable vendors might be made from nickel or other metals that irritate your skin.

Forcefully Removing The Ring: This mistake involves pulling out your old belly button ring without removing its ball or bead completely. Doing so can damage your skin or parts of your belly button, which makes it painful to wear any belly button ring for a certain time. Avoid this mistake by knowing how to take off a belly button ring properly.

How to Care for Your Belly Button Piercing

Caring for your piercing in your belly button or any part of your body is about keeping it clean and disinfected as much as possible. Apply a saline solution around your piercing at least twice a day. You can also thoroughly wash the area with anti-bacterial soap to clean your piercing.

Conclusion

After learning how to change my belly button ring, I enjoy showcasing different jewelry each month or when I receive my bonus for a new piece. However, be wary of the potential harm you can do to your body if you do the procedure without sanitizing your piercing or forcing your old ring off. Always practice proper hygiene, as shown in the steps of exchanging a belly button ring I followed, and fully remove the bead to avoid infections.

FAQs

Can I change my belly piercing myself?

Anyone can remove their old belly button jewelry and attach a new one without assistance. It helps if you have a mirror that lets you see your belly button as you do the process. A mirror makes it easy for you to find the bead in your old ring and remove it safely.

Will my belly button piercing close overnight?

Your body takes time to fully close your belly button piercing, which does not usually occur overnight. However, those who have recently gotten a new piercing are at risk of having it closed. Your body is healing at this point and will close off the piercing if the ring is removed for a long period.

What happens if you change the belly button ring too early?

When you remove your ring before your belly button completely heals, you risk infection and pain, which can make a new belly button ring uncomfortable to wear. Wait one to six months for your body to heal fully. You can also ask your piercer or a medical professional if your piercing is fully healed.