To get my belly button pierced at nearly 40?

[Alphabetsy]

After a lot of hard work finally got my flat tummy back 3 years after youngest dc. Now heading towards by 40th b'day and want to do something different. Always been quite conservative - no tatoos or crazy hair styles. DH turned his nose right up at the suggestion saying 'you're 40 not 20'!! Should I do it anyway? Like to wear bikinis on hol and in pool etc.
Ps is it painful and prone to infection if done properly and how long to heal?

[hermioneweasley]

I had mine done in my 20s so still have it now I am middle aged.
they are prone to infection, and being wonky. My GP was surprised that I had one and had never had to see her due to infection as she sees so many. I washed mine in salt water twice a day for 6 weeks afterwards which was time consuming.

Pain - I was so high on adrenaline that I didn't feel a thing. But they are actually coring out flesh so I imagine it has the potential to be painful!

[ENormaSnob]

I think they look very dated now.

And tbh, I don't think it's a great look for a 40 year old.

But, if it makes you happy and you like it then that's all that matters.

[LouiseFisher]

Go for it! it will look fabulous and make you happy!

[gingeme]

Go for It. As long as you Go to a reputable studio (better if its been recomended) do the after care exactly as your told who cares about your age. Life begins at 40 . I have many tattoos and with the money I got for my 40th I had a full back piece done and am still adding to It at the age of 42

[FellatioNels0n]

Yes. Unless you are Madonna. And even then it's probably best not to.

[ImNotaPheasantPlucker]

I was 40ish when I had mine done and felt such a rebel after being such a good girl for all those years! Ten years later and I hardly notice it's there

[LayMizzRarb]

Your body. Your choice. End of.

[perplexedpirate]

Go for it. It would only be unreasonable to pierce someone else's naval for your birthday.
Unless you are, of course, a piercist.

[FellatioNels0n]

Your body. You choice. End of.

I can't believe someone actually typed that. That is one of those cliches I hear about on MN all the time, but I always thought it was a joke. Like plasma TVs and goats.

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

Why not

I pierced mine myself with a mattress needle and bonjela age 14 so it can't hurt that much - it did get infected though and I had to have it repierced several times .

It never really worked for me as it didn't heal properly because that's exactly where I fold and it rubbed everytime I bent.

You can always just take it out if you decide you don't want it anymore.

[FellatioNels0n]

Oh god that is bloody grim. Why do teenagers do this? It's not like you can't get it done relatively safely and painlessly on every high street, is it?

[ScarletLady02]

I had mine done but took it out when I was pregnant (would have kept it but kept forgetting to get a retainer).

It DOES hurt, and it is prone to infection, mine took about 3 months to heal properly. Going swimming in the end sorted it out (chlorine etc)

[BelleDameSansMerci]

I had mine done when I was 38. It healed quite quickly and was fine right thought pregnancy, etc. Only change is that post pregnancy I needed a shorter bar.

Go for it.

[BelleDameSansMerci]

Right through pregnancy...

[buttercrumble]

Dont do it.......

[ILikeBirds]

I am triple-y uncool

photo

[pinkyredrose]

Love your piercings ilikebirds !

OP go for it, it's your body you get to decorate it as you please.

[SonOfAradia]

Do it!

Women with piercings are fab.

DW used to have a pierced clit (vertical bar) and it was great, apart from from the clacking on the teeth got a bit much after the first half hour.

[FannyBazaar]

Oh no, now I'm wishing someone had told me it was uncool and so 90's before I had mine done . I think I'm past being cool so it kind of goes well with me.

As a matter of interest, what is cool these days that I could have done instead?

[specialsubject]

up to you - but it's hardly 'different'.

[Hullygully]

yuk yuk yuk yuk yuk

[PuffPants]

If it makes you happy, do it!

Personally, I think it's gross and can't imagine anyone over the age of 20 doing it. But I think all piercings are grim outside of ears. I once knew a girl with a nose ring and it literally turned my stomach to see it.

[SirBoobAlot]

Do it! Worst case scenario, you don't like it, you take it out.

I had mine one, miss it.

[ThePinkOcelot]

Go for it! I got mine done again last year at the ripe old age of 43 (took first one out when pregnant with DD1 and couldn't get it back in). And if you've got the stomach for it, flaunt it!!