Nipple piercings can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for.It is important to know how to remove the jewelry piece in case you need to have a medical procedure done, want to breastfeeding, or just want a new piece of jewelry.It is easy to change out a nipple piercing, but you have to be patient.Making sure the piercing is healed and washing your hands are some of the precautions you need to take.You can either use ring opening pliers or your fingers to remove the old jewelry piece.
Step 1: Make sure the piercing is completely healed.
It takes at least 6 months for the tissue around the nipple piercing to heal.During this healing time, you will most likely be instructed to keep it covered for the first few weeks, and then maintain a strict twice-a-day cleaning regime to prevent infections until it is healed.Don't remove the piercing until then.If you choose to remove the piercing before the tissue heals, you run the risk of developing an infection in the exposed area.
Step 2: Allowing the hole to close could result in scar tissue.
The shape of the skin tissue can be changed by stretching it.If you no longer want your piercing and are removing jewelry to close the hole, be aware that your nipple may develop scar tissue.The shape of your nipple should be the same as it was before you got it pierced if you took proper care of it.Use body oils like baby oil to massage the healed hole and reduce the look of scar tissue.
Step 3: Purchase jewelry that is the same size as the one you already own.
If you don't know what size piercing you have, go to a professional and ask about it.Depending on the size of your nipple, piercing styles can vary.A professional will be able to tell you what your nipple size is.Large and small nipples can be pierced with threaded bar piercings, rings and hoops.
Step 4: To sterilize the new piercing item, use soap and hot water.
While resting on a clean cloth, let it air-dry.If there is a clasp to the piercing, make sure it is open when you clean it.You can switch out the piercing with the old one if you keep it nearby.You don't have to put a new piercing in the hole if you are not planning to.
Step 5: Before piercing removal, wash your hands with soap and hot water.
If you work with dirty hands, the area can become infectious.You can wash your hands with soap and hot water.You can dry them off with a towel or air-dry them.If you wash your hands after handling other items, you should wash them again if there are any germs on them.
Step 6: If you think your piercing is contaminated, talk to your general physician.
There are a number of signs and symptoms of a piercing, including redness, pain, and discharge around the pierced area.Make an appointment with your doctor to get proper treatment and antibiotics if you experience any of these before or after piercing.
Step 7: To remove the barbell, remove one of the rounded ends.
If you don't hold the other end of the barbell still, you'll have a hard time rotating your nipple.If you want to remove the piercing from either end, barbells have both ends threaded.Depending on which way the bar was installed, you may need to apply a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation.The method of removal is the same for straight or curved barbells.
Step 8: Slowly pull the barbell out of your nipple.
Pull out the jewelry piercing with a level hand for straight barbells.If you want to pull the curved metal out of your nipple, use a slight upward motion.There are internally threaded barbells, which means that the threads used to secure the piercing to your nipple are on the inside of the jewelry piece and the bar is smooth, and there are external threaded pieces, meaning that rough threads can get in the way.Don't pull or remove jewelry piercings that are threaded.
Step 9: To insert the new piercing, coat it with a water-based lubricant.
It is easier to slip in a lubricated jewelry piece than a dry one.If you think the lubrication will be too slippery to handle, you can use plain water.If you use a petroleum-based lubricant, it will prevent the piercing from aerating and causebacteria to grow.
Step 10: Attach the new barbell to the piercing hole.
Carefully slide the lubricated barbell into the piercing hole.New and old nipple piercings can close in a matter of minutes.Place the bead on the barbell and use a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation to screw it onto the bar.If you want to insert the piercing, don't pull the hole or the skin around the nipple.Allow the hole to guide the piercing.If you have both nipples pierced, you should repeat the cleaning and removing process for the second piercing.
Step 11: Put a towel on the surface that you are working on to catch the bead.
The end of a round bead is clasped through an open circle of metal in the captive bead ring.When you open the ring it will fall off, so position yourself over a clean hand towel on a flat surface where it can fall without scratching anything.
Step 12: To open the side of the CBR, use ring opening pliers.
Adhere the pliers to the ring and steady the other side with your other hand so you don't pull the piercing from your skin.Carefully use the pliers to pull out one end of the ring from the bead.Ring opening pliers can be purchased online or in a jewelry shop.A new CBR will need a pair of ring closing pliers.You can use needle-nose pliers if you don't have ring opening pliers.Wrap the needle-nose pliers with a piece of masking or electrical tape to cover the ridges on the tool that would scratch the metal of the ring.You need to be careful with the needle-nose pliers when using body jewelry that has scratches.
Step 13: Remove the ring from your nipple by rotating it.
Continue until you reach a point where one of the ends is inside the hole.Pull the ring out of the hole.If there is a small gap between the ring and its original position, it's time to change it.Use the pliers to open the ring more, but be careful not to bend it or damage it.
Step 14: Ring opening pliers can be used to open the new CBR.
The ring needs to be braced to prevent it from sliding.You can slip the ring back into your hole if you keep opening it until the bead falls off.It will be difficult to put on the ring if it is bent.If you don't have ring closing pliers, use needle-nose pliers wrapped in masking or electrical tape.
Step 15: If you want to slide the ring through your nipple, place it against the hole.
Allow the hole to guide the ring.It may take some time before you get the ring through the piercing, so be patient and not force it.Don't worry if the ring is hung up.Pull the ring out and try again.
Step 16: The ring closing pliers can be used to close the bead on one end.
Use your free hand to hold the ring in place and then close it so that the other end slides through the hole.The ring needs to be close enough to hold the bead in place.You need to open the ring more if the two ends of it touch the bead hole.If your bead doesn't have holes in it, close the ring to fit the indents of the bead between the ends.Close the ring the rest of the way to get the bead.If you have rings on both nipples, you need to remove and install the second piercing.