How To Unscrew A Tight Piercing Ball Without Gloves?

So, you have found yourself in a bit of a pickle with a tight piercing ball that just won’t budge? You can use rubber gloves to get a better grip. But what if you do not have access to gloves? How would you unscrew a tight piercing ball without gloves?

Imagine this, you have seen many ups and downs in your life, and your piercing has stayed with you the whole time. But after a few years, you feel like it is time to say goodbye to that piercing and adorn a new one in its place. But if you have not taken it out for too long, there is a chance you may face difficulty unscrewing the piercing ball. Do not sweat it, I have elaborated on how to unscrew a tight piercing ball without gloves and more in this piece.

Key Takeaways

• Reasons why piercing ball may get tightened natural movement, healing process, vibration & friction, cleaning routine, over tightening, natural oil, and lotion.
• Ways to unscrew a tight piercing ball without gloves are tweezers or pliers, a rubber jar opener, clean cloth or tissue, soaking in warm water, lubrication, and wrapping a tape.
• Things you can do after unscrewing a tight piercing ball are inspect the jewelry, clean the piercing, clean the jewelry, replace the jewelry, clean your hand, apply lubricant, and reinsert the jewelry.

Different Types of Piercing Balls

Before you get to unscrewing your piercing, it is important to know which type you are facing. So here are some of the different types that you might have:

• Captive Bead Rings: These are circular rings with a removable bead that holds everything into place. The bead can be made with inert metal and can have a variety of jewelry on it. Ear, nose, lips, and eyebrows are the most popular places to get a captive bead ring.
• Barbell Studs: Barbell studs are quite common out of the lot, with beads on each end of a straight bar. The beads can be threaded onto the bar or held in place with a small groove which makes it perfect for tongue, nipple, and some ear piercings like a tragus piercing.
• Labret Studs: Unlike a barbell, the labret stud has a bead on one side and a disk on the other. They are most commonly used in lip or cheek piercings.
• Curved Barbells: These are horseshoe-shaped rings with a bead or ball on each end, with their shape best utilized for belly piercing and eyebrows.
• Threaded Balls: These are individual screw-on beads or balls that can be used with various types of jewelry, including studs, barbells, and rings. They come in different sizes and designs to cater to different piercings. Threaded balls offer the convenience of customization and easy replacement.
• Decorative Ends: These are decorative beads or charms designed to be attached to the ends of jewelry. Think of piercing balls but it is not really a bead but designed with pointed edges or other decorations. They add a personal flair and are quite a popular type.

6 Reasons Why Piercing Ball Gets Tightened

So now that you are up to speed with the different types of piercing balls, you might be curious as to why your piercing ball may have gotten tightened. Here are 6 reasonable explanations that might have caused it to happen:

1. Natural movement

As you naturally move and do daily work, the jewelry may face shifting and rotation. This natural rotation or movement may end up tightening the piercing ball. You may try to limit the movement of the piercing area and make sure it does not get tightened naturally over time.

2. Healing process

During the healing phase, the pierced skin may release plasma, puss, blood, or other bodily fluids. It is a natural part of the healing process. These bodily fluids can get stuck on the piercing ball, dry, and make a whitish appearance. And after becoming dry they can tighten the piercing ball.

3. Vibration & friction

Wearing clothing, showering, playing sports, or exercising can cause vibration and friction on the piercing. Because of vibration and friction, the piercing ball may get tightened a bit.

4. Cleaning routine

Keeping the piercing clean is crucial. Using cleaning too much or using harsh cleansers can dry the piercing and cause the ball to get stuck.

5. Over tightening

When your piercer puts that jewelry in your pierced area or when you put it in yourself, there is a chance you may tighten the ball a bit too much so that the jewelry does not fall off on its own.

6. Natural oil and lotion

Pores on your skin release oil to keep the skin moist and you may even use lotion to keep your skin healthy. These skin oil or lotion may find their way into the thread of your piercing ball and cause it to get tightened.

Ways To Unscrew A Tight Piercing Ball Without Gloves

Do not have access to gloves or just do not want to use one? That is completely fine, I will be providing you with a few practical ways that you can go about unscrewing a tight piercing without using gloves! Let’s go!

1. Tweezers or pliers

If you do not want to use gloves then this is probably the best way to unscrew your tight piercing ball. Get a clean tweezer or plier and sterilize it by dipping it in rubbing alcohol. Or you can use a cotton ball dabbed in rubbing alcohol to wipe the tweezer clean and make it sterilized.

Now, use the tweezer to hold onto that sturdy ball, make sure to hold tight. Then gently twist the tweezer counterclockwise and hopefully, the stubborn ball will loosen and you will be able to take off the piercing easily.

2. Rubber jar opener

Do not want to use rubber gloves? Fine, use a rubber jar opener instead. Get a nice new rubber jar opener, put it over the ball, and then hold it tight using your fingertip. After getting a hold of it, twist it counterclockwise to unscrew the tight piercing ball.

3. Clean cloth or tissue

Put a clean cloth or tissue over the ball for a farm grip. It is not good so rubber, but surely you will get a better grip then to just using your fingertip directly on the piercing ball.

After putting a clean cloth or tissue over the ball, use your finger to twist it and loosen up the ball.

4. Soaking in warm water

Use lukewarm water to soak the piercing for a few minutes and then gently twist the ball to unscrew it. Soaking in lukewarm water will not only soften the skin and reduce any inflammation but also get rid of any dry residue from the ball that is causing it to be tightened.

5. Lubrication

Apply a tiny bit of lubricant on the ball to make it loosen up. You can apply any water-based lubricant that is safe for your skin, olive oil, or even petroleum jelly could do the trick.

6. Wrap a tape

You can wrap a small bit of tape around the piercing ball, it will give a better grip to hold on to. Now, you can hold onto the ball and twist it open.

✨ You May like: How To Take Out A Tragus Piercing?

Things To Do After Unscrewing A Tight Piercing Ball

Done unscrewing that stubborn piercing ball? Good for you. Now, there are a few things you should do. What are those things you may ask? Do not worry, I have made a list for you below.

1. Inspect the jewelry

First of all, inspect the jewelry. The ball was tightened and you had to use force or tricks to get it to loosen up and then unscrew right? This extra force could damage the jewelry or the threading of the ball. Make sure to inspect if the jewelry is obtained or damaged or not.

2. Clean the piercing

Now that the old and tightened jewelry is finally taken off, you can clean the piercing area properly. You can use saline solution or lukewarm water and soap to clean the area. No need to rub the area vigorously, gently rubbing it with your finger is enough to get any dirt or debris off the piercing area.

3. Clean the jewelry

The jewelry itself needs a cleaning too. Because it stayed on your skin for quite a while to get tightened. Many sorts of bodily fluids, skin oils, lotion, or other product residue may stay stuck on the piercing. To clean the jewelry make sure to wash it gently using lukewarm soapy water.

4. Replacing the jewelry

If the jewelry is damaged during the unscrewing procedure, then you will need to replace the jewelry.

5. Clean your hand

Before reinserting the jewelry make sure to wash your hands. Touching the jewelry or piercing area with a dirty hand could cause bacterial overgrowth. Which can cause smelly piercing.

6. Apply lubricant

This one is optional. Because the ball of the piercing was too tight, before putting it back in you may apply a small bit of lubricant so that it does not become tightened again.

7. Reinsert the jewelry

Now, reinsert the jewelry on the pierced area or put on new jewelry. This time make sure not to overly tighten the ball, just make sure to twist it enough so that it does not fall off.

FAQs

Which way should I twist the piercing ball to take it out?

Remember, you should twist the ball on the left side or counterclockwise to take it out and twist it on the right side or clockwise to tighten the ball.

How long does it take for a piercing to heal?

The healing time length depends on the placement of the piercing and a few other factors. But in general, a piercing may take 2 months to 12 months to heal completely.

Can I unscrew and take out my jewelry while the pierced area is still healing?

No, you should not unscrew or take out your jewelry while the pierced area is still healing. Taking out the jewelry while the area is still sensitive or healing may cause irritation, pain, swelling, and redness and it will make the piercing area prone to infection.

Final Thoughts

I know how frustrating it is when you try to take out your piercing but the piercing ball seems stuck and won’t budge. A tight piercing ball can be loosened up if you use lubricant or soak it in lukewarm water for a few minutes. You can unscrew the tight piercing ball by using tweezers or pliers, new soft clothing or tissue, tape, etc.

If you struggle to unscrew the piercing ball even after applying the methods I have suggested above, then my friend it is time you seek help from a professional. You should visit and consult with your piercer. They will know how to get the piercing ball off the bar and set your pierced area free.

✨ Next Attraction: What Gauge Is A Conch Piercing?