A belly button piercing needs a minimum of four months to heal. In some cases, it can take up to a year. According to the Association of Professional Piercers, you will need to wait the minimum--that is, four months after piercing--before you switch rings.
Initial Piercing Jewelry
When your belly button was initially pierced, that piece of jewelry's main function was safety. How it looked was irrelevant compared to how well it promoted healing and prevented infection. Implant-grade stainless-steel jewelry is the usual choice for any first piercing, because it is the material least likely to produce a foreign body reaction in the navel. However, the style and design of these initial piercing rings are typically limited.
When to Switch
After the requisite four-month period has elapsed, you will know it is safe to switch rings if your belly button no longer feels tender to the touch, if it has stopped secreting pus or fluid and if there are no longer any crusts forming on the outside of the piercing. If any of these symptoms persist, wait to switch rings.
Healed Piercing Jewelry
There are countless jewelry options available once your piercing is healed and you are ready to switch to a new navel adornment. In addition to the standard metal rings, your healed belly button piercing may also like natural or organic jewelry. These rings can be crafted from horn, bone, wood, amber or stone, and are more akin to the materials used by ancient cultures to pierce their bodies. Rings of man-made materials such as Teflon and nylon are also available.
How to Switch
Return to your original piercing salon once you are ready to switch rings. Professional piercers work in a sanitary environment and have access to specialized piercing tools, should they become necessary. Most piercers will put new jewelry in for free for their returning clients. Your piercer can also be a valuable resource when selecting the right size and style of jewelry for your navel.
Removal
Bear in mind that removing your initial piercing ring may cause the hole to shrink. This can happen very rapidly--another reason to have a professional switch the rings for you. Other risks include infection and bleeding.
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