The String Hack: Step-by-Step Guide
- Wash your hands. Always a great start, even if your piercing is fully healed. This is the step most people forget, but it's important. Your piercing may be swollen, irritated and inflamed already if you're struggling to get your jewelry out. Having clean hands will reduce the risk of infection.
- Start by cutting two pieces of floss, each long enough to form a loop. Take your time here and get a good sized loop. Having a bit more floss than you need will make this process a lot smoother. And just like when you floss, don't forget that you'll need enough thread to actually hold on to, without your fingers slipping.
- Gently push the jewelry downwards and flip your nostril outward, exposing the post. If you're removing an ear piercing, flip your lobe or helix forward so you can see the labret post in the back. This method also works with threadless barbells, so if you have a barbell back instead of a flatback labret, you'll still be good to go.
- Take one piece of floss and create a loop by tying it securely around the exposed post. It can be handy to have a loop ready made by tying it in a small, slip knot configuration. A simple left-over-right knot will do it, also known as a 'granny knot'. Having this ready to go in advance makes this a lot easier. Don't forget, you'll be holding the jewelry out with one hand and closing the loop with the other! This process is easier if you have a buddy to help get those loops tightened. Don't use a buddy later for the pulling part though. You want to make sure that you can feel how much pressure you're using. The one exception is if your buddy is a professional piercer. Then they can take the wheel.
- Tie the other piece of floss around the top of the stud, or threadless end. Make sure it's tightly secured. You'll be giving it a gentle pull, so having it secure is super important. If the floss slips, there's a chance you'll be in a some pain as your piercing gets tugged on. Don't worry, though. The most important part is to be gentle in step 6.
- Once both pieces of floss are securely tied, gently pull them in opposite directions. Remember that pro-tip from step 5 about being super gentle? That's the name of the game. When the labret post comes loose, it'll probably be in one smooth motion. Try to put the most pressure on the loop attached to the threadless end, and think of the loop around the labret post inside your ear or nostril as support for the other loop. It allows you to pull, without tugging the labret.
- With a gentle tug, the threadless end should pop right out. This shouldn't feel like you're opening a tough bag of chips! If you find yourself really straining as you pull, take a step back and make sure everything is right. A threadless end, even if it's too tight, should slide free easily using this method. If it doesn't, it's possible that you have a threaded end in. This method won't work for those, since they screw in.
By using this string hack method, you can easily and safely remove your threadless jewelry without any hassle. It's a convenient technique that can be used for various piercings, including nostril piercings, earlobe piercings, and cartilage piercings.
Conclusion
Removing threadless ends doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the string hack technique, you can confidently and effortlessly remove your jewelry when you need to. Remember to be gentle and take your time during the process. If you're unsure or uncomfortable, it's always best to seek assistance from a professional piercer. Now you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of switching out your threadless ends with ease!
And don't forget our other jewelry hacks, like our string hack for clickers, our ring opening pliers kits, and our professional jewelry tools. Feeling a bit raw after your jewelry got stuck? We don't blame you. Your poor piercing probably went through a lot! Check out our Aftercare supplies for salves and oils to sooth an inflamed piercing.
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