How to Remove Earrings

After getting a new ear piercing you may want to remove your earrings to change them or go without. Make sure you wait 6-8 weeks for earlobe piercings and at least 4 months for cartilage piercings, before removing your earrings.^{[1]XResearch source} Always wash your hands before handling your earrings, and keep the piercing clean by regularly cleaning with a saline solution. As long as you've followed these steps, taking your earrings out should be safe and easy.

Things You Should Know

Remove butterfly or safety back earrings by pulling the front of the stud and the backing apart.
Remove a screw back earring by gripping the front of the earring and rotating the back screw counterclockwise.
Ask someone to help you remove a stuck earring or visit your piercer for assistance.
Visit your doctor if you suspect that your piercing is infected.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Butterfly or Safety Back Earrings

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Use two hands. Make sure to hold on to the front of the earring, so that it doesn't pull into your ear or get lost.^{[2]XResearch source} Do not do this above a sink, as the earring or backing could fall down the drain.
2
Pull the earring apart, keeping a firm grip on the front and back. Pull the butterfly back off the post, and the post out of the safety back. Once the backing has been safely removed, you may remove the earring from the piercing.
- You may also carefully pull the safety back and stud in opposite directions at the same time.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Be careful not to stretch your earlobe, as it could injure you.^{[4]XResearch source}
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3
Wiggle the backing if it has become stuck. If the backing is stuck, or the butterfly backing has become crooked, wiggle the backing until it comes off or until it becomes easy to pull off.
- If the butterfly backing has been pushed too far, use a bobby pin to carefully pull on the butterfly back. Hook a bobby pin to the butterfly back, and use something hard, like tweezers, and push the post. The idea is to push the backing into a place where you can then wiggle or pull it off.^{[5]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Screw Back Earrings

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Use two hands. Make sure to hold on to the front of the earring, so it doesn't pull into your ear or get lost.
For some piercings, the screw back may actually be in the front. Once the screw backing has been unscrewed, you can safely remove the earring from your piercing.^{[6]XResearch source}
Latex gloves should also work, so long as you don't have a latex allergy. This will provide extra grip if you are having trouble unscrewing the backing with your bare hands.^{[7]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting Further Problems

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If you feel your piercing has become stuck or you cannot remove it yourself, ask someone you trust to try to remove the backing. As they can see the earring back more easily than you can, they may be able to remove it more easily.
If you are still experiencing trouble, return to where you got your ears pierced. Your piercer should be able to remove the earring very quickly and easily.^{[8]XResearch source}
If your piercing is swollen, red, or oozing pus, it may be infected and must be inspected by a doctor. Do not try to treat infections by yourself at home.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source}

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How can I clean my earrings?
Stephanie Anders
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing
Stephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.
Stephanie Anders
Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing
Expert Answer
If your piercings are already healed, wiping down your earrings with an alcohol wipe will do the trick.
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Tips

Before getting your piercing, ask your piercer what kind of earring backing you will have, so that you know which method to use to remove it.
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Warnings

Many piercers suggest waiting 5 months before using anything other than straight post earrings in earlobe piercings, and 1 year for cartilage piercings.^{[10]XResearch source}
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Make sure to wear earrings for about a year before removing them for extended periods of time, to ensure they don't close up.^{[11]XResearch source}
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Never use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any sort of antibacterial ointments to clean your piercing.^{[12]XResearch source}
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