Flat back earrings are comfortable and secure, but the removal method depends on whether the decorative end is threadless or internally threaded. Identify the closure first, use clean and completely dry hands, and never force jewelry that is painful, swollen, embedded, or still healing.
The direct answer For a threadless push-pin flat back, hold the flat disc still and pull the decorative front straight away from the post with firm, even pressure. For an internally threaded flat back, hold the disc still and turn the decorative front counterclockwise—toward your left when viewed from the front—until it unscrews.
Threadless Fitting & Reinsertion Instructions for Fully Healed Piercings
Use this visual guide after removing a threadless flat back and only when the piercing is fully healed. Swipe through the gallery on mobile, use the numbered controls, or select Previous and Next. Each image also links to the full-size Shopify file.
Healed Piercings Only
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Do not use these fitting instructions for a new or healing piercing. Stop if you feel pain or resistance, and ask a professional piercer for help. Use only a clean, purpose-made, blunt insertion taper - never a sewing needle or sharp household tool.
Step 1 of 6
Remove the End and Test the Fit
Hold the flat disc steady and pull the decorative end straight away from the post. Before putting the jewelry back into your ear, test the threadless end and labret together outside the piercing.
Press the pin into the labret to check the amount of resistance.
The end should feel snug and should not slide freely in and out.
If it feels loose, adjust the push-pin tension before wearing it.
Threadless jewelry pulls apart. Do not try to unscrew the decorative end.
Use the labret post to make a very small bend near the end of the threadless pin. A tiny adjustment increases the tension that keeps the decorative end secure.
Insert only part of the pin into the labret before applying gentle pressure.
Test the fit after every small adjustment.
If the pin will not seat fully, it may be over-bent; straighten it slightly and retest.
Use minimal pressure. The red arrows in the image indicate the light pressure used to create the bend. Do not sharply kink the pin.
Most healed piercings do not require a taper. A purpose-made taper has a smooth, rounded point and can act as a transfer guide when it is difficult to guide the flat back post through the existing channel.
Clean and dry your hands, jewelry, and the purpose-made taper.
Guide the rounded taper gently through the healed channel without forcing it.
Attach or align the labret post with the taper's transfer end, then move both slowly so the flat disc settles behind the ear.
A taper is optional. Stop if the channel feels tight, painful, or difficult to follow. A professional piercer can install the jewelry safely.
Once the labret is seated with the flat disc behind the ear, detach and remove the taper slowly. The open end of the labret should now be visible at the front of the healed piercing.
Keep the flat disc steady so the post does not slide back out.
Remove the taper in the same smooth direction used for the transfer.
Do not probe repeatedly if the post is not positioned correctly.
Keep everything aligned. Sudden pulling or a sharp angle can irritate the channel, even when the piercing is healed.
When fitted correctly, the front should sit securely, the flat disc should feel comfortable, and the jewelry should not pinch or slide apart during normal wear.
Make sure the decorative end is completely seated in the post.
Do not wear the jewelry if the pin is damaged, sharply bent, or still loose.
Visit a professional piercer when you are unsure about the fit or cannot install it comfortably.
For healed jewelry changes only. Reputable piercing studios generally use jewelry they can verify and sterilize for new piercings rather than customer-supplied jewelry.
Mobile: swipe left or right. Desktop: use the numbered controls or Previous and Next. Select any image to open its full-resolution Shopify file.
Four-Step Instructional Gallery
How to Secure a Flat Back Earring in 4 Easy Steps
This gallery shows how a threadless push-pin end creates tension inside a flat-back labret post. Prepare and test the jewelry outside the ear whenever possible, then use these steps only for a fully healed piercing.
Threadless Jewelry Only
!
Do not use this technique on internally threaded jewelry or in a new or healing piercing. Make only a tiny bend in the smooth threadless pin—not the hollow post—and stop if the pin is cracked, sharply creased, damaged, or will not seat correctly.
Step 1 of 4
Insert the Pin Halfway
With clean, dry hands, place the threadless pin about halfway into the hollow labret post. Work outside the ear whenever possible so you can see the connection clearly.
Hold the decorative end and flat-back post securely.
Insert only enough of the pin to support a controlled adjustment.
Do not push the pin completely into the post yet.
Threadless jewelry only. An internally threaded end screws into the post and should never be bent.
Use the post as a guide and apply very gentle pressure to make a tiny bend near the end of the threadless pin. The bend creates the tension that holds the two pieces together.
A little more bend creates a tighter fit.
Make one small adjustment at a time and retest.
If the end will not seat fully, straighten the pin slightly.
Do not sharply crease the pin. A damaged, cracked, or severely bent pin should be replaced rather than forced into the post.
Align the pin straight with the post and press the decorative end inward until it is fully seated. As the pin enters the post, it straightens slightly and the internal tension keeps the connection secure.
Keep the pin aligned with the opening rather than inserting it at an angle.
Press firmly but smoothly; do not twist the threadless end.
Depending on the design, you may feel a firm stop or a subtle click.
Check that the front is fully seated. A visible gap can mean the pin is over-bent or not aligned correctly.
Give the decorative end a very gentle outward test while holding the flat disc. A properly adjusted threadless end should resist light pressure, remain fully seated, and feel comfortable when worn.
The end should not slide freely in and out of the post.
The flat disc should sit comfortably without pinching the ear.
If it still feels loose, remove it and make one more tiny adjustment—or ask a piercer for help.
For healed jewelry changes only. Do not install or adjust customer-supplied jewelry in a new or healing piercing.
Mobile: swipe left or right. Desktop: use the numbered controls or Previous and Next. Every image is included as a standard Shopify CDN image in the page HTML.
1
Start Here
Is Your Flat Back Earring Threadless or Threaded?
Do not begin by pulling or twisting at random. Look closely at the jewelry and think about how it was installed. Threadless and internally threaded flat backs can look nearly identical while they are being worn, but their fronts release in different ways.
Threadless — Push-Pin
Threadless anatomy: the smooth tension pin presses into the hollow labret post; there are no screw threads.
The decorative front pulls straight out of the post.
There are no screw threads.
A slight bend in the pin creates tension inside the hollow post.
Do not twist the front repeatedly during removal.
Internally Threaded
Supporting flat-back reference image. To identify an internally threaded style, look for a tiny screw stem attached to the removable decorative end.
The decorative front screws into the post.
Turn the front counterclockwise to loosen it.
The threading is on the removable end, not on the post that passes through the piercing.
Do not pull the front straight out.
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Not sure which type you have? Do not force it. A professional piercer can identify the closure and remove the jewelry without unnecessary pulling, twisting, or damage.
2
How to Remove a Threadless Flat Back Earring
Threadless jewelry is also called push-pin, press-fit, or friction-fit jewelry. The front is held inside the hollow post by tension rather than screw threads.
Confirm the piercing is ready. Do not remove jewelry from a healing piercing unless your piercer has instructed you to do so.
Wash and dry your hands. Dry the jewelry and surrounding skin completely; moisture and skincare products make the small pieces harder to grip.
Hold the flat disc still. Stabilize the disc behind your ear between your thumb and index finger.
Grip the decorative front. Use the pads of your fingers or clean nitrile gloves for added traction.
Pull straight apart. Pull the front away from the post with steady, even pressure. A tiny side-to-side motion is acceptable, but do not sharply twist or yank.
Slide the post out gently. Once the front releases, guide the post out through the back of the piercing.
Threadless removal: stabilize the flat disc and pull the decorative front straight away from the post.
Tip: Think “straight apart,” not “unscrew.” If the front and back rotate together, the jewelry may still be threadless—you are simply rotating the whole piece instead of separating its two parts.
3
How to Unscrew an Internally Threaded Flat Back Earring
Internally threaded jewelry has a small threaded stem on the decorative end. The stem screws into a smooth, hollow post, keeping exposed threads from passing through the piercing channel.
Wash and dry your hands. Make sure your fingers, ear, and jewelry are completely dry.
Hold the flat disc firmly. The post must stay still while the decorative front turns.
Grip the decorative front. Clean nitrile gloves may help if the end is tiny or your nails make it difficult to grasp.
Turn the front counterclockwise. When looking directly at the decorative front, turn it toward your left to loosen it.
Continue with small turns. Keep the back stable until the front separates from the post.
Guide the post out gently. Remove the post through the back of the piercing without scraping or forcing it.
Supporting flat-back jewelry image. For an internally threaded end, hold the disc still and turn the decorative front counterclockwise until it releases.
Direction check: View the jewelry from the front and use “lefty-loosey.” When your hands are behind your ear, the movement can feel reversed, so a mirror or a second person may help.
4
Troubleshooting
What to Do When Your Flat Back Earring Is Stuck
Do not increase force just because the jewelry does not release immediately. A stuck flat back may simply be difficult to grip, but pain, swelling, embedding, dried buildup, or an unfinished healing process are reasons to stop and seek help.
✋Wash and Dry
Clean hands and fully dry jewelry give you better control.
◇Improve Your Grip
Use clean nitrile gloves rather than household tools.
○Stabilize the Back
Keep the post still so the correct end can release.
↔Use Even Pressure
Work slowly. Do not yank, wrench, or repeatedly twist tissue.
♡Ask a Piercer
If it will not move gently, professional removal is the safer next step.
⚠
Stop and seek professional help if you notice significant pain, bleeding, pronounced swelling, jewelry sinking into the skin, or thick discolored discharge. Seek medical care promptly for severe symptoms or signs of systemic illness.
The jewelry appears embedded or the skin is growing over it.
The area is significantly swollen, hot, bleeding, or increasingly painful.
You suspect an infection. Speak with a healthcare professional before removing jewelry.
You do not know whether the jewelry is threadless, threaded, or another style.
The jewelry does not release with gentle, controlled pressure.
You are removing it for a medical procedure and want to preserve the piercing.
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Even established piercings can begin to shrink quickly after jewelry is removed. Have your clean replacement jewelry ready when you intend to keep the piercing open.
6
Flat Back Earring Removal FAQs
Which way do you turn a flat back earring to remove it?
For internally threaded jewelry, hold the flat disc still and turn the decorative front counterclockwise. When you are looking at the front of the earring, turn it toward your left. Do not use this method on a threadless push-pin end.
How do I know whether my flat back is threadless or threaded?
Threadless jewelry pulls straight apart and has a thin pin—often with a slight bend—on the decorative end. Internally threaded jewelry unscrews and has a small threaded stem on the decorative end. If you cannot identify the closure while it is being worn, ask the studio that installed it or visit a professional piercer.
Do I pull the front or the back of a threadless earring?
Stabilize the flat disc behind your ear and pull the decorative front straight away from the post. The two pieces separate at the front of the post. Once the front is released, guide the post out through the back.
Why does the front of my flat back earring keep spinning?
The front and post may be rotating together because the flat back is not being held firmly. Stabilize the disc first. If the jewelry is threadless, spinning will not open it; the front must be pulled straight out. If it is threaded, the front must turn while the post stays still.
How can I remove a flat back earring with long nails?
Use the pads or sides of your fingers instead of the tips of your nails. Clean, dry nitrile gloves can improve grip on both the front and the flat disc. Avoid pliers, tweezers, or other household tools that can slip, scratch the jewelry, or injure the tissue.
Can I remove a flat back from a healing piercing?
Jewelry changes during healing should generally be performed by a qualified piercer. Some piercings need a professional downsize before they are fully healed, but that is different from removing the jewelry at home.
What should I do if the flat back appears embedded?
Do not dig, pull, or attempt to cut the jewelry out. Contact a professional piercer promptly. Seek medical care for severe swelling, spreading redness, fever, red streaks, or other concerning symptoms.
Can a piercing close after the jewelry is removed?
Yes. Some piercings shrink or close very quickly, even after they have been established for years. If you want to keep the piercing, prepare the correct clean replacement jewelry in advance or arrange a professional jewelry-change appointment.
Are internally threaded and threadless flat backs both professional options?
Yes. Internally threaded and threadless jewelry are both commonly used professional closure systems. Externally threaded jewelry is different: its exposed threads are cut into the post that passes through the piercing channel.
Denver Jewelry Assistance
Need Professional Flat Back Removal or Downsizing?
A Nina Wynn jewelry-change appointment is the right choice when you need help identifying a closure, removing a difficult flat back, reinstalling jewelry, or changing a healed piercing. Choose a downsizing appointment when your piercer has advised replacing a longer healing post with a shorter post.
Review both visual galleries before reinstalling a threadless end in a fully healed piercing. The first covers fit testing, optional taper guidance and reinsertion; the second shows how to create and test the slight push-pin tension that secures the connection.
Nina Wynn is a third-generation jeweler, award-winning designer, and founder of Nina Wynn. Her work combines more than 20 years of jewelry design and manufacturing experience with a focus on comfortable, expressive fine and piercing jewelry.
This guide is intended for healed piercings and general jewelry handling. Jewelry changes during healing should be performed by a qualified piercer. Seek medical guidance for a suspected infection or severe symptoms.
