How To Remove A Nose Ring: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove a Nose Ring PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Karissa Sanford

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Taking Jewelry Out
    • |
  • Removing Your Jewelry Permanently
    • |
  • Taking Care of Your Jewelry
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Karissa Sanford. Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. Karissa has over 10 years of piercing experience and is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,204,630 times.

While generally you won’t want to remove a nose ring often, sometimes it’s necessary. Maybe you want to change out your jewelry, or just want to give it a cleaning. Whatever the reason, make sure you know how to remove the jewelry properly to avoid hurting yourself, and prevent infection when you put the jewelry back in.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Taking Jewelry Out

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  1. Step 1 Wash your hands... 1 Wash your hands. Since you are going to be touching your face, you want to make sure your hands are clean to prevent rubbing dirt and oil on your nose. Clean your hands with soap and water, then dry before handling your jewelry.[1]
    • To effectively remove the germs, lather your hands with the soap for 20 seconds. Be sure to scrub under your fingernails as well.[2]
  2. Step 2 Remove a nose ring. 2 Remove a nose ring. This is the most common type of nose piercing, just a hoop that runs through your nose. There are a couple types of rings, each of which is designed to come out a bit differently.[3]
    • Seamless rings. These rings should have a break in the material. To take it out, bend the ring slightly so the break comes apart, then slide out of your piercing.
    • Segment rings are designed with a separate piece that comes out of the ring. Pull it out in order to remove the ring from your nose, then snap it back in place to close the ring.
    • Because of their size, nose rings can be tricky to pull apart in order to insert or remove. Some companies make opening and closing pliers, special tools to grip the ring, which you might find helpful for seamless rings.
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  3. Step 3 Remove a stud, pin, or bone. 3 Remove a stud, pin, or bone. These are common types of jewelry consist of a straight post holding a bead or jewel that is visible. The other end is usually another bead that helps prevent it from falling out. To remove, grab both ends and pull apart.[4]
    • Nose bones are similar types of jewelry, but much more difficult to get out. To change the jewelry, you will effectively need to rip it out of your nose.
  4. Step 4 Remove a nostril screw. 4 Remove a nostril screw. This type of jewelry started in India and has become more popular in the Western world. It consists of a short post that has a hook or “L-bar” at the other end to hold it in place. Just like a stud or pin, to remove you grab both ends and pull.[5]
    • Some types may require you to twist slightly to help the pieces come apart, but that should be fairly easy to get the hang of.[6]
  5. Step 5 Have a piercer take it out. 5 Have a piercer take it out. If you are having trouble getting your fingers on the jewelry, or have certain types of piercings that you can’t remove, go back to your piercer to have them take it out. This is not something you should do often, but if something is stuck, or you are having a problem with your jewelry, the piercer should check it out.[7]
    • When you first get your nose pierced, talk with your piercer about the proper way to remove your jewelry.
    • It would be a good idea to discuss general nose ring care with your piercer as well.
  6. Step 6 Switch your jewelry quickly. 6 Switch your jewelry quickly. If you removed your jewelry in order to swap in another piece, it is important that you make that change quickly. Have the next piece ready to go so you can make the switch.
    • Everyone’s body heals differently, so you can’t be sure how long it will take for the hole to close up.
    • Even piercings that have been there for years can shrink or close within minutes, making reinsertion difficult, if not impossible.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Removing Your Jewelry Permanently

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  1. Step 1 Take your jewelry... 1 Take your jewelry out unless it's become embedded or infected. Don't try to remove the jewelry yourself, or you will make the condition worse. Whether it is infected or embedded, visit your doctor and be sure to tell them that you want the nose ring permanently removed.
    • Many infections can be treated without removing the jewelry, so tell your doctor that you want it take out; otherwise, they'll assume you want to keep it in.
    • If your jewelry has become embedded, it may require surgical removal. Talk to your doctor about getting it removed as soon as you can.[8]
  2. Step 2 Help the piercing... 2 Help the piercing heal. If you have removed your nose ring for good, you want to make sure the hole shrinks without infection or other trouble. Continue to clean the wound area twice a day using warm water or a saline solution. In most cases, the piercing hole will heal on its own, shrinking down so that all is left is a barely noticeable dimple.
    • If your piercing has become stretched, it is less likely to heal back to its original shape.[9]
  3. Step 3 Wait for the area to heal before getting a new piercing. 3 Wait for the area to heal before getting a new piercing. If you change your mind, and decide to get your nose pierced again, make sure the hole heals completely before getting it pierced again. If the area doesn’t heal, you can create scar tissue from the additional trauma to your nose.[10]
    • The piercing must be healed on both sides. How long this will take will vary from person to person.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Jewelry

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  1. Step 1 Clean... 1 Clean the area around your piercing. Twice a day, you should clean the pierced area using sterile cotton swabs dipped in warm water or a saline solution. Dabbing the pierced area should be enough, but be sure to remove any crusty formations on the jewelry. When you are finished, pat the area dry with a paper towel, clean tissue, or dry cotton ball. Be careful not to use towels, as they can snag.[11] [12]
    • To make your own saline solution, rather than buying it, dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in one cup of lukewarm water.
    • Remember to use different cotton balls or swabs when cleaning the parts of your jewelry inside and outside of your nose.
    • Avoid strong substances such as tea tree oil, alcohol, betadine, hydrogen peroxide, and methylated spirits. These can lead to scars, lumps, and other irritations.[13]
    • Try to avoid getting makeup on the piercing.[14]
  2. Step 2 Clean your jewelry... 2 Clean your jewelry after taking it out. Sometimes you may want to clean just the jewelry, especially if it is getting a little dull. Once you remove it, use a soft brush with warm water and a little antibacterial soap.
    • In general, avoid using cleaning products and chlorine. They can damage many of the materials used in jewelry.
    • Talk to your piercer about what your jewelry is made of, and good cleaning products for different materials.
  3. Step 3 Store your jewelry properly. 3 Store your jewelry properly. You don’t want your nose jewelry to sit out the open when you aren’t wearing it. It is small, and easy to lose if you aren’t careful. A small soft pouch for your different pieces should be enough to keep it secure and in an easy-to-find place.
    • If you have multiple nose rings, consider storing them in a weekly pill organizer. The compartments are the perfect size for most nose rings!
  4. Step 4 Keep your home... 4 Keep your home clean. One good way to keep your nose piercing healthy is to live a clean life. In particular, keep an eye on things that are near your face. Washing towels and bedding at least once a week, especially pillowcases and washcloths. Clean glasses and sunglasses as well.[15]
    • Remember to eat a good diet and get plenty of sleep. This will help your piercing heal faster.
    • Avoid things that put additional pressure on your body, like drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and stress.
  5. Step 5 Talk to your piercer about alternatives. 5 Talk to your piercer about alternatives. If you need to remove your jewelry for something like surgery, sports, or your job, talk to your piercer about temporary, non-metallic alternatives. That way, you’ll be able to keep something in the hole while not getting in the way of whatever else you need to do.
    • Just remember not to take anything out until you talk to your piercer. Your hole may close up before either of you has a chance to do anything.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question What do I do if my nose ring is stuck in the lobe of my nose? Community Answer Community Answer Try using saline solution. It should help get it to come out. But if that doesn't work, don't leave the earring in your nose like that. If you do, the skin will grow over it. Try hydrogen peroxide. Just pour it on and try not to get any up your nose. If all else fails, see your doctor. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 19
  • Question How do I close the holes immediately after piercing? Community Answer Community Answer Take out the earrings ASAP and put healing cream on. They will gradually grow closed and heal. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 13
  • Question I have a stud in my nose, and when I tried to take it out today, it wouldn’t come out. It’s like the bottom is stuck. I’m stressing, what do I do? Community Answer Community Answer It's because the stud is triangular-shaped and has a sharp point where they used it to pierce the skin. Give it a wiggle and a pull and it should come out. If all else fails, go back to the place you had it done and they will take it out for you, and even change it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 18 Helpful 30
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • After getting your nose pierced, your skin will take some time to get used to the new hole. You should wait at least six to eight weeks, if not up to three months, before removing your jewelry for the first time.[16] Remove your jewelry too early could cause the piercing to close, which will prevent you from putting it back in. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • It can take a little bit of work to get used to removing a nose ring or other piece of jewelry. Don’t let yourself get too frustrated, as a little bit of practice should get you comfortable with the process pretty quickly. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Avoid using jewelry with a press-on backing, like the kind you get in an earring. The sharp end can cause damage if you miss while trying to insert it, plus the backing can contain bacteria that leads to an infection. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 9
  • If the area around your nose ring is infected, do not remove it. Instead, get to a doctor immediately so it can be removed safely and your infection treated properly. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 11
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
  2. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
  3. ↑ https://www.painfulpleasures.com/community/blog/client/the-ultimate-guide-to-nose-rings-nose-piercings/
  4. ↑ https://www.painfulpleasures.com/community/blog/client/the-ultimate-guide-to-nose-rings-nose-piercings/
  5. ↑ https://www.painfulpleasures.com/community/blog/client/the-ultimate-guide-to-nose-rings-nose-piercings/
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpZBBnQFQ0w
  7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpZBBnQFQ0w
  8. ↑ http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/1115/p2029.html
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5aorVvmaHA
More References (7)
  1. ↑ https://tatring.com/piercing-types/nose-piercing-info#mod_3432521
  2. ↑ http://www.skin-artists.com/nose-piercing-healing.htm
  3. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
  4. ↑ http://www.skin-artists.com/nose-piercing-healing.htm
  5. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings
  7. ↑ http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/nose-piercing

About This Article

Karissa Sanford Co-authored by: Karissa Sanford Body Piercing Specialist This article was co-authored by Karissa Sanford. Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. Karissa has over 10 years of piercing experience and is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). This article has been viewed 1,204,630 times. 26 votes - 43% Co-authors: 8 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 1,204,630 Categories: Nose Piercing Article SummaryX

Before removing a nose ring, wash your hands with soap and water to prevent infection. To remove a seamless ring, find the break in the material and bend the ring slightly so it comes apart, then slide the piercing out. For segment rings, pull out the separate piece that’s designed to come out to remove the ring from your nose. When dealing with a stud, pin, or bone, grab both the straight posts and pull them apart. If you run into any difficulty, you can always ask a piercer to help you take it out. To learn how to best let a piercing close up, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • E. D.

    E. D.

    Oct 29, 2016

    "I recently replaced my nose ring after 20 years to the new style. I had no idea how to take it out. Step 3 gave..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Karissa Sanford Co-authored by: Karissa Sanford Body Piercing Specialist 26 votes - 43% Click a star to vote 43% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 8 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 1,204,630 E. D.

E. D.

Oct 29, 2016

"I recently replaced my nose ring after 20 years to the new style. I had no idea how to take it out. Step 3 gave..." more Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson

Jul 16, 2017

"Helped me to take out my infected piercing and clean the hole in my nose. " Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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