Wood jewellery "maintenance"? Second Opinion please

Right. First off, sorry for the non-explanatory thread title, I couldn't really think of anything more eloquent.

I was planning on getting a wood spiral, but then I came across some "healthcare / maintenance" info, which told me that wood jewellery shouldn't be wet for extended periods of time. The text also told me that I should avoid drastic changes in temperature and humidity.

If my brain parsed the text correctly, that would mean I can't take showers, bathe, use a sauna or even go outside, while wearing my spiral. If you're wondering why I wouldn't be able to go outside it's because it's much colder outside around here, at least during the winter months (November-March give or take a coupl'a weeks).

So, uh, does this sound right to you? It all feels like a little too much effort, just to wear a frickin' earring. Should I just get a plastic spiral instead?

 

I would also like to know about this. I have been thinking about getting a set of wooden tribal earrings but I don't want a hassle either.

 

Honestly, you'll be OK with normal wear. Maybe sitting in a sauna for long periods would be bad, but other than that it'll be fine.

 

Are you speaking from experience? Would you say different types of wood have different properties (concerning resistance to extreme temps and humidity), and if so, could you recommend a specific type?

I've read so many "warnings" about wood. Then again, I've read pretty much the same about bone, horn, acrylic, glass and stone. Real party poopers, those texts. :toetap05:

Hopefully it's the same deal as it is with dentists and candy. Exaggeration of severeness AND propensity of risks. Stuff like that *really* pisses me off.

 

I have a wood plug in my left ear and I've worn it for about a year, in a sauna in showers, in the bath whatever and it's fine. I think people just play it up so if their product cracks after you go in water they can say I told you so.

 

Yeah, something like that. I just want to make sure that the worst case scenario is a cracked earring instead of a cracked ear.

 

Yes, but never use the wooden ones to do the stretching. If your ear is still healing from the stretch and moisture stays in the earring, then you could have an infection. Make sure to wear them in a fully healed hole and you should be fine.

 

Ok, thanks. Now to figure out what to stretch with!

 

ive heard several stories of wood plugs cracking or otherwise getting screwed up from people wearing them in the shower. ive never had a pair though.
two great options are bamboo and coconut wood (not actually wood apperantly). coconut wood is amaaaayzing. you can wear it in the shower or wherever you like and nothing bad will happen. plus, it does wonders for your ears (mine at least). it absorbs skin oils and stuff that make ear cheese. my pair of eyelets were the only plugs i could wear for a long time w/o irritation.
not sure if you can find them in a spiral, but depending on your size, i think you could.
anyway, if you do go with wood, make sure to oil them regularely and take them out when you shower or swim.

 

So, you have experience of coconut? Cool.

I asked on another forum if coconut was considered wood and the answer I received was that coconut is essentially wood so I didn't really give it a second thought. I have already ordered the wood spirals but at least now I know what to get (coconut) if my wooden spirals break, and I do know where to get coconut spirals so that part's all sorted out

thanks scatteredleaves

 

I wear wooden plugs alot... just take them out while youre in the shower and keep them well-oiled, jojoba oil is fantastic for wooden jewellery, you can get it pure from bodyartforms.com

Its actually recommended for people with stretched lobes who live in cold climates to wear wood (or silicone) instead of metal jewellery.. as the metal can get really really cold in your ear and can lead to your earlobes cracking up, its not nice... whereas wood stays at body temperature!

 

How often do you reckon I should oil it?

Also, I see you are a fellow anarchist

 

I oil mine every day in the morning.. after taking them out for a shower.. aslong as theyre is moisture its fine, as if they dry out they can stick to the fistula, and natural moisture isnt always enough.

Indeed.