Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Hair extensions, false eyelashes and prevent jewellery in MRI exam

42 replies

ATJ · 04/02/2026 20:11

Hello I've got to have an MRI exam on my breast and I've never had one before.

I've got glue in hair extensions and individual false eyelashes, also acrylic nails. Will these be ok to wear?

I've also got a permanent sterling silver bracelet that's really tiny. It means a lot to me and I'd be really upset to have to cut it off.

OP posts:
Haggisfish3 · 04/02/2026 20:13

Size doesn’t matter. The magnets are so strong they will rip anything magnetic off your body and through any tissue on the way.

Luckypoppy · 04/02/2026 20:15

Nails were fine. Jewellery not

HangingOutAtTheRialto · 04/02/2026 20:15

It's just metal objects so the nails etc will be fine. The silver bracelet might be an issue. It won't cause a magnetic issue (it isnt a ferrous metal) but it may get hot and pose a burn risk. I'd phone the MRI unit if you can't remove the jewellery, in case they need to change the modality (to CT for instance).

Haggisfish3 · 04/02/2026 20:16

Are the eyelashes magnetic ones? Are they real hair or might they have tiny particles of metal in them?

youalright · 04/02/2026 20:17

Hair extensions, nails and eyelashes should be fine but bracelet might be a problem as although sterling silver isn't magnetic it can heat up. I would contact the department before going and explain everything they might be able to cover it somehow.

Haggisfish3 · 04/02/2026 20:17

And the silver might be ok but is it pure silver? Is it an alloy? What about the fastenings?

BauhausOfEliott · 04/02/2026 20:26

Hair, lashes and nails are unlikely to contain metal and will be fine.

Sterling silver isn’t magnetic so in theory if it’s pure enough it shouldn’t be an issue, but if you explain that it’s permanent they might test it with a magnet before you go in.

I had an MRI last year during a two-week emergency hospital stay and I removed all my jewellery except the ring in my daith piercing. When I explained that I’d tried and tried but just couldn’t get it out, they asked me if I knew what metal it was, and when I said it was titanium they said “Oh, it won’t be magnetic then so you can probably leave it in”. They tested it with a magnet to double check - all fine and it remained in for the MRI. I also had acrylic dip nails on.

WeMeetInFairIthilien · 04/02/2026 20:29

Haggisfish3 · 04/02/2026 20:17

And the silver might be ok but is it pure silver? Is it an alloy? What about the fastenings?

Very unlikely to be pure silver - it would be too soft to make a chain from.

All commercial silver jewellery will be an alloy. Sterling silver (925) is an alloy, with 925 silver atoms per 1,000 atoms.

Overtheatlantic · 04/02/2026 20:33

I’ve never heard of permanent jewellery? What does that mean?

Original poster
ATJ · 04/02/2026 23:06

HangingOutAtTheRialto · 04/02/2026 20:15

It's just metal objects so the nails etc will be fine. The silver bracelet might be an issue. It won't cause a magnetic issue (it isnt a ferrous metal) but it may get hot and pose a burn risk. I'd phone the MRI unit if you can't remove the jewellery, in case they need to change the modality (to CT for instance).

Thank you. I'll ask when I get the appointment.

OP posts:
EvangelineTheNightStar · 04/02/2026 23:10

Overtheatlantic · 04/02/2026 20:33

I’ve never heard of permanent jewellery? What does that mean?

this do you mean it’s attached to your skin, so pierced or embedded?

7238SM · 04/02/2026 23:14

Overtheatlantic · 04/02/2026 20:33

I’ve never heard of permanent jewellery? What does that mean?

I wondered the same and if it meant she couldn't remove it over her hand? Like when a ring is left on so long and maybe someone puts on weight and they can no longer removed it?

Original poster
ATJ · 04/02/2026 23:16

Overtheatlantic · 04/02/2026 20:33

I’ve never heard of permanent jewellery? What does that mean?

It was soldered whilst on my wrist. So it has no clasp basically.

OP posts:
EvangelineTheNightStar · 04/02/2026 23:18

Can you get it clipped pff
and resoldered?

Original poster
ATJ · 05/02/2026 10:22

EvangelineTheNightStar · 04/02/2026 23:18

Can you get it clipped pff
and resoldered?

Yes potentially I could. I had it done in Cornwall however and I live about 5 hours away from there

OP posts:
HangingOutAtTheRialto · 05/02/2026 11:21

ATJ · 05/02/2026 10:22

Yes potentially I could. I had it done in Cornwall however and I live about 5 hours away from there

Show quote history

A local jeweller would probably re-solder it for it you. One that does repairs and has a small workshop on site, rather than a solely retail jeweller.

7238SM · 05/02/2026 11:34

I'd ring and speak to them before getting the bracelet cut off. I had an MRI done on my knee and they said to leave my jeans on. I was SO worried about the zip and little, metal stud things on the jeans, but they said they were fine! 😬

On a side note, I realise its sentimental, but having it soldered on isn't very safe if you ever needed emergency surgery or any surgery really. If you needed surgery, potentially they could wrap it like they do with rings, to prevent the diathermy burning you, but have you considered a clip/way of removing it in an emergency?

Original poster
ATJ · 05/02/2026 12:02

7238SM · 05/02/2026 11:34

I'd ring and speak to them before getting the bracelet cut off. I had an MRI done on my knee and they said to leave my jeans on. I was SO worried about the zip and little, metal stud things on the jeans, but they said they were fine! 😬

On a side note, I realise its sentimental, but having it soldered on isn't very safe if you ever needed emergency surgery or any surgery really. If you needed surgery, potentially they could wrap it like they do with rings, to prevent the diathermy burning you, but have you considered a clip/way of removing it in an emergency?

Thank you, yes I'll ask them before cutting it off. After doing a bit of research it seems it's down there discretion. Some are more lenient than others.
I had it done a few years ago and you just don't think about needing to take it off. It has a lot of sentimental value so I'm really hoping they can just cover it.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 05/02/2026 12:10

My DH is a radiographer and says you might be able to keep it in as it's not your hand that is being scanned but it will depend on that hospital's policy. He has come across this kind of jewellery before.

Bluemin · 05/02/2026 22:36

My DD is going to have a head MRI with metal braces on. They've said it's fine but I'm concerned about it!

uselesseuphless · 05/02/2026 23:00

Bluemin · 05/02/2026 22:36

My DD is going to have a head MRI with metal braces on. They've said it's fine but I'm concerned about it!

I’ve had an mri and I’ve got braces it’s fine x

Eucatastrophilia · 06/02/2026 06:03

I’ve never heard of permanent jewellery. And can’t imagine why anyone would attach something to their body that they could not easily remove themselves in an emergency.

(TBH I find the thought of it reminiscent of slavery or harsh imprisonment, so cannot see the attraction.)

I hope your MRI goes well, OP.

CaptainMyCaptain · 06/02/2026 07:19

Eucatastrophilia · 06/02/2026 06:03

I’ve never heard of permanent jewellery. And can’t imagine why anyone would attach something to their body that they could not easily remove themselves in an emergency.

(TBH I find the thought of it reminiscent of slavery or harsh imprisonment, so cannot see the attraction.)

I hope your MRI goes well, OP.

Apparently it's more popular with S Asian women. I'd never heard of it either.

Eucatastrophilia · 06/02/2026 07:27

Ah. I have African and Caribbean heritage, so the thought of it is quite triggering to me.

I guess it’s different for other people.