Inverse Navel
At A Glance Author When Three months ago Artist Laura Studio Stings in Oasis Location Birmingham, UK Introduction
Getting my navel done was a spur of the moment sort of thing. I had previously always thought that navel piercing looked 'common' and to be honest a bit 'chavvy'. However I then came across the Inverse Navel and instantly liked it – it looked different and unusual. I decided that next time I went to Birmingham I was going to get it done. The day came (two days later), I went to have something to eat and went off to Sting's piercers at Oasis – where I previously had my outer conch and rook pierced. I decided to keep the piercing a secret from my mum – she dislikes piercings; it was hard enough to convince her to let me get my ear done twice on the same ear, let alone on my belly. However I did tell my dad – he's much more lenient as he knows I can just remove it and a navel piercing isn't on my face (he won't let me get my lip done but I'll be at university soon and he said he'll be cool with it if I get my lip done then).
The Process
I arrived at the studio said what I wanted and paid my money. I was then asked if I wanted a BCR or Belly Bar. I chose the latter – a double red jewelled bar. I paid my money – which was £34 of what I can remember - while the bar got sterilised. I was then called into the piercing room while she got the needle out of the packet. She marked the position claiming that I had 'the perfect belly for this type of piercing,' she asked me to check and I was pleased with the positioning. She then went on to spray my belly with freeze spray – a strange sensation, and pierced. The piercing process felt strange as I could feel no pain due to the spray but I could feel the needle sliding underneath my skin. She put in the bar and away I went as happy as can be.
I think my dad liked it – he said he did but he didn't make much comment to be fair.
Afterwards
I decided to have a look at around Oasis before I left, and saw a gorgeous pair of lace up ankle boots. I tried them on, but when I leant over to do up the laces my belly really started to sting.
The day after I had work – a waitress, and to my surprise we were busy. This therefore meant that I could feel it, and it ached loads! However a week or so after the 'achiness' subsided.
I cleaned the piercing three times a day with salt solution for about a month.
After a month I went back to Oasis and got the bar downsized, although there wasn't much swelling but I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry.
Unfortunately, I have to admit that after the downsizing I was a bit stupid and didn't clean it as much as before. Instead I just cleaned it in the shower and a sea salt soak every other day. The exit hole got quite red but luckily it was just irritation rather than an infection – however if I get my navel pierced again (as I'm planning on doing) I will be sure to carry on the aftercare process for longer.
The End
The inverse navel piercing has caused me to change my original narrow minded opinion about navel piercings.
It is now my 2nd favourite piercing – after my rook.
I would highly recommend Stings in Oasis to anyone – they do all of my piercings and I also highly recommend the inverse navel – it's more unusual and unique than the standard navel piercing.
I now wish to get my navel pierced another two or three times to get a navel project on the go and then also get my hips pierced. However I am a bit cautious in doing so in case it triggers my inverse to reject – something which I do not wish to happen.
My mum still hasn't noticed it – which I'm thankful for. I will tell her that I have my belly done someday – probably when I'm at university. That way my dad won't get into trouble for not telling her as she won't know that he knows.
I do have to say however that even after having it done for four months now and being used to it being there, I still like to play with it and I still haven't got used to felling a bit of metal under your skin. I think it feels ever so strange. However I do love my inverse navel, and don't regret getting it done.
It was one of the best spur of the moment things I've ever done.