Practical Ear Care

Up until recent times there was little or no restriction on				do no harm and will probably help avoid some of the
the content of fashion jewellery. In short,				more unpleasant reactions that can happen from time
manufacturers were free to use almost any base				to time.
metal for the ear post and clips of your jewellery. The				Q I am wearing nickel free earrings but still get
most popular addition to any piece of costume				irritation after a short while of wearing them.
jewellery came within the plating process, and whether				A Your body cycle changes every seven years
the article in question was to be silver or gold plated				or so, just as you could once run a hundred yards in
made little difference; the one common element in all				16 seconds, now that may not be possible. So it is with
plating of jewellery was - the use of ‘Nickel’.				your body, your PH balance may have altered causing
Nickel was added to enhance the shine of the earrings				an acidic reaction. Similar symptoms may be due to
or necklet. Unfortunately it was a well documented				medication – eg. sulphur based drugs. Try using Ear
fact that in certain cases the addition of nickel could				clear Solution on both, the earring post, earring backs
cause an allergic skin reaction. Exact figures were				and ear-lobes. If the symptoms persist, change to clip
never collated as to how many people this process				earrings or try sterile studs for a short while, this way
actually affected, but that didn’t stop the Eurocrats				you will keep your piercings open. If your problems
from acting with vigour. Soon the ‘Boys in				persist - consult your G.P.
Brussels’ declared that all earrings, necklets, rings				Q My earrings feel heavy and move about more
and brooches, in fact - any fashion jewellery or				than they should.
accessory that came in contact with the surface of				A Somewhere in you jewellery-wearing past you
the skin must be ‘Nickel free’.				have probably followed a trend for heavy or large
So to sum up - now, when you buy your fashion				earring. Worn over a period of time without the correct
earrings or that pretty necklet, by and large they				support they have literally stretched the holes. Change
should be nickel free. This however doesn’t mean				to an earring back with a built –in disc for support.
that all ear-care stops there – Oh No !				Supabacks or Polymer Supabacks will help, they
There is still a basic hygiene code you should adhere				won’t return your earlobes to their former glory but
to if you want to avoid future problems. This is where				they should arrest any further stretching
BACKS is on hand to help. Our Product range of				Q I am still getting irritation even if I wear gold
replacement earring backs, clip pads, sterile studs and				jewellery - why?
anti-allergenic solution has over the past fifteen years				�
helped people manage their jewellery wearing				A The only pure gold is 24ct . Because ‘Pure
problems. Available widely throughout retail outlets in				Gold’ is too soft it needs to be strengthened with
the U.K. The Backs Earcare Products range is now				an alloy – the more alloy the jewellery contains the
available direct for your convenience.				lower the carat rating eg. 9ct is the hardest wearing
PRODUCT GUIDE.				gold, 22ct is the softest and by definition the most
Gold Plate Backs: Suitable for all pierced earrings they				pure. If you are having trouble with gold try wearing a
are safe comfortable and inexpensive, for best results				higher carat rating, say 18ct. Once again don’t
both the earring post and the backs should be				forget to sterilize your earrings, this may be enough for
regularly cleansed with Backs Ear Clear Solution.				short periods of wear.
Silver Plate Backs: Exactly as above only silver plate.				Q My ear lobes are sore when I wear clip earrings.
Supabacks: Certainly our best selling item and probably				A This one really is very simple, use a clip pad. This
the most versatile of all the replacement backs. The				simple action will reduce the ear pinch caused by
large disc and secure bullet back gives great support				some of the more aggressive ear-clips.
to even the largest earring. This earring back is also				Q How often should I change my earring backs.
ideal if in past years you have enlarged the piercings in				A In an ideal world about every 3 months, a more
your lobes.				realistic answer would be look at them closely – do
Polymer Supabacks: As above, only where				they look past their sell-by date? If so discard them
Supabacks have a gold plated bullet section - these				– after all you wouldn’t wear an article of
are completely clear.				clothing for six months without washing it would you?
Bullet Backs: A gold plated bullet shaped earring clutch				Remember these earring backs are next to your skin,
butterfly, very secure and discreet – ideal for all				in some cases 24 – 7. Go on Throw Them
earring types.				Away!
Hypo Backs: As above – but once again made				Q I can’t wear fashion or gold earrings without
from high grade polymer making them non- reactive				irritation.
and ultra discreet.				A For reasons previously stated you have a severe
Clip Pads: Designed to ease the pinch caused by				allergic reaction try either a sterile stud like Hypo Studs,
certain clip earrings. If the clip on your earring has a little				they are piercing quality and are therefore about as
hole, then these clever little comfort pads will simply				non-reactive as you can get . If this solution doesn’t
push through.				appeal, try sterling silver, ounce for ounce it’s purer
Slip On Pads: A universal comfort pad to ease the				than 18ct gold.
ear-pinch felt with some jewellery. Simply slip the				Remember that regular cleansing of both the earring
polymer sleeve over the arm of the earring clip and				posts, clips and ear lobes can only help prevent
you jewellery is ready to wear.				infection and aids comfort.
Ear Clear Solution: This little bottle is probably the most				BODY JEWELLERY
important item in your jewel box. The solution is				The popularity in the wearing of body jewellery is
anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-septic. Ideal for				something nobody could have predicted. Sad to say,
sensitive earlobes newly pierced ears and the general				the information with regard to care of both the
cleansing of earrings, necklets, bangles, and all forms of				piercings and the jewellery itself has not kept pace.
body jewellery (see separate section).
PROBLEMS AND SOME SOLUTIONS.				Body piercing has been carried out on almost every
I don’t want to worry you but that little hole in your				part of the body from the face to, shall we say, more
ear lobe never technically heals-up.				private parts. All these piercings have one thing in
Think about it – if it did - you wouldn’t be able to				common –THEY MUST BE CLEANSED!
wear you earrings! That’s not to say that your				There really is no substitute for regular cleansing.
body’s defences won’t protect you by closing				Backs Ear Clear solution is ideal for cleansing all types
the opening around the piercing but it does need a little				of body jewellery. It’s antiseptic and anti-bacterial
help from you. True, there have always been people				properties cleanse and coat to avoid infection and
who could wear a rusty nail with little reaction, where				irritation. The solution is best used on ear lobes and
others only have to scratch themselves to feel				although it will not harm other pierced body parts, its
genuine pain or irritation. I think it is therefore safe to				immediate effects are a little too aggressive for use
say that a degree of cleansing and maintenance can				on sensitive areas.(For External Use Only).

Natural Jewlery

Practical Ear Care