Like any other injury to the skin, piercings can lead to scarring. Your body is just trying to repair the puncture wound by increasing the production of connective tissue. With nose piercings, the healing process can eventually lead to a small dimple on the skin. But a raised scar may also form.

Once your belly-button piercing is completely healed -- which may take as long as two to six months -- you can easily remove the navel ring yourself and substitute another, or even leave it out for a while. Keep in mind that if you leave the ring out for too long, the piercing may close and need to be redone.

A natural dye derived from the leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis), henna ink seeps into the top layer of skin when applied, resulting in a semipermanent stain. Whether applied freehand or via a stencil, henna tattoos usually last 14 days.

When you first get your belly button pierced, a silver hoop belly button ring is usually inserted. Additionally, some silver hoops can be purchased to wear after the piercing jewelry is removed.

When your body rejects a belly button piercing, the jewelry moves to the surface of the skin and eventually comes out. This can be really frustrating after you've paid for a piercing and endured the discomfort of healing. There are some steps you can take to prevent your body from rejecting the navel piercing.

Most professional tattoo shops use dual coil tattoo machines because they are readily available and relatively inexpensive. They also provide smooth lines and shading. Although dual coil machines may be the standard, some tattoo artists prefer to use rotary tattoo machines instead.

India ink is a black pigment generally made from fine soot with a binding agent. The upside of India ink is its use in the art world to create drawings, comics and calligraphy. The downside of this form of ink is its use for homemade tattoos.

Metal allergies can be evident in pierced ears or wherever skin comes into contact with metals, such as with watches, necklaces or other jewelry. This form of allergic reaction is called contact dermatitis, and is due to your body's reacting to impurities in metal products.

Piercings in general, and navel piercings in particular, are gaining popularity in Western societies. A pierced navel, particularly popular with young women, can be a visually pleasing way to show off a flat stomach or to commemorate a special life event or experience.

<b>Overview</b> Tattooing has been around since ancient times. Today, the Mayo Clinic reports that as many as 20 million Americans are tattooed.

Nostril piercings are one of the most common facial piercings available, possibly second only to the earlobe in terms of popularity. Healing is relatively easy, if sometimes slow--about three to four months on average. But all piercings, even well-cared-for piercings, can develop complications as they heal.

Ear gauging is a popular body modification practice in which gauges of varying, graduated sizes are placed in an ear piercing to slowly stretch out the hole for a larger spacing. Ear gauging can be painful and have lasting effects that may one day need surgery to repair.