Piercings and saunas... or an MRI? No worries: in this post we tell you everything you need to know when your piercing meets heat, steam or magnets.
Sauna + piercing = zen or sweaty drama?
Yes, you can go to the sauna with a piercing. But that doesn't mean you should throw your towel in the air and run straight into the steam room.
If your piercing is still healing, stay away from the sauna for a while. Why? Heat, sweat and essential oils are a party for bacteria, but not for your skin.
Piercing already healed? Great. Then you can sweat, but pay attention to the material of your jewellery. Metal gets hot. Titanium is usually the safest choice. Surgical steel is fine too. Gold heats up faster and can cause irritation. After the sauna, always clean with the AphraHeals wipe (our favourite: practical, sterile and safe) or the AphraHeals spray, especially if your piercing sits in a warm, moist spot such as the navel or more intimate areas.
Does your piercing stay inflamed or become inflamed? Contact your piercer or a doctor.
An MRI with a piercing? Magnetic questions…
MRIs work with strong magnetic fields. That's why the rule is almost always: piercings have to come out, even if they are small or healed long ago.
Titanium is not magnetic. That is why some hospitals let small titanium jewellery stay in after testing it with a magnet first (Columbia University, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde). Whether that is allowed depends on the hospital and the MRI scanner. Closed rings (loops) usually have to come out; according to UCSF, larger metal loops carry a higher risk of heating. Jewellery close to the area being scanned can disturb the images. So always tell the MRI team about your piercings and follow their instructions. The safest choice is still a metal-free bioplast retainer.
If you have to remove your jewellery, use a bioplast retainer. It keeps the hole open without irritating your skin.
For X-rays the rules are usually less strict, but even then: telling them beats having to improvise.
Which retainer should you wear for an MRI or operation?
If your jewellery has to come out, you don't want the hole to close. For an MRI scan or operation we only recommend completely metal-free bioplast retainers. Bioplast is a flexible, body-friendly plastic with no metal parts:
- Bioplast retainer for nose piercings
- Bioplast retainer for labret piercings and the 16 mm version
- Bioplast retainer for eyebrow piercings
- Bioplast retainer for navel piercings
Browse all our piercing retainers. Note: retainers with titanium balls or surgical steel contain metal. They are handy for hiding your piercing at work or school, but not suitable for an MRI or operation.
Why so strict? Hospitals such as Erasmus MC ask you to remove everything made of metal before entering the MRI room, because of the strong magnetic field. The NHS and RadiologyInfo also list jewellery as something to remove; according to RadiologyInfo, certain metals can be attracted and metal objects can heat up. For a CT scan or X-ray you may also be asked not to wear metal or jewellery (NHS).
And for surgery or anaesthesia?
For surgery, hospitals often have their own rules about jewellery and piercings. These differ per hospital and procedure. Sometimes a metal-free retainer may stay in, sometimes everything has to come out. Always follow the instructions of your hospital or anaesthetist. If you have a tongue or other oral piercing, be sure to discuss it in advance. See also piercings with allergies, medication, surgery or special situations.
Checklist before your MRI/operation
- Ask the hospital or anaesthetist in advance what to do with your piercings.
- List all your piercings on the questionnaire, including ones that aren't visible.
- Have a metal-free bioplast retainer fitted well in advance and tell your piercer what it's for.
- Don't take your own jewellery into the exam room; keep it somewhere safe.
- Struggling to put your jewellery back in afterwards? Don't force it; just walk in to our studio.
Why we're not fans of silver piercings
Silver looks nice, but it's not a good material for fresh or sensitive piercings. It is porous, oxidises quickly and holds on to bacteria. There is no sterile silver jewellery suitable for initial piercing. So always choose titanium, especially while healing.
Smart preparation = happy piercing
– Planning a sauna visit or medical appointment? Bring a clean spare piece of jewellery or a retainer.
– Redness, burning or tenderness after the sauna? Clean the area well with the AphraHeals wipe (our favourite: practical, sterile and safe) or the AphraHeals spray.
– Piercing temporarily removed for a scan? Don't wait too long to reinsert it, or have a professional check that everything is still fine.
Conclusion
Piercings and saunas or medical scans can go together fine, as long as you consider timing, the material of your jewellery and the condition of your piercing. A new piercing needs rest. An MRI sometimes calls for an adjustment. A little preparation saves a lot of hassle and keeps your piercing beautiful, healthy and trouble-free.
Doubts or specific questions? Contact Piercings Works or walk in to our studio. We're happy to give you personal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my titanium piercing in during an MRI?
Don't count on it. Hospitals usually ask you to remove all metal; the doctor or radiologist decides.
Is a bioplast retainer safe for an MRI?
Our bioplast retainers are metal-free, but the hospital decides. Bring it and ask.
Can I wear a retainer during surgery?
That varies per hospital and procedure. Always ask in advance.
Will my piercing close if it has to come out?
That depends on the person, the placement and how well healed your piercing is. Fresh piercings can shrink quickly. A retainer helps keep the channel open.
Can I go to the sauna with a piercing?
Yes, if your piercing has healed. With a fresh piercing, it's better to stay away for a while.
Do I need an appointment for a retainer?
No, just walk in to our studio at Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam, close to Rembrandtplein. Do it before the day of your scan or operation.
From Ira, with love
Ira Lutvica is co-owner of Piercings Works, which she runs with her husband Mensur Lutvica: since 1998, and for 22 years at the same spot on Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam. Ira writes the books herself and teaches the piercing course, where she has trained 100+ piercers. Want to know more about this topic? Read her e-book De Complete Zomergids voor Piercings (in Dutch). See also Piercings Works in the media. With more than 2,000 reviews, our team is happy to help you choose the right retainer for your scan or operation.
This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always follow your hospital's instructions.