This article was co-authored by David Wilkins and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. David Wilkins is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of The Axiom Body Piercing Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. David has been working in the industry since 1994 and is knowledgeable about all aspects of the body piercing industry. He runs an educational YouTube channel specializing in sharing expert body piercings and tattoo information. He completed his apprenticeship in body piercing in Omaha, Nebraska.
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 209,005 times.
If you recently got your ears pierced or are an earring junkie, you probably know that flat back earrings are more comfortable and wearable than traditional butterfly backs. However, these little earrings can be difficult to remove and leave you feeling like they’ll be stuck in your ear forever. Do not fear, because in this handy guide we’ll tell you how to easily remove each type of flat back earring, plus give you tips on how to get them out if they’re stuck.
Things You Should Know
- Remove screw in flat back earrings by rotating the front piece of the stud to the left.
- To remove push pin flat back earrings, pull the front piece of the stud and the back post apart.
- If your earrings are stuck, apply rubbing alcohol or petroleum jelly to loosen them up.
Steps
Stuck Earring Tips
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Remove buildup around the earring with rubbing alcohol. Pour rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and pat it around your earring and earlobe. This will remove any dead skin cells and buildup that might make your earring stick.[3]
- It’s always a good idea to clean your ears before you take out your earrings, especially if you're taking out your earrings for the first time.
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Lubricate the post with petroleum jelly. With clean hands, take a bit of petroleum jelly and massage it around the earring. Move your earring back and forth to work the jelly into the hole and loosen the earring.[4]
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Wear a clean pair of latex gloves for extra grip. If your earrings are really tight and stuck on, latex gloves will help you hold onto the front piece of the earring as you unscrew or pull it out.[5]
- Rubber gloves work just as well if you have a latex allergy.
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Ask your ear piercer for assistance. If you are still having trouble removing a stuck flat back earring, make an appointment with your piercer to remove your earrings. If this isn’t a new piercing, call your local piercing shop to see if they can help you.[6]
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
Things You’ll Need
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton pads
- Petroleum jelly
- Latex or rubber gloves
References
- ↑ https://vivaglammagazine.com/what-is-a-flat-back-earring/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxI7uRI5nhI
- ↑ https://www.ultimatejewelryguide.com/how-to-remove-flat-back-earrings/
- ↑ https://www.ultimatejewelryguide.com/how-to-remove-flat-back-earrings/
- ↑ https://www.fabulously.in/blog/how-to-remove-ball-stud-earrings
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxI7uRI5nhI