In the last several decades, stretching earlobes has gained popularity, whereby people take such as piercing their outer ear with small gauge earrings or even tunnelling them to acquire different ear gauge stylishness, which is more appealing in terms of Silicone is among the most commonly used materials for building tunnels because it is flexible and relatively cheap.
Nonetheless, the safety of silicone tunnels and their effect on ears has resulted in an intense debate. We’ll find out in this article if silicone tunnels are bad for your ears, and everything you ought to know about it.
Understanding Silicone Tunnels
The silicone is soft and bendable; it is made up of rubber-like material. They are therefore easy to wear and insert onto stretched ear lobes, making them flexible. These baguettes come in various sizes, colours and forms and therefore can fit anyone’s taste.
1. The Advantages of Silicone Tunnels
There are many benefits of using silicone as a tunnel instead of other materials for ear gauge use. They can be easily inserted and removed with minimum discomfort due to their flexibility. This is especially helpful for people who have recently begun stretching their ears and tend to feel discomfort and pain when using other materials.
In addition, silicone tunnels are hypo-allergenic thus they are less prone to causing skin burns and allergies. However, for people who have sensitive skin or allergy history silicone tunnels might be a better option. Moreover, silicone tunnels are relatively cheaper than other materials such as stainless steel or wood, which thus make them possible for many people to purchase.
2. Potential Risks and Precautions
Silicone tunnels are not without their advantages but some potential dangers should be considered when protecting our ear’s wellness. The major problem silicone tunnels pose is that they may grow microorganisms resulting in infections.
The fact that silicone tunnels are porous traps moisture and sweat which makes it a great breeding ground for bacteria. For this reason, you should consistently clean and take care of your silicone tunnels, thereby reducing the likelihood of an infection.
There also exists the risk of distortion as the tunnel stretches, or even contracts and folds up in itself. Silicone tunnels in contrast lose their shape and become distressed as against others such as stainless steel or other materials which remain unchanged.
This may result in itching, hardness to insert or remove the tunnels or even tearing/stretching of the earlobe. Proper sizing of your silicone tunnels, avoiding any that are too tight, or too loose will help you avoid all this.
3. Proper Care and Maintenance
To maintain the lifespan of your silicone tunnels and reduce possible negative outcomes, proper care and maintenance should be practised.
- Clean your tunnels at least once a day using mild antibacterial soap and warm water to remove built-up dirt, sweat, or bacteria.
- It is also advisable to remove your tunnel before taking a shower or swimming so that water does not get into it and trap moisture in your ears.
- You should also monitor your silicone tunnels often after intervals to determine whether they are wearing out or not.
- It is recommended that when using a tunnel irrigation system, you replace tubes that appear twisted, distended, or otherwise spoiled before they cause further problems.
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Conclusion
All in all, Silicone Tunnels may prove to be an effective, secure and economical alternative when taking proper care and upkeep during the process of ear stretching. Many people prefer them because of their versatility and hypo allergy.
Nonetheless, bear in mind that there are some related hazards regarding silicone tunnels, particularly bacterial infections and stretching issues. Knowing these risks is important to appreciate the benefits you gain from wearing silicone tunnels while ensuring minimum damage to your ears.
Keep in mind that ear health is very important especially when using silicone tunnels or any other type of ear gauge. In case of any discomfort or complication, it would be advisable for you to seek help from a professional.