Different Plug Materials

Today, We are going to go over all the diverse types of materials that we offer for our plugs and cleaning tips for each individual material. It's important to remember that not all materials are suitable for freshly stretched ears.

316L Stainless Steel

316L Stainless steel is a good material to choose when you are still in the process of stretching your ears. What makes this material great for stretching is that the metal is non-porous, which means it has no room to breed bacteria. 316L Stainless steel may contain trace amounts of nickel. The nickel is usually not present on the surface of the steel as the steel is oxidized, which creates a layer of steel between the possible nickel and your skin. To clean 316L Stainless steel, you are going to use mild soap and a cloth. Always remember to let your plugs dry completely before putting them on. Here are some of my favorite 316L Stainless steel plugs.

Glass

Glass is an exceedingly popular material for plugs. Glass is metal free and non-porous, so it’s a safe material for people who have sensitive skin or freshly stretched ears. The glass being non-porous means that there is nowhere for bacteria to hide. They can be fully submerged when cleaned. All you need to do is use antibacterial soap. It's particularly important to have your plugs dry fully before inserting them into your ears. One thing to keep in mind for glass is that depending on the plug, it can be much heavier than you may be used to if you wear acrylic or silicone plugs. I love the sleek look of glass plugs and the versatility in designs since you can make all sorts of unique designs inside the actual glass.

Natural Wood

Wood plugs are perfect for fully healed lobes. By nature, wood is an extremely porous material and should never be exposed or submerged in liquid. Since the item is so porous, it can be a magnet for bacteria. To clean your wood plugs, never use chemicals. All you need is a small towel or cloth and some water without soap. Make sure to dry them completely before putting them in your ears. Wood will dry out over time, so it’s recommended to oil your wooden plugs with jojoba oil every so often. Natural wood is super lightweight and can be crafted into fun shapes or carved into anything you can think of. My favorite right now is our wooden plugs with the brass and abalone shell inlay. I am also a sucker for our carved animal styles. Here are some of my favorite natural wooden plugs.

Stone

Stone is another material that is best suited for fully healed ears. Despite being heavier than our previous materials, they are still relatively light. This item is porous and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. That is why it’s recommended that your ears are completely healed before you give stone plugs a try. To clean stone plugs, you are going to want to use antibacterial soap and mix with warm water. Due to the nature of the material, they can be fully submerged in water while cleaning, as stone naturally repel water. A fun fact about stone is that it is one of the earliest recorded materials used for plugs and piercings. Here are some of my favorite stone plugs that we offer. My absolute favorite being our High Grade Labradorite Convex Stone Double Flared Plugs & our White Labradorite Concave Stone Double Flared Plugs pictured below. I am in awe of the flash they give off, and the fact that every pair has a unique pattern makes them a really special piece of jewelry.

Acrylic

Acrylic plugs are a great, affordable option for many people with stretched ears. It is recommended that you wait until your ears are fully healed before switching to acrylic. They are super lightweight and can mimic other materials such as glass and stone. While they are a safe material for plugs, they are sensitive to high temperatures and are not as resilient as other materials and may crack, which can lead to bacterial growth and chance of infection. To clean acrylic, you are going to want to use water with antibacterial soap and a cloth.

Silicone

Silicone is a great material for fully healed ears. They are a great filler plug for doing physical activity or for when you are sleeping. The material is rubbery and soft to the touch, however it does attract more particles than other materials, which means it's not suited for ears that are still healing due to increased risk of infection. Silicone plugs also have to be washed often using antibacterial soap and water. Do not use any chemical stronger than mild soap to clean. The issue with silicone is that it can become tacky and difficult to slide into your ears. I can recommend using a small amount of jojoba oil to help slide your silicone plug into your ear. Here are some of my favorite silicone styles.

Check out more plug styles here: https://bm25.com/collections/plugs