Without the assistance of a piercing professional, you can put on a captive bead ring yourself.Clean and prepare your workspace.Small captive rings can be placed by hand.You will probably need to use pliers when you have a large captive ring.Don't hesitate to reach out to your piercer for help if you need it.
Step 1: Three months after the piercing.
Depending on the location of your piercing, you will need to wait at least three months before changing your ring or hardware.It is possible for you to insert a new ring without tearing the skin.You should visit your piercer if you want to change your ring earlier or just need some help.Many people schedule their piercer for the first change and then do their own changes.
Step 2: Your work area needs to be wiped down.
Get a fresh rag or paper towel if you don't have a pair of gloves.To clean the workspace, apply a surface disinfectant.If you have a piercing, you should use a disinfectant to kill any infections.After the space is clean, make sure to only put disinfected items on it.A Disinfectant wipe is also an option.If your workspace is a hard table with plenty of space for your tools, it is best.
Step 3: You should wash your hands.
To wash your hands, remove your workspace cleaning gloves.You need to cover all of your hands.It should take between 40 and 60 seconds.If you prefer, you could also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.You can wash your hands as many times as you want.If you do it correctly, it will reduce the chance of infections.You could also wear gloves.They may make it harder to handle your ring if they don't fit you correctly.
Step 4: Take care of the captive ring and your tools.
If your ring is in a bag, you can simply remove it and put it on the table.If your ring is not sterile, you should wash it with warm soap and water.Or, use an Ultrasonic Cleaner.A pair of jewelry pliers is the same as any other tools that you'll need to use.Make sure that the sterile package is undamaged.Make sure the ring is clean if it is.
Step 5: Warm water and soap should be used to clean the pierced area.
Don't use a paper towel to dry the area when you are done.Go ahead and remove the jewelry that you are wearing.If the ring feels stuck, apply liquid soap to the piercing area to help it slide out.Contact your piercer if you experience any pain or irritation while trying to remove jewelry.
Step 6: Do you have a type of captive ring?
Talk to your technician about the size of the ring you need.You will need to use pliers if you go with a heavier ring.You can choose between a traditional ring with a ball and a snap-fit style ring that requires pliers to handle.
Step 7: Pick up the jewelry with both hands.
Take a moment to keep your hands straight.The ring can be grabbed with the index finger and thumb of one hand.Use your thumb and index finger to grab the bead.If you can't manipulate the ring with your hands in this position, try placing your fingers on the opposite side of the bead or ball.
Step 8: Slowly pull the ring apart.
Hold the pieces of the ring and apply force until the ball comes free.If you don't have your fingers on the ball as it comes free, you might drop it on a table or the ground.Set the ball on the table once the ring and ball are separated.The ball stays in the ring because of the tension.You can loosen the tension by twisting the ring.If you drop the ball or ring, make sure to wash the jewelry.
Step 9: Take the ring and twist it.
Carefully twist the two ends of the opening in the ring with both hands.Turn your right hand clockwise and your left hand counterclockwise.The ring is supposed to look like a spiral.It should be easier to slide into your piercing when it is twisted into this shape.
Step 10: The ring needs to be put into the piercing.
Your piercing should have one open end.The center of your ring can be pierced with the wire of the ring.The opening of the ring should be close to the piercing.As you slide the jewelry in place, you may need to use your fingers to support the skin around the piercing.
Step 11: The ring should be closed by twisting it.
The ring should be grabbed with the index finger and thumb of your right hand.The other side of the ring can be grabbed with the index finger and thumb of your left hand.To twist the two ends back into place, apply pressure with both hands.Your left and right hands should move in opposite directions.The ring should no longer look like a spiral.There will still be a small gap in the center, but it should be back to being a solid ring.If you have soap in the piercing area, it is a good time to wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
Step 12: The ball needs to be put in place.
The open ends of the ring are lined with the dimples on the other side.Once the bead clicks into place, use your hands to push it back into the ring.To steady the ring, hold one side of it with the index finger and thumb of one hand.The ball should be pushed back into place by the other hand.The ball should spin if it's properly inserted.The ring is loose if it spins freely.Remove the ball and squeeze the opening tighter.
Step 13: The pliers need to be inserted into the ring.
The jewelry pliers should be put into the closed ring.The bead or ball of the captive ring should be aligned with the tool's opening.Put a small amount of pressure on the captive ring.Specialty pliers labeled for use with captive rings are the best option.If you don't have another option, needle nose pliers will work well.If you want to use the pliers with your captive ring, cover them with cloth medical tape.The tool can scratch jewelry.The tape makes it easier to hold the pieces in place.
Step 14: The ball should be grabbed.
To grab the captive ring bead, use the index finger and thumb of your free hand.You can use a ball grabber tool to get to the bead.The ball will become loose if a small amount of pressure is placed on the ring pliers.Don't let it fall if you grab it with your free hand.If you apply too much pressure with the pliers, you will risk altering the shape of your ring.
Step 15: The ring should be inserted into the piercing.
Continue to use your pliers, or switch to your hands if you prefer, and slide one open end of the ring into the piercing.Continue until the center of the ring rests inside.You should use your pliers to expand the opening if the gap is not wide enough.The ring needs to be expanded as much as possible to not warp the shape.If you want a heavier gauge, expand the opening instead of twisting it.The opening of the ring should be near the piercing.Use your fingers to support the skin around the piercing if you feel uncomfortable when you insert the ring.
Step 16: The ball should be in position.
Use your hands or a ball grabber tool to line the bead up so that the open ends of the ring are not visible.One side of the ring should be resting in one of these dimples.It is difficult to get the bead in place when the ring is almost closed.As a result, you will need to hold the bead in place as you close the ring, instead of waiting before placing it inside.Depending on how much you expanded the opening, you may need to close it slightly with your pliers before setting the ball inside.
Step 17: Use pliers to close the ring.
The pliers should be placed around the outside of the ring.The ring around the bead should be closed by squeezing the nose of the pliers.Continue closing the ring until both ends snap into the ball or bead.When the captive ring is put together, you should be able to spin the ball.The ring should be closed a little further if the ball spins too freely.