Humans have practiced body art culture in the form of piercings for centuries. Different cultures from various parts of the globe see making piercings and writing tattoos as a means to accessorize or as a cultural emblem to show rank and class.
Others do it for pleasure, to add to their aesthetic quality, or to conform or rebel against a belief or a course. A belly button piercing is a cool way to switch things up and accessorize.
Sadly several belly button piercing procedures leave many with scars. Scars that deform the whole area do not look good on anybody. The good news is that belly button piercings are not death sentences and can be removed completely.
This article hopes to show safe ways to treat belly button piercing scars. Also included are several tips on how to avoid these scars and how to be rid of them.
What Causes A Belly Button Piercing to Scar?
The scarring of the skin tissue in the belly button area due to a piercing happens for several reasons. Some of these reasons include the following:
Proneness to scarring
As unfair as it may sound, not everyone has the same skin texture or type, and some of us are more prone to scarring than others. One of the common types of scars that many encounter are keloids.
A keloid is an example of a scar, and it is formed due to having excess collagen in the blood. They appear red, pink or carry the same complexion as the sufferer.
Keloids are more prevalent in people who are dark-skinned, below the age of 30, or people with relatives that may have had keloids before. Keloids extend beyond the wounded region to form nasty growth that is smooth and difficult to remove. In some cases, even after surgical removal, they come back even stronger and nastier.
Skin Conditions like psoriasis
Certain skin conditions like Psoriasis also cause scarring of the belly button after a piercing. Psoriasis is a condition characterized by the skin cells building up to form dry and itchy patches.
Many get tempted to scratch if there is a patch in the belly button region of the skin after a piercing. Unfortunately, this scratching usually leads to further injury and scarring of the belly button.
Poorly done piercings
Another major cause of belly button scars is when the piercing is done improperly. Belly buttons come in different shapes and sizes; some are not large enough to go through the piercing process.
A proper piercing must be large enough to allow you to move your hand through the pierced hole from top to bottom. Many have small belly buttons and, as a result, can not get a deep enough piercing. Surface piercings aren’t safe, eventually it will cause scarring up which is most unpleasantly.
Chemical irritation
Chemical irritation of the pierced region also results in scarring. The ill-advised application of fragrances, tanners, creams, and other chemicals can trigger the formation of growth or the scarring of the pierced region after the procedure.
Physical trauma to wounded part
Lastly, we have physical trauma, which can trigger the body to produce more collagen. As mentioned earlier, excess collagen production can lead to keloid forming.
The Effects of Pregnancy On A Belly Button Piercing
Pregnancy’s effect on a woman’s body can be pretty overwhelming. It affects the skin tone, the ears, and many other body parts. But what’s more noticeable is how it stretches the skin, especially the abdominal region where the belly button is located.
Keeping a belly button piercing during this period can pose many unwanted threats. Mothers are generally concerned during the growth process of the fetus and during delivery, be it vaginal or cesarean.
It can be more difficult when delivery is done through a caesarian section. The belly button piercing accessory usually comes in the way.
Should you choose to keep your piercing through the pregnancy phase, here are a few tips to help you get by:
- Clean piercing regularly
- Be watchful to spot infections.
- Replace your jewelry/accessory with a pregnancy belly button ring. This help protects you while keeping the pierced part clean and open.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t get tangled up with your piercings.
How To Prevent Belly Button Piercing Scars?
When you think of the challenges and demands of getting rid of a belly button piercing scar, you may want to consider not having them at all. This can be achieved by following the simple steps listed below:
Get professional care
The first step is to ensure the piercing process is done by a core professional. This eliminates the danger of injuries and a poorly done belly button piercing.
It also puts your mind at ease, knowing you are under the care of someone who has done the procedure for many others without avoidable complications.
Know your anatomy
Knowing your anatomy can also help you stay scar free. Examine the size of your belly button and decide if it’s large enough. When unsure, a piece of professional advice should suffice.
Clean regularly
Ensure you clean the pierced surface regularly as instructed. This will likely prevent scarring and, better still, infections from the spot.
Avoid touching during healing
Touching the pierced part during the healing process can lead to an infection. This is why it is essential to avoid touching the affected region till it is properly healed.
When prone to keloids, please avoid
If you notice you are prone to keloids or have a history with keloids in your ancestry, it is advisable to avoid belly button piercings altogether.
How To Get Rid of Belly Button Piercing Scars?
Getting rid of belly button piercing scars is doable. Several procedures readily remove belly button piercing scars with little or no damage to the skin. Some of these procedures include:
Application of creams and oils
Certain creams and oils (tea tree oil, emu oil) help in preventing or removing scarring when properly applied to the affected region
Surgical treatments like umbilicoplasty
A surgical procedure like umbilicoplasty can also be used to remove a belly button piercing scar. First, an incision is made, and the scar tissue is removed. The area is then correctly cleaned and sutured.
Silicone treatments and cortisone treatment
For keloid-related growths, they can be treated using silicone dressings, as it helps in flattening the tissue. Cortisone treatment can also be used. This involves injecting the affected region with cortisone to help shrink and heal.
Cryotherapy procedures
Cryotherapy also works effectively, freezing the affected part and stopping all unwanted growths.
Conclusion
A belly button piercing can be an excellent way of accessorizing and switching up your body art game. But, it had to be done correctly and under the right conditions. Do well to use the above-listed tips, and you should have your piercing with no risk of injury or scarring.
