Removing a Dexcom G6 sensor takes about 30 seconds once you know the technique. You peel the adhesive patch off your skin like a bandage, then pop the reusable transmitter out of its holder before discarding the rest. The process is straightforward, but a few tricks can make it less painful and protect your skin.
Step-by-Step Removal
Start by grabbing the edge of the adhesive patch. Peel the entire unit, adhesive and transmitter together, up and away from your body in one motion, just like you’d pull off a bandage.
Once the patch is off your skin, you need to separate the transmitter from the sensor holder so you can reuse it. Push down on the lip of the transmitter holder and break open its wide end. Then pull the transmitter straight out. Hold onto it: you’ll snap it into your next sensor. Each transmitter lasts about three months across multiple sensor sessions.
Throw away the adhesive patch with the holder and sensor wire still attached. These are considered blood-contacting components, so follow your local guidelines for disposal. Dexcom does not currently offer a recycling program for sensors or applicators.
How to Reduce Pain During Removal
If you’ve worn the sensor for a full 10-day session, the adhesive can bond firmly to your skin. Ripping it off quickly works for some people, but there are gentler options.
The “fold back” technique is the simplest: peel the adhesive slowly at a low angle, folding it back on itself as you go. While you do this, use the fingers of your opposite hand to push the skin down and away from the adhesive. Keep walking your fingers toward the adhesive edge as you peel. This separates the bond gradually instead of pulling your skin upward.
If you use an overlay patch made from a stretchy film (like Tegaderm or IV3000), try the “stretch and relax” method instead. Rather than folding back, stretch the film horizontally away from the center while walking your fingers underneath to keep loosening it.
For the least painful experience, apply a medical adhesive remover before you start peeling. These come as sprays or wipes and dissolve the bond between adhesive and skin so the patch lifts off with almost no resistance. Several no-sting, alcohol-free options are available, including Brava Adhesive Remover Spray and Clinipeel. Most dry quickly and leave no residue. You can also use adhesive remover wipes to rub the skin just under the tape edge as you peel, loosening the adhesive in real time.
One important note: do not use oils or lotions containing moisturizer on the area where you plan to insert your next sensor. Oil residue can interfere with adhesion on the next session.
Taking Care of Your Skin Afterward
Some redness after removal is normal, especially if the adhesive was firmly stuck. This typically fades within a day. Gently cleaning the area with mild soap and water removes any leftover adhesive residue.
A smaller number of people experience more significant skin reactions: persistent redness, swelling, itching, or even blistering under where the sensor sat. The UK’s medical device regulator has noted that for some users, this goes beyond simple irritation and is actually a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to chemicals in the adhesive. If you notice blistering or reactions that worsen rather than improve after removal, that’s worth discussing with your healthcare provider. They can help determine whether it’s irritation or allergy and whether you should continue using the device or switch to a different monitoring system.
Rotating your insertion site each session helps reduce cumulative irritation. Give previously used skin at least a full sensor cycle to recover before placing a new sensor in the same spot.
What to Do if the Sensor Wire Breaks
The G6 sensor has a thin, flexible wire that sits just under the skin. In rare cases, this wire can break off during removal and stay embedded. If you peel off the patch and notice the sensor wire looks shorter than expected, or if a piece appears to be missing, do not try to dig it out yourself.
Contact Dexcom’s 24/7 technical support at 1-844-607-8398, and reach out to your healthcare provider. If you notice signs of infection or inflammation at the site, such as increasing redness, swelling, or pain, seek medical attention promptly. A clinician can locate and safely remove a retained wire fragment if needed.