How to have my bellybutton pierced
How I did it: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW: The first words that should come out of your mouth when you walk into a piercing salon should be, "Do you have an autoclave?" An autoclave is a high-temperature oven that is used to sterilize tools so that there is no chance of cross-contamination. It is very, very possible to contract a disease through piercing, and sterilization of the piercing instruments is absolutely vital.
Also, ask to see what tools are used (the needle, the clamp, etc.) and make sure what isn't single-use and pre-packaged is always sterilized in the autoclave first. Piercing fees often don't include jewelry, or the piercing jewelry is very basic (stainless steel without gems), so if you'd like a silver bar with a pretty gem, etc., ask what the cost of the jewelry is and if you can be pierced with a particular barbell.
I got this done when I was 17 and now it's one of my favorite piercings. But be careful, because piercing can be addictive! Happy piercing!
