Belly Button Piercings Are So Back
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Second to a lower-back tattoo depicting the sun cradled by a crescent moon, a belly button ring was the coolest body-modification trend of the ’90s and early aughts. Take it from me, an elder millennial, who has held onto her belly button ring for a long time. It was the ultimate hot girl signifier of the TRL era, and when I tell you everyone had one, I mean everyone, from pop culture icons to your best friend’s older sister. Navel rings were more than just jewelry, they were a sign of rebellion. Case in point: every episode of a teen sitcom where the main character gets her belly button pierced and does not tell mom.
“The ’90s were an era of McQueen bumster low-rise pants, where the piercing could be shown off,” says Maria Tash, founder of Maria Tash fine jewelry. “It became even more popular in the late ’90s and ’00s when Britney Spears wore prominent navel jewelry and Aerosmith made a video of a rebellious teen getting her navel pierced.”
Alicia Silverstone in Aerosmith’s Cryin’ video was the muse for many, but for me, the obsession started with Geri Halliwell at the Cannes Film Festival. The year was 1997, she was still the artist known as Ginger Spice, and she wore a multicolored crop top set that revealed a tiny globe-shaped belly ring dangling from her navel. I became dead set on getting a belly button ring once I was legally allowed to do so, and the images of my holy trinity—Britney, Xtina, and Bey—that plastered my bedroom walls further validated the cool girl factor.
In 2006, the first weekend of my freshman year at college, I walked into a piercing shop on New York City’s St. Mark’s Place with my roommates and finally made my Ginger Spice dreams come true. I’ve loved my piercing ever since, even getting my own little globe belly ring at one point.
According to Robbie Milan , piercer at Refinery 7 Studio in New York City, changing fashion trends were part of the reason the previous iteration of belly button rings fell off in the late 2000s, when high-waisted silhouettes came into the spotlight. ”As styles evolved, the shift from low-rise jeans and crop tops to higher-waisted options made navel piercings less visible and relevant,” Milan explains. Also: The new silhouettes made it harder to heal without irritation.
Of course, the 20-year trend cycle did its thing, and now all those super trendy (and probably famous) girls on TikTok are declaring that belly button rings are in again. And they’re not the only ones. Designer Sandy Liang recently featured a piece that makes me feel fuzzy and nostalgic, and Kim Kardashian showed off a floating belly button ring in November. Y2K nostalgia is at an all-time high, and there’s something just so right about a low-rise jean paired with a little rhinestone accent at the navel.
Whether you want to channel your inner TRL -era pop star or a more elevated, minimalist version of the trend, I’ve outlined here everything you need to know before booking your appointment.
Meet the experts:
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Maria Tash is a jewelry designer and the founder of Maria Tash Fine Jewelry and Luxury Piercing.
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Robbie Milan is a piercer at Refinery 7 in New York City.
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Starr Ellis is a piercer and owner of Nine Moons Piercing in New York City.
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Roze Rahim is a piercer at Nine Moons Piercing in New York City.
How is the new take on belly button piercings different?
In contrast to the chunky, bedazzled pieces of years past, the 2025 answer to the belly ring is more subtle, incorporating thin, sleek shapes, dainty gemstones, and flipping the structure of the traditional barbell on its head. This aligns with trends like clean girl and quiet luxury, or however the cool kids are describing less-is-more aesthetics these days. Says Starr Ellis , owner and piercer at Nine Moons Piercing , “It’s such a dainty look with low interference with your clothing and an active lifestyle.”
One example of this is the “floating” belly button ring, which incorporates a shallower piercing and a shorter barbell so that it appears a gemstone or metallic accent is sitting flat against the skin . “The rest of the jewelry is not visible and gives the top stone the effect of floating alone,” Ellis explains. “The piercing is not done too deeply, has well-placed gemstones or metal balls lying comfortably against the skin , and the curved bar or ring matches the depth of the piercing.”
More of a maximalist? Stacking multiple navel piercings for a more decorated finish is also an option. “Some clients pierce both the top and bottom flap, then align the jewelry vertically,” says Tash. “You can even pierce the top or bottom flap diagonally for a different effect.”
Though less familiar, lower-navel piercings are also an option, if that suits your aesthetic. “Make sure to get an anatomy check for this piercing, as it’s less common to have the anatomy for a lower-navel piercing,” says Roze Rahim , piercer at New York City’s Nine Moons Piercing .
There are a few things your piercer will look for during an anatomy check: “Mostly, I'm looking for pierce-able tissue that could hold and heal a piercing,” says Ellis. “I'll check for specific structure and feel how tight or dense the tissue is, that it's avoiding the umbilicalis and scar tissue from any past surgeries.” Ellis also looks at how the tissue adjusts in different positions. To set you up for success during the healing process, your piercer may ask a few questions about your lifestyle, too, such as what type of physical activity you like to do, how you sleep, and the kind of clothing you prefer to wear.
Multiple closed-hoop rings in a single piercing is a look that’s also trending, according to Rahim. “I feel like people really love rings in their piercings, and it’s always fun to find new places to have them,” she says. “Before, a chunky navel ring was all the craze, and now, people are stacking thin gold rings and dangling simple charms from their navels to achieve a more regal look.”
My personal comfort zone happens to reside in rhinestone-studded Playboy-logo shaped rings. I already know that my taste in belly rings rocks, but Ellis validated my feelings: “The look of the ’90s and ’00s gemmy statement belly jewelry is still alive and celebrated.”
What should I consider before getting a navel piercing?
Second only to how cool your belly ring will look after it has healed, you should also consider whether or not it fits with your lifestyle. Because your stomach stretches, moves, and flexes more than other areas, Ellis notes, navel piercings can be more prone to irritation than other piercings and can have a longer healing process.
“Navel piercings can take several months to heal,” says Milan. “To avoid complications, proper care is essential, including regular cleaning and avoiding certain activities until healed. Things like rigorous exercise , swimming, or tight clothing can irritate the piercing.”
If you can stay out of the pool, maximum-intensity boot camp classes, and tight, high-waisted pieces for the first few weeks when the piercing is still fresh, you’ll be good. But do make sure to consider whether or not you’re in it for the long haul: “While navel piercings can be removed,” Milan adds, “the hole may not close completely.”
Does getting a belly button piercing hurt? What should I expect?
“The piercing is very quick and feels like a pinch,” says Tash. “I think getting pierced is easier than getting waxed !” (I agree—mine was far less painful than a bikini wax, but slightly more painful than a bee sting.) Ahead of your appointment, Ellis recommends, prepare as you would for a tattoo or any other piercing: Get a good night’s sleep , avoid alcohol the day prior, eat and hydrate beforehand, and arrive in comfortable clothing.
Your piercer will give you a quick consultation to discuss options, possible concerns, and the best jewelry to suit your navel, then direct you to get comfortable on the piercing table. The traditional barbell can be used for your starter piercing, but Ellis points out that it’s not always a requirement; depending on your lifestyle, anatomy, and aesthetic, your piercer can help you determine your options for jewelry that will look great and, most importantly, heal easily.
All of the piercers in this article (and any legit piercing studio) use sterile disposable needles, gloves, and sterilized tools to ensure the process is completely safe and hygienic. “We’ll do a gentle cleaning [of the area], then make a precise marking,” says Ellis. ”You’ll inhale, exhale, and just like that, you have a belly button piercing!”
Belly button piercing aftercare
Milan recommends gently cleaning your piercing two or three times a day with a saline or antiseptic solution. Piercing studios typically sell them, though Milan also recommends the H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Solution or NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Fine Mist, if you’re shopping ahead of your appointment.
H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Solution
$12.00, Amazon
NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Fine Mist
$15.00, Amazon
“You can use cotton swabs or gauze to gently apply the saline or antiseptic solutions,” he says. “Avoid cleaning the area with cotton balls, as the fibers can cause complications.” Try not to touch the piercing, except when you’re cleaning it, and always wash your hands first to avoid transferring bacteria to the area. Make sure your bed sheets are clean , and opt for loose, breathable clothing, especially in the first few weeks after getting your piercing, to prevent irritation.
If you experience fluid or dried plasma in the area, don’t freak out—this is totally normal and can be removed when you clean the piercing. “All healing piercings can ‘weep,’ or discharge some blood, plasma, and lymph, which is tempting to pick off with dirty hands,” Tash says. “Let the warm shower water or a warm saline wound-wash compress loosen up any matter first, then wash or rinse it gently with saline or antibacterial soap.”
My healing process wasn’t too difficult. In the first few days after getting pierced, there was some bleeding and weeping from the area, which I kept clean with a cotton swab dipped in saline. During my daily showers , I’d give the area a gentle cleaning with unscented soap. I did have to adjust what I wore for a few weeks to not irritate the piercing while it was fresh, and as a chaotic stomach sleeper, it took some time to get used to sleeping on my back. Still, once all the soreness and excess weeping subsided, I cleaned the area once a day until fully healed, and was then able to return to my usual routine.
How long does it take for a navel piercing to heal?
According to Milan, a belly button piercing can take as little as three to six months to heal, while Tash says it can take up to nine to 12 months, comparing the timeline to that of an ear cartilage piercing. Everyone is different, so don’t be alarmed if the process takes longer for you than anticipated.
“It is important to remember that piercings go through phases while healing,” says Ellis. “Initially, you may have some redness and tenderness; a bit of bleeding and bruising can be normal as well. Throughout the healing process, your body may produce some fluids and crusties.”
You’ll be able to determine your piercing is healed and ready to change when there are no signs of swelling or redness and the area no longer feels tender to the touch. “If you’re unsure of the healing status, you can always consult your piercer for professional guidance,” Milan says. “Consider having your piercer assist with changing the jewelry if it’s your first time, to ensure proper and safe handling.”
Over the years I rotated through seemingly countless pieces of navel jewelry that reflected my mood and style at the time. One day my acrylic barbell broke and because I didn’t have an alternative ring ready, I decided not to replace it. Months passed as I debated whether to leave my navel bare or find a new piece of jewelry. The hole marking my navel piercing remained, and so did my urge to replace it. “Well, you’re in your 30s now,” my husband would say, “maybe you've aged out of that trend.” Nah. I wasn’t willing to give up the piercing that meant so much to me in my formative years.
Instead, I evolved, due in part to a targeted ad showcasing a duo of clicker navel rings that were sleek, minimalist, and paired so nicely with the two-piece Pilates sets that have become my weekday uniform. Trends change, but damn it, my belly button ring is forever.
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