Oh, there is one thing that she might want to consider–navel piercings get stretched waaaaay out during pregnancy and can become a little unsightly. So if that is something that she may be considering for her future, she should know.
My sister had her navel peirced when she was 21 and when she had her first child at (eep, I should know this!) 24, I know her piercing stretched way out and displaced itself a bit. It was just getting back to normal when she got pregnant again, so who knows how it looks now
Personally I think they’re a little (I hate to say this and no offence to anyone who has one- it’s my opinion) slutty looking. I don’t think you’re being a fuddy duddy because I’m 22 and I would NEVER get one. A lot of teenagers want a piercing, but they don’t realise what it will be like when they’re a bit older. A friend of mine had it done when she was 18 and it was fine, until it started migrating. It moved UP her belly and now she has an ugly inch long line from her belly button up. So, although it may be removable, it will still be visible when she decides she doesn’t like it.
That said, she sounds like a good girl, and it’s clearly your decision. I would find out why she wants it. Does someone else have one? Does she think it’s “hot”? What are here reasonings for this?
one thing i always remember with piercings is that they are not permanant. you could argue, ‘well she might like it know but what about when she’s older’ well if whe shes older she doesnt like t she can take it out.
at one point i had 12 different piercing(including ear lobes) now i have 9. one day i may have less.
a navel piercing is fairly discrete (she doesnt sound like the sort of girl who wears super revieling clothes) is a small bit of rebellion and can look pretty, cute or sexy … but that depends on the girl and her attitude, not the jewelry! Personally i dont think a navel piecing would suit me so i don’t have one.
navel piercings do have a reputation of being slow to heal or getting a bit infected, but we are talking minor infections here. You are only at risk of major infections like hepatitis if you go to a bad piercer, who is not clean and re-uses the tools and needles. they are hard to find these days (thank goodness) and it only takes a little research to find a suitable piercer. as with all piercings including ears,it is essential to clean regularly and follow the care instructions given by the piercer. i made the mistake once of not taking the advice and ended up wih a gooey ear. my fault not theirs.
i would talk to her about your concerns, listen to her opinions on the subject, tell her that if she is getting it done, she will be responsible for it and will pay for it, and then see if she still wants it. if yes then at least you know it is a responsable and reasoned decision. but of course you still get parental veto!
I vote no. My dd had it done several years ago after her first child. She certainly was of legal age. She had baby number 2 and had to remove the jewelry when she got big. It then moved out of place after the baby and she put it back in and it got infected (and she is an RN nurse). That was the end of the belly button ring!
16 year olds want the going fad. I remember well. But, I also remember that it is very hard to talk one out of something she/he wants. See if you can dig up some awful gross photos online of piercings gone wrong, THAT might work,lol!
I don’t know about the age thing…everything is so different now.
Anyway I had one done about 8 years (I was in my late 20s) ago and the healing process is long and it really does require daily care for it to do so properly. Even then I had an issue called “migrating” where the piercing wanted to keep getting closer and closer to the surface. I wasn’t sorry I did it, but I just tired of it after a while (but you know how that is…best to let them come to their own realization). If it doesn’t bother you and you think she will be responsible for the after care, I don’t see any reason not to. I certainly wouldn’t be worried about HIV or hepatitis…that would never happen in a reputable establishment (as knitting guy said). It CAN become infected after the fact though (not very prevalent), even with proper after care. Just one of the risks of piercing in general.
I think tarrentella has a good point about it being a safe minor rebellion. Doesn’t necessarily mean shes trying to be sexy or attract a certain sort of attention.
I had written yesterday and half kidding around suggested you could possibly find a site online that might have pictures of body piercing gone wrong…well…I guess I’m bored, because I googled
“body piercings gone wrong pictures”
and up came a couple of sites that actually have pictures…have her look at these!
But I know teenagers… they think that it would never happen to them, they will take care of it, they will follow the instructions after the piercing, etc. Sorta like when they beg for a dog and say they will walk it and take care of it! LOL
they think that it would never happen to them, they will take care of it, they will follow the instructions after the piercing, etc. Sorta like when they beg for a dog and say they will walk it and take care of it! LOL