Cartilage piercings (e.g., helix, tragus, or conch) require careful handling during removal. Cartilage tissue is relatively avascular, meaning it heals slower than soft tissue like the earlobe, often taking six to twelve months to fully mature. Safe removal involves meticulous preparation, understanding the specific jewelry mechanics, and diligent aftercare to ensure the piercing channel closes cleanly and without complications.
Essential Preparation Before Removal
Before touching the piercing, ensure a sterile environment to prevent introducing bacteria. Thorough handwashing with antibacterial soap is essential, followed by drying with a clean, disposable paper towel. Any tools, such as ring-opening pliers or gauze, should be sanitized with isopropyl alcohol or a sterile solution and placed on a clean surface.
Visually inspect the piercing site for any signs of complication that would make self-removal unsafe. If the area exhibits severe pain, intense heat, excessive swelling, or is discharging thick, discolored pus (green or yellow), the piercing is likely infected. Removing the jewelry when infected is strongly discouraged, as the piercing channel (fistula) can close and trap the infection beneath the skin. A trapped infection can lead to serious conditions like perichondritis, requiring immediate attention from a physician or professional piercer.
Step-by-Step Guide for Common Jewelry Types
Threaded and Push-Pin Studs
Cartilage is frequently adorned with labret studs, which come in internally threaded or threadless (push-pin) styles. For a threaded stud, stabilize the flat back of the jewelry against the ear with one hand. With the other hand, gently turn the decorative front end of the jewelry to the left (“lefty loosey”) to unscrew it from the post.
Threadless, or push-pin, studs are held by friction from a slightly bent pin on the decorative top inserted into the hollow post. To remove a threadless stud, firmly grasp the flat back and the decorative front with two hands. While holding the post steady, gently but firmly pull the top straight out of the post without twisting to release the bent pin.
Captive Bead Rings and Hinged Hoops
Captive Bead Rings (CBRs) use the ring’s tension to hold a small bead or gem in place. To remove this style, gently pinch the ring with your fingers or a specific tool, pulling the two sides apart slightly to create a gap for the bead to pop out. Twist the ring slightly to the side, rather than pulling straight apart, to avoid warping its circular shape.
Hinged hoops, often called clickers, feature a small straight segment that clicks into a receiving slot. To open a hinged hoop, locate the seam where the hinged segment meets the rest of the ring and apply gentle pressure near this point. The segment should pivot outward on its hinge, allowing the jewelry to be slid out of the piercing once the mechanism is disengaged.
Troubleshooting: Dealing with Stuck or Problematic Piercings
Jewelry can become difficult to remove due to localized swelling or dried discharge, especially if the piercing is new or irritated. Applying a warm compress for five to ten minutes can help reduce mild swelling and soften crusting binding the jewelry to the skin. A sterile saline soak can further assist in loosening debris before attempting removal.
If a flat-back labret stud appears slightly embedded beneath swollen tissue, gentle manipulation is necessary. Use a clean cotton swab to lightly press the tissue away from the jewelry’s front end to expose the back. Once exposed, gently pushing the front of the jewelry from the outside helps locate and grasp the flat back for removal.
Minor bleeding upon successful removal is generally a sign of minor trauma to the exposed tissue. Apply gentle, direct pressure using clean gauze or a paper towel for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. Avoid scrubbing the area, and proceed immediately to the post-removal cleaning routine to prevent infection.
Post-Removal Care and Healing
Once the jewelry is safely out, care of the exposed piercing channel (fistula) is paramount to ensure it closes without complication. The site should be cleaned twice daily using a sterile saline solution, which can be purchased pre-mixed for wound care. Gently mist the area or use a clean cotton swab saturated with the saline solution to wash away any debris or discharge.
Because cartilage has a limited blood supply, the piercing channel takes longer to close than an earlobe piercing. While the surface openings may shrink within days, the internal channel may take many months to fully seal over with new tissue. Continue the cleaning routine until the site is completely closed and feels smooth to the touch, which can take up to six months. Monitor the area for delayed signs of infection, such as renewed swelling, redness, or pain, which would necessitate professional medical advice.