Ear Stretching In the Winter - Tips for Cold Weather Care

Ear stretching and winter weather don’t exactly work hand-in-hand together. So, you need to give your stretched lobes a bit of extra help when the weather starts taking a turn for the worse.

Cold climates (and hot ones too, but that’s another story for another day) can wreak havoc on the skin in general. And you can x10 its potential impact when you’re an ear stretching enthusiast.

Here are the main reasons why:

Dry, cold air strips your skin’s moisture

Your skin’s elasticity is everything when it comes to stretching your ears. But in winter, cold air + low humidity = moisture loss. As a result, your lobes can become dry, tight, and prone to cracking. Furthermore, the act of ear stretching in the winter can be painful and even cause microtears without proper hydration. This will set your progress back, because you’ll have to switch focus to the rest and recuperation for your lobes instead of your next stretch up.

Dramatic temperature changes wreak havoc

Walking from the freezing cold into a heated room might feel all snuggly and warm. But your lobes don’t agree. This rapid temperature shift can cause swelling, irritation, and temporary tightness. Plus, it means fresh ear stretching in the winter is more likely to involve discomfort.

Metal jewellery as cold as ice

Ever touched a metal doorknob in winter? Imagine that, but on your lobes. Metal conducts cold quickly, meaning metal ear plugs and tunnels can literally sap heat from your skin. In turn, this increases the risk of irritation.

The risk of windburn and frostbite is real

Extreme cold combined with wind exposure can chafe, dry out, and crack your lobes. In addition, exposed skin can get frostbitten in freezing temperatures. And your ears are no exception. In fact, they’re at high risk, because they protrude from your body. So, get inside immediately and gently warm your lobes through if they go numb.

Decreased blood circulation to stretched ears in the winter

Your body prioritises keeping your core warm in the cold. This means circulation to extremities (including your lobes) slows down. And reduced blood flow means slower healing, less elasticity, and an increased risk of irritation and tears. It’s definitely worth pausing for thought until the weather improves if you’re thinking about ear stretching in the winter.

It’s the question you’re dying to ask. And the answer is yes. But only if you’re extra careful.

Ear stretching during winter is totally doable. But it’s not the time to rush. So, use your common sense and ease off if your ears are dry, irritated, or struggling with the cold. They’ll still be there – hopefully fresh stretch healthy – when spring comes around.

Otherwise, there are three telltale factors suggesting you might want to avoid stretching your ears in the winter. So, put it on ice (pun intended!) if any of the following apply to you and your ears:

• Your lobes are already dry, cracked, or irritated.
• You’ve recently stretched and your lobes are still healing.
• You spend long hours outdoors in extreme cold.

But whatever you do, don’t stretch in freezing temperatures! And if you go ahead with ear stretching in the winter, do it indoors in a warm, humid room (like your bathroom after a shower).

At the end of the day, try not to just press on with freshly stretched ears in the winter just because you feel like it. You could be inviting unnecessary self-inflicted problems. It’s far safer to leave it till your skin is more elastic and less prone to tearing.

But if you feel like your lobes are happy and hydrated enough go ahead? Take some crucial precautions and ramp up your aftercare routine to safeguard your newly stretched ears in the winter.

Hydration is everything. And if there’s one thing you do this winter, let it be keeping your lobes hydrated with the best oils for ear stretching twice daily to prevent dryness and cracking.

And there’s more! Because daily ear massages with oil help improve your circulation when the blood flow to your extremities slows down in winter. This helps boost elasticity and healing.

The best oils for ear stretching on the market today are formulated by ear stretching experts to meet the specific needs of the ear stretching community. The most wildly popular and effective option around is this:

LobeLove™ Organic Golden Jojoba Oil - Jojoba oil is a must-have for good reason when it comes to stretching your ears. It mimics your skin’s natural sebum, helping to:

• Restore elasticity
• Prevent dryness
• Promote healing

For all these reasons, daily massages with jojoba oil strengthen, nourish, and thicken your lobes, whether you're maintaining your current size or prepping for your next stretch.

This premier product delivers pure goodness. It’s sourced from 100% pure, Soil Association-certified organic jojoba, cold-pressed and packed with skin-loving nutrients to keep your lobes hydrated, supple, and ready for stretching.

You’ll get precision without waste, thanks to its mess-free drip top applicator. And did we mention it’s also vegan and cruelty-free?

Your choice of jewellery matters, especially when there’s a nip in the air! So, you’re wise to avoid metal, stone, and glass, which can get painfully cold and sap heat from your lobes.

Instead, go for insulating, warm materials like:

Whatever materials you choose, it’s a good idea to avoid heavy jewellery that pulls on dry skin. As you can see, stretched ears in the winter are less elastic. And heavy plugs can make it worse. So, stick to lightweight materials. Even think about temporarily down-sizing if your lobes feel irritated.

It might sound obvious, but keeping your ears covered is the easiest way to protect them. So, make sure you’ve got at least one of these ear stretching winter wardrobe essentials before stepping outside:

• Wear a beanie or winter hat - check these out!
• Wrap a scarf over your ears.
• Use earmuffs for extra insulation.

Harsh winter air already dries out your lobes. So, don’t go making it worse with over-cleaning. Stick to gentle, non-alcohol-based, hydrating cleansers to retain moisture without stripping natural oils.

In fact, look no further than this beauty:

LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray - This gentle mist is made with pure, professional-grade saline (0.9% sodium chloride) and completely free from preservatives and alcohol. It’s your NBF for stretched ears in winter, helping you to:

• Flush out impurities
• Soothe irritation
• Support healing

Better still, its handy 30ml non-aerosol spray bottle has got you covered during your works do, your Boxing Day walk, or just battling through bad weather to get from A to B. Simply mist and let it do its thing! It’ll keep your lobes clean, hydrated, and irritation-free, whether you’re maintaining your latest ear stretching effort or dealing with a problematic stretch.

Here’s a quick at-a-glance recap of what to expect, if you’re facing your first winter as a fully-fledged member of the ear stretching squad, or if you’re actually ear stretching in the winter:

Dry, Flaky Skin

Problem - Cold air stripping moisture.

Solution - Apply the best oils for ear stretching morning, night or as required (because there’s no such things as over-oiling).

Swollen, Puffy Lobes

Problem - Rapid temperature shifts causing irritation.

Solution - Avoid metal jewellery and massage your lobes daily with the best oils for ear stretching.

Frostbite or Numb Lobes

Problem - Prolonged exposure to extreme cold.

Solution - Get inside, warm them up gently, and apply the best oils for ear stretching without delay.

Blowouts from Dry, Tight Skin

Problem - Stretching your ears too fast in winter. The need for speed is always an issue. But it carries many additional risks in cold weather.

Solution - Slow down, use smaller increments, hydrate well with the best oils for ear stretching, and see your GP if it feels painful.

Wintertime ear stretching isn’t impossible. It just requires extra care and smarter choices to keep your lobes moisturised, warm, and protected. This applies whether you’re a new or a seasoned stretcher. Either way, you’ll be wanting to sail through the cold months without any issues.

At Stretch It Body Jewellery, we’ve got the best oils for ear stretching, jewellery ranges, and aftercare products your lobes will love you for.

Check them out here for happy, healthy ear stretching, whatever winter throws at you!