Medical disclaimer
This guide is informational and does not replace guidance from the radiology department performing your imaging. Every imaging facility has its own protocols, and specific imaging types (e.g. mammography, dental imaging, specialised CT) may have specific requirements not covered here.
X-rays and CT are not MRI
A common confusion: because MRI has strict metal removal requirements, people often assume X-rays and CT scans have the same requirements. They do not. MRI uses magnetic fields, which react strongly with any magnetic metal. X-rays and CT scans use radiation, which does not react with metal in a dangerous way. The concerns for X-ray and CT are different: image quality, not safety.
This guide covers what X-rays and CT actually require for piercings, when metal in the image field causes problems, and what the radiology team will typically ask you to do. If you specifically want the MRI guidance, see the MRI cluster in the P12 Lifestyle pillar. This guide is about the imaging types that use radiation.
How X-rays and CT differ from MRI
X-rays
• Use ionising radiation (X-rays) to create images of dense tissue and bone
• Metal blocks the radiation, appearing as bright spots (radiopaque artefacts) in the image
• No safety issues with metal in most X-ray contexts, the concern is image quality, not health
• If metal is in the specific area being imaged, it obscures that area of the image
• Metal outside the imaging area typically does not affect the image
CT scans
• Use rotating X-rays to create cross-sectional images
• Same radiation-based physics as standard X-rays, no magnetic concern
• Metal creates more prominent artefacts in CT than in flat X-rays because the metal blocks radiation from multiple angles
• Modern CT scanners have artefact-reduction algorithms that partially compensate
• If a piercing is in or near the specific tissue being scanned, the artefact affects image interpretation
MRI (for comparison)
• Uses strong magnetic fields, not radiation
• Ferromagnetic metals (steel, iron) are drawn strongly by the field, potentially causing burns or movement
• Non-ferromagnetic metals (titanium, gold, platinum) are generally safe but can still cause image distortion
• MRI-specific piercing guidance is covered in the P12 MRI cluster
What X-rays typically require
Dental X-rays
• Standard bitewing and periapical X-rays generally do not require removal of piercings outside the immediate mouth area
• Oral piercings (tongue, lip) may be asked to be removed if in the specific area being imaged
• Panoramic X-rays sometimes benefit from removal of certain facial piercings for image clarity
• See the dental cluster guide for detailed dental imaging guidance
Chest X-rays
• Nipple piercings and any piercings on the chest area typically need to be removed for chest X-rays
• Metal appears as bright spots that can obscure lung tissue, cardiac silhouette, or bone details
• Facial and ear piercings are far outside the chest field and can typically stay
• Nose piercings can typically stay unless a specific facial X-ray is being taken
Abdominal X-rays
• Navel piercings need to be removed for abdominal X-rays
• Nipple piercings depending on the specific field, may need removal
• Ear, facial, and body piercings outside the abdominal area typically can stay
Limb X-rays
• Only piercings on the specific limb being imaged need attention
• Piercings in other body areas can stay throughout limb X-rays
Skull and facial X-rays
• Facial piercings, ear piercings, and nose piercings usually removed for these specific images
• Oral piercings almost always removed
• Non-facial piercings can stay
What CT scans typically require
Head CT
• All ear, facial, and nose piercings should be removed
• Oral piercings must be removed
• Piercings elsewhere can stay
• Contrast-enhanced head CT has the same requirements plus IV placement
Chest CT
• Nipple piercings and chest piercings removed
• Neck and facial piercings usually asked to be removed if near the imaging field
• Ear piercings and further-away piercings can stay
Abdominal CT
• Navel piercings removed
• Nipple piercings and other body piercings near the imaging field may need removal
• Ear and facial piercings can stay
• Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT has the same requirements plus IV placement
Full body CT
• All piercings usually asked to be removed
• This is uncommon in routine practice but occurs in trauma and cancer staging contexts
Retainers for X-rays and CT
Retainers reduce but do not eliminate artefact
PTFE, glass, and bioplast retainers do not block radiation the way metal does, so they can be used for X-rays and CT with much less artefact. However, some artefact still occurs because the retainer material has different density from surrounding tissue. For images where absolute clarity is needed, full removal may still be preferred. For routine imaging where you want to preserve piercings, retainers are a reasonable compromise. Discuss with the radiology team about whether retainers are acceptable for your specific imaging.
Timing for radiography appointments
• Arrive early for imaging appointments, particularly first-time visits, so you have time for jewellery removal without rushing
• Wear clothing that allows easy access to piercing areas if you have not been given specific gown instructions
• Bring your own container for jewellery removal, hospital containers can be lost
• If you have specific piercings that are difficult to remove (recently done, very tight, unusual placements), inform the radiographer in advance
• Complex cases (many piercings) may need extra time, book accordingly
What to expect at the appointment
• Radiographer will ask you to remove any jewellery in or near the imaging field
• You may be given a gown or asked to change clothing depending on the imaging
• The radiographer typically leaves the room while X-ray or CT is running for their own radiation protection
• Standard chest and limb X-rays take a minute or two
• CT scans take longer, 5 to 30 minutes depending on the specific study
• Metal artefacts are visible on the image if any jewellery was missed, the radiologist interprets around them
Shop the look
• PTFE retainers (from your piercer)
• All implant-grade titanium pieces
Internal links
• Temporary piercing removal, complete guide
• PTFE retainers used medically
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remove my piercings for an X-ray?
Only piercings in or near the specific area being imaged. Standard X-rays use radiation, not magnetism, so metal jewellery is not dangerous during X-rays like it is during MRI. The concern is image quality, not safety. Metal in the imaging field creates artefacts that can obscure the area of interest. Piercings outside the imaging area can typically stay throughout the appointment. Confirm specifics with the radiographer when you arrive.
Are X-rays dangerous with piercings?
No, not from a safety perspective. Metal jewellery is not affected by X-rays the way it is by MRI magnetic fields. The concern with metal during X-rays is purely about image clarity, metal creates artefacts (bright spots or shadows) that can obscure the specific area being imaged. This is why the radiographer asks for removal of jewellery in the imaging field, but jewellery elsewhere on the body can stay throughout the appointment.
What is the difference between X-rays and MRI for piercings?
X-rays and CT scans use ionising radiation and metal is not affected by radiation dangerously, only visually (image artefacts). MRI uses strong magnetic fields, which can move ferromagnetic metals and cause burns from metal heating in the field. MRI requires far more careful metal management than X-rays or CT. For X-rays, removing metal near the imaging area addresses the concerns. For MRI, all metal must be removed or verified as non-magnetic, and this involves specific checks not required for X-rays.
Do CT scans require the same removal as MRI?
No. CT scans use rotating X-rays, which are radiation-based like standard X-rays. Metal in the imaging field creates artefacts (more prominent than in flat X-rays because of the rotating angle), but there is no magnetic safety issue. Modern CT scanners have artefact-reduction algorithms that partially compensate. The requirement is similar to X-rays: remove jewellery in or near the imaging field to reduce artefacts, but jewellery elsewhere can stay.
Can I keep my ear piercings during a chest X-ray?
Yes for standard chest X-rays. Ear piercings are far outside the chest imaging field and do not affect chest image quality. The radiographer will typically not ask for their removal. If you are unsure, ask when you arrive, some facilities have blanket removal policies for all jewellery even when medically unnecessary.
Should I use PTFE retainers during X-rays or CT?
Yes, if you want to preserve piercings that would otherwise close during removal. PTFE and glass retainers do not block radiation the way metal does, so they cause much less imaging artefact. Some artefact still occurs because the retainer material has different density from tissue, but it is significantly less than metal artefact. Discuss with the radiology team about retainer acceptability for your specific imaging, some allow them, some prefer full removal.
What happens if I forget to remove a piercing before an X-ray?
Nothing dangerous. The X-ray will still work, but the piercing will appear as a bright spot (artefact) on the image, potentially obscuring the area behind it. The radiographer or radiologist will interpret the image with awareness of the artefact. Depending on how important the obscured area is to the diagnosis, they may repeat the image with the piercing removed. This is not a safety issue, just a repeat imaging concern. For MRI, forgetting metal can be genuinely dangerous, which is why MRI has stricter checking.