How much does a belly button piercing cost?
How much does a belly button piercing cost?
$50 – $100 average cost (piercing + basic jewelry)
Average belly button piercing cost
Belly button piercing prices range from $50 to $100 on average for the piercing fee and basic jewelry. However, belly button piercing costs vary depending on the location, piercer's experience and reputation, and your chosen jewelry. Sterile saline wash for aftercare of your navel piercing costs $5 to $15.
| Component | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Piercing fee | $30 – $50 |
| Basic jewelry | $20 – $50 |
| Total cost | $50 – $100 |
Belly button piercings, also called navel piercings, have been a popular form of body modification for decades. Navel piercings usually go through the upper part of the belly button.
Navel piercing price factors
Several factors influence the final cost of a belly button piercing:
Locale: The cost of piercing can fluctuate based on your geographical location. Typically, urban areas and cities with a high cost of living tend to have more expensive piercing services.
Expertise & reputation: Studios with a solid reputation and piercers with extensive experience often command higher prices due to their proven skills and knowledge.
Jewelry type & quality: Jewelry costs vary widely depending on the quality and design. The most common jewelry materials for navel piercings are implant-grade steel, titanium, 14K gold, and 18K gold. Steel is budget-friendly, but high-quality titanium and gold are less likely to cause a skin reaction.
Additional offerings: The cost can also depend on whether the studio includes any aftercare products or follow-up visits in their initial pricing. Some studios might charge an additional $20 to $40 per visit.
Sterilization practices: Piercing studios with advanced sterilization methods may have higher operational costs, which translates to higher prices.
Discounts: Some shops offer discounts for multiple piercings, reduced student rates, or other promotions.
When considering the cost, prioritize safety and quality over finding the cheapest option. A low-priced piercing might seem attractive, but it could lead to complications if performed by an inexperienced piercer or with low-quality jewelry.
Types of navel jewelry
For belly button piercings, most people start with a curved, 14-gauge barbell that is 7/16-inch in length. After the piercing heals completely, you can explore other jewelry options.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Curved barbell | Most common for initial piercings |
| Circular barbell | Circular open hoop with a ball on each end |
| Captive bead ring | Simple closed loop with a bead |
| Non-dangle belly ring | Curved barbell with gems on the ends instead of metal balls |
| Dangle/charm belly ring | Curved barbell with a dangling charm on the end |
| Twister spiral belly ring | Aptly named, a twisted spiral with a ball at each end |
Belly button piercing process
The entire navel piercing process typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Some studios require an appointment, while others offer walk-in services. Here's a general outline of what you can expect from start to finish:
Consultation: Your piercer will discuss the piercing process, aftercare, and answer any questions you have. They will also assess your belly button area to confirm it's suitable for navel piercing.
Preparation: They clean and mark the proper spot for piercing. An experienced piercer typically determines the best spot for the piercing by observing the area during your movement, both sitting and standing.
Piercing: They use a hollow needle to create the piercing. This step is quick, usually taking only a few seconds. A small bit of blood is normal.
Jewelry insertion: The piercer then threads your chosen jewelry through the opening.
Cleaning: They clean the area to remove any blood and ensure it's sanitized.
Aftercare instructions: Your piercer should provide detailed instructions to ensure proper healing.
Aftercare & cleaning
Proper aftercare is crucial for healing and preventing infections. The cost of aftercare products is often overlooked but should be factored into your budget. For belly button piercing, most studios recommend sterile saline solution, or wound wash, which costs $5 to $15, depending on the brand and size.
While your piercer should send you home with detailed instructions, basic aftercare steps include:
Cleaning the piercing once or twice daily with sterile saline solution
Leaving any crust that forms to come off on its own
Avoiding touching the piercing with dirty hands
Not using alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, harsh soaps, lotions, perfumes, or anything else unless advised by a doctor
Avoiding submerging the piercing in water (pools, lakes, hot tubs) during healing
Wearing clean clothing that is loose, soft, and doesn't disturb the area
Covering the piercing with a bandage when wearing clothing that rubs against it
Seeing a doctor right away if you notice any signs of possible infection
Navel piercing risks & contraindications
For most people, navel piercing is generally safe when performed by a qualified professional, but as with all piercings, they carry some risks:
Infection: Proper aftercare reduces this risk significantly.
Allergic reactions: Choose hypoallergenic jewelry to minimize this risk.
Scarring: Some people are prone to keloid formation, or thick scarring around the piercing. Proper aftercare and high-quality jewelry can help prevent unnecessary scars.
Tearing: Keep the piercing covered to protect the jewelry from snagging on something.
Migration or rejection: The body may push the jewelry out over time. Use jewelry with the proper thickness—14 gauge—to help prevent this.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for belly button piercing. Consult a doctor if you're pregnant, overweight, recently gave birth, or have an autoimmune disorder, diabetes, hemophilia, a heart condition, or a skin condition.
Rejection
Piercing rejection happens when your body treats the jewelry like a splinter and attempts to push it out. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as rapid weight loss or gain, improper placement, incorrect jewelry size, or poor-quality piercing jewelry. Signs of rejection include:
The jewelry moves closer to the skin's surface.
The jewelry becomes more visible through the skin.
The piercing hole widens.
You experience persistent redness, inflammation, or discharge from the piercing.
If you notice any of these signs, consult your piercer immediately. Removing the jewelry early can minimize scarring. While you can’t always prevent rejection, proper aftercare and high-quality jewelry can reduce the risk.
Belly button piercing FAQs
How long does a belly button piercing take to heal?
A belly button piercing typically takes 6 months to 1 year to heal completely. Factors that affect the healing time include your overall health, aftercare routine, body shape, activity level, and how well you avoid irritating the piercing.
Do belly button piercings hurt?
Pain levels for belly button piercings vary from person to person, but many people describe it as very similar to the pain of getting your ears pierced. The healing process afterward may involve some tenderness and mild discomfort.
At what age can you get a belly button piercing?
Age requirements for belly button piercing vary depending on where you live. Many studios require you to be 18 years or older. Some studios do piercings for minors age 14+ if they have a parent or guardian with them. Always check your local laws and studio policies.
Can you get a belly button piercing with an outie?
Most professionals advise against getting a belly button piercing if you have an outie. Outie belly buttons involve more than just surface skin and have a higher risk of infections and complications. Consult an experienced piercer to assess your suitability.
When can I change my belly button piercing?
Wait until your piercing heals completely before changing jewelry, which typically takes 6 to 12 months. Changing jewelry too early can irritate the piercing and prolong healing.
Piercing price comparison
The following table shows how the price of belly button piercing compares to other piercing prices.
| Piercing type | Average cost (piercing fee + basic jewelry) |
|---|---|
| Lip piercing cost | $50 – $100 |
| Earlobe piercing cost | $30 – $85 (earlobe) $40 – $150+ (complex / cartilage) |
| Helix piercing cost | $40 – $90 |
| Industrial piercing cost | $70 – $100 |
| Eyebrow piercing cost | $40 – $90 |
| Belly button piercing cost | $50 – $100 |
| Nose piercing cost | $50 – $100 |
| Septum piercing cost | $50 – $100 |
| Tongue piercing cost | $40 – $160 |
| Nipple piercing cost | $50 – $100 |
How to choose the best piercing shop near you
As you research local piercing shops for your new belly button piercing, the following guidelines can help you feel confident you're choosing a qualified and trustworthy piercer:
Identify top-rated piercing studios through online reviews on Fash and Google.
Review their portfolio online or in the shop to evaluate their expertise.
Verify the piercer's credentials and ongoing professional development.
Seek out piercers who are actively affiliated with the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) or other relevant organizations.
Assess the studio's cleanliness and layout in person.
Confirm they have up-to-date and well-maintained sterilization equipment.
Check for proper sterilization of all piercing materials.
Ensure the shop uses only safe piercing techniques.
Explore the jewelry material and design options for your piercing.
Choose a piercer who makes you feel at ease.
Piercing guns are popular in malls and retail stores, but these devices cannot be properly sterilized in an autoclave, increasing the risk of infection. They also cause "blunt force trauma" to the ear, furthering the risk of complications. The Association of Professional Piercers recommends using a needle for all piercings, even a simple earlobe piercing.
Questions to ask a professional piercer
Key questions to ask when selecting a piercer and studio include:
How many years have you been in the piercing industry?
Are you properly licensed for this region (if applicable)?
What's your educational background in piercing?
Do you belong to any professional piercing associations?
Can I view your portfolio of piercings?
Do you offer free consultations?
Am I a suitable candidate for a belly button piercing?
Are there any reasons I should not get a belly button piercing?
What jewelry materials do you use?
What initial jewelry do you recommend?
How is your jewelry pricing structured?
Are your needles single-use and sterile?
Can you detail your sterilization methods?
What's your autoclave testing schedule?
Can you walk me through the piercing procedure?
Will you provide detailed aftercare instructions?
Does the piercing fee include any aftercare products or follow-up visits?
What's your policy on piercing issues?
Is it possible to see your piercing setup?
How do you determine the correct jewelry sizing?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.