Removing tricky piercings can be difficult because the jewellery is designed to fit securely in the hole and may have small parts that can be hard to grip or manipulate.
Additionally, some types of jewellery, such as threaded or captive bead rings, may require specialised tools or techniques to remove them properly. If the jewellery is not removed correctly, it can lead to infection, scarring, or damage to the piercing site.
Remove your jewellery with care
Removing jewellery properly is important to prevent injury and infection for several reasons. Improperly removed jewellery can cause pain, bleeding, and damage to the area, leading to scarring and making future piercing procedures more difficult.
It can introduce bacteria and other pathogens into the piercing site, increasing the risk of infection, which can further cause severe pain, swelling, and redness, leading to systemic illness or even sepsis.
If jewellery is removed correctly, it can avoid becoming stuck or lodged for a long time, making it easier to remove without professional assistance. Therefore, taking the time and care is essential for maintaining the health and safety of the piercing site.
Difficult to remove piercings
Threaded jewellery: Comprises a barbell with threaded ends that screw into the piercing. Removing this type of jewellery can be tricky because the ends can be small and hard to grip, and they may become stuck in the piercing.
Captive bead rings: It has circular rings with a small bead that fits inside the ring. Canning these can be tough because the bead can be challenging to grasp and remove from the ring.
Screw-on balls: Another modern yet slightly different kind of piercing with small balls screwed onto the ends of barbells or other types of shapes. These balls are usually tightly screwed to give the jewellery strength and body. Removing them can be tricky but possible if carried out carefully.
How to take out tricky piercing jewellery?
Push pin studs
To take out push pin studs, grasp both ends of the earrings firmly while holding in place the flatback post, gently twist and pull the top of the jewellery (the decorative one).
When you pull out the top, you will notice a little bend to the post. This bend is made to be there. It latches the top into its labret.
Internally threaded barbells
Screw in studs, or the barbell contains a threaded top that screws into the post.
To remove this kind of jewellery, tightly hold the flashback post in one hand while unscrewing the top to the left. This jewellery normally has two barbells at each end. You can reach either one of the balls that is the easiest to access and unscrew it first.
Make sure when you wear the piercing again; it is screwed tightly because touching or sleeping on them can lead to the risk of losing the jewellery.
Clickers AKA, seamless rings
Seamless rings come with a small hinged closure design connecting them in and out. This small opening may be difficult to locate, so gently touch the earring with your finger or thumb. You can ask someone too to locate the small closure.
Click the hinged portion away from the rest of the earring, and your tricky piercing will easily slide out.
Captive bead rings
This design has a ball that is fixed in its place. This ball doesn’t even move at the point of closure, making the jewellery a little tricky to slide in and out of the piercing.
The bead is there to strengthen the grip of the piercing so the ring doesn’t move around. It heals better and faster than many other piercings.
To remove this fixed ring, hold the earring on either side of the bead and twist your earrings and fingers at the same time in opposite directions (away from each other). This way, the ring will get opened and probably look like the start of a spiral.
Seek professional help if needed
If you’re having trouble removing a stubborn piece of jewellery, don’t be afraid to seek professional help.
Sometimes, even the most careful of us can end up with a pesky piece of jewellery that refuses to come out. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic! While it’s possible to remove the jewellery yourself, you may want to consider seeking professional help.
Sometimes the skin around a piercing can become inflamed or infected if you try to remove it yourself. Therefore, have someone nearby to help with the tricky parts.
If you decide to go ahead with trying your own methods anyway, make sure to have a few sterile and clean tools before beginning—and don’t forget about gloves!