What is the Safest Metal for Piercings?
Filed under: General Piercing Information | Tags: body jewelry, body jewelry metals, titanium body jewelry |
Two of the most common problems with body jewelry are allergic reactions and infection. Correct care and cleaning of piercings are essential, but the type of metal in the piercing jewelry you choose is also extremely important. The following are the top 3 metals for body jewelry, and two choices that you should stay away from…unless of course you are in the mood for a painful oozing mess 🙂
TOP 3 METALS FOR BODY PIERCINGS:
#1 Titanium G23
Titanium is by far the top choice for body piercings, and can be safely used for initial piercings. Implant grade titanium G23 (Ti6al4v-ELI) is the material used in surgical implants, is biocompatible (friendly with your body), resistant to body fluids and nickel free. Titanium weighs less and is much stronger than stainless steel, which means you will have body piercing jewelry that is both durable, comfortable and almost completely without scratches. Titanium is an expensive metal, but well worth the price. Titanium body jewelry looks great, it lasts, and will look as good as new after many years of wear.
#2 Surgical Stainless Steel
Surgical stainless steel is the most common metal for body jewelry, and is just behind G23 titanium in terms of biocompatibility. 316L or 316LVM are the only grades of stainless steel that are approved as safe for wearing in healed piercings. Keep in mind that even the best grades of stainless steel do contain nickel and may cause problems for those with nickel sensitivities. Many countries have banned the use of stainless steel for initial piercings, and it is best to stay away from stainless steel altogether until after your piercing has healed.
#3 Gold
Although it is beautiful, gold is not a good choice for body jewelry, especially for initial piercings or long term wear. Because gold is a softer metal and contains metal alloys, there can be a greater chance of irritation or infection. Gold jewelry is beautiful, but should only be worn in healed piercings, and with care. Replace gold body jewelry with titanium at the first sign of irritation.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PIERCINGS:
Sterling Silver: Avoid any body jewelry where the part that is inside your skin (barbell, banana, ring) is made of silver. All silver tarnishes when it comes in contact with body fluids, can easily harbor bacterial growth, and can contain allergy-causing metals such as nickel. Body piercing jewelry with a sterling silver “charm” that is attached to or dangles from the end of the steel or titanium bar is perfectly fine, as long as you aren’t allergic to silver jewelry. If you are allergic to silver, you should be OK if the charm is plated with rhodium (similar to platinum), so make sure you ask. Most importantly, make sure that the part that is inside your body is made from a more biocompatible metal.
Plated or Mystery Metal: Enough said. Any “costume” or “plated” body jewelry is going to be trouble, as is poor quality stainless steel. Stick with the top 3 choices above to be sure your piercing stays irritation and infection-free.
Remember that a body jewelry is placed inside you, and should be treated more like a surgical implant than a piece of costume jewelry. Although it may be tempting to buy less expensive body jewelry, spending a little more money on higher quality metals is definitely a better way to go in the long run.
We fill holes. 
Good posting, answers a no so uncommon question, sterling contains copper which can also be toxic adding to your reasons not to use it on body piercings.