AboutBrian Skellie Expertise I can answer questions in regards to and not limited to: jewelry safety, specifically material, shape, proportion, and related issues; aseptic technique and sterilization as it applies to piercing safety; ethical issues of technique and bedside manner; the aftercare and recovery process for piercings.
Experience
Past/Present clients
Tens of thousands of one on one client experiences. http://www.piercing.org/ Body jewelry design and safety expert: Member ASTM committee F04(www.astm.org)
Member AAMI (www.aami.org)
Research advisor and educator for the APP for over a decade(www.safepiercing.org) teaching advanced studio setup, sterilization and equipment management, freehand piercing, aseptic/sterile technique and much more.
Distributor for SciCan StatIM sterilization and cleaning products. http://www.piercing.org/statim/
Expert: Brian Skellie Date: 5/28/2008 Subject: Navel piercing removal
Question QUESTION: I am planning on getting pregnant and need to remove my navel piercing, but I like it and would like to be able to get it re pierced when I am back in shape. Is there anything special I should do, and is that an option? What could I put on it after I take the jewelry out to lessen scars?
ANSWER: The removal and reinsertion should be no problem. Some people have success with cocoa butter or shea butter to lessen scar and stretch marks. You will not likely need to repierce. http://www.piercing.org/faq/pregnancy.html explains more.
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QUESTION: Thank you, so I should try to keep it in as long as it is comfortable. Thats cool, should I look for something with a longer bar, or just a simple piece. Is there such thing as a longer bar? What would be the signs other then discomfort of when I should remover the jewelry, and when the time comes how would I go about re inserting it. I have had the piercing for 7 or 8 years but I have never taken it out except to change the jewelry of course, I don't know if it will close up or not.
Answer We have bars as examples at http://piercing.org/shop/ in different lengths. You may need 1/2 inch or longer to allow room, and we can get you what you need.
If it bothers you, then you can remove it. Reinsertion is usually as easy as to get a tapered guide made to fit your jewelry, and lubricating it with KY or other water based lube to pass it back through to reopen the old hole. It will shrink a size or two, but stretch right back out with a guide. We have the jewelry and the guide if you need them.
