Wearing your engagement or wedding ring all the time as a tribute to everlasting love could be causing unintended damage to your health and your skin.
Jewellery aficionado Neil Dutta from Angelic Diamonds warns that keeping rings on all the time, particularly overnight, can lead to irksome skin irritations, allergic reactions and even bacterial infections.
He also mentioned that the rings themselves could become damaged as you toss and turn at night.
To extend both the life of your rings and ensure the health of your skin, Neil advocates getting into the habit of taking off your ring before going to sleep at night.
He said: « Wearing your ring continuously, especially during sleep, creates an environment ripe for skin problems. Your ring acts like a barrier, trapping moisture, dead skin cells and bacteria against your skin. »
Neil said: « Wearing your ring continuously, especially during sleep, creates an environment ripe for skin problems. Your ring acts like a barrier, trapping moisture, dead skin cells, and bacteria against your skin. »
This can lead to contact dermatitis, a condition that causes red, itchy rashes, particularly in those with metal allergies.
The warm, moist conditions of a bed can also encourage fungal growth and bacterial infections, which can exacerbate pre-existing skin conditions, according to Surrey Live.
Neil said: « By removing your ring at night, you’re allowing your skin to breathe, reducing moisture build-up, and minimising these potential health risks. Think of it as giving your finger a nightly ‘detox’ from jewellery constraints. »
Your beloved rings are not just at risk of losing their sparkle, but they could also suffer structural damage if you wear them to bed.
Neil said: « Wearing your ring to bed is like subjecting it to a nightly torture session. This unnecessary stress on the prongs and setting can loosen the structure holding your centre stone, dramatically increasing the risk of loss. »
The expert revealed that a significant number of engagement ring repairs stem from prong damage, often caused by wearing rings during sleep.
He added: « I’d say as many as a third of engagement ring repairs are due to prong damage, with sleeping in your ring being a major culprit.
« By removing your ring before you sleep, you’re not just preserving its structural integrity – you’re safeguarding your precious memories and reducing the risk of a costly repair or stone replacement. »
