Purchase a pair of "expanding ring pliers" from an online store which carries piercing jewelry and equipment for an easy, ideal removal of your captive bead ring. Expanding ring pliers can be purchased at a variety of websites, such as bodycandy.com and can cost anywhere from $8 to $30. If you are unable to purchase your own expanding ring pliers, proceed to step two for an efficient home-made alternative.
Choose a pair of commonly available needle-nosed pliers. Hardware and "dollar" stores will have a variety of sizes. A captive bead ring with an inner diameter of an inch or larger will require longer pliers; while a ring with an inner diameter of half an inch or less requires smaller, thinner jaws on the pliers.
Wrap the jaws of the pliers individually with the masking or other tape you have selected. Wrap a few layers of tape around each jaw to ensure that the pliers will not leave any marks or scratches on your captive bead ring.
Remove any bodily matter that may have accumulated on your captive bead ring. If the piercing is new (less than 12 weeks old) or if it is in a body area where it is constantly irritated by clothing your CBR may have accumulated crusted bodily fluids from the opening in the skin. Remove any dirt or material from your CBR with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol.
Insert the expanding ring pliers into the inner rim of the captive bead ring. Gently apply pressure to the pliers until the bead falls free of the ring. If you are using a home modified pair of needle-nosed pliers, insert the closed pliers into the inner rim of the CBR, then apply gentle pressure to open the pliers until the bead is freed. You are now free to remove the ring from your piercing.
Apply an antibiotic ointment to the ring before moving the captive bead ring through the piercing and out of your body if the piercing is painful, red, or irritated. Finish removing the captive bead before applying any ointments.