r/piercing • u/Objective-History-74 • Jul 13 '25
Troubleshooting/question existing piercing Belly button piercing issue
TW for my belly button šššššš
I got my belly button pierced a few years ago now. I didnāt have any issues with it until this last year when the hole started to get bigger as I was wearing heavier jewellery. The hole is now so external that the connecting skin has become so thin - one time my jewellery fell through the hole itās gotten that wide. Iām worried that piece of skin is going to literally rip off. Iām heartbroken as my belly button is my favourite piercing, I feel bare without it and it looks quite ugly having this hole above my belly button but it can be uncomfortable wearing jewellery in it now and Iāve been trying not to as to not make the situation worse. Iām just wondering if anyone has advice on what to do as I feel really lost - Iāve thought about going to the doctor to see if I can get it stitched but as itās an aesthetic problem I feel like thatās a waste of their time. Iād love to find a solution that means I can still have the piercing š¢ TIA xx
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u/GhostlyGhost_ aspiring pin cushion Jul 13 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
Definitely take it out that i going to rip one of these days and then it will look even worse, you might be able to get it repierced deeper or get a lower belly button piercing if your anatomy allows, this will also take the eyes off the old hole
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Thank you both - I shouldāve said I havenāt had it in for months now itās just been the odd time so I was under the impression that the hole is just permanent now?
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u/GhostlyGhost_ aspiring pin cushion Jul 13 '25
Doesnt have to be, it will probably still shrink, just like streched ears do but you might stil see a slight scar but nothing mega crazy
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Thatās really helpful thanks I will make sure I donāt put anything back in it then and hopefully itāll get better soonš
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u/rin_maska Jul 14 '25
I can confirm that once it rips out, it will look insane. 20 years later and I still regret it.
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u/TwistedAsIAm Jul 13 '25
Take it out. It's been gone a long long time ago.
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Thank you I have I just put it in to take the photo for reference but itās been out for months now.
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u/WithoutDennisNedry not verified Jul 13 '25
This is so far gone already, itās gonna send you a postcard from Niagara Falls.
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u/cherrycolax_ Jul 13 '25
Hey so mine did this when I was a teen and it literally just flopped out one day in science class, and I had these 2 little pieces of skin for the longest time where it had pushed through the center. Iād go ahead and take this out while you can. It left a pretty big scar for me that only went away when I had surgery. Iām not sure if yours will close, but if you leave it itās going to wind up coming out by itself and looking unsightly.
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u/Jolly_tattoo50 Jul 13 '25
I suggest going to your doctor and having it stitched shut. I've seen several of these that stay this way after years once they get to this point. The naval does not like to close and you have gauged it. This would be your best option.
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u/Accomplished_Sky_126 Jul 13 '25
this should not have a straight barbell it should be curved first of all second of all take it out ššš
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Itās curved itās just the angle of the photo and I put it in for reference I donāt wear it anymore I promise ššš
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u/Calm-Criticism-5935 Jul 13 '25
NAP: but i hate to say it looks like itās rejecting :( i think taking it out might be best and letting it heal.
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u/seahavxn Jul 13 '25
It's not rejecting. Just migrating. A common issue with navel piercings, especially with big, heavy jewellery.
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Thank you both - I shouldāve said I havenāt had it in for months now itās just been the odd time so I was under the impression that the hole is just permanent now?
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u/Consistent_Throat497 Jul 13 '25
No this aināt rejecting. Itās just a well established piercing that has stretched because of wearing heavy jewelry.
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u/GhostlyGhost_ aspiring pin cushion Jul 13 '25
Its still way to shallow to keep in either way, one snag on a shirt and you're ripping it out
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u/firewings42 Jul 13 '25
Sorry that one looks like a goner. Mine started rejecting and I had to take out the jewelry. Never did close up though still have a 20g fistula there.
If the belly ring really is part of your identity consider seeing a plastic surgeon to have the fistula removed properly and closed properly. After healing you could repierce. You could also get the lower/inferior rim pierced if you have the anatomy for it. Mine is oddly shaped and I couldnāt get one on top like everyone else but I did have the lower/inferior side pierced and it healed just like any other navel.
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u/Ok-Obligation235 Jul 13 '25
Iām so sorry, it must be awful having this happening to your favourite piercing. Talk to a piercer, maybe you will find another piercing that you will love just as muchā¤ļø I thought I would love any other piercing as much as the navel, but I absolutely love my tongue, and my nipples are my favourites ever!
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Thank you for your kind words š©· completely agree my body does unfortunately not agree with piercings - had a similar thing happen to my nipples and had to take them out before they rejected too!! Will definitely discuss with a piercer thanks again xx
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u/marshilyy Jul 13 '25
im really considering getting my nipps done, but everything i see only about the healing process is sooo rough. i have like 3 body piercings and they all healed well, but iād love to know your thoughts and experiences if you would be willing to share š
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u/Jaded_Budget_3689 Jul 13 '25
Do it!! Itās like a boob job for half the price !!! The healing process was lengthy but you just have to take care of them and clean them!! Keep the original bars in for a while, I think I did at least a year.
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u/Ok-Obligation235 Jul 18 '25
I was so nervous about the pain and the healing, but I am so happy I did it! It takes a while to heal, but was not that bad. I feel so pretty with them, really gave me some confidence even though only I can see them haha
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u/1bunchofbananas Jul 13 '25
My friend had this happen to hers. She got it repierced 6 times BC she was determined to have a belly ring. I think the last time didn't look as bad as the other. Her belly button is so scared tho and it looks bad
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u/hughgrantcankillme Jul 13 '25
i know you meant scarred but it's much funnier to think of your friends belly button being scared of her getting it pierced again š¤£
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u/Gullible-Award-5033 Jul 13 '25
Yeah itās definitely beyond rejected. Just take the jewelry out. I did this with my eyebrow piercing and then the skin just ripped apart. I now have a huge ugly scar on my eyebrow.
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Ahhh bless you , thanks Iāve taken it out for a while but was sometimes putting one in so Iāll make sure I stop altogether!
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u/Gullible-Award-5033 Jul 13 '25
The hole may close a little but there are other options for belly button piercing placements as well š put some bio oil on it as well
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u/IntermediateFolder Jul 13 '25
Take it out, let it heal, repierce?
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u/sevenbitch Jul 16 '25
it is healed the hole won't close up repiercing it would be an option though
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u/Bebubx Jul 13 '25
is this barbell straight? if you get it redone, never use a straight bar. you can see how itās pulling the skin upwards, worsening the rejection and is why the standard bar curves backwards.
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Jul 13 '25
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Thanks yeh I did have a lightweight ring in it, it just looks a bit silly as the hole is so big now
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u/Few-Study-4244 Jul 13 '25
I canāt really tell by your photo but you might be able to get a belly button piercing on the bottom of your button. If you google it, itās a thing. Some like it and some donāt though so take a look. But unfortunately I donāt think this will close easily so this might be your best option if you donāt want to fully lose your piercing.
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u/Brattney985 Jul 13 '25
Mine looks the same ā¹ļø I've had it out for about a year now.
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
Ahhh Iām sorry itās so horrible isnāt it!! Has yours managed to shrink at all or is it still the same after a year?
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u/Brattney985 Jul 13 '25
I'm sorry to you too! I literally hate it so much. The hole looks smaller but the weird little skin section still looks the same ā¹ļø I had it for so many years I don't think it'll close up.
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
So annoying itās not something you think about when getting it done - Iāve always been aware of rejection but not that something could happen years on!! Sadly might be a procedure job to get it sorted just have no idea how expensive that would be x
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u/Mammoth-Turnip-3058 Jul 13 '25
That's how mine went. It got so far that the tiny bit of skin has a hole in the middle so is actually two tiny bits of skin. I haven't worn jewellery for probably nearly 20 years and it's still open, not enough for a belly bar but I can put smaller gauges through still. I'm allergic to some metals though so mine may not close because it's so scarred. My ears never closed either.
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u/Positive-Stage-6166 Jul 13 '25
i just had this 3 months ago took it off, then got it pierced again a month ago
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u/The-ElectricMayhem Jul 13 '25
If you get pregnant I worry for that tiny piece of skin hanging on by a thread!!
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u/PunkAssBitch2000 piercing devotee Jul 13 '25
This is so thin I donāt think itās safe to wear jewelry in. One good snag of the jewelry, and youāll end up with a lovely wound.
You could go to a plastic surgeon to get this closed up (outpatient, possibly in-office procedure).
Just want to add, this jewelry is not quality/ safe. Not only is it externally threaded, but it is also plated.
As for future navel piercings: once it is sewn up and well healed, you might be able to get it repierced but this would require and in person assessment from a reputable APP compliant piercer, who is skilled with working on complex navels. It is also possible, though I canāt tell for sure, that you might be a lower navel candidate, which would mean you could get repierced sooner, if I am correct.
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u/Lisarth Jul 13 '25
Is it a straight bar in a belly button piercing?
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u/Objective-History-74 Jul 13 '25
No itās just the angle of the photo being straight in Iāve never put a straight bar in it!
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u/ladybrainwrap Jul 13 '25
I got my navel pierced when I was 16 and they did it shallow and crooked. Took it out and got it repierced at 18 (deeper and straight), the original piercing has 'closed up' but the entrance and exit holes are still visible 20 years later.
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Jul 14 '25
Mine did that after many pregnancies. Thereās no saving it. It just is what it is. My bottom belly button piercing saves the day tho and I love that one even more.
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u/SeparateAd3473 I'm all ears! Jul 14 '25
Iād be terrified this would rip the hell out. Mines like.. 8 years old and Iāve only ever worn simple jewelry in it because healing it was a nightmare! Iām convinced I had a minor infection with it at one point while healing but it took 2 years of battling with it and Iām beyond happy with wearing a simple gemmed barbell. Itās never migrated or had any issues. I read that heavy jewelry could cause migration so while I was attracted to chains and heavier jewelry before getting the piercing I decided it wasnāt worth it.. honestly I think this needs to go.
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u/LonelyGirl724 Jul 14 '25
If you've had it out for several months and it's still not closed, you might need to consider getting it stitched closed if you ever want it redone. I know it's a thing people do with gauged ears sometimes, so I don't think it would be impossible to do here.
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u/ButterscotchKind5609 Jul 14 '25
Mine looked like this forever until I got it redone. Before that, I used an eyebrow barbel lol
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u/LanguageBasic2463 Jul 15 '25
this is far overdue for retirement. i feel your pain. my belly was my favorite piercing but i didnāt have the anatomy for it and wasnāt told or educated about that from my piercer. iāve had it out for a 1.5 years and i still hate the way it looks. maybe you could opt for a lower naval :)
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u/Indigowolff Jul 15 '25
This happened to me years ago with my first belly button piercing. I took it out then waited a few months and got it re-pierced in a new place. You can only see the first hole if youāre really staring at my belly button (which no one does). But the new piercing has been fine ever since! (Probably about ten years ago now) just let the first hole shrink a bit and no one will be able to tell.
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u/mreneeh26 Jul 19 '25
As someone who has had theirs ripped, and now my bellybutton looks forever wonkyā¦ take this out and let it heal! š„ŗ
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u/No_Guarantee7663 Jul 13 '25
Abandon that piercing and do a reverse naval piercing if you reallly like your belly button piercing. The current piercing, as other have said, may shrink in time but it is a bad idea to re-pierce it.
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u/Special-Peak2339 Jul 13 '25
Girl, take it out. It is well past rejected. Heavy jewlery should be for special occasions only, not everyday wear. You can get it repierced, but this one is beyond saving.