What Kind of Earrings Do Piercers Use?

The first time piercing your ears may come with anxiety and questions. It is okay to be worried; after all, you do not know what works for your skin. The safest piercing experience will ensure that your ears heal as soon as possible with no skin reaction.

For earrings perfect for starters, the association of professional piercers checks on earrings size, style, and material. The earring should be of good size that allows for air and blood circulation. An ill-fitting earring will increase the chances of swelling and other complications.

The earring should also be nickel free, hypoallergenic, and lightweight. Such earrings are suitable for people with sensitive skin and encourage quick healing as they do not react to the body.

What Are the Different Types of Earrings for Piercings?

Here is a list of starter earrings your piercers will advise.

Surgical Stainless Steel

Piercers greatly use the surgical stainless steel earrings because they are hypoallergenic and affordable. There are different types of surgical stainless steel on the market. Piercers commonly use 316L and 316 LVM (L-low in carbon, VM – the metal is produced in a vacuum).

Surgical stainless steel is, however, not suitable for those who have sensitive skin because of the nickel traces. Check with your piercer and dermatologist if it suits your skin.

Titanium

Titanium earrings are one of the piercers' favorites. It can be a starter earring, healing stud, or sleeper stud. Here are some characteristics of titanium making it suitable for a fresh piercing.

The studs are strong and hypoallergenic. They are also affordable.
Unlike surgical stainless steel, titanium is nickel-free, making it more preferred to people with sensitive skin.
Titanium does not tarnish. The earrings resist corrosion. You can wear them for a long time without turning green or losing their sparkle.
Titanium studs are durable and lightweight. Being lightweight makes them suitable starter earrings because they are not heavy for healing ears.
The material is biocompatible, the skin will not recognize it as a foreign material, and there will be no reaction.

Niobium

Niobium is rare jewelry but relatively affordable. It is similar in appearance to titanium or platinum, but when anodized, it produces beautiful colors that do not wear off or change with time. The colors make niobium earrings funky to wear and also safe for a new piercing.

Niobium is hypoallergenic. The best part of making it new piercing friendly is that it is hypoallergenic and safe for people with sensitive skin. The earrings are nickel free and have no allergens.
They are biocompatible—no wonder the metal is suitable for surgical implants and medical devices. In most cases, you will find niobium in earring hooks or parts that have contact with the body.
Niobium price. Even though niobium is quite rare, the product is inexpensive, making it a preferred earring for new piercing for some ear piercers.
Lightweight. Niobium is also lightweight, making it suitable for a new piercing. It is about 60 percent lighter than the same size stainless steel.
Does not tarnish. The material does not tarnish even after wearing it for long. It maintains its lustrous shine for a long time and only requires a simple cleaning using water and mild soap. The metal is highly resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it will not react to the wound.

14-Karat Gold

Gold earrings are another safe option. The gold, either white or yellow, should be 14k or higher for it to be suitable. However, they should not exceed 18K. Gold earrings higher than 18k are inappropriate because they can be too soft, making them easy to scratch.

Metals that are plated with gold or gold overlay are not ideal for a fresh piercing since the gold surface may chip off, and the ear may react to the metal.

Biocompatible Polymers (Plastics)

They include Tygon, bioplast, or PTFE. Tygon is a biocompatible medical tubing that is flexible. As time goes by, it stiffens and discolors. You should change it after a few months of wearing it. PTFE is a white plastic widely accepted in the piercing industry due to its hypoallergenic properties. Bioplast is similar to PTFE but has different colors and shapes.

The biocompatible polymer earrings are suitable for piercings on body parts with high movement. They are also affordable and suitable for those who have sensitive skin.

Platinum

Platinum is a heavy, precious metal suitable for a new piercing. However, the jewelry is quite expensive. Therefore, in most cases, you will not find it at your favorite ear piercer.

Can You Use Any Earrings for Piercing?

No, it is not advisable to use just any earring for piercing your ears. A freshly pierced ear is a wound that needs to heal as quickly as possible. When you choose any earring, you may end up with metals that react with your skin.

Such metals will only aggravate your wound and may not heal as quickly as you wanted; or worse, create complications. It is important to consult with your dermatologist on the right type of starter studs to use.

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