An In-Depth Guide to Wood Piercings: Styles, Benefits, and Maintenance

Wood and piercing jewelry may sound like a strange combination or at least an unusual one. Wood is mainly used for stretching pieces, such as hangers, plugs, and tunnels.

You should only wear wood on piercings that have fully healed.

What are the benefits of using wood?

There are multiple advantages to using organic materials in your gauged ears.

• Wood is a light material.
• Wood is also a porous material, which means some air can move through it.
• Thanks to its porosity, piercing odors are significantly reduced.
• Wood doesn't get cold as quickly as metals in colder environments. Stagnant air is the best insulator.
• Natural materials are nickel-free. However, there are some toxic varieties out there. So if you're out in the woods, don't just pick a branch and push it through your ear.

When should I avoid using wooden jewelry?

In general, there are no disadvantages to wearing wood as long as your piercing is fully healed.

If you are still in the healing period, you should not use wood jewelry under any circumstances, as wood can absorb fluids.

If a wooden piece absorbs bodily fluids, it can solidify in the material and get stuck in your piercing. Always stick to metal in a healing stretch.

Since wood soaks up liquid, it's not a good idea to wear wood jewelry while bathing, swimming, or in the sauna.

Wood expands when it comes into contact with liquid. You need to keep wood dry to avoid rot from forming.

How do I clean my wooden jewelry?

Since wood needs to be kept dry, you might think it could be difficult to keep clean.

It’s a good idea to use a small brush and organic oils, like jojoba.