When it comes to belly button piercings, one size definitely doesn't fit all. If you've been dreaming of getting a navel piercing but worry about your anatomy, or if you've experienced issues with a traditional belly piercing in the past, you're in the right place. The difference between floating navel piercings and regular navel piercings goes far beyond aesthetics—it's about finding the perfect match for your unique body.
What Exactly is a Floating Navel Piercing?
The difference between a conventional navel piercing and a floating navel piercing is the jewelry: floating navel piercings use a flat disc or small bead at the bottom, instead of a large ball or gemstone on traditional navel curves.
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A floating navel piercing uses jewelry with the charm end on the top and a small ball end or flat disc end on the bottom, where it can sit comfortably inside the navel even while seated. That is why it is called "floating" because the charm end seems to float on the skin above the belly button itself.
The result? A sleek, sophisticated look that appears to hover effortlessly above your navel, showcasing only the decorative top piece while the bottom remains discreetly hidden inside your belly button.
Understanding Regular (Traditional) Navel Piercings
The conventional belly piercing typically involves a curved piece of jewelry with gems or ornate tops and bottoms, making both ends of the jewelry visible. A standard belly piercing requires a navel that doesn't fold or collapse when you sit down.
Traditional navel piercings have been the go-to choice for decades, featuring curved barbells that display decorative elements both above and below the navel. This classic style works beautifully for those with deeper-set navels and a prominent upper rim that provides a secure foundation for the piercing.
The Anatomy Factor: Who Should Choose Which Style?
Not every navel is pierceable, and this has nothing to do with weight or body type; it only depends on the shape of the navel itself, and how the tissue has settled and developed since the umbilical cord was cut.
Ideal Candidates for Floating Navel Piercings
The floating navel piercing technique is primarily intended for individuals whose unique anatomy doesn't align well with a traditional belly button piercing. This includes people with:
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Navels that collapse or fold when sitting
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Shallow or flat belly buttons
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Limited skin fold above the navel
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Previous migration or rejection issues with traditional piercings
While a collapsing navel is a recipe for rejection with a standard piercing, the floating version allows for a comfortable fit and will experience less motion or pressure caused by the collapse of the navel.
Best Candidates for Regular Navel Piercings
A prominent flap of skin (upper rim) provides a secure spot for jewelry, and a deep enough navel helps jewelry sit comfortably. Traditional piercings work best for those with:
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Deep-set navels that maintain their shape when sitting
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A pronounced upper rim
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Adequate skin fold for proper jewelry placement
Comfort and Lifestyle: The Daily Wear Difference
Why Floating Navel Piercings Win for Active Lifestyles
The top-down design means there's less irritation and pressure on the lower part of your navel. This is a game-changer if you're tired of your piercing poking or rubbing against your clothes.
If you're a gym rat or always staying busy, floating navel piercings are a solid choice. Traditional belly piercings can be a pain if your navel folds or collapses when you sit. Floating piercings avoid this issue because the charm is designed to hover above your belly button.
For yoga enthusiasts, athletes, or anyone who spends time in active positions, the floating style eliminates the discomfort of bottom jewelry pressing against your skin during movement. The minimalist bottom design means less snagging on clothing, workout gear, or high-waisted pants.
Traditional Piercings: Classic Visibility
Regular navel piercings offer maximum visibility for your jewelry investment. If you love showing off elaborate dangling designs or want jewelry that's visible from all angles, the traditional style lets you display decorative elements both above and below your navel.
Jewelry Options: Exploring Your Style Possibilities
Floating Navel Jewelry Specifications
For a floating belly button piercing, the typical jewelry specifications are: Gauge: 14 gauge (1.6 mm) is standard, though some may use 16 gauge (1.2 mm).
The floating belly button piercing is accomplished with a short curved barbell (banana barbell). However, the end of the barbell that comes through the belly button is small and/or flat, making it difficult or impossible to see.
At Pierced Addiction, we offer premium floating navel options including:
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14kt Solid Gold Threadless Floating Navels, the post and flat disc end are ASTM F-136 titanium
Traditional Navel Jewelry Variety
Traditional navel piercings offer incredible versatility with our extensive internally threaded navel rings collection. Choose from:
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Double gem designs with matching top and bottom stones
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Dangling styles with chains and charms
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Simple curved barbells with decorative balls
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Novelty designs from our novelty navel rings collection
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Curved barbells (banana barbells) are probably the most common jewelry type used for navel piercings. These have one end bead that is larger than the other. That makes them great for showing off larger stones.
The Piercing Process: What to Expect
The actual piercing process is quick but requires precision. You might feel a pinch – a fleeting moment in your journey towards embracing this chic body art. Remember, the expertise of your piercer plays a pivotal role here, making the difference between a mere piercing and a piece of art on your body.
Whether you choose floating or traditional, the piercing technique is similar—your piercer marks the placement, uses a hollow needle to create the channel, and inserts the initial jewelry. A floating belly button piercing typically rates around 3-5 on a pain scale of 1-10.
The key difference lies in the consultation phase, where your piercer assesses your anatomy. During your consultation, your piercer will check for: skin fold above the navel – a prominent flap of skin (upper rim) provides a secure spot for jewelry; navel depth – a deep enough navel helps jewelry sit comfortably; scar tissue – old piercings or surgical scars may affect placement and healing.
Healing Time and Aftercare Considerations
Healing Timeline
Floating navel piercings generally do not heal faster than traditional navel piercings. Healing times for any piercing can vary based on individual factors such as the person's overall health, aftercare routine, and the piercing technique used. Generally, navel piercings, including floating navel piercings, can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to fully heal.
Both piercing styles require patience and consistent care throughout the healing process. Don't be fooled by the sleeker appearance of floating jewelry—it still needs the same dedicated aftercare as traditional styles.
Essential Aftercare Tips
Proper aftercare, which includes cleaning the piercing regularly and avoiding irritation to the area, is crucial for promoting faster and healthier healing. It's also important to follow the advice of a professional piercer for specific care instructions.
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For optimal healing, we recommend:
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Clean twice daily with sterile saline solution like PierceMed Aftercare Spray
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Avoid sleeping on your stomach during initial healing
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Wear loose clothing that won't snag or irritate the piercing
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Skip swimming pools and hot tubs for at least 6-8 weeks
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Don't touch or rotate the jewelry with unwashed hands
The strength of your abdominal muscles can play a significant role in determining whether or not you encounter complications during the healing process. It is less likely to feel discomfort or complications if your core is strong; moreover, the piercing will also heal fast.
Material Matters: Choosing Safe Jewelry
It's crucial to consider the appropriate material for your jewelry. When considering a floating navel piercing, it is vital to choose a ring that is crafted from a safe and hygienic material to prevent any potential skin reactions or discomfort.
Best Materials for Initial Piercing
Both floating and traditional navel piercings benefit from high-quality materials:
Implant-Grade Titanium: Our ASTM F-136 titanium jewelry collection offers hypoallergenic options perfect for sensitive skin and initial piercings. Titanium is lightweight, durable, and comes in various colors through anodization.
14kt or 18kt Gold: For those seeking luxury, our 14kt threadless ends and 18kt threadless ends provide elegance without compromising safety.
316L Surgical Steel: While popular, steel should only be used after complete healing for those without nickel sensitivities.
Styling Your Floating vs Regular Navel Piercing
Floating Navel Style Options
Not only do floating navel rings look awesome with their unique floating charm, but they got that cool style which goes with any outfit of the day. You are all set with both style and comfort.
Popular floating navel looks include:
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Minimalist elegance: Single gemstone ends show off understated sophistication
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Geometric designs: Modern shapes from our titanium threadless ends collection
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Floral motifs: Delicate flower designs that appear to bloom above your navel
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Celestial themes: Stars, moons, and suns that create a floating celestial vibe
Experiment with your look and repurpose your standard belly rings by flipping them upside-down for a gorgeous floating navel look. This works absolutely perfect with funky abstract charms or shiny gem ends.
Traditional Navel Glamour
Traditional piercings shine with:
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Dangling designs: Chains, charms, and cascading gems
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Statement pieces: Bold novelty navel rings with unique themes
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Double-ended sparkle: Matching top and bottom gems for maximum brilliance
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Seasonal styles: Holiday and themed designs that show your personality
Can You Switch Between Styles?
One common question is whether you can wear traditional jewelry in a floating piercing or vice versa. The answer depends on your specific anatomy and the jewelry dimensions.
Can you wear a circular ring in a floating navel? That is a question that only your piercer can answer for you. The human body comes in so many different forms and styles that it is impossible to give a straight answer to that question.
If you have a floating navel piercing, you may be able to wear some traditional curved barbells by using smaller bottom balls. However, elaborate dangling jewelry designed for traditional piercings might not sit properly or could cause irritation due to the different placement angle.
Cost Considerations
Both floating and traditional navel piercings typically cost the same for the procedure itself, ranging from $40-$80 depending on your location and studio. The main cost difference comes from jewelry choices:
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Basic implant-grade titanium curved barbells: $15-$30
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Premium threadless systems: $25-$50 per piece
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14kt gold jewelry: $50-$200+ depending on design
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Elaborate gemstone pieces: $40-$150+
At Pierced Addiction, we offer competitive pricing across our entire navel jewelry collection, ensuring you can find stunning pieces within any budget.
Common Concerns and Misconceptions
"Floating piercings reject more easily"
Actually, the opposite is often true. Floating piercings lower the odds of irritation or rejection, making them the more low-key but perfect match for your daily styling needs, especially for those with collapsing navels.
"You can't wear rings with floating piercings"
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While circular barbells may not work for everyone with a floating piercing, many can wear hinged rings or seamless rings depending on their anatomy. Consult your piercer for personalized advice.
"Floating piercings look less attractive"
Beauty is subjective, and floating navel piercings are popping up everywhere on the internet due to their unique charming look. The minimalist aesthetic appeals to those seeking modern, sophisticated body jewelry.
Making Your Decision: Floating vs Regular
Consider choosing a floating navel piercing if you:
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Have a navel that folds when you sit
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Lead an active lifestyle with frequent bending and movement
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Prefer minimalist jewelry aesthetics
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Have had previous rejection issues with traditional piercings
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Want maximum comfort for daily wear
Opt for a regular navel piercing if you:
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Have a deep navel with a prominent upper rim
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Your navel maintains its shape when sitting
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You love elaborate dangling jewelry designs
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You want maximum visibility for your jewelry investment
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You prefer the classic belly piercing look
The Evolution of Navel Piercing Options
Piercing has evolved so much over the years and continues to do so! It used to be that if you didn't have the perfect anatomy for the piercing you wanted, you simply couldn't get it. Now there are alternatives like the floating industrial, the faux rook, and the floating navel piercing to allow piercings to be more accessible to all bodies.
This evolution in piercing techniques means more people than ever can enjoy beautiful navel piercings, regardless of their unique anatomy. The floating navel piercing has opened doors for thousands who were previously told their belly buttons weren't suitable for piercing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose a floating navel piercing or a regular navel piercing, the most important factors are working with a professional piercer, choosing quality jewelry from reputable sources like Pierced Addiction's titanium jewelry collection, and following proper aftercare protocols.
It is always recommended to see your fitting for the piercing, whether you can fall for this category or not. Schedule a consultation with an experienced piercer who can assess your anatomy and recommend the best option for your body.
Remember, your piercing journey is personal and unique. Both floating and traditional navel piercings can be beautiful, comfortable, and long-lasting when done correctly with appropriate jewelry. Explore our complete range of navel jewelry, floating navel jewelry, and aftercare products to find everything you need for your perfect navel piercing experience.
Ready to get started? Browse our collection and find the perfect piece that speaks to your style, whether you're team floating or team traditional!