Before we get started, please let us stress:
Wood is not an appropriate material to stretch ears with. Wood plugs should only be worn in completely healed ear lobes or piercings. Trust us, it is worth the wait. Wood is a porous material and it can harbor bacteria. This could be a threat to a freshly pierced/stretched lobe. Also, due to the organic nature of the material, wood can fluctuate in size based on exposure to a dramatic change it temperature. This can also cause stress and problems in a newly stretched lobe. We will talk more about appropriate materials to stretch with in a bit.
Leave it to the professionals:
We do not recommend stretching your own lobes and we do not sell tapers for stretching. Tapers should be used for stretching by an experienced professional. Tapers should be made out of appropriate, sterilizable materials such as Surgical steel or titanium and not porous materials such as wood or acrylic. Learning to use a taper properly takes time and extensive training. Even if proper research is done, it is best not to risk it unless you are a profession and have properly trained by a professional. Nothing beats experience and cleanliness. There are professionals near you that are passionate about safely helping you in your stretching journey. We support the ideas and efforts of the Association of Professional Piercers. Please check this link to find a member of the Association of Professional Piercers near you: Find a Piercer
Wait until your lobes are completely healed before stretching to the next size:
Healing times vary from person to person. Patience and time are your best friends when stretching. Most professionals suggest waiting 6-8 week to heal, but the longer you wait, the better off you will be. When you stretch your earlobes, you are creating very small micro tears in the tissue. If you rush and force in jewelry that won't go in, you turn these micro tears in to much larger tears. You can then run into issues with healing and could create scar tissue. This could make it more difficult to stretch in the long run. That being said, never skip sizes when stretching. Nothing worth having comes easily, and although it may be difficult to wait, your earlobes will thank you for it. Please check this link to the APP's suggested aftercare for healing piercings: APP Body Aftercare
Appropriate stretching Materials:
As mentioned before, we do not recommend stretching with wood jewelry. When stretching (with the help of a professional), we suggest that you stick to these sterilizable materials:
*Surgical steel (ASTM F138 compliant)
*Titanium (ASTM F136 compliant)
*Niobium
* Gold (white or yellow, 14k or higher)
*Platinum
*Glass
This jewelry should be made in high quality and be void of knocks, scores, or uneven surfaces. Please click this link for more specific information on appropriate jewelry to stretch with: APP Stretching
Your lobes have healed! You can now wear wood plugs!:
You've waited at least the initial healing time. You would like to explore other options in jewelry and wood plugs are a great choice! Here are a few tips for caring for your wood plugs.
Keep your wood plugs out of water. Remove them before showering or working out. Keep them out of humid areas such as restrooms or gyms. If in doubt of your environment, remove your wood jewelry and keep them in a safe place. Regular oil massages (we like jojoba) help soften up tissue and improves circulation and also can serve as a jewelry lubricant. Avoid oils that food based, as they can go rancid. Also avoid oils with dark coloring as they can increase the speed that wood will darken. All wood will darken over time. This happens once the wood has been cut and is exposed to the elements as well as the skins natural oils. This process is not preventable and is infect one of the most interesting characteristic of wood jewelry.
Be careful not to over saturate wood plugs in Jojoba oil, as this can act as moisture and cause wood grains to raise, which could lead to irritation. To keep your jewelry in prime condition, use a dry cloth and rub the surface clean. Next, apply just a few drops of Jojoba Oil to a clean soft cotton cloth and polish your jewelry. This should be done about once every 1-3 months. Never over-oil inlays! Use oil sparingly, in most cases, even in dry climates, there is really no need to oil our products monthly!
In Case of a Reaction to wood when worn in a healed piercing:
Wood is a natural organic material, and there is a chance that any person could experience (or develop) a reaction to it. We use all-natural, non-toxic woods for our plugs and we finish them with all natural carnauba wax, so reactions and sensitivities to our wood plugs are comparatively infrequent in our experience. Carnauba wax is often used in edible items such as hard candies and is even used in some dental floss and cosmetics.
That having been said, any person may develop a sensitivity to nearly any material, if exposed to it often. Reactions vary from person to person. Some people have allergic reactions to certain types of wood and not to others. For example, one might be sensitive to Granadillo wood, but may still be able to wear Wild Olive. Again, reactions to non-toxic woods are not common, but it is possible, so please be aware of this when you order from us, or any other retailer of wood jewelry. Reactions to the wood may not occur over-night. It may take weeks, even months for your body to develop a sensitivity or reaction. Be aware of your body, especially after introducing foreign materials to it. If you do have a reaction to a type of wood, remove the jewelry immediately, and if severe please consider consulting a physician. Some signs of reaction may include itchiness, burning, blistering, swollen lymph nodes, and lymphatic discharge. A reaction doesn't necessarily mean that there is an infection, but if an infection is suspected, please seek medical attention. Infections generally include a much more severe reaction including dark colored, thick discharge and is often accompanied with odor.
For any questions or further explanation, please contact our customer service ninjas and we'll be happy to help!
