How to Remove a Surface Piercing
A surface piercing differs from a normal body piercing in that it goes through a flat segment of skin. Examples of surface piercings include eyebrows, wrists and the nape of the neck. The most commonly used jewelry is a surgical steel surface bar or a piece of flexible plastic surgical tubing. Because of the pressure exerted on the jewelry by the flat skin, surface piercings are prone to rejection or growing out through the skin's surface. If you notice that your piercing is beginning to reject, you should remove the jewelry.
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Instructions
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Clean your hands and your piercing by lathering them with antimicrobial soap and rinsing them well with warm water. Use a clean paper towel to dry your skin.
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Use the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand to pinch the two holes of your piercing together. This will cause the bar or plastic tubing to stick out through the hole near your forefinger.
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Twist the bead near your forefinger to the left, or counter-clockwise, until it comes unscrewed.
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Set the removed bead aside and let go of the pinched skin. The bar or tubing will disappear into the piercing.
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Pull gently on the bead that is still attached to the bar or tubing to remove the jewelry from your piercing.
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Tips & Warnings
Depending on the location of your piercing, you may need another person to help you remove it. Never allow other people to touch your piercing unless they are wearing fresh latex or nitrile gloves.
Never attempt to remove jewelry from an infected piercing. The holes need to remain open to provide a drain. If you are unsure whether your piercing is infected, visit a piercer certified by the Association of Professional Piercers.
References
Resources
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