With a little practice, you can learn how to put on the captive ring type piercing ring yourself (the one closed by a ball), and do without the assistance of a professional. The small gauge rings, which measure 12-18 gauge (or 1-2mm), can be hand-fitted. If it is a larger gauge ring, at least 12 gauge (2 mm), you will probably need a jewelry pliers.
Steps
Before You Begin - Respect Strict Hygiene
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before touching or cleaning anything, wash your hands with soap and water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
- If you handle the ring or caliper with dirty hands, you risk contaminating it with bacteria. These bacteria would cause an infection that would only occur after inserting the ring into the piercing.
Step 2. Clean the ring and any other equipment
Before trying to put the ring on, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Also wash the tongs.
- When you're done, dry all the tools thoroughly with a sheet of paper towel. Working with dry things is more comfortable, because they slide less easily.
- Please note: if the ring comes from a closed and sealed package, you can also avoid washing it.
Step 3. Keep your work area clean
Wash the workbench with soap and water, and then dry it with paper towels.
- The work area must be a rigid plane. A bathroom shelf will do just fine.
- To ensure even more rigorous hygiene, spread a layer of paper towels on the clean work surface before starting.
- Cleaning the worktop will ensure you have a safe environment in which to place the ring and pliers.
Step 4. Clean the piercing hole
To do this, use warm water and liquid soap. Gently pat the area with a clean, dry paper towel.
- After cleaning the piercing, remove any rings present.
- Note: To make the old ring slide out more easily, you can use a few drops of liquid soap. After removing the old ring, rinse the skin of any soap residue well.
Method 1 of 2: Small Caliber Rings
Step 1. Grab the piercing ring with both hands
Hold the ring between the thumb and forefinger of one hand. Hold the ball between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand.
If handling the ring in this way is difficult for you, try holding it with both hands, placing your fingers on opposite sides of the ball
Step 2. Open the ring, gently
With your hands, force the ring in opposite directions, and open it.
- Once the ring is opened, the ball is free. If you keep your fingers on the ball as it releases, you should be able to gently pull it out and set it down. If you can't get a good grip on the ball, it will likely fall on its own.
- The ball of a captive ring type piercing ring remains in place only by mechanical tension. To open the ring, you need to be able to loosen this tension just enough to make the ball fall.
Step 3. Fold the ends of the ring
With both hands positioned over the opening of the ring, gently bend the two ends in opposite directions.
- When doing so, rotate the right clockwise, and the left counterclockwise.
- After this operation, the ring should look a bit like a spiral. After the ring has taken this shape, it will be easier to slip it into the piercing hole.
Step 4. Insert one end of the ring into the piercing hole
Slide one end of the ring into the hole in the piercing until it comes out the other side.
- The opening of the ring must be exactly in front of the piercing.
- Feel free to use your fingers to facilitate insertion and to help the skin adapt.
Step 5. Squeeze the ring almost closed
Hold one end of the ring between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand. Hold the other end between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand. Apply pressure with both hands to bend the two ends almost to close.
- The right rotates counterclockwise, and the left rotates clockwise.
- At the end of the operation, the ring will no longer look like a spiral. Apart from a small opening, the shape should have returned to all intents and purposes that of a circle.
Step 6. Close the ring with the ball
Position the ball so that the grooves line up with the ends of the ring. With your hands, push the ball back into the ring until it clicks into place.
- To adjust the ring, hold it between the thumb and forefinger of one hand. Use your other hand to push the ball and place it.
- If inserted correctly, the ball should rotate slightly with some resistance. If it spins, the ring is too loose. Remove the ball, tighten the ring a little tighter, and insert it again.
- The procedure ends with the completion of this step.
Method 2 of 2: Large Caliber Rings
Step 1. Insert the tip of the pliers into the ring
Insert the tip of the pliers into the closed ring. Position it so that the opening lines up with the ball of the ring.
- The ideal would be the special pliers for piercing rings. Otherwise, generic ring pliers can be used. If you really don't have any of the aforementioned tools, a half-round nose pliers can be fine.
- Consider lining the forceps with patch before using it. This will prevent the pliers from scratching the metal. The patch also has the effect of increasing the resistance, thus facilitating the stability of the various parts.
Step 2. Take the ball
Hold it between the thumb and forefinger of your free hand.
If you feel more comfortable, you can put your free hand under the ring, but in any case you must make sure that your free hand is able to catch the ball when it falls
Step 3. Use the pliers to apply pressure to the ring
Open the pliers, pressing outwards, and try to open the ring.
- Keep applying pressure until the ring opens enough for the ball to drop.
- The ball of a captive ring type piercing ring remains in place only by mechanical tension. The moment you eliminate this tension, the ball falls, leaving the ring open.
Step 4. Insert the ring into the piercing hole
Insert one end of the ring into the hole in the piercing. Slide one end of the ring into the hole in the piercing until it comes out the other side.
- If the opening of the ring is not wide enough for you to maneuver easily, widen the ring further with the pliers. Just widen it just enough to allow it to be inserted, so as not to risk deforming it. In the case of large caliber rings, the passage of the "twisting" of the ends is skipped and the ring is limited to widening.
- The opening of the ring must be exactly in front of the piercing.
- If you experience any friction or discomfort while inserting the ring, it helps the skin to stretch and fit with your fingers.
Step 5. Put the ball back
Position the ball so that the grooves line up with the ends of the ring. Place one side of the ring against one of the notches.
- With large caliber rings, it is very difficult to hook the ball if the ring is almost closed. Consequently, you have to hold the ball steady while closing the ring, instead of waiting for the ring to be almost closed before placing the ball.
- Depending on the opening of the ring, you may need to use pliers to close it slightly before setting the ball.
Step 6. Close the ring with the pliers
Grab the outside of the ring with the pliers. Tighten the ring; it will gradually close until the ball clicks.
- Continue to tighten the ring until its ends fit into the grooves of the ball.
- If the ring is placed correctly, you should be able to spin the ball with a minimum of resistance. If it spins, it means that you have to tighten it a little more.
- The procedure ends with the completion of this step.
Advice
- To make the ring slide in and out of the piercing more easily, put some water-based lubricating gel on it. Moisturizing liquid soap works great.
- If your hands slip while gripping the ring and ball, try wearing sanitary gloves. Some find that gloves improve grip and make it easier to handle objects.
Warnings
- If you're working on a sink, put the stopper on. This will prevent the small parts of your captive ring from sliding down the drain.
- A towel hanging over the sink may also be needed, especially to catch the ball when it falls.
