A navel piercing creates a channel of healed tissue known as a fistula. Closing this opening means encouraging the body to collapse and seal this tunnel, a process governed by specific biological factors. The final appearance after jewelry removal depends heavily on the piercing’s age and how the body handles scar tissue formation.
The Initial Steps to Encourage Closure
The first step is the clean removal of the jewelry, allowing the fistula to shrink. Wash your hands thoroughly, then gently unscrew the jewelry ball and slide the bar out of the channel. Immediately after removal, treat the site as a fresh wound for the initial few weeks to prevent a surface infection from sealing inside.
Clean the entry and exit points twice daily with a sterile saline solution or a mild, unscented soap and water. This keeps the area free of debris and bacteria while the internal tissue begins to contract. Avoid inserting any objects, including the jewelry, into the hole. Resist the temptation to squeeze or manipulate the site, which can cause irritation or trauma.
Factors Determining Complete Closure
Whether the hole disappears completely or remains a noticeable mark is largely determined by the piercing’s age, which dictates the maturity of the fistula. If the piercing is relatively new, having been established for only a few months, the tissue channel is less robust and will often close quickly, sometimes within hours or days. A fully established navel piercing, typically one worn for a year or longer, has a permanent layer of epithelial cells lining the channel, which resists closure.
In long-standing cases, the hole will shrink significantly, but the epithelialized tunnel may not fuse completely without minor surgical intervention. The jewelry gauge also plays a role, as a larger size stretches the tissue more, making full closure less likely. Individual factors like skin elasticity and collagen production influence the final outcome. While the surface may seal in weeks, the internal healing and remodeling of the scar tissue can continue for many months.
Managing the Resulting Scar Tissue
Once the piercing hole has sealed over, the concern shifts to minimizing the appearance of the resulting scar tissue. Navel piercings frequently result in a small pucker or mark, sometimes presenting as hypertrophic scarring. These raised, red marks are the body’s attempt to rapidly repair the tissue and can take six months to a year or more to fade naturally.
Gentle massage of the scar twice daily can help break down dense collagen fibers beneath the skin’s surface. Use a moisturizing agent like jojoba oil or an unscented lotion during the massage to keep the area supple. Products containing silicone, such as scar sheets or gels, hydrate the scar tissue and regulate collagen production, helping to flatten and lighten raised marks over time. Protecting the healing scar from the sun is also important, as UV exposure can cause the new tissue to darken and become more noticeable.
When Removal Is Contraindicated
Do not remove the jewelry if you suspect the navel piercing is infected. Removing the jewelry allows the entry and exit points to seal shut, trapping the bacteria and pus inside the tissue channel. This can lead to an abscess that would likely require medical drainage.
Signs of infection include severe throbbing pain, thick green or yellow discharge, excessive swelling, or the skin around the piercing feeling hot. Seek advice from a healthcare professional or a professional piercer. They will advise you to keep the jewelry in place to allow for continuous drainage while treating the infection with appropriate care or antibiotics.