Do You Need to Take Your Piercings Out for an MRI or Scan?
Usually, yes. Most hospitals ask for all metal jewellery to come out before an MRI, some scans and surgery. Call us on the day and we'll take your ear jewellery out and fit retainers for free. When you're done, we'll put it back in for free too.Why hospitals ask for jewellery out
An MRI uses a very strong magnet. Metal in or on your body can be pulled, can heat up, or can blur the images the radiographer needs. That's why most hospitals ask you to remove all metal jewellery before an MRI, and that usually includes titanium, even though implant-grade titanium isn't magnetic. Many hospitals ask for the same before surgery and some X-rays and CT scans, especially if the jewellery is near the area being looked at.
Your hospital always has the final say. Read your appointment letter and follow what it tells you. If you're not sure, ring the department and ask whether non-metal retainers are allowed.
Why taking them out yourself can be tricky
Threadless (push-pin) jewellery is held in by tension, which is great for wearing every day but can be fiddly to remove if you've never done it. Newer piercings can also start to shrink or close within hours of the jewellery coming out. Nobody wants to lose a piercing because of a hospital appointment.
A retainer solves that. It's a simple, plain, non-metal bar that holds the hole open while your jewellery is out, so you can go into your appointment and come back to your piercing afterwards.
How we help, for free
We take it out
One of our piercers will remove your ear jewellery safely and hygienically. No charge.
We fit retainers
We fit plain straight retainers so your piercings stay open while your jewellery is out. No charge.
We put it back
After your appointment, come back and we'll refit your jewellery if you'd like. Also free.
What it covers: our retainers are straight bars, so they work for stud-style ear piercings like lobes, helix, flat, conch and tragus. They don't fit curved piercings like rooks and daiths, and they don't cover other body parts. If you're not sure, call us and we'll tell you.
No booking needed
Call the studio on 01923 825198 on the day, or email book@oscolondon.studio, and tell us you've got a scan or operation coming up.
Pop into our Northwood studio (Unit 18E High Street, HA6 1BN). We're open 10am to 8pm, seven days a week.
We take your jewellery out, fit retainers and bag your jewellery for you to take home.
When your appointment's done, call us again and we'll put your jewellery back in, free.
You don't need to have been pierced at OSCO. This is for anyone.
Piercings and MRI questions
Most hospitals ask you to remove all metal jewellery before an MRI, including earrings and body jewellery. Always follow the instructions in your appointment letter.
Implant-grade titanium isn't magnetic, but most hospitals still ask for all metal jewellery to come out because it can heat up or affect the images. Check with your hospital before your scan.
Newer piercings can start to close within hours. A non-metal retainer keeps the hole open while your jewellery is out. We fit straight retainers in stud-style ear piercings for free.
Yes. Once your scan or operation is done, call us and we'll refit your jewellery for free.
Nothing. Removal, retainers and refitting afterwards are all free through OSCOmmunity.
No. Just call the studio on 01923 825198 on the day and we'll fit you in.