Jewelry & Metal Quality
This is going to be an informal style of educational post. There are people much better educated than me who can explain all of the gritty scientific details, I’m going to touch on the general info and first hand experience.
When I have new clients come in for help troubleshooting issues on existing work one of my first questions is, “What type of metal is the jewelry?”
Why does that matter?
Not all body jewelry is made equally, especially with cheap mall jewelry or sketchy “$30 specials including jewelry” from chop shops. Commonly stainless steel, acrylic, cheap gold plating, sterling silver and surgical steel are the nemeses of healthy piercings.
What makes them a problem?
Usually the nickel content and other questionable additions in the alloy. Some of these metals can be marked as 'hypoallergenic’ due to a coating on the wearing surface. Once the coating or gold plating wears off, right around 3 months in my experience, your body is exposed to what I lovingly call “the hotdog metal”.
When the coating wears off people can start experiencing flare ups even on healed piercings. Irritation bumps, swelling, weeping and general discomfort are what I see most commonly. Leading to people thinking it’s all sorts of other issues and not knowing what metal can affect in their bodies.
Sometimes sterling silver can leave ‘tarnish tattoos’ a blue/grey/green discoloration where the jewelry is worn from the oxidization process or skin acidity.
Jewelry with rough finish on them can leave crevices for bacteria to build up in and cause potential issues during the healing process.
How do I avoid all those issues?
High quality bio-compatible jewelry is the key.
Implant grade Ti with a mirror finish helps create a dream healing process. Niobium is a killer option if you like darker jewelry! Glass is a great non-metal option with its non-reactive and non-porous qualities. High quality gold is always a crowd pleaser and eye catcher.
Typically the best way to find those options is going to a reputable piercer. Check portfolios, ask about metal quality, and what options they carry.
Reputable piercers, in my experience, are always more than happy to geek out about their options since we adore our jewelry. Quality gold options, implant grade Ti, and glass are almost always a green flag for being in a studio that cares about your health.
Don’t rush into things and remember this is something that is being implanted into your body. Take the time and find the right piercer with the proper safe jewelry for you.
Be safe and take care of your body.
