Double Belly Button Piercing: Everything You Need to Know

What Is a Double Belly Button Piercing?

A double belly button piercing is one step up from your average navel piercing. Instead of a single piercing, you get two.

If you spend plenty of time training and watching your diet to stay in shape, it can be a great way to draw attention to a toned, sculpted midsection.

How Is a Double Belly Button Piercing Done?

Your stomach area has to be prepped before the actual piercing can happen. Once it's disinfected, the pro will wait for the area to dry before getting started.

The process is much like a standard belly button piercing. The only real difference is that the hollow needle used to make the piercing passes through the skin of your navel twice instead of once.

You might see a little blood right after the piercing. That happens, and there's no reason to panic or assume something went wrong. Take a deep breath and carry on — you'll be fine.

Choose a piercer you trust. As tempting as it might be to do it yourself at home or let a friend have a go, it's far better to pay the small premium and let an expert do their job.

The expert will walk you through how to care for your belly button piercing until it heals. Follow those instructions closely to avoid becoming one of the unlucky few who picks up an infection.

Does a Double Belly Button Piercing Hurt?

Remember the old saying — no pain, no gain? It fits perfectly when it comes to a double navel piercing.

You'll feel some discomfort as the needle goes in. The good news is that the pain doesn't last long — it's comparable to getting a vaccination.

❌ The bad news is that with a double belly button piercing, you'll have to go through that needle pain twice.

A lot of people assume the worst of the pain comes as the needle passes through, but for some, the sharpest moment is actually when the jewelry is fitted. That can put considerable pressure on freshly pierced skin, which can sting a bit. Expect the soreness to carry on over the next few days.

How Much Does a Double Belly Button Piercing Cost?

Piercing fees aren't standardized — some places charge more, others less. The cost is shaped by several factors, including:

• How in-demand the piercer is
• Where you live
• The type of piercing you want

If you want to know whether it fits your budget, plan on a range of $45 to $85 for a double belly button piercing. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to belly button piercing price.

What to Know Before Getting Your Double Belly Button Piercing

Before you walk in and get a double piercing on impulse, take stock of a few things first.

1. If you have medical conditions like diabetes, get your blood sugar under control first. You don't want a compromised immune system making you more prone to infection.
2. The same goes for any minor health issues. If you have a cold or the flu, push the piercing back until you feel better — your immune system is already busy.
3. Make sure you're ready for a long-term commitment, too. Belly button piercings can take a long time to fully heal and need months of care. Are you up for that?
4. Maybe most important of all, find a reputable piercer. Tell them about any allergies, especially if you've had issues with materials used in piercings.
5. Before heading to the studio, pick up some basic supplies: paper cups, saline solution, sea salt, cotton swabs and cotton balls.

How to Care for Your Double Belly Button Piercing

A quick guide to cleaning a new piercing

• Each day, before you start cleaning your piercing, wash your hands thoroughly. Then use a cotton swab dipped in warm water to lift off any crust.
• For the first month, clean your piercing four times a day. Two of those should include a sea-salt mix: a quarter teaspoon of sea salt dissolved in boiled water. Let it cool before using it — you don't want to add a burn to your list of woes.
• Take a paper cup, fill it with the salt water and press it against your stomach while you lean over. Once it forms a seal on your skin, you can lie back and let the salt water work its magic. The seal stops it from spilling.

For your other daily cleans, buy a saline rinse to apply to the piercing. Make sure it isn't contact-lens solution — ask specifically for saline made to clean piercings or wounds.

While your navel heals, avoid snagging it on clothing, stay out of public pools, and start sleeping on your back or side instead of your stomach. Try to get plenty of sleep so your body can heal as well as possible.

How Long Does a Double Belly Button Piercing Take to Heal?

Although a double navel piercing is a simple, routine procedure, the healing process is far more involved.

Healing can take up to a year.

Your piercings will look a lot better within four to six weeks, but they won't be fully healed by then. Don't be fooled — don't change your jewelry at that stage.

If you take great care of your piercings and run into no complications, you could be fully healed in three to six months.

Infections

One thing people dread about piercings is the risk of infection.

The risk is low, but it's real and should be taken seriously — which is exactly why the aftercare instructions from your piercer matter. To fully protect yourself, watch for possible complications. Learn the warning signs in our guide to an infected navel piercing.

Other signs of an infection include:

• Skin that's red and hot to the touch
• Increased pain. If you suspect an infected piercing, book a doctor's appointment right away.

The risks of a double belly button piercing

The main risks of a double belly button piercing are infection, the possibility of scarring around the pierced area, and an allergic reaction to the metals used in the jewelry. If you're worried about scarring, our guide to the rejection of navel piercing is worth a read.

Most people won't have problems if they follow the aftercare instructions. Even so, you should know the risks of any procedure so you can catch any issue early.

Jewelry for a Double Belly Button Piercing

Jewelry comes in all sizes and shapes:

• Pendants
• Bars (banana barbells)
• Rings
• Spikes

You can get your jewelry in just about any metal, but some of the most popular picks include gold, stainless steel, BioFlex, sterling silver and titanium.

Anyone with sensitive skin may find titanium easier to tolerate, since it tends not to irritate the skin as much. BioFlex is a smart choice for athletes who need a flexible material that moves with them, or for pregnant women with a growing belly.

Conclusion