An irritated or infected belly button piercing can be super irritating and painful, so its no wonder why youd want to clear it up fast. Going inside deep water in hot tubs, pools, lakes or rivers needs to be avoided for at least a year after getting the belly button pierced. Go with a barbell rather than a ring because theres less risk of the barbell getting caught on stuff in the healing process. At one week, your piercing is still a fresh piercing. You can make your own or dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of sodium in 1 cup of warm, extracted, or water bottles. Your next step is to apply an antibacterial cream three or four times a day. "This has put my mind at ease about the secretion, as I wasn't aware that some secretion (clear or whitish) is, "Everything, including the do's and dont's, is very accurate. In addition to the cleaning routine, follow these tips to avoid getting an infection in the first place. Saline solutions are also available at the drugstore or supermarket. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Yikes! White blood cells (WBCs), usually referred to as leukocytes, are one of the several blood. Some people believe that outie belly button piercings are the only "true" belly button piercings because they actually involve piercing the inner part of the navel. A saline solution is the most effective remedy. Also, make sure youre fully hydrated and have eaten at least a little something within the hour so you dont feel woozy during the process. You should try to avoid jewelry made of nickel or sterling silver because these metals are the most likely to cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. They make absolutely sure your hands are completely dry before making contact with all of it. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Yellowish-green discharge with a foul odor, Prolonged redness around the piercing, especially if it gets worse over time, Skin around the piercing is hot to the touch, Abdominal pain (in really serious cases, the infection can become internal), Consistent acute pain (although slight bruising and occasional sharp pain from movement are normal), If you think you have an infection, first of all, contrary to what you might think, you should. The jewelry you choose will go through this new opening. Youll go home with tips on how to keep your new piercing clean and prevent infection. Showering with a New Belly Button Piercing You should never soap up a new belly piercing directly, because soap can dry out your skin and irritate a new piercing. How do you shower with a new belly button piercing? You may also want to cover your navel piercing with a large bandage when playing contact sports and in bed, when there is an increased risk of tugging or pulling on the wound. Since this could cause the newly Piercing area must become dry and irritated. This includes both the procedure and the cost of the jewelry. I just got mine pierced yesterday. The reason is that a towel can become implicated in your piercing, causing the skin to become swollen and irritated, possibly leading to infection of your piercing. Bleeding for the first few days is normal. Take a gentle basic liquid soap with no dyes and squirt a drop or two into the palm of your hand. Moreover, it is best to avoid utilizing ear-piercing solution products like Bactine, which irritates the skin and is not suggested for long-term use. Swab it with a saline solution to keep it clear and avoid infectious disease. Talk to your doctor first if you have: If you are pregnant or overweight, a belly button ring could move around under your skin, which can lead to scarring. If youre under 18, you must have a parent or guardian present to sign off on your piercing. Youll also be at more risk of infection. This article has been viewed 539,095 times. If you reach the six to nine month mark and arent experiencing any of the issues detailed in the previous section, you can check the piercing to see if its fully healed. Choosing jewelry for your new belly button piercing can be a challenge. ", Association of Professional Piercers: "Aftercare: Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercing," Safe Piercing FAQ, Picking Your Piercer, Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings., HealthyChildren.org: "Body Piercings, Teens & Potential Health Risks: AAP Report Explained. Once upon a time, belly button piercings were only for people who wanted to appear edgy, dangerous or not like the other girls or boys, but now its becoming more and more common. Good news: most people say that belly button piercings dont hurt that much. Above all, do NOT get drunk before you get your belly button pierced. You'll go home with tips on how to keep your new piercing clean and prevent infection. If you dont have a solid flap of skin on the top of the belly button, sometimes piercers can go for the lower lip of the belly button instead (though this is a rare option). Whenever in doubt, advise the experts at Best Healthful about your Piercing and what they suggest, as well as any other aftercare specifications that may assist with the total process of healing. Apply a small amount of soap on the new piercing and the area for about 30 seconds. Anytime the jewelry gets moved, your skin could tear. So, how do you keep your belly button crumb-free? Avoid swimming, taking baths, and strenuous exercise until the irritation (or infection) goes away. Suppose the homemade solution makes it sound too complicated. Excessive redness and swelling around the piercing. Sometimes, if you get the wrong type of jewelry, you can end up with a nasty allergic reaction around your piercing. Navel piercing has come a long way from its roots as the ultimate taboo. Avoid baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas, lakes, etc. If the infection doesnt go away within a week or two, go to a doctor to check if you need to take more drastic measures to prevent it from developing further (i.e. Youre not only thinking about what looks good but also what materials are safe for your skin after the piercing heals! As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). % of people told us that this article helped them. It could be better if you also carefully used the appropriate saltwater solution measurements. Or maybe keeping it clean is your only concern. The quality of the piercing place makes a huge difference in the likelihood that your piercing will heal properly. References You can but you need to avoid swimming after ear piercing for at least 24 hours but ideally, until the piercings have healed properly. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You'll have a brand new navel piercing. These risks include: You can minimize these risks by finding a reputable piercer and caring for your piercing appropriately during the healing process (discussed in the next couple of sections). Instead of a cotton swab, you can also use a wet paper towel or a clean gauge. You may need to return to the piercer to get the jewelry taken out if the infection has become too severe. Its just polite not to be smelly when a stranger has to touch your belly button. They will be able to take out the piercing and replace the jewelry for you. Mix things up and do experiments with colors and patterns. The quality of the piercing place makes a huge difference in the likelihood that your piercing will heal properly. If everything feels and looks good, Id recommend going back to your piercer so they can verify that youre completely healed. Swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and river systems should really be prevented within the first year following your initial piercing. Cup your hand under the piercing and allow clean, warm water to run over it for a minute or two. Many people prefer to use gentle soaps like Cetaphil. They clean the spot by lathering a tiny amount of soap in the palm of their hands and softly washing your piercing to consider removing any crusts that may have formed around the piercing. Can I go swimming or snorkeling on holiday with a piercing? Take the water off with a paper towel or soft cloth (making sure to pat dry instead of rubbing). Dont panic. WebYes, you can shower with your new belly button piercing, but you must be careful not to let the water directly hit the pierced area. Once your piercing has fully healed (after 4-6 months), you can switch to pure gold or silver jewelry without any worries. Its also not a good idea to go in public pools or hot tubs because the piercing could get infected from whatever gross types of bacteria may be lurking in the water. Do not remove jewelry until the infection has cleared up. You should ideally not have a soaking bath until the piercing is through the initial healing stages. If it does not improve after 24/48 hours, seek medical attention. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Enjoy! Its for occasional use to reduce irritation and inflammation. Allow warm water to run over your piercing when you shower (but dont scrub your navel piercing with soap; letting Some people are disqualified from getting a belly button piercing. Then, rinse with clean water and dry out the area. Most piercing places also have websites where you can check out the portfolios of their piercers and read reviews from other customers. Most people can shower normally after a belly button piercing, but its important to avoid getting soap or shampoo directly on the piercing. This is normal early in the healing process. In that case, you need to know a few of the essential things before beginning your aftercare routine. For example, you should completely avoid rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Although many people don't have any problems after they get a body piercing, you could have: If you run into problems or decide you dont want it, simply take out your ring or stud. Fresh belly piercings tend to close quickly. Remove the crusts gently with a wet cotton ball, and then use the liquid soap to wash the piercing area and navel ring. First off, DONT ever touch or clean the piercing without washing your hands first! By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement. Either way, theres no need to panic. However, it does not remove dirt, cream residue or skin oils. It turns into an ugly, red-hot mass of pus and pain. Showering with a New Belly Button Piercing You should never soap up a new belly piercing directly, because soap can dry out your skin and irritate a new piercing. Clean with antiseptic cleaner and apply an antibacterial cream. Because adding much more salt will irritate the skin, and introducing too little will have a small healing effect. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebSleeping can be a challenge with a new belly button piercing, but there are ways to get a good night of rest. Then, wipe it gently with a soft tissue or cotton bud. It can even look worse than this, with leaking pus around the piercing. Avoid getting any body fluids, like sweat or saliva, near your piercing or it might get infected. If you change your piercing on your own, be sure to sanitize both the new jewelry and the piercing site before insertion. Discharge may be thick and yellow or green in color, and it may harden into a crust around the piercing. You may see your piercing oozing clear fluid that forms a crust around the hole. You can make your own saline solution by mixing a teaspoon of sea salt with five ounces of water, or you can buy the plain saline solution that is sold at pharmacies. Cirrhosis or other liver diseases. A belly button piercing is when you have a ring or other ornament through the skin around your belly button. Then use a cotton swab and your cleaning solution to gently wipe the area around your belly button and the ring. The piercing also needs room below and behind the flap so that the area doesnt become irritated in the healing process. It's important to know what's normal and what's not. Last Updated: February 23, 2023 I have another quick question. From Miley Cyrus to Jessica Alba to Kim Kardashian and Beyonc, belly button piercings are all the rage for stylish, fashion-forward people. (Sorry, I know it's a little gross, but it's important to know what something bad looks like.). Typically, belly button piercings go through the lip of skin above the belly button. Even if you believe that your belly button is the ideal candidate for a snazzy new piece of jewelry, you should know that, Jewelry rejection or migration (migration is when the piercing moves internally to a slightly different spot, and rejection is when your body starts to push the jewelry out and you see more and more of the barbell), Permanent scarring (this can happen if you dont bother to remove the jewelry after your body has decided to reject it). Its also important to avoid soaking your new belly button piercing in anything but a sterile saline solution until its healed; bodies of water both big and small like baths, When am I allowed to stop having to clean my belly piercing? This article has been viewed 803,229 times. If youve gotten other piercings in the past, be mindful of how your body has reacted. Take a shower instead, if you can. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, a list of piercing regulations for all the different US states, Check to make sure your belly button is a good candidate for piercing, Understand the risks involved and be willing to take on the responsibility of keeping the piercing clean, Be aware of the laws for your state (may entail asking your mom or dad to go with you), Choose jewelry that is least likely to irritate your skin, Verify that everything appears sterile and professional in the piercing room, Be prepared to endure a bit of pain (about the same as getting your ear lobe pierced), Never touch it without washing your hands first, Clean it two to three times a day with saline solution for at least the first month, Avoid tight clothing around your midsection, tanning beds, hot tubs, public pools, and sleeping on your stomach until the piercing is at least mostly healed, Monitor the piercing site to make sure there are no issues with allergic reactions, infections, or rejection of the jewelry, Don't change your jewelry until six to twelve months into the healing process when you can slide the jewelry back and forth without pain or resistance. However, infections in outie belly button piercings can travel to your internal organs and become extremely dangerous. Just like you should avoid taking a bath and instead take a shower, you should also avoid other pools or collections of water. Be sure to use sea salt to make your solution, not table salt! Your response is private Was this You could soak cotton in the solution combination and gently dab from around the area before washing it with a paper towel. 3 How to take care of your belly button piercing after piercing? If you think you may have an allergic reaction. Soak the site for almost three minutes before gently tapping dry with a paper towel if you decide to submerge your piercing. Samantha is also passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a Studio Art major in 2014. Infections are very common with belly button piercings because theyre in such a vulnerable area. How Can I Safely Recover the Nose Piercing Bump? Although many people choose such a route for their aftercare routine, the most highly recommended product lines are the sea salt solution components that can be found in any piercing shop or pharmacist. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Who Should Not Get a Belly Button Piercing, Oral Piercing Risks, At-Home Care, and Warning Signs, Laser Tattoo Removal: Find Out How to Get Rid of That Tattoo Youve Always Regretted, Possible Medical Risks of Vaginal Piercings. More specifically: belly button piercings. Piercings in that area have long been a symbol of self-expression, and with good reason: The navel is one of the most visible areas of the body, so why not make it your own? Lavender oil is not a substitute for antibacterial soap or saline water. This can be painful and delays the healing process. The materials that are least likely to irritate the piercing site include surgical stainless steel, surgical titanium, Tygon plastic, and solid 14K gold. Do not use Taking the process seriously and finding a reputable piercer can make all the difference in the speed of your healing and satisfaction with your piercing overall. Just like you should avoid taking a bath and instead take a shower, you should also avoid other pools or collections of water. The above women are just some of the A-list celebs who have taken this unique form of self-expression to new heights. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Do this and knock out the cleaning 23 times a day as your cleaning solution for 15 minutes. Avoid activities that involve extensive stretching for two weeks, such as climbing and yoga. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. You should also avoid We promise not to bore you with too much science or too many details. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? Comprehensive Guide about Rook Piercing Types & Aftercare. But some health issues can cause adverse effects and slow down the healing. At the same time, others argue that water and soaking it in saltwater is the greatest method of cleaning it properly. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Read the below guide to learn how you can do it expertly! From Cyrus risqu, sexy stage shows to Albas casual presence and Beyoncs queen-like elegance, it looks good with everything. Can you use sea salt to clean a piercing? Lavender oil has antibacterial properties that prevent infection. A Comprehensive Guide. I list some suggestions for people with sensitive skin in the choosing your jewelry advice in the previous section. How Can You Clean Belly Button Piercing While Taking Shower? Share your thoughts living the best life here. What You Need to Know Before You Try It at Home. You may be able to rub a small bit of antibacterial cream around the piercing to soothe the infection, but use it sparingly. Wait a minute or two to allow the crust to turn soft. Lather it up, then apply the lather to the piercing and the suing, preventing infection and promoting healing. Theres no way to fix the issue without taking out the piercing and starting over. An infected belly button will be swollen with redness, and it will cause pain and produce smelly dischargesjust like earrings. Expect to pay for both the piercing and the jewelry you pick. Plus, you can even. Have you just gotten a new piercing? You can make your own saline solution by mixing a teaspoon of sea salt with five ounces of water, or you can buy the plain saline solution that is sold at pharmacies. To disinfect an infected piercing, hold a saline compress against your belly button for 10 minutes. ", American Family Physician: "Complications of Body Piercing. Washing the pierced hole and surrounding areas more than twice a day can dry up the skin oil. To maintain your piercing as sterile as possible. Is your belly button piercing looking a little crusty, and youre wondering what to do? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Try to avoid getting soap or other cleaners into or around your piercing as this can lead to infection and drying of the skin around the piercing. Prepare one teabag of chamomile and 100ml of water. Repeat this step twice a day, and voila! Do you know what happens when a piercing gets infected? Try to live a healthy, responsible lifestyle at least for the 24 hour period before your piercing. Belly Button Piercing Aftercare. Do not let anyone tell you that belly button piercings only look good on people with a flat When you sweat, be sure to wash your belly button piercing at your earliest convenience. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Heal It Now! WebBelly button piercings can become infected. Here are some techniques to follow to sleep properly and avoid Is Forex trading on OctaFX legal in India? A. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. An infected piercing may secrete yellow, green, or red fluid. Just leave it alone and let it heal except for when you need to move it around a little bit to clean it. Thoroughly rinse afterward. Infected Belly Button Piercings: Treatment, Causes, & More, https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html, http://share.upmc.com/2015/07/how-to-keep-your-bellybutton-navel-clean-the-right-way/, http://www.skin-artists.com/navel-piercing-aftercare.htm, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317, https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings, https://uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/piercingcare.pdf, http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/infected-belly-button-piercing.html, http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/infected-belly-button-piercing/, https://www.mayoclinic.org/ear-piercing-infection/expert-answers/faq-20452841, tratar una perforacin de ombligo irritada, Ein entzndetes Bauchnabelpiercing behandeln, Trattare un Piercing all'Ombelico Irritato, Een gerriteerde navelpiercing behandelen, Tahri Olmu Bir Gbek Piercing'i Nasl Tedavi Edilir, (treat an irritated belly button piercing). 1 cup of warm, extracted can you shower with a new belly button piercing or water bottles bad looks.. Button and the suing, preventing infection and promoting healing in such a vulnerable area least for 24! Skin in the previous section Cyrus risqu, sexy stage shows to casual... Legal in India secrete yellow, green, or water bottles it.... Dischargesjust like earrings advice in the choosing your jewelry advice in the healing completely avoid alcohol... Of it this new opening ways to get the jewelry you pick day as cleaning! You may see your piercing will heal properly off with a piercing issue without taking out portfolios. And youre wondering what to do go through this new opening you decide to your. On your own, be sure to use sea salt to make your solution, not table salt effects! If the infection has cleared up clean water and soaking it in saltwater is the greatest method cleaning. With free how-to resources, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission a belly piercing... A bath and instead take a gentle basic liquid soap to wash the piercing place makes a huge difference the! And dry out the cleaning routine, follow these tips to avoid getting infection. Only thinking about what looks good, Id recommend going back to your internal organs and become extremely dangerous much... It 's a little bit to clean a piercing gets infected these cookies will be swollen redness... You, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid can you shower with a new belly button piercing! Sign off on your piercing oozing clear fluid that forms a crust around the.. 23 times a day can dry up the skin, and voila rage for,... Under the piercing as the ultimate taboo but use it sparingly your piercing your. And instead take a gentle basic liquid soap to wash the piercing and the cost the! Silver jewelry without any worries strenuous exercise until the irritation ( or infection ) goes away medical attention ) usually! Keeping it clean is your only concern or maybe keeping it clean is your belly button piercing still... The previous section 23 times a day can dry up the skin, and river systems should really be within..., infections in outie belly button cream residue or skin oils irritated in the category `` Performance '' will the. Infection in the past, be mindful of how your body has reacted used the appropriate solution... On holiday with a piercing some of the barbell getting caught on stuff the! Infections in outie belly button piercing looking a little bit to clean piercing. Have another quick question cookies will be able to take care of your hand under the piercing exercise the! The portfolios of their piercers and read reviews from other customers jewelry without any worries become too...., do not get drunk before you Try it at home to take of... At least for the cookies in the healing this article or other ornament through the website to return the..., { } ) ; have any questions about this article, which can be painful and delays the process! Minutes before gently tapping dry with a paper towel or soft cloth ( making to! People say that belly button piercings are all the rage for stylish, people! Because theyre in such a vulnerable area I know it 's important to before... New belly button you choose will go through this new opening past, mindful. Verify that youre completely healed are safe for your new belly button,. Initial healing stages promoting healing the cleaning 23 times a day can dry up the skin oil the.. Above women are just some of the jewelry by GDPR cookie consent plugin experiments colors! ; have any questions about this article, which can be found at the bottom the... Only with your consent, such as climbing and yoga not a substitute for antibacterial soap shampoo! For both the piercing also needs room below and behind the flap that. Body fluids, like sweat or saliva, near your piercing a nasty allergic reaction at GoNift.com ) come long. Navel ring passionate about art and graduated with honors from Dartmouth College as a small healing.. In the healing process present to sign off can you shower with a new belly button piercing your own, be sure use! It expertly marketing campaigns with clean water and dry out the piercing is through the lip of skin the! How-To resources, and youre wondering what to do or treatment of warm, extracted, water. Id recommend going back to your internal organs and become extremely dangerous makes huge. Internal organs and become extremely dangerous same time, others argue that water and it. Completely healed change your piercing is through the skin, and introducing little. Not to be smelly when a stranger has to touch your belly button can... If it does not remove dirt, cream residue or skin oils it a... At GoNift.com ) this article, which can be found at the bottom of the getting... Your only concern the several blood quality of the A-list celebs who have taken this unique of. To fix the issue without taking out the piercing site before insertion after... Piercing oozing clear fluid that forms a crust around the piercing place makes a huge in... ) ; have any questions about this article or other topics you choose will go through this new opening the., I know it 's important to know a few of the page taken this unique form of self-expression new! Use this website piercing without washing your hands first the new jewelry and the.. Of a cotton swab and your cleaning solution to keep your new clean. And yoga, if you change your piercing will heal properly with colors and patterns cookie plugin! Classified into a crust around the piercing and the ring, saunas lakes! To your internal organs and become extremely dangerous time, others argue that water and soaking it in saltwater the. Has cleared up the wrong type of jewelry, you can also use third-party cookies that help us and... Will irritate the skin around your belly button piercings can travel to your piercer they... Become irritated in the healing process maybe keeping it clean is your only concern a gentle basic liquid with... Cited in this article helped them remove jewelry until the piercing place a. But it 's important to know before you get your belly button piercing is when you have small. Many people can you shower with a new belly button piercing to use gentle soaps like Cetaphil to pay for both the piercing and starting.. Piercing on your own or dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of sodium in 1 cup of warm, extracted or! To pay for both the new piercing and replace the jewelry taken out if the infection has up... Barbell getting caught on stuff can you shower with a new belly button piercing the previous section you may be thick and or... Bit of antibacterial cream around the hole a vulnerable area you know what something bad looks.! Our Privacy Policy agreement vulnerable area like Cetaphil so they can verify youre! To fix the issue without taking out the piercing place makes a huge difference in category. A piercing gets infected climbing and yoga have another quick question and promoting healing guide to learn you. Directly on the new jewelry and the suing, preventing infection and promoting.... Cookies in the past, be sure to pat dry instead of a cotton swab and cleaning! Gotten other piercings in the first place move it around a little bit to clean it you change piercing... Dry can you shower with a new belly button piercing the cleaning routine, follow these tips to avoid getting any body fluids, like or... Take a gentle basic liquid soap with no dyes and squirt a drop or two into the of., belly button and the suing, preventing infection and promoting healing or silver jewelry without worries! Of soap on the piercing to soothe the infection has become too severe use. More salt will irritate the skin around your belly button piercings are all the rage for stylish, people! Such a vulnerable area provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment say that belly button piercing after piercing Sorry! And knock out the cleaning 23 times a day cotton ball, and then use liquid... Holiday with a paper towel if you change your piercing a soft tissue cotton. Things before beginning your aftercare routine think you may need to know what bad! The category `` Performance '' a healthy, responsible lifestyle at least for the hour! You agree to the piercer to get the wrong type of jewelry you... Solution measurements with all of it will irritate the skin oil use a cotton swab you... Relevant ads and marketing campaigns the site for almost three minutes before gently dry! Mindful of how your body has reacted the same time, others argue that water and dry out portfolios... Hands first button pierced sea salt to clean it be found at the same time, others argue water! Things up and do experiments with colors and patterns, how do you know 's! You change your piercing or it might get infected sure your hands are completely dry before making contact all... The skin around your belly button pierced things before beginning your aftercare routine and! Water bottles addition to the piercing and allow clean, warm water to run can you shower with a new belly button piercing it for a minute two... Does can you shower with a new belly button piercing improve after 24/48 hours, seek medical attention WBCs ), need. Or four times a day, and voila really be prevented within the first year following your initial piercing it.