Titanium Earrings and MRI Scans—Do You Need to Remove Them?

Have you received a referral for an MRI and are wondering what to do about your earrings? In short: a titanium earring isn’t attracted to a magnet, but that doesn’t mean you can automatically keep it on during the scan. We’ll explain what factors come into play and how to prepare so you don’t miss the scan or lose your piercings.

Can a titanium piercing be worn during an MRI?

From a magnetic standpoint—yes, titanium is the safest metal you can wear in this situation. ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium is an alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium—the same material used to make medical implants. It is not ferromagnetic, so the powerful MRI magnet will not pull on it or tug at your piercing.

However, magnetism is only one of three risks. That’s why international MRI safety guidelines—including those from the American College of Radiology—recommend removing all jewelry and any piercings that can be removed before the scan, regardless of the material. In practice, this means that even with the highest-quality titanium, you may be asked to remove your earring at the imaging center. This is not an exaggeration, but standard procedure.

Every facility has its own rules. If an earring cannot be removed, the staff will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis—and their decision is final, not information from a blog or product description.

What an MRI Does to Metal—Three Risks

An MRI uses a very strong magnetic field and radio waves. Metal can interact with them in three ways:

Of these three issues, titanium eliminates only the first one. Heating and image distortion depend on whether the metal conducts electricity, its shape, and how close it is to the area being examined. That’s why a belly button piercing usually doesn’t interfere with an MRI of the knee, but a tongue piercing during an MRI of the head might.

Piercing Materials and MRI—A Comparison

The table shows how the most common materials behave. This information is for general guidance only—it does not replace a consultation with the imaging center staff.

Why is 316L steel classified as risky if it is considered non-magnetic? In its original state, this steel shows virtually no reaction to a magnet. However, processing—such as bending, threading, or polishing—can alter its structure, causing weak magnetism to develop. This cannot be assessed by eye, so simply remove any 316L surgical steel earrings before an MRI scan.

What about anodized titanium? The color of titanium after anodizing comes from a thin layer of titanium oxide, not from paint or a coating of another metal. The earring therefore remains the same titanium—in terms of MRI, it behaves just like uncolored titanium.

We make our titanium earrings from implant-grade titanium. You can find the results of laboratory tests on the material on our certificates page. It’s a good idea to have them on hand in case the MRI staff asks what the earring is made of when it can’t be removed.

Hoop or bar—the shape of the earring matters

When it comes to heating, it’s not just the material that matters, but also the shape. A closed metal loop acts like an electrical circuit in which radio waves more easily induce a current. That’s why, in terms of MR safety, hoops, clickers, and segment rings are considered riskier than simple bars—even if they’re made of titanium.

Illustrative diagrams. The risk of overheating also depends on the length of the jewelry, its location, and the MRI machine’s settings.

How to Prepare for an MRI If You Have Piercings

1. Mention your piercings when you check in. When filling out the pre-exam questionnaire, list all your piercings—including those that aren’t visible. Ask what the specific rules are at that particular facility.
2. Remove everything you can. This applies to healed piercings. It’s best to do this at home rather than in the changing room right before the exam.
3. Write down the size before you put the earring away. If you don’t know your size, measure it with a piercing caliper. This will come in handy when you want to replace your jewelry—we explain how to read the measurements in our size guide.
4. Bring a small bag or box for your earrings. Small items are easy to lose in a locker or jacket pocket.
5. If you can’t remove the earring, don’t hide it. Show it to the staff and tell them what it’s made of. The staff can check it with a ferromagnetic metal detector and take the necessary security measures.
6. Put the earring back in immediately after the screening, using clean hands. The longer the piercing remains empty, the greater the chance that the canal will narrow.

A fresh piercing or a microdermal—what should you do?

Fresh piercing

Do not remove the earring from a healing piercing on your own. The piercing is delicate, can close quickly, and reinserting jewelry can easily damage it. If you have a scheduled scan, make an appointment with your piercer—they can replace the metal earring with a plastic or glass retainer, which doesn’t conduct electricity and keeps the piercing open. If the MRI is urgent, inform the staff that the piercing is fresh and the earring is made of titanium—the doctor will make the decision.

Microdermals and piercings that cannot be removed

A microdermal has an anchor under the skin, so before the exam, the most you can do is unscrew the top piece of jewelry. The same applies to a piercing that has become embedded or stuck due to swelling. Imaging centers have procedures for such situations: first, they confirm that the metal is non-ferromagnetic, and for the duration of the exam, they apply a cold, dry compress to the area. This is why information about the material is so important—with implant-grade titanium, the imaging center can more easily perform the exam instead of rescheduling it.

The Most Common Mistakes Before an MRI

• “I have titanium, so I don’t need to say anything”—titanium isn’t attracted to the magnet, but it can still heat up and distort the image. Always mention your earrings.
• Leaving on rings and clickers—a closed loop is the shape most prone to heating up.
• Assuming that 316L steel is non-magnetic—after processing, it may react weakly to a magnet.
• Forgetting about hidden piercings—the navel, nipples, and genital piercings must also be reported.
• Removing a fresh piercing in the changing room—it’s better to arrange for a retainer with your piercer in advance.
• Going home with an empty piercing—put the earring back in immediately after the exam so the piercing doesn’t close up.

Questions and Answers

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the recommendations of a doctor or MRI facility staff. Preparation guidelines may vary between facilities. Last updated: September 2026.