Materials

Different piercing materials and their properties:

Titanium G23

• Material composition
  Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V ELI (titanium with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, Extra Low Interstitials)
  
  
• Advantages
  Highly biocompatible, hypoallergenic, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant. Nickel-free and well-tolerated.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  Higher price compared to surgical steel.
  
  
• Suitability
  Ideal for first-time piercings, very sensitive skin, and for everyday wear.

Titanium ASTM F-136

• Material composition
  Ti-6Al-4V ELI titanium alloy (equivalent to G23 titanium) in accordance with the ASTM F-136 Implant Standard
  
  
• Advantages
  High, certified purity; material quality that meets industry standards; maximally biocompatible; hypoallergenic; lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Complies with medical implant standards.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  Higher price compared to surgical steel.
  
  
• Suitability
  Ideal for first-time piercings, very sensitive skin, and for everyday wear.

316L surgical steel

• Material composition
  Iron (main component), chromium and nickel.
  
  
• Advantages
  Robust, cost-effective, widely used.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  Contains nickel, may cause allergies.
  
  
• Suitability
  Suitable for healed piercings, not for fresh ones.

Brass

• Material composition
  Alloy of copper and zinc.
  
  
• Advantages
  Malleable, cost-effective, gold-like appearance.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  Contains nickel, can cause allergies. Tends to oxidize as it reacts with moisture and oxygen (similar to sterling silver). This can result in a dark patina (discoloration) on the piercing jewelry.
  
  
• Suitability
  Suitable for healed piercings, not for fresh ones. More suitable as decorative piercing jewelry than for permanent piercing jewelry.

Sterling silver 925

• Material composition
  92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (mostly copper)
  
  
• Advantages
  Lighter than titanium or surgical steel, cheaper than 14k/18k gold, high-quality and shiny silver finish
  
  
• Disadvantages
  Contains nickel, can cause allergies. Tends to oxidize as it reacts with moisture, oxygen and sulphur. This can result in a dark patina (discoloration) on the piercing jewelry.
  
  
• Suitability
  Suitable for healed piercings, not for fresh ones.

Gold (14K/18K)

• Material composition
  Gold (main component), silver, copper and zinc.
  
  
• Advantages
  Noble material, durable, well tolerated.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  High-priced, should not be gold-plated (no gold-plated metal). Otherwise it may flake off.
  
  
• Suitability
  Safe for healed piercings, ideal for jewelry lovers.

Bioflex / Bioplast

• Material composition
  PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)
• Advantages
  Flexible, biocompatible, nickel-free, non-metallic (ideal for MRI/CT).
  
  
• Disadvantages
  May wear out or discolor more quickly.
  
  
• Suitability
  Good for sensitive skin, healing phases, tooth protection for tongue piercings, pregnancy piercings and medical applications.

Acrylic

• Material composition
  PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate)
  
  
• Advantages
  Lightweight, inexpensive, metal-free and nickel-free.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  May break on impact, not suitable for fresh piercings.
  
  
• Suitability
  Only for short wearing times or stretched piercings.

Organic (wood, horn and stone)

• Material composition
  Natural materials (wood, horn, stone)
  
  
• Advantages
  Natural, breathable, lightweight.
  
  
• Disadvantages
  Sensitive to moisture, cannot be sterilized.
  
  
• Suitability
  Only for healed, stretched piercings, not for fresh piercings.

Conclusion

Titanium or Bioflex are ideal for initial piercings. All other materials are suitable for healed piercings. The choice of the right material depends on compatibility, wearing comfort and personal style.