A barbell piercing is a piece of jewelry characterized by a straight post with a removable decorative end on each side. People often remove this jewelry to switch styles, conceal the piercing for work or other activities, or because the piercing channel is fully healed. Safely removing the barbell at home requires careful preparation and technique to avoid damaging the skin or introducing bacteria into the piercing site.
Necessary Preparation Before Removal
The most important step before attempting removal is confirming the piercing is fully healed. This means the tissue is no longer swollen, painful, or discharging anything other than minimal lymph fluid. If there are signs of active infection, such as excessive redness, significant swelling, or thick, discolored discharge, do not remove the jewelry yourself. Removing jewelry from an infected site can trap bacteria inside the healing channel, potentially leading to an abscess. Consult a professional piercer or physician instead.
A clean environment is paramount to prevent bacterial transmission. Begin by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, then dry them with a clean, disposable paper towel. Gather all necessary supplies, including a mirror, sterile gauze, and non-latex gloves, which provide a superior grip on slippery jewelry. Gently clean the piercing site and the jewelry itself using a sterile saline wound wash solution to remove any external debris or crusting.
Step-by-Step Barbell Removal Technique
The first step involves identifying which end of the barbell unscrews, as one side may be fixed. Most threaded barbells follow the “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” rule, meaning you turn the ball or end counter-clockwise to loosen it. It is important to stabilize the barbell post with one hand, gently holding the skin around the piercing to prevent the jewelry from pulling or moving excessively.
Use the thumb and forefinger of your other hand to firmly grip the removable end, applying steady counter-pressure with the stabilizing hand. Gently twist the end counter-clockwise until it detaches from the post. Remember that internally threaded jewelry has the threads on the ball, while externally threaded jewelry has them on the post. Once the decorative end is off, slowly and smoothly slide the bar out of the piercing channel in the direction of the remaining fixed end. Avoid yanking or pulling the jewelry out, as this can cause micro-tears in the delicate tissue lining the piercing.
Troubleshooting Difficult or Tight Jewelry
If the ball end is difficult to unscrew, the friction provided by a pair of clean nitrile or latex gloves can often provide the necessary extra grip. The tacky surface of the glove material gives better traction than bare fingers, which may be slick from cleaning solution or natural skin oils. Some stubborn ends may be due to the jewelry being screwed on very tightly by a piercer to prevent premature removal.
If gloves are insufficient, a small piece of clean, dry paper towel wrapped around the ball can sometimes help, but avoid using rough fabrics that could snag. For extremely tight or cross-threaded jewelry, specialized tools, such as small hemostats or piercing pliers, may be considered. These must be used with extreme caution to avoid pinching the skin or damaging the jewelry. If the jewelry does not loosen with gentle force or if you experience significant pain or bleeding, abandon the attempt immediately and seek assistance from a professional piercer, who has the correct sterile tools and expertise.
Immediate Aftercare
Once the barbell is successfully removed, the focus shifts to managing the empty piercing channel and surrounding tissue. Immediately clean the site thoroughly using sterile saline solution to flush out any debris and minimize the risk of irritation. The tissue may be slightly tender or red for a short time, which is a normal reaction to the manipulation.
The piercing channel will begin to shrink and close over time, though the exact timeline varies widely depending on the piercing location and how long the jewelry was worn. For a well-established piercing, the channel may close to an unnoticeable point within a few weeks, though the epithelialized fistula may persist, leaving a small, permanent mark. Continue to monitor the area for several days for any signs of delayed infection or irritation. Clean the site with saline once or twice a day until the tissue appears completely settled. If the jewelry is intended for future reuse, clean it thoroughly with mild soap and water, pat it dry, and store it in a clean, dry container.