All About Wooden Body Jewellery

Wood is among the oldest materials used for body piercing jewellery. It is a natural material sourced from different types of trees and can be shaped, carved and refined in many forms. Flesh plugs, tunnels, spirals and eardrops are some of the most popular pieces of body jewellery available, in many different wood types, colours and shades.

This Wood and Horn Anchor Flesh Plug features an etched design, we have many more designs in this range!

What types of wood are suitable for body piercing jewellery?

Some types of wood are not recommended for body piercing jewellery as they can cause allergic reactions. For this reason, you will find that most body piercing jewellery is made of hardwood, such as Ebony, Oak, Mahogany, Walnut, Cherry and Eucalyptus. Hardwood (the type of wood used for construction and furniture) is of higher density than softwoods such as Pine, therefore more durable and resilient to environmental conditions. Softwoods are not used as they may splinter and some are toxic.

We strongly recommend that no compromise is made for the quality of your wooden body jewellery. Although most raw woods are relatively safe, some poorly manufactured jewellery, that has either been made with unsuitable wood or hasn’t been treated, may cause irritation or allergic reaction.

This plain Ebony Wood Flesh Tunnel features natural Ebony wood with a dark, beautifully smooth, polished and naturally grained surface.

What are the advantages of wooden body piercing jewellery?

Wooden body jewellery is lightweight and tends to stay securely in place better than other, heavier materials.

The porosity of wood essentially means that the wood ‘breathes’, as any organic material will, allowing some minimal airflow to the piercing area. For this reason, many people find that wooden body jewellery is less likely to smell as it might with other materials.

Wood is also an excellent basis for more advanced jewellery. The flat faces of a plug can be inlaid with gemstones or metals, etc. Wood can easily be shaped and it comes in many colours.

What are the disadvantages of wooden body piercing jewellery?

Wood is a porous material with an abundance of pores that give wood its texture and grain. These pores may absorb body fluids or chemicals and may also harbour harmful bacteria, therefore should be kept in good condition and not worn continuously for long-term periods.

Due to the porous nature of wood, it is most certainly inappropriate for fresh piercings or unhealed stretches.

Wood cannot be sterilized in a steam-autoclave as this will damage the jewellery.

Wood also has the potential to dry out, although this can be prevented in most cases with good care of your jewellery.

How should you take care of wooden body piercing jewellery?

Wooden body jewellery can be lightly treated once a week with natural plant oil such as jojoba, coconut or olive oil to prevent cracking.

You can clean your wooden body jewellery with mild liquid anti-bacterial soap and warm water, ensuring to dry the jewellery immediately. Tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, can also be used for cleaning.

Avoid leaving your wood jewellery in direct sunlight.

Avoid humidity or over-heating of your wooden body jewellery, for example remove jewellery before swimming, bathing, or entering a sauna.

You don't need to have stretched ears to wear wooden body piercing jewellery. This Wooden Eardop is one of our many different designs on BodyJewelleryShop!