Alright, I know that getting a new piercing is very exciting for us all. Still, you have to be very careful in picking up the jewellery as the new piercing can be prone to infection, and the jewellery selected can also prolong the healing process. A badly selected metal can adversely affect your skin. A well-selected metal for your new piercing can keep you away from infection and also improve the healing process. In this blog, I’m gonna explain to you which metal is best for piercing and which one should be avoided.
Metals best and safe for early piercing:
Platinum
Okay, so Platinum is best for your first piercing as it is considered the safest metal and even good for people who want to get pierced and are allergic to silver and gold. It is a shiny and low-reactive metal and looks great as jewellery. The only issue with platinum is that it is costly, but if it falls within your budget, then you should go for platinum.
Niobium
Niobium has hypoallergenic properties and is good for new or fresh piercing, it has similar qualities like titanium. Niobium does not lead to irritation and infection as it does not react with body fluids. Niobium is available in a variety of colours, which is good for people looking for variety. It is generally used as an alternative to titanium as it is economical compared to titanium.
Titanium
Titanium is considered one of the best materials for a new piercing as it is corrosion-resistant, which means it does not react with body fluids and oxygen and keeps you safe from any kind of infection. It is lower density than metals or steel, making it a durable option with no chance of bending or breaking. The low density also makes it lightweight as compared to other metals. Titanium comes in a natural silver colour and can be anodized to other colours. Its other advantage is that it can be worn for a long time as it handles moisture nicely.
Surgical Stainless Steel
Surgical Stainless Steel is a good option for first or new piercing as it is an affordable option and also hypoallergenic. The 316L and 316LVM grades are particularly good for new piercings. Surgical Stainless Steel contains traces of nickel, and some people allergic to nickel should avoid it and also inform the piercer beforehand. It is all cost-effective and corrosion-resistant, which is good for healing and prevents irritation. Some individuals with very sensitive skin should avoid surgical stainless steel, but the best thing about it is that it’s durable and good for daily wear.
14k – 18k Gold
14k -18k Gold is known to be safe for new piercing, but it is important to know the composition and quality of the gold that is being used for piercing. In general, gold is known to be tolerated well by the body and does not cause infections. You should be careful in selecting gold because gold-plated jewellery can put you at risk of infection. After all, the metal used may spark infections. Even 24k gold is not good for piercing because it has a soft texture. 14k and 18k are best for first-time piercers as they withstand wear and tear with time, unlike gold-plated jewellery. It works well with sweat and moisture also.
Plastic(Polymers)
Plastic has been used in piercing for many years as it is economical, lightweight, flexible and generally doesn’t move after being pierced. But you should keep in mind that all plastics are not good for new piercings. Only PTFE(Teflon) and Bioplast are good as they are best for individuals who are allergic to metals. PTFE and Bioplast are flexible and hypoallergenic, and they can also be sterilized.
Which Metals Should Be Avoiding For New Piercings?
Nickel
Nickel is bad for piercing, especially for a new piercing, as it may lead to allergic reactions, redness, and skin irritation. Nickel also makes the piercing tough to heal. Nickel is used in a lot of costume jewellery, and a lot of individuals are allergic to even a small amount of nickel.
Iron
Iron is also not considered good for piercing as it rusts and reacts very fast. Iron can lead to infections and hurdles in the healing process. Iron is mainly coated with gold, and you have to be very careful to avoid it.
Gold Plated
Gold plated to look good, but they can be really bad for people with sensitive skin. The metal used with gold plating in jewellery can come in contact with the skin, which may cause irritation or even infection.
Always be careful when selecting metal for your piercing, as it can cause a lot of problems. Always do your research and get your piercing done at a reputed parlour so that you get proper guidance from the artist regarding metals. Have a nice piercing!
