So you have a nose piercing and are ready to take out the jewelry. The steps to remove a nose piercing with a flat back are quite straightforward, but it is important to be gentle and take your time. Roughly handling the piercing during removal can lead to irritation, swelling, or re-injury of the piercing.
Wash Your Hands and Soak the Piercing
The first step is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Having clean hands ensures you do not introduce any bacteria into the piercing during the removal process.
Next, soak your nose piercing in warm water for 3 to 5 minutes to help loosen any crusties or debris that may have built up around the piercing. The water will also help relax the piercing, making removal more comfortable. Be sure to rinse the piercing with clean water after soaking to wash away any loosened matter.
Grasp the Flat Back and Unscrew or Remove
Once your hands are clean and the piercing is soaked, you are ready to remove the jewelry. Gently grasp the flat back part of the nose ring with your fingers. If the nose ring is threaded, turn it counterclockwise to unscrew it. For nose rings that are not threaded, simply pull the ring straight out.
Be very gentle and careful not to pull too hard, as this can irritate the piercing. Go slowly and stop if you feel any pain. It is best to have a professional piercer remove the jewelry if it seems stuck or painful.
Clean the Piercing and Apply a Bandage
After the nose ring has been removed, clean the piercing again with a saline solution like Hibiclens. Gently move any crusties away from the piercing and rinse well with water. Apply a bandage, sterile gauze, or a breathable bandage to the piercing for extra protection. The bandage is especially important for new piercings as it provides a protective barrier from outside contaminants and accidental bumping.
It is critical that you only remove a nose piercing that is fully healed. New piercings should remain in for at least 4 to 6 weeks for studs and 6 to 8 weeks for hoops. Removing jewelry too early can lead to the piercing closing up or becoming infected. If your nose piercing is still healing, see your piercer to have the jewelry changed or removed. They can properly assess if the piercing is ready and perform the procedure steril
Aftercare
After removing your nose piercing, proper aftercare is important to ensure proper healing and avoid infection. Here are some tips for aftercare:
- Do not touch or play with the piercing site. Keep your hands away from the piercing as much as possible. Touching the area can introduce bacteria and slow down healing.
- Keep the piercing clean and dry. Gently clean the piercing twice a day with saline solution and pat dry with clean gauze or paper towels. Avoid swimming or submerging the piercing in bodies of water during the initial healing period.
- Avoid re-injuring the piercing. Be careful not to bump, snap, or irritate the piercing. Wear larger sized studs or hoops for the first week or so in case you want to re-insert jewelry. The piercing hole can start to close up within a few hours of removal.
- Continue cleaning even without jewelry. It is a good idea to continue the twice daily cleaning routine for 3 to 5 days after removal even if you do not plan to re-insert jewelry. This helps ensure proper healing and avoids infection as the piercing closes.
- See a doctor if you notice signs of infection. Look for swelling, redness, pus, or bleeding around the piercing site. You may need oral antibiotics to clear up an infection before re-piercing.
Conclusion
Removing a nose piercing with a flat back is usually quick and straightforward, but it does require care and precision. By properly washing your hands, soaking the piercing in warm water, gently removing the jewelry, and cleaning the piercing, you can take out your nose ring with minimal discomfort or complications. Be sure to continue good aftercare like cleaning and avoiding touching the piercing for several days after removal, even if you do not plan to insert new jewelry. If at any time removal seems difficult or the piercing looks irritated, it is best to have a professional piercer take out the jewelry. They have the proper tools, training, and experience to remove nose rings without causing harm.
Nose piercings can take between 2 to 4 months to fully heal. It is important to keep piercings in during this initial healing period before attempting removal yourself. Removing a nose piercing before it has healed can lead to the piercing closing up or becoming infected. If your nose piercing was done recently, see your piercer to have the jewelry removed to avoid complications. They can properly assess if the piercing is ready for removal and take it out safely.
With proper aftercare and by avoiding re-injury, a removed nose piercing will typically close up in 3 to 7 days. However, the piercing hole may shrink but not completely close. Re-piercing the same spot can often be done in 4 to 6 weeks, but check with your piercer for their recommendations based on your unique piercing. Your nose piercing journey may be coming to an end, but with the proper removal and aftercare, you can ensure many years of safe and beautiful piercings to come!