Body piercing jewelry has become a common fashion statement and a form of self-expression, adding a touch of individuality to the wearer’s style. But picking the right product is very important, especially when infections and adverse reactions are common. Research indicates that about 20% of earlobe piercings and 30% of cartilage piercings become infected, even with proper care. You want to ensure that you invest in a product that is aesthetically pleasing and safe for your body. If you’re considering purchasing body piercing jewelry, these tips will help you make an informed decision.
Look for pre-sterilized jewelry
Whether purchasing in a piercing studio or from a reputable dealer, always ensure the jewelry has been sterilized and is safe to wear. This is super important if you wear it in a freshly-pierced area. New piercings create fresh wounds that can easily become infected. So opting for a pre-sterilized piece of jewelry will help prevent any bacterial infection. And this leads to the next point.
Stay away from second-hand jewelry
You can purchase regular second-hand jewelry like necklaces and watches. But when it comes to body jewelry, it’s safer to stay away from them. Transfer of diseases is common when using second-hand or used body jewelry. Of course, some dealers will assure you there’s nothing to worry about but don’t take their word for it. You might even consider sterilizing it at home, but that’s not always 100% safe. So, your best option is to only purchase new body jewelry. You might also want to avoid buying display body jewelry if you’re in a physical shop. With any wrapping, such jewelry can easily gather dirt, dust, and even grime that may cause bacterial infection, so keep this in mind.
Focus only on implant-grade material
Since your jewelry will go through your body, only purchase options with implant-grade material. Examples include titanium, stainless steel, platinum, solid gold, and glass. It’s also worth noting that your body may treat the wrong material as foreign and reject it, leading to uncomfortable and unsightly reactions. A material like nickel should be avoided at all costs, as it can easily become toxic to the body.
Beware of toxic adhesives
Some jewelry manufacturers use foil backing to help improve the appearance of some low-quality gemstones on body jewelry products. Some also use adhesives and other toxic substances like glue to stick gemstones on the jewelry. These materials can be very dangerous to the piercing, so feel free to consider this. Also, the gemstones can separate from the item exposing your skin to more toxic substances.
Only purchase from trusted dealers
If you must purchase any body jewelry, do so from a trusted dealer. Choose a vendor with a wide variety of options you can choose from. Thankfully, you can find several online platforms selling different body jewelry products. For example, you can purchase labret studs from Urban Body Jewelry if you need something beautiful for your lips, so keep this in mind.