I Pierced My Belly Button! Sorry Dad!
I never thought I would be someone with multiple piercings. I mean shoot, y’all
know I didn’t even get my ears pierced until just last year! (You can read all
about that experience here.) However, one text from a friend suggesting
matching piercings and a few emotional breakdowns later I found myself
standing in front of the only tattoo parlor open on a Sunday to get my fourth.
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This Sunday started like any other. I went to church and then decided to
head to Wichita to try my hand at some inventory sourcing for The Everyday
Look (you can find the links for my store here).
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I wasn’t having the best of luck with my sourcing this day, only finding a few
items here and there which really wasn’t what I was expecting when I walked
into the store, but that is just how thrifting goes sometimes. However, this
lackluster thrifting trip allowed my mind some time to wander and about halfway
through I began to hear whispering from my impulsive side.
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After a quick Google search I found the only tattoo parlor in Wichita
that was actually open on a Sunday, Addictions In Ink.
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Now don’t start freaking out. I made sure to read the reviews before going. I might be a little crazy, but I’m not dumb. lol
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I strolled up to the door annnnnd my heart sank. On the door there were multiple
signs that read “appointment only” which as y’all know I did not have. However, I was
already there so I decided to just go inside anyway. I talked to the receptionist and
asked if they were doing walk-ins at all. She replied with a no, but asked what I was
wanting to get done. After I told her I wanted to get my belly button pierced she
checked the schedule and saw that their piercer Molli had a little time before her
next appointment so she asked her if she could squeeze me in quick and off we went!
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I scanned a QR code to fill out a waiver
This was a pretty standard release form (that mainly catered toward tattoos) asking about health conditions and acting as a C.Y.A. for them of course.
picked out my jewelry (I chose one of the more expensive options and kind of
wish I would have gotten it in black instead of pink but oh well….can always change it later
down the road) and then followed Molli back to a little room to do the piercing.
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I’m not going to lie to y’all, I was nervous. I don’t like needles and I knew this probably
wasn’t going to be the most pleasant experience (I accidentally saw the needle that
she was going to use to do the piercing with and it definitely was not a small
one so that didn’t help matters lol), but Molli really helped keep me calm by
walking me through everything she was doing and how the piercing was
going to go. Y’all she was absolutely amazing.
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I laid down on an exam table and Molli used a purple marker to place a dot right
under the lip of my belly button and right above it. I double checked the placement
in the mirror to make sure it was centered and then it was time. She clamped the
top part of my belly button,
Example image: https://familydoctor.org/body-piercing/
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had me take a deep breath in, and then on the exhale stuck that needle right on
through. I wish I could tell you that it didn’t hurt, but it did. Lol The second that
needle went through my entire body went board stiff and I really struggled with
continuing to breathe. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and grab my
belly, but we weren’t done yet. Molli kept asking if I was okay and reminding
me to breathe as she continued to push the needle through followed by the
jewelry. Honestly, I think my top piercing on my ears hurt a heck of
a lot worse, but my belly button lasted longer and was just more
uncomfortable than anything. If I had to rate the pain of my belly button
piercing I would say it was probably about 5 or 6.
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And then that was it! I was literally in and out of the tattoo parlor in 15 minutes.
Before I left Molli walked me through some aftercare information and then it was
off to live life as a newly pierced girl. lol
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1st pic post piercing!
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Piercing Information:
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Location:
Addictions In Ink
1255 S Tyler Rd suite a, Wichita, KS 67209
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Cost: $70 (starts at $55, but my choice in jewelry raised it)
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Cash only (ATM is present if needed)
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Aftercare:
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The piercing felt pretty good right afterwards, but as the day went on it really
started to burn (in fact this burning sensation hurt waaay worse than the
piercing itself; at least a 7 or 8 on the pain scale), but this was pretty typical and
happened with my other 3 piercings as well so I wasn’t concerned. It was gone by the next day.
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I stopped at Walmart on my way home and picked up some saline solution
and Q-tips. I have been using these to clean my new piercing twice a day
once in the morning before leaving for work and once at
night right after my shower.
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As far as showering goes I don't wash it directly but instead let the soap (unscented)
and warm water just run down from the top of my body onto it. Once out of the
shower I use a towel to dry around the piercing and a paper towel or toilet paper
to dab dry the piercing itself (this helps keep towel fuzzies out of the piercing).
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That whole week after getting the piercing I also benched my high waisted jeans
and any tight shirts replacing them with some Amazon leggings and
loose fitting tops as Molli suggested to allow the piercing a chance
to breathe and heal. Although honestly the piercing was
definitely tender with the slightest touch sending a wave of pain through me
so I didn't want anything pressing on it anyway.
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Here's one of the outfits I wore to work the week after my piercing. Outfit details linked
!
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I also spent the entire week with
the world's best posture because any bending or slouching was definitely
uncomfortable. Oh and forget laying on your stomach. Luckily I sleep on my side, but
sometimes I like to lay on my stomach while I am on my computer or something
like that and that definitely was a big no go. Even twisting or moving
too quickly stung.
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Now it has been a little over 2 weeks since the piercing and life has returned
to normal. Lol I can bend over again without it hurting, bumps aren't the
worst thing (although I do still try to avoid that), I can lay on my stomach, and l have even tried
workouts which I was thankfully able to do without any issues. Honestly, most of the
time I don't even notice it and sometimes completely forget that I had it done so I would
say it was a success! I will be keeping the original jewelry in there for a few
months (as suggested) and continue to clean it during that time as well. I have noticed
that it is definitely starting to heal and heal well so that's great news!
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Final Takeaways/Things to Know:
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After you get your piercing done you are going to want to touch it. Don't do it.
Not only is it going to hurt, but messing with your piercing can actually lead
to a higher chance of infection and might lengthen the healing process.
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Clean it often. Like I said I clean mine twice a day, but there really
is no such thing as cleaning it too much.
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Don't remove your jewelry for at least a few months. Taking out the jewelry
from the tattoo parlor too soon can irritate your piercing and lead to some
issues such as infection and pain. You will want to keep your piercing
in for a few months if not a year. (So better choose one you like at the tattoo parlor lol)
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Be prepared with low waisted pants/leggings and loose fitting shirts. Before
this experience almost my entire wardrobe was high waisted skinny jeans
and tight fitting tops which were definitely NOT the move after I got my piercing
done. Luckily I had just ordered some Amazon leggings to try so things worked
out, but if you aren't going to impulsively pierce your belly button like me prepare
yourself by getting these items beforehand (and by wearing them to
the piercing appointment).
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Do I regret it? Honestly I did the first couple of days afterwards just because
it was uncomfortable and a little inconvenient at times, but now
I love it and am so glad I did it!
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And that is pretty much it! If you are thinking about getting your belly
button pierced and have any more questions let me know!
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