Many people go ahead and schedule with their piercer for the first change and then do subsequent changes themselves. [2] X Research source
You can also opt for a disinfectant wipe. It is best if your workspace is a flat, hard table with plenty of space for your tools.
Feel free to wash your hands as many times as you want during this process. If you do it properly, it will only lessen the possibility of infection. You could also wear a pair of latex or medical-grade gloves. However, if they don’t fit you correctly, they may make it more difficult to handle your ring.
Check to make sure that the sterile package is not broken or torn in any way. If it is, make sure to fully inspect and clean the ring.
If you experience any pain or irritation when trying to remove your jewelry, stop and contact your piercer for help. [5] X Research source
With traditional captive rings, tension is the reason that the ball stays in place in the ring. By twisting the ring, you loosen this tension just enough so that the ball can move or drop out. If you accidentally drop the ball or ring, make sure to sterilize the jewelry again before continuing.
When done, the ring should no longer look like a spiral. There will still be a slight gap in the center, but otherwise, it should be back in the shape of a solid ring. If you have excess soap in the piercing area, now is a good time to gently wipe it off with a damp paper towel.
If properly inserted, the ball should spin with a little resistance. If it spins freely, the ring is too loose. Remove the ball, squeeze the opening in tighter, and re-insert the ball.
Specialty pliers labeled for use with captive rings are your best option, followed by generic ring expanding pliers. If you have no other option, needle nose pliers will also work well enough. Consider covering the pliers with cloth medical tape before using them with your captive ring. Doing so can prevent the tool from scratching jewelry. The tape also adds traction, making it easier to hold the pieces in place.
Be very careful with the amount of pressure that you apply with the pliers or you will risk altering the shape of your ring.
If the gap is not wide enough for you to maneuver the ring into the piercing, you should use your pliers to expand the opening further. Expand the ring only as much as absolutely needed to avoid warping the shape. For heavier gauges, you should only expand the opening instead of twisting it. The opening of the ring should be positioned directly across from the piercing. If you feel friction or discomfort when you insert the ring, support the skin around the piercing using your fingers.
Depending on how much you expanded the opening, you may need to close it slightly with your pliers before setting the ball inside.
When the captive ring is properly put together, you should be able to spin the ball with a little resistance. If the ball spins too freely, you should close the ring a little further.
