What materials are used to make piercing jewellery?
Piercing jewellery is not only intended to reflect our tastes and express our individualism. In all of this, we must not forget that these earrings worn on both fresh piercings and healed ones should be chosen with a great deal of care. It is therefore worth knowing what materials are used to make piercing jewellery. What should we consider in order to ensure our full comfort and safety?
Which materials are safe for allergy sufferers?
For people with skin allergies, the choice of suitable materials for their piercing jewellery is crucial. An earring worn on a fresh piercing (in other words, an open wound) must be biologically neutral to our body. Hence, the best choice for allergy sufferers will be:
- Titanium earrings – highly polished titanium IMPLANT GRADE ASTM-F136 is used in the medical field for the manufacture of e.g.: subcutaneous implants. It is therefore an excellent material for the first piercing earrings to be placed on a fresh piercing.
- Earrings made of high quality 316L surgical steel – although it is a metal alloy, high quality steel contains small amounts of biologically active niku. It therefore poses no risk to those who are allergic…, but care should be taken to ensure that the surgical steel is not coated with a layer of varnish, as this can impede the healing process.
- Bioplastic earrings – this is a highly malleable, hypoallergenic and artificially produced material. It is fully biocompatible with the body, as it does not contain any metals. Thanks to its flexibility, softness and easy cleaning, it is suitable for piercings in the mouth, for example.
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What materials to avoid for a fresh piercing?
If we have a fresh piercing, we should above all avoid metals that may cause, infection, irritation or allergic reactions. Hence, during the healing stage of the piercing, nickel and metal alloys that contain it should be avoided, such as:
- low-quality stainless steel – this alloy may contain an admixture of nickel, which is why it is advisable to avoid buying piercing earrings from sources we are not sure of (popular „Chinese: or chain stores);
- Silver-nickel mixtures – some piercing jewellery, especially gold-plated or silver-plated jewellery, may contain nickel.
- Bioplast – although a hypoallergenic material, it is not recommended for fresh piercings located outside the mouth and/or oral area.
Why does nickel cause allergic reactions?
Nickel is one of the most common allergenic materials used in cheap piercing jewellery. It can lead to painful contact dermatitis. How? Well, nickel has the ability to bond with proteins in human skin. It forms dangerous bonds that stimulate immune reactions in the body; and this not only delays the healing process of a fresh piercing, but also poses a risk to our health.
Therefore, you should always make sure that your fresh piercing jewellery is free of this metal. It is therefore safest to buy piercings from reliable sources like piercing salons or online shops, which have a range of ornaments made of materials that have passed the necessary tests.
How do you recognise low-quality stainless steel?
Another material that it is advisable to steer clear of during the healing stage of a fresh piercing is lower-quality stainless steel. This alloy, too, may contain admixtures of metals that are not biologically neutral for people with sensitive skin. How can you tell if a surgical steel is of low quality? Piercing jewellery made from 316L steel has the necessary certificates and approvals, which a reliable manufacturer should present to the customer if they ask for this at the time of purchase.
Why is there such a difference in the price of the earrings?
The difference in the price of piercing jewellery depends on the brand, design, availability of materials and difficulty of processing. Titanium or 316L surgical steel piercings can be significantly more expensive than those made from cheaper alloys such as lower quality stainless steel. However, this is still mid-range in price, as piercing jewellery made from precious metals such as gold or silver will be by far the most expensive.
However, it is worth remembering that an investment in high quality piercing earrings, especially those worn on a fresh piercing, is an investment in your own health. It provides greater comfort, minimises the risk of allergic reactions and infections, and allows you to wear your piercings for a long time without worry… and I think everyone wants to sleep soundly after a visit to the piercer!
Check out our range of hypoallergenic titanium jewellery; we also have many models of premium earrings (in gold, silver and natural stones), in many unique designs and sizes!