How to Remove Flat-Back Earrings

According to MeetGlimpse.com, a website that analyzes online consumer behaviors, interest in flat-back earrings jumped by 51% over the past year. As of August 2024, their monthly online search volume has grown to 16,000.

Flat-back earrings are becoming more popular because they're more comfortable than their butterfly-back counterparts. Because of their flat backing, they don't press further into the skin behind the ears. However, this design can also make them sometimes difficult to remove.

But don't worry. Our team at Body Pierce Jewelry will teach you how to remove flat-back earrings safely and without a hitch, so read on.

Understand the Anatomy of Flat-Back Earrings

To safely remove earrings with a flat-back design, you must first determine if it's a push-pin type or if it uses a threaded screw. Their safe removal depends on the type you're wearing. So, try recalling the day when you first got your earrings.

Did you or your piercer push the front piece of the stud (the decorative, visible part) into the back post? Then, what you have is a pair of push-pin flat-back earrings.

If you remember screwing in the front to the back piece, you likely have a pair of threaded-screw flat-back earrings. With most of these earrings, the front piece screws into the back post. However, in others, it's the opposite, meaning the back post screws into the front piece.

Gather Your Supplies

Safe flat-back earring removal doesn't typically need specialized tools, but if they're stubborn and stuck in your ears, you may have to use the following:

• Latex or rubber gloves (for extra grip)
• Cotton pads
• Rubbing alcohol
• Petroleum jelly
• Mirror
• Gentle, fragrance-free soap or cleanser
• A clean towel

If you encounter trouble while removing your flat-back earrings, having a partner can help with their safe removal.

Wash and Sanitize Your Hands

According to CMMOnline.com, hands are among the fastest ways to spread germs, considering they carry an average of 3,200 different germ types or species. From colds to flu to skin infections, these are just some illnesses these pathogens can spread.

So, washing and sanitizing your hands is one of the most crucial safe earring removal tips, especially if your piercing is relatively new or you're not 100% sure it has completely healed. Per WebMD, earlobe piercings typically take six to eight weeks to heal. However, those done on the cartilage take much longer, around four months up to a year.

If your piercing hasn't completely healed and germs get into the wound, you risk developing an infection. Prevent this by washing your hands thoroughly and correctly for at least 20 seconds. For an extra safety boost, sanitize your hands with alcohol before touching your pierced ears and removing your earrings.

A Note on Infected Ear Piercings

You may experience the following symptoms if you get an infected ear piercing:

• Swelling and tenderness
• Soreness or pain
• Redness
• Yellow or green discharge
• Itchiness or scaling of the skin

If you experience any of those symptoms, the last thing you want to do is remove your earrings. Removing them at this point can cause the wound's surface to close and "lock" the infection within. If that happens, the problem can progress, causing more severe issues.

As long as the symptoms are minor, you may be able to treat the infection at home by:

• Using a saline solution or salt water rinse to clean around the piercing thrice a day
• Gently cleaning both sides of the piercing
• Not using hydrogen peroxide or alcohol to treat the infection

If the infection worsens, see your piercer or dermatologist immediately. You may be better off seeing a dermatologist if the symptoms are severe. The skin doctor may have to prescribe medication to help with the infection.

Remove Push-Pin Studs With These Earring Removal Techniques

Suppose your piercing is alright and not infected. If so, you can now sit in front of the mirror after washing your hands and ensuring all your other supplies are within easy reach. Then, follow these steps if you have push-pin, flat-back earrings:

• Grasp the front piece of the stud with one hand and the back piece with the other hand
• Pull the front piece forward while simultaneously tugging the back piece in the opposite direction
• If the pieces don't separate, gently twist the front stud semi-clockwise and semi-counterclockwise as you pull

If removing the push-pin earrings with your bare hands proves difficult, you can wear latex or rubber gloves for more traction.

Follow These Steps to Remove Threaded-Screw Earrings

If your flat-back earrings are of the threaded-screw type, follow these steps to remove them:

• Gently grip the front stud with one hand and the flat-back surface with the other hand
• Rotate the front part to the left to unlock it from the back part
• Keep rotating until the two pieces separate from each other

As mentioned above, in some threaded-screw earrings, the back part is the one that screws into the front stud. You'd have to rotate the back piece to unlock and take the earrings apart.

Use Alcohol or Petroleum Jelly for Stuck Earrings

Sometimes, flat-back earrings can get stuck due to poor threading, improper maintenance, or a build-up of dead skin cells. You may not notice it, but the body sheds around 40,000 old skin cells daily, as the Cleveland Clinic points out. Some dead skin cells can accumulate in and around your earrings, making them difficult to take apart.

So, if your earrings are stuck, try cleaning them first.

Cleaning With Alcohol

Moisten a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol and gently dab the front stud and back of the earrings.

If your piercings sting, it likely means they haven't completely healed. It's best to leave your ears as-is and wait until the piercing has completely healed before removing and changing your earrings.

If your piercings have completely healed, you shouldn't feel any stinging from the alcohol. So, after cleaning your flat-back earrings, try removing them using the abovementioned steps.

Loosening Earrings With Petroleum Jelly

If your earrings still won't budge, apply and massage some petroleum jelly onto them for about two to three minutes. Next, grab a clean cotton pad and gently wipe away some of the excess jelly. Finally, don a fresh, dry pair of gloves before taking the flat-back earrings apart.

Ask a Partner for Help

You may find it more challenging to remove flat-back earrings for cartilage piercings, such as conch ear piercings. In this case, your best bet is to ask someone for help in taking them apart. Your partner can also tell you if the back of your ears still has some redness, indicating your piercings haven't completely healed yet.

Call Your Piercer for Help

If all else fails, contact your piercer for help. With your piercer's skills and tools, they can safely remove your flat-back earrings. They may also wish to check your ears (or the earrings they placed) to see if there's an issue making the jewelry challenging to remove or stuck.

Clean Your Piercings

Let's say you or your partner were able to remove your flat-back earrings safely and without a hitch. If so, your next step should be to clean your piercings with a mild, fragrance-free soap or cleanser and warm water. Thoroughly rinse your piercings after and then pat dry with a clean towel.

Give Your Flat-Back Earrings Some TLC

After months of being in your ear (especially if they're for new piercings), the underside of your earrings and the part inside the hole will likely have developed a layer of grime. Apart from dead skin cells, environmental pollutants (e.g., dirt and dust), body oils, sunblock, and makeup can also make up this grime. Aside from being yucky, it can also make your earrings lose their luster and sparkle.

So, after removing your flat-back earrings, give them some TLC before putting them back in. Luckily, you don't have to spend money on "special" piercing jewelry care, as you can make a DIY cleaner at home.

Here are the steps to clean your flat-back earrings:

• Mix two tablespoons of your gentle, fragrance-free soap with one cup of warm water
• Soak the earrings for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the layer of grime
• Use a soft-bristled brush or a Q-tip to remove build-up
• Rinse the earrings in a bowl of clean water
• Pat the jewelry dry with a clean towel
• Gently rub some alcohol to help with disinfection
• Let the alcohol air-dry

You can follow the same steps when cleaning and sanitizing new earrings you've bought in-store or purchased online.

How to Remove Flat-Back Earrings: Now You Know

Now you know how to remove flat-back earrings, whether the push-pin or threaded-screw type. The most crucial thing to remember is to prioritize your safety.

Ensure your hands and earrings are clean and sanitized to prevent infections. If an infection occurs, wait until it has healed (along with your piercings) before removing your earrings, or better yet, see a dermatologist.

Body Pierce Jewelry has you covered if you're looking for new, stylish, high-quality flat-back earrings, traditional earrings, or body jewelry made of superior stainless steel, sterling silver, or hypoallergenic materials. We've got them all in our store.

Shop our best-sellers now with peace of mind with our 90-day warranty!