7 Ways To Get Rid Of Belly Button Piercing Scar

Discover quick and easy ways to keep your navel healthy, smooth, and scar-free.

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• Mar 20, 2024

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Imagine wanting to rock that new bikini for that much-awaited beach vacation, but getting stopped in your tracks due to your belly button piercing scar. Dealing with piercing scars can be frustrating. However, don’t feel disappointed. With the right approach, you can easily reduce the visibility of an existing scar and even prevent it from developing. In this article, we will explore natural ways and medical treatments to fade belly button piercing scars, understand what they look like, and preventive measures to take. Scroll down to know more.

In This Article

Does A Belly Button Piercing Leave A Scar?

A close up of a woman with a belly button piercing

Image: Shutterstock

The answer is yes. Belly button piercings can cause scarring due to the following factors:

Infection – Improper aftercare can increase the risk of developing an infection. This may prolong the healing process, leaving one with a scar (1).
Trauma – The jewelry snagging on your clothes or bed sheets during the healing process can cause the skin to tear, resulting in a scar (2).

Following proper aftercare practices and taking infection prevention measures play a vital role in minimizing the risk of scarring. Seeking professional advice and guidance during the healing process may help promote optimal healing.

You may notice different types of skin changes in and around the belly button piercing, including minor discoloration and raised scar tissues. Check out the section below to learn more about the skin changes and what belly button scars may look like.

What Do Belly Button Piercing Scars Look Like?

Woman with a scar near her belly button piercing

Image: Shutterstock

You may notice the following issues on the skin around the piercing site:

Discoloration: Sometimes a scar may result in excess melanin production. This may cause dark patches or discoloration around the piercing site (3).
Keloid Scars: These are raised, thick scars that may extend beyond the original piercing site. They can be red, pink, or purple and may itch or feel tender (4).
Hypertrophic Piercing Scars: They are raised patches of skin that typically remain within the boundaries of the piercing site (4).

Learning about the different types of scars will help you understand their healing time. Check out the next section to know more.

How Long Do Belly Button Piercing Scars Take To Heal?

The healing time for a belly button piercing scar varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the piercing and how well the piercing was cared for during the healing process. The healing time will also vary depending on the type of scars. For instance, hypertrophic scars do not extend beyond the piercing site and tend to flatten over time, which can take between 6 months to several years, without any further symptoms (5). On the other hand, keloids may take anywhere between 3 months to 12 months to appear, after which they may stop. Since keloids do not go away on their own, your doctor may suggest surgery or a laser to improve their appearance (5), (6).

Another factor that plays a key role in the healing process is the individual’s immunity. Those with a weak immune system or a dysregulated immune response may experience a delay in the healing process (7).

Following proper piercing aftercare instructions such as keeping the area clean and avoiding irritation can promote faster healing and reduce the visibility of the scar (8). However, it’s essential to be patient and consistent with aftercare routines to allow the body enough time to heal naturally.

If you are looking for quick and effective ways to speed up the healing process and improve the appearance of your belly button scar, scroll down to the next section to find out.

7 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Belly Button Piercing Scars

A bottle of vitamin E oil for fading belly button piercing scar

Image: Shutterstock

Neglect or trauma during the healing process can leave one with a belly button piercing scar. Here is how you can improve the appearance of this body piercing scar:

Silicone Gel Sheets: Applying silicone gel regularly may hydrate the scar and reduce collagen deposition. This may help flatten and reduce the appearance of piercing scars over time (9). You can purchase this silicone dressing from a local or online pharmacy.
Vitamin E Oil: It may aid in wound healing and promote skin regeneration that may help fade the scar (10). Massage vitamin E oil or creams containing vitamin E extract onto the scarred area 1 or 2 times per day.
Onion Extract Cream: The flavonoids present in onion extract may boost collagen production, which may help reduce the appearance of scars (11). Apply this cream regularly to diminish your belly button piercing scar.
Aloe Vera Gel: Applying aloe vera gel twice or thrice a day may reduce inflammation, regenerate new skin, and decrease and improve the appearance of the scar (12), (13).
Laser Therapy: Non-ablative laser treatment may help target and break down the overgrowths of scar tissue (fibrous tissue) and boost collagen production, promoting a smoother skin texture. This treatment is especially effective for hypertrophic and keloid scars (14).
Microdermabrasion: This procedure gently buffs away surface layers of skin to reveal fresher, smoother skin underneath. This may help reduce the appearance of your belly button scar (15).
Surgical Revision: In severe cases, your dermatologist may suggest this minor surgery that involves removing scar tissue to improve the appearance of piercing scars (16).

Pro Tip

You may use a concealer or foundation close to your skin tone to hide your scar.

While the treatments above may help fade the scar, you can check out the section below for some effective tips to prevent belly button scarring in the first place.

Tips For Preventing Navel Piercing Scars

Image: Shutterstock

They say prevention is better than cure. With that said, following the tips given below can help reduce the risk of developing this scar (8), (17):

Avoid touching the piercing or playing with the jewelry to prevent irritation and potential scarring.
Choose high-quality jewelry materials like titanium or surgical steel to minimize the risk of allergic reactions and complications.
Wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent friction and irritation around the piercing site.
Avoid exposing the piercing to cosmetic and personal care products with harsh chemicals, such as alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, as that could irritate the skin and slow down healing.
Consume a balanced diet and ensure proper hydration to support the body’s natural healing process and reduce the risk of scarring (18), (19).

Pro Tip

Use clothing or sunscreen to shield the scarred area from direct sunlight as the UV rays may cause hyperpigmentation and make it more noticeable (20).

Diligently following the aftercare and hygiene practices recommended by your piercer can help prevent infections and reduce the risk of scarring. Find out more about it in the next section.

How Can I Prevent Infections That Lead To Scarring?

Improper aftercare or hygiene practices can increase the risk of infection and lead to scarring. Here are some simple tips to decrease this possibility (8):

Keep the piercing site clean and dry at all times.
Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water, such as pools, hot tubs, or lakes.
Use a saline solution or mild soap recommended by your piercer to clean the piercing twice daily to remove all debris and bacteria from the area.
Choose a piercing studio with high hygiene and professional standards to minimize the risk of infections.
Avoid high-intensity sports and activities during the healing period as exposure to sweat and dirt may infect the piercing site.

Taking proper care of the fresh piercing is crucial for scar management. While it’s impossible to remove a belly button piercing scar completely, you can always improve its appearance. Using silicone gel sheets, vitamin E oil, aloe vera gel, etc. may help to diminish its appearance to a great extent. Some scars may also require medical intervention and treatments such as laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and surgical removal. However, always consult a doctor or a piercing professional to determine a solution depending on your needs. So, don’t be discouraged. With the right approach, you can easily achieve smoother skin and embrace your belly button piercing with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pregnancy affect a belly button piercing scar?

Yes, pregnancy causes the abdominal skin around the belly button to stretch. This pressure can lead to stretch marks and make your piercing scar more visible. You may consult your doctor or a professional piercer to get the piercing taken out to reduce the probability of scarring.

Should I be concerned if my scar changes color?

Your scar may appear red or purple-red in the earlier stages of healing. But as it starts to heal, it will become flatter and almost resemble your skin color. However, if the scar continues to remain red and is accompanied by other symptoms like pain or discharge, consult a healthcare professional immediately.

Why is my belly button scar itchy?

Your belly button scar may itch during the healing period, which is normal (4). Other factors such as dryness or an allergic reaction may cause itchiness, which may require evaluation and medical intervention by a healthcare provider.

Can I get my belly button re-pierced over the scar tissue?

This can only be determined after consulting your piercer. They may recommend getting it re-pierced in a nearby area or re-piercing it once the scar tissue has healed to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Is it possible to completely remove a belly button piercing scar?

No, treatments such as laser treatment and natural remedies such as aloe vera may help improve its appearance but may not remove it completely.

Key Takeaways

Belly button piercings may lead to scarring due to factors such as trauma and infection.
Treatment options such as silicone gel sheets and vitamin E oil may help improve the appearance of the scar.
Regularly cleaning the piercing and avoiding high-intensity sports may help prevent the risk of scarring.

A belly button piercing scar can prevent you from sporting that favorite bikini on a vacation. But fret not. Watch the video below to learn how to reduce its appearance with this popular treatment.

References

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