Can You Have an MRI With a Piercing?

Short answer: You are usually asked to remove piercing jewellery before an MRI. The strong magnetic field and radio waves in an MRI scanner can cause pulling, heating and burns with metal jewellery; jewellery can also distort the image of the area being scanned. Although materials such as titanium and surgical steel are only weakly magnetic, heating and image distortion are still possible. The radiology team always makes the final decision; be sure to tell them about your piercing in advance. Because a fresh piercing can shrink quickly if the jewellery is removed, it helps to plan a non-metal temporary jewellery (retainer) option before the scan.

Note: This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Always follow the hospital’s or imaging centre’s instructions when preparing for a scan.

Why is jewellery a problem during an MRI?

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner works with a very strong magnet and radio-frequency waves. Metal objects on the body can cause three different problems in this environment:

Pulling: Iron-containing (ferromagnetic) metals can be pulled towards the magnet. Even small jewellery can tug on the tissue.
Heating: Radio waves can create current and heat in conductive metals. Heating and burn risk are a known issue, especially with closed-loop jewellery such as rings.
Image distortion (artefacts): Metal distorts the image around it. If the jewellery is in the scanned area (for example a nose or ear piercing during a head MRI), it can make the results harder to read.

That is why most imaging centres ask you to remove all metal jewellery before the scan. Some centres may decide differently based on the material and the area being scanned; that assessment belongs to the radiology team.

Can you have an MRI with titanium or surgical steel jewellery?

The titanium and 316L surgical steel used in piercing are only very weakly magnetic compared with iron, so they are not expected to be noticeably pulled by the magnet. But that does not mean the jewellery is trouble-free in an MRI: being conductive, they can heat up and distort the image. It is also hard to tell from the outside which alloy the ball, stone setting or plating is made of. In short, saying “my jewellery is titanium” is not enough on its own; tell the team about the jewellery and its material, and remove it if asked. General information about materials: titanium piercing jewellery, surgical steel 316L.

X-ray, CT and ultrasound

X-ray and CT: These machines have no magnet, so there is no pulling or heating of the jewellery. But metal jewellery creates a bright shadow on the image; if it is in the scan area you may be asked to remove it.
Ultrasound: Jewellery usually causes no problem; if the probe will go over it you may be asked to remove it.
Surgery: You are also often asked to remove metal jewellery for surgery; contact with surgical instruments and the risk of burns are among the reasons. Follow whatever your preparation instructions say.

What to do with a healed piercing

If your piercing is fully healed, remove the jewellery with clean hands before the scan and keep it in a safe container. Most healed holes are not affected by being empty for a few hours; after the scan you can clean the jewellery and put it back. If you find it hard to remove the jewellery, see our guide how to insert and remove piercing jewellery or drop by the studio in the days before your scan.

What to do with a fresh piercing

Removing the jewellery from a newly made piercing can make the hole shrink quickly and strain the tissue when you put it back. In this case:

Tell them early: When booking, say that you have a piercing and when it was done.
Ask about a non-metal temporary jewellery (retainer): For some areas there are temporary pieces made of glass, PTFE or flexible plastic. Ask the imaging centre in advance whether they accept them.
Don’t force the jewellery yourself: If the jewellery in a fresh piercing needs changing, having it done at the studio puts less strain on the tissue.
If you have a scan planned, postpone a new piercing: If an MRI, surgery or another procedure is planned soon, leaving a new piercing until afterwards is the easiest way. For preparation, see the first piercing preparation checklist.

If the hole has shrunk after removing the jewellery, don’t force it; for how quickly it might close, see can a piercing close? article.

Things to note by area

Nose and septum: In head, face and sinus MRIs, the jewellery is directly in the image area. Even if a septum ring is flipped up, the metal stays in place; tell the team. Details for nose piercings: nose piercing guide.
Ear and cartilage: Close to the image area in brain and neck scans; fresh cartilage holes can shrink quickly without jewellery.
Tongue and lip: Oral jewellery is the easiest to forget; be sure to mention it on the pre-scan form.
Belly button: In the image area for abdominal and lower back MRIs. Ring or charm belly jewellery contains more metal. See belly button piercing guide.

Even for jewellery outside the image area, the centre may ask you to remove it, because the heating risk is assessed regardless of where the jewellery is.

Quick pre-scan checklist

Note all piercings on your body (including tongue, belly button and cartilage); don’t forget the ones that aren’t visible.
If you know the jewellery material, write it down.
Ask the imaging centre whether you need to remove it.
For a fresh piercing, arrange the temporary jewellery option in advance.
Bring a small container with a lid so you don’t lose the jewellery you remove.
After the scan, clean your hands and the jewellery before putting it back.

Got a question? Ask on WhatsApp or book an appointment in Ümraniye at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.

Havalimanı güvenlik kontrolleri MR’dan farklıdır; ayrıntılar için piercing havalimanında öter mi guide.

FAQ

Can you have an MRI with a piercing?

You are usually asked to remove metal piercing jewellery before an MRI. The strong magnetic field and radio waves can cause pulling, heating and image distortion with metal jewellery. The radiology team makes the final decision.

Does a titanium piercing cause problems in an MRI?

Titanium is very weakly magnetic and is not expected to be noticeably pulled by the magnet. Still, being conductive, it can heat up and distort the image, so always tell the team about the jewellery and remove it if asked.

Do you need to remove piercings for an X-ray or CT scan?

X-ray and CT machines have no magnet; the risk is image distortion. If the jewellery is in the scanned area, you may be asked to remove it.

Will my fresh piercing close if I remove it for an MRI?

Newly made piercings can shrink quickly without jewellery. Ask the imaging centre in advance whether non-metal temporary jewellery can be used, and have the jewellery change done at the studio.

What is temporary piercing jewellery for an MRI?

Metal-free jewellery made of glass, PTFE or flexible plastic is called a retainer. It helps keep the hole open; the team doing the scan decides whether it can be used.

Can I get a new piercing if I have an MRI coming up?

If an MRI, surgery or other medical procedure is planned soon, leaving the new piercing until afterwards avoids jewellery removal and healing problems.

Having a problem? If you have signs of infection (increasing pain, warmth, yellow-green discharge, fever), see a doctor without removing the jewellery. For aftercare and jewellery advice, book an appointment or +90 533 250 01 77 call our number.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.