Belly button piercings are back – here's what to know about the Y2K trend (2024)

The ‘90s beauty and fashion redux is still going strong, so it's little surprise that Y2K belly button piercings are also enjoying a revival.

Of all the piercings out there, it was somehow the belly button piercing that became an unofficial rite of passage for many back then. So, what is there to know about belly button piercings in 2023? Well, quite a lot, actually.

First off, there are different placements you may not know about; belly buttons that aren't actually suited to the piercing, and jewellery types you may not of heard of. Plus, there are some key things you'll need to know if you want to avoid infection and get your new belly button embellishment healed as soon as possible.

We've quizzed Niki Yeadon, piercing expert and founder of Crystal Point Piercing on everything you need to know about belly button piercings…

What is a belly button piercing?

Professionally known as a navel piercing — but often referred to as a belly button piercing — it features “a piece of jewellery that sits through the skin fold, most commonly above the belly button but also around the navel,” explains Niki.

What types of belly button piercings can you get?

“The most common belly button piercing is through the top fold of skin,” explains Niki. That said, you can also get the belly button pierced in the slides and lower navel if the piercer thinks your anatomy allows it.

“For some anatomy shapes, a floating navel can help it heal better.The M&M disc (which are flat discs) on the bar allows for the client to sit comfortably, avoiding the bottom of the bar getting caught in the skin and delaying healing,” says Niki.

What jewellery material is used for a belly button piercing?

A curved barbell is most common for belly button piercings. The material of the jewellery you are initially pierced with tends to be either implant-grade stainless steel or medical-grade titanium. The latter is approved by the APP (association of professional piercers) as it is nickel-free (ideal for those with metal allergies). 14K gold is another option.