When it comes to piercings, it’s important to know that jewelry quality is crucial for the healing of the piercing, but also for its long-term stability.
Among the many materials available on the market, only a few are considered valid and safe for fresh piercings.
Some metal alloys have been approved based on their use in the medical field (often for subcutaneous implants in medicine) and have specific designations that represent a precise standard for the alloy and its quality.
The material for fresh piercings must have several characteristics:
- It must be able to withstand heat and pressure to be sterilized in an autoclave
- It must be compatible with the body so as not to cause irritation, allergies, or infections
- It must not release harmful substances into the body
The material 100% compatible with the human body, meaning it does not release nickel into the body, is TITANIUM: it is a lightweight metal, ideal for people with particular nickel sensitivity.
TITANIUM can be anodized to achieve any color, without compromising the person’s safety.
Other piercing materials that can be tolerated by the body (though not by everyone) are:
- SURGICAL STEEL: a material created from a variety of alloys (many of which are used for jewelry). Only certain specific grades have been approved as biocompatible, but some bodies or some piercings may still be sensitive to this material.
- GOLD (yellow or white): appropriate for piercings if it is 14k or higher.
- BIOCOMPATIBLE POLYMERS (plastic): materials like PTFE (Teflon) or BIOPLASTIC. These materials can be used as a substitute for metal in piercings, but only for short periods of time, when there is a need to have the body free of metals (for example, during MRIs, medical operations, etc.). However, they are not recommended for fresh piercings or for long periods of time: being porous, they tend to retain germs, bacteria, and dead cells, causing infections and problems within the piercing.
If you have inflammation issues with a piercing, even years after getting it, it’s best to opt for titanium, so that the body doesn’t perceive the presence of the jewelry, allowing it to accept it and no longer have problems.
We remind you to pay attention to the material of your piercing jewelry, especially if you buy online: often the term “titanium” on the web is incorrect, so it is essential to ask the seller for the appropriate certification to be sure of your purchase.
Among the leading representatives of the most renowned brands for high-quality jewelry, we find Wildcat Piercing, the official sponsor of Milano Tattoo School for its high range of products, quality, and reliability for over 30 years.