Removing a Nose Ring
- Nose piercings, like upper ear piercings, are cartilage piercings. Cartilage (the tough stuff that gives these areas structure) is much slower to heal than skin. This means two things when it comes to removing a nose ring. First, if your piercing is new, it may still take a while to heal, even after you remove the jewelry. Second, the hole is unlikely to disappear as completely as an ear lobe piercing would, and you may always be able to see a hole or scar after removing a nose ring.
Of course, when removing any new piercing it's important to be sure of your decision because it's much easier to remove the jewelry than it is to put it back in. - The exact method for removing a nose ring depends on the exact type of nose ring. If it's a nostril screw, just pull gently until it comes out, turning if necessary. The other common type of nose ring is an actual ring of some sort, often a captive bead ring. If you can, pop the bead out of the ring and then turn the ring until it's out of your nose. If it's hard to pop the bead out, slip the nose of a small pair of pliers inside the ring and open, stretching the ring until the bead falls out. Then turn the ring until it comes out of your nose.
- If your piercing is recent, it's important to continue your aftercare even after removing a nose ring. Keep cleaning the hole with a cleanser or alcohol several times per day, as your piercer probably suggested. Do this until any pain, redness or crustiness is gone. If the area becomes particularly red or sore, keep in mind that there could still be an infection, and get a professional opinion.