Non-Metal Piercing Jewellery Options for Allergies

Having sensitive skin can really put a damper on the joy of decorating yourself with shiny accessories. But worry not, there is a solution - hypoallergenic metals. If your earlobes turn red and painful whenever you wear your beloved jewellery, it's likely that your skin is reacting to the metal it's in contact with.

Jewellery comes in all shapes and sizes, just like your aunt's endless collection of teapots. However, not all metals are suitable for sensitive skin. We'll tell you which metals are best for those with hypersensitive skin. 

This is When You Have Metal Allergy 

Let's discuss the symptoms of a metal allergy. It's like your skin is throwing a tantrum - redness, swelling, itching, rashes, small bumps, and sometimes blisters, all in the area where the irritating metal is in contact. If you've been wearing cheap piercing jewellery, you may start feeling uncomfortable when you wear certain earrings.

Usually, the symptoms of a metal allergy are more of an annoyance than a major problem. Once you stop wearing the offending metal, those pesky irritations tend to go away on their own, usually faster than it took you to choose your outfit this morning. Here are a few recommendations on safe materials for piercings.    

Glass

Glass Jewellery is a pretty neat option for body jewellery. It has a smooth surface without any tiny holes, which makes it perfect for both fresh and healed piercings. It's not as heavy as stone, but it can still help in stretching your piercing a bit. However, you need to handle it with care because glass is quite fragile. If it falls, it might chip. Be gentle with it. 

Wood

Wooden jewellery is a different story. It has pores, so it's not ideal for fresh piercings. Stick to well-healed piercings for wood jewellery. Wood is great at preventing odours, it's lightweight, and it allows your skin to breathe. Most people find wood very comfortable to wear on stretched earlobes. 

One cool thing is that wood won't shatter if it falls on the floor. However, avoid soaking it or subjecting it to extreme changes in temperature or humidity, as it may expand or crack. To keep it in top condition, apply some oil every now and then. For body jewellery, it's best to go for hardwoods that are properly treated, as they won't swell up or absorb bodily fluids. 

Silicone

Now, we have silicone jewellery. If you're using silicone in your body, make sure it's certified as bio compatible according to standards. Silicone is generally well-tolerated by most people and doesn't cause issues. However, in rare cases, the dye can trigger reactions. If that happens, try using clear silicone, and if problems persist, opt for medical-grade silicone. 

Titanium

Let's have a chat about titanium – it's like the cream of the crop when it comes to body jewellery materials. It's perfect for your first piercing, although it does come with a higher price tag compared to steel. Titanium is a chemical element that's incredibly strong, similar to steel, but not as heavy. And here's the impressive part: It has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal and is highly resistant to rust and corrosion. It's non-magnetic, won't trigger airport scanners, and can be sterilized using an autoclave. But here's the catch – the titanium you use for initial piercings needs to be top-quality, medical-grade material. 

Surgical Steel 

Hold on a minute; not all surgical steel is made equal, especially when it comes to your first piercing. Most of the "surgical steel" jewellery you see out there isn't quite suitable for fresh piercings. You see, the surgical steel you want for initial piercings should meet the standards. That's why many professional body piercers steer clear of steel for initial piercings. 

Low-Grade Body Jewellery Pitfalls

Skin Discoloration: One of the most common issues is the staining of the skin, which can sometimes be a permanent change. Your skin may not react well to those low-quality materials.

Dryness and Soreness: Your piercing might experience dryness and irritation as if it's saying, "What is this subpar stuff you've inserted into me?"

Allergic Reactions: Allergies can also crash the party. There are a couple of reasons this can occur. It may be that the jewellery is of decent quality, but you have an allergic reaction to it (unfortunate, but it can happen even with top-notch items, though it's quite rare).