Good Metal Choices for New or Old 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; especially good for people who are sensitive to metals
Poor Metal Choices for New Body Piercings
- Sterling silver, because it oxidizes when it comes in contact with body tissues and fluids. You've seen silver tarnish--that's not something you want in an open wound.
- Plated gold, because the plating can rub off and expose a metal that reacts body tissues, 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 use a body piercing professional for new piercings and ask that person for recommendations regarding jewelry metal choices.
