POST LENGTH & EARRING BACKER SOLUTIONS

The obvious solution for too long or short post earrings is to know what length works best for you...then there are little cheats that can help.

For those with metal sensitivities, the following suggestions are options that work well with posts, ear wires and hoops with posts. 

Silicone backers should be a tight fit and can be hard to put on.
The following suggestions may be helpful:

• TWIST them on and off - NOT push & pull
• For ear wires it may help to lightly lubricate the wire...not an issue with posts                   
  

HURTS TO SLEEP IN POST EARRINGS

ADD A SECOND BACKER

TRY A DIFFERENT STYLE EARRING

• Add a second backer and place it at the end.
  

• Wear a different style healing earring
  

POSTS TOO LONG

Find a combination of backers that are comfortable.

Larger backers can also be used to shorten a post up to 2MM

POSTS TOO SHORT

• Replace with a shorter/tight fitting backer
• May need to purchase a longer post
• DO NOT pinch ears with backers!

EARRING BACKERS TOO TIGHT OR TOO LOOSE TO FIT POST

• Replace with a different style backer (Niobium posts are smaller in diameter than the Titanium posts)
• Check and replace worn out silicone backers
  
• Adjust tension on metal butterfly backers

POST EARRING IS TOO HEAVY AND FALLS FORWARD

SHOWN WITH 8MM BRIO CRYSTALS

POSSIBLE CAUSES;

• thin ear lobes
• stretched out piercings
• crooked piercing
• really heavy earrings
• or they are not balanced front to back (see image w/8mm bead)
  

Solution:  Wear a backer with a larger pad against the ear lobe or stabilizing disc.

EARRING BACKERS DISTORT EAR WIRES

HAND FORMED EAR WIRES

Only wear soft silicone backers and if needed, lightly lubricate the ear wire before gently coaxing on the backer.

HOW TO SHORTEN THE POST LENGTH ON GRADE 1 TITANIUM OR NIOBIUM POSTS

As ears continue to heal, inflammation is reduced and the need for longer posts may not be necessary.  You have several options.

You can adjust the length of the post yourself by:

• Changing the size of your backer  and/or add spacer discs
  
• OR use FLUSH CUTTER PLIERS and nail files
  • use small beads for spacers so you don't cut the post too short, or place your choice of backer on the post and clip.
• ALLOW A LITTLE EXTRA LENGTH FOR FILING THE END SMOOTH...this takes patience!
  

SHORTENING POST EARRINGS OTHER THAN GRADE 1 TITANIUM

Most jewelry tools are made for really soft metals, such as copper or dead soft metals before they are annealed (hardened), therefore your options are limited.  If you are trying to shorten expensive earrings that have alloys added to harden the metal (gold, silver, platinum) it would be best to take them to a jeweler before ruining them.   They will require cutting the post at the base and re-soldering.

GRADE 2 TITANIUM POSTS (ball posts) can be cut and filed, but with greater difficulty than the softer grade 1 posts or niobium.

Depending on how long your earring posts are, the following suggestions may be worth considering:

• find an earring backer that is longer and takes up more room on the post
• double up on your earring backers and wear a soft silicone backer positioned at the tip of your post 
• wear one or two silicone spacers behind your ear, but in front of the backer 
  

TITANIUM, Silicone Backers & Spacer Discs

I include appropriate earring backers with every earring purchase.

To prevent loss, your backers should be checked every time you put your earrings on,  to make sure that they still fit tightly.

small Titanium Backers

large hypoallergenic backers

Silicone Backers

TIPS FOR HEALING PIERCINGS