What is the best metal for body jewelry?

Two of the most common problems with body piercings are allergic reactions and infections. Proper care and cleaning of piercings is crucial, but the type of metal of piercing jewelry you choose is also very important. The following are the top 3 metals for body jewelry and two options to stay away from.

THE 3 BEST METALS FOR BODY JEWELRY:

#1 Titanium Implant

Titanium is by far the metal of choice for body piercing jewelry and can be safely used for initial piercings. G23 implant grade titanium (Ti6al4v-ELI) is the type of titanium used in surgical implants, it is biocompatible, resistant to body fluids and contains no nickel. Titanium is also stronger and lighter than steel, giving us long-lasting, comfortable, and nearly scratch-free body piercing jewelry. Titanium is an expensive metal, but it is well worth the slightly higher price. Titanium body jewelry is beautiful, durable, and will look the same (after many years of wear).

#2 Surgical Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the most common metal for body piercing jewelry and is right behind titanium when it comes to biocompatibility. 316L or 316LVM are the only two grades of stainless steel that are considered safe to use for healed piercings. Keep in mind that even the best grades of stainless steel contain nickel and can cause problems for people with nickel allergies. Some countries have banned the use of stainless steel for initial piercings, and it’s best to avoid stainless steel altogether until after the piercing is complete.

#3 Gold

Although beautiful, gold is not the best choice for body jewelry, especially for initial piercings or long-term wear. Because gold is a softer metal and is made from metal alloys, there is a somewhat higher risk of irritation or infection. Gold jewelry is beautiful, but it should only be worn on healed piercings and with care. Replace gold body jewelry with titanium at the first sign of irritation.

NOT RECOMMENDED:

Sterling silver: Don’t buy body jewelry where the part that curls under the skin (bar, banana, ring) is made of silver. Sterling silver tarnishes when in contact with bodily fluids, can easily harbor bacterial growth, and may contain metals that cause allergies, such as nickel. Body jewelry in which a sterling silver “charm” that is attached to or dangles from the end of a titanium or steel bar is perfectly fine, as long as you are not allergic to silver jewelry. Just make sure the part that’s inside your body is made of a more biocompatible metal.

mystery metal: Scary. Any “costume” or “plated” body jewelry is a bad idea, as is poor quality stainless steel. Stick to the top 3 options above to ensure your piercing remains free from irritation and infection.

Remember that body piercing jewelry is placed inside you and should be treated more like a surgical implant than a piece of jewelry. Although it can be tempting to buy cheaper body jewelry, spending a little more on higher quality jewelry is definitely a better way to go in the long run.