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Safe Metals for New Body Piercings
09/06/10
Good Choices, Poor Choices
Only certain types of metals are recommended for new body piercings. Metals
used for piercings should not react with body tissues. Some of the options are
metals that are used during surgical implants. Precious metals can be used,
too, if they do not contain large amounts of alloys (additives) that could cause
a reaction with body tissues.
Good Choices for Body Piercings
# Surgical implant stainless steel, 316 LVMF 138
# Surgical implant titanium, Ti6A14V ELI
# Niobium
# 14k or 18k gold, yellow or white
# A special plastic called Tygon for people who are sensitive to metals
Poor Choices for Body Piercings
# Sterling silver, because it oxidizes when it comes in contact with body tissues
and fluids. You've seen silver tarnish--that's definitely not something you
want in an open wound!
# Plated gold, because the plating can rub off and expose a metal that reacts
with our bodies, causing irritation or infection.
# Any type of fake gold or other jewelry made from base metals, since they will
be likely to corrode when exposed to body fluids.
Always ask your piercing professional for recommendations regarding metal choices
for your jewelry.
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