A floating navel piercing, also known as a reverse belly button piercing, uses a shorter barbell and a smaller, often flat, bottom disk. This design accommodates navel anatomy that folds inward when sitting. Jewelry is typically removed for changing, medical procedures like surgery or imaging, or when the wearer decides to retire the piercing. Safely removing this specialized jewelry requires understanding its unique design and following specific hygiene protocols to protect the delicate piercing channel, or fistula.
Identifying the Jewelry Mechanism
Before attempting removal, identify the jewelry’s threading mechanism, as this dictates the technique. Quality body jewelry commonly uses either an internally threaded or a threadless design. Internally threaded jewelry is preferred because the smooth end of the barbell minimizes irritation as it passes through the tissue. The threads are located inside the barbell shaft, and the decorative end screws into it.
Externally threaded jewelry has threads on the outside of the barbell and is less common in professional piercing. In both threaded types, the decorative top piece usually rotates off the barbell, while the bottom piece remains fixed. A threadless mechanism uses friction to hold the decorative end in place. This requires the end to be pulled straight out of the barbell rather than unscrewed.
The standard rotation rule for threaded jewelry is often “lefty-loosey” when viewed head-on. If counter-clockwise twisting does not loosen the decorative top, gently attempt clockwise rotation.
Step-by-Step Jewelry Removal
The safe removal process begins with thorough hand hygiene using mild soap and water, followed by donning clean, disposable gloves. The area around the piercing should be gently cleaned with a sterile saline wound wash before touching the jewelry. This preparation softens any dried lymph or “crusties” that could cause pain or tearing upon removal.
The skin around the piercing must be stabilized to prevent the entire barbell from rotating. Use the non-dominant hand to gently but firmly grasp the bottom, flat disk of the floating navel jewelry to hold the barbell in place.
With the dominant hand, grasp the decorative top piece. Apply steady, gentle rotational force in the identified direction—typically counter-clockwise—while maintaining counter-pressure on the bottom disk. If the piece is stiff, applying a small amount of sterile saline solution can help lubricate the threading.
Once the top piece is removed, the barbell is free to be slid out of the piercing channel. Guide the top end down and out of the lower piercing hole.
Immediate Aftercare and Site Management
After removing the jewelry, focus on managing the open channel to encourage healing and prevent infection. The piercing site, even if healed, should be thoroughly flushed with a sterile saline wound wash containing 0.9% sodium chloride and no other additives. This solution helps irrigate the fistula and clean away debris without irritating the tissue.
Gently pat the area dry using clean, disposable products such as non-woven gauze or paper towels. Avoid using harsh chemicals like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial ointments, as these can delay healing. If the jewelry is only being changed, the new piece should be sterilized and inserted immediately to prevent the fistula from rapidly shrinking.
Addressing Removal Complications
It is common to encounter difficulty when removing jewelry, particularly if the piece is stuck due to swelling, dried discharge, or over-tightening. If the top piece cannot be unscrewed manually, stop attempting removal to avoid causing unnecessary irritation or micro-tears. Continued forceful manipulation can lead to significant swelling, making the problem worse.
Minor bleeding or slight redness immediately after removal can be a sign of irritation, especially if the jewelry was handled roughly. Signs of infection include excessive warmth, persistent pain, thick yellow or green discharge, or significant swelling. In cases of suspected infection, the jewelry should typically be left in place, if possible, and a medical professional should be consulted for treatment.
If the jewelry is lodged, stripped, or cannot be removed, a professional piercer is the appropriate person to seek for assistance. They possess specialized tools, such as piercing forceps, to safely grip and stabilize the jewelry without causing trauma. Only in scenarios involving suspected severe infection or when the jewelry is deeply embedded should a visit to a medical doctor or urgent care facility be considered.