TITANIUM G23 (GRADE 23)
Titanium is a premium metal which, thanks to its special alloy (Ti6AL4V Eli), is remarkably durable and displays extraordinary bio-compatibility (titanium is nickel-free). Indeed, titanium is frequently used for medical implants (e.g. screws and plates) due to its bio-compatibility, and is therefore a great option as a first piercing application. We use sterilized titanium jewelry after every piercing procedure.
Titanium is also nickel-free (a nickel-free alloy) and thus poses minimal risk for allergies.
Furthermore, it has been established that titanium particles (separations) are not toxic to the body; also, the oxide layer created by titanium offers a higher corrosion resistance than surgical steel and thus a higher tolerance within, on top of, and beneath the skin.
Titanium is approx. 50% lighter than surgical steel and therefore much more comfortable to wear on different areas of the body. Especially for piercings performed in the tongue, genitals, or breast, the difference in weight when compared to surgical steel is noticeable. It is for stretched piercings like the Prince Albert or the ones done on the outer labia that this is enormously advantageous.
The way in which titanium is crafted also provides a highly polished surface to the material.
However, titanium is darker than surgical steel, which shines almost as brightly as stainless steel.
Titanium does have an attractive and elegant hue of its own (a gleaming silver-gray), and resembles platinum.
Titanium is not magnetic and can be worn during and MRI or CT scan without causing problems. It will appear on an X-Ray but does not interfere with it.
Titanium does conduct electricity, that is why it usually needs to be removed during surgery. Although it will not heat up, and poses virtually no danger, few customers manage to go against the doctor’s orders when it comes to surgery. Electricity seeks the path of least resistance, that is, the most direct path, so it is practically impossible that a titanium piercing would overheat or cause burns during surgery.
In this case, switching the electrodes from a direct current to an alternating current would be beneficial, but most doctors and hospitals are unwilling to do this.
316L Surgical Steel
Stainless steel vs surgical steel body jewelry: what’s the difference?
Surgical steel is Stainless steel but not all stainless steels are Surgical. Stainless steel is a generic term for a variety of different grades of steel. Stainless steel is a steel alloy mostly made-up iron with chromium added to it, the chromium is why it’s called ‘stainless’, as it prevents the steel from rusting. Only under extreme conditions, such as long-term exposure to salt water will stainless steel begin corrode.
Surgical stainless steel is a very broad term.
Surgical steel or stainless surgical steel or surgical stainless steel (they all mean the same thing) is used in the medical field as surgical steel is available in implant grade. So, what does that mean? Standards are set for what materials get the coveted title “implant grade.” There are currently two types of surgical steel matching these standards: 316L and 316LVM. This grade of steel has an even lower corrosion rate and is rated safe for the body, most medical and dental tools are made from it as well as pins, plates and screws used in the body.
BodyMods surgical steel earrings and body jewelry come in two grades of steel:
These grades have successfully worked in human implants. 316L is a low-carbon variety of 316 steel, 316LVM is 316L’s cool big sister. How so? Get ready for some science. LVM stands for Low Carbon Vacuum Melted. The vacuum stops air or airborne contaminants from attaching to the metal’s molecules. This results in more consistent and resilient steel.
316L + 316LVM’s official qualifications:
- ASTM designation F138 for Implant Grade Stainless Steel
- ISO standards 5832-1 and 6892 for Surgical Implant Material and Requirements Against Nickel Allergies.
Surgical steel is not hypoallergenic.
To add to the confusion, hypoallergenic is another term that is not used in the industry at all! This is because, like stainless steel, hypoallergenic is too broad a term as there is no industry standard for what this term means. Many people assume that jewelry that is labelled as hypoallergenic is nickel free. However, that is not the case.
Both 316L+ 316LVM surgical steel contains other alloys that some people may react to. Nickel is one of the better-known metals you can be allergic to in steel. The specific mix of metal in 316L + 316LVM allows for limited exposure to nickel. Thus, reducing the risk of reacting to being almost non-existent.
What metal is the best for sensitive skin?
If you are allergic to surgical steel, you will begin reacting as soon as you insert it through your piercing. If you are someone who knows they have an allergy to surgical steel opting for nickel-free jewelry such as titanium would be the most comfortable. Many people think that gold is the best alternative if they have a sensitivity, but 14k gold has almost the same amount of nickel as surgical steel. BodyMods carries a large amount surgical steel body jewelry, but if you’re very sensitive to metals and are on the search for earrings that will work for your body and fashion style, we have tons of titanium options!
ABOUT BIOFLEX
BioFlex body jewelry was designed by a professional body piercer in the UK and it was the first bio-compatible body jewelry on the market.
- It is a unique, medically approved* plastic that is far superior to all other forms of plastic body jewelry and it is manufactured according to European standards (the most demanding in the world).
- It was created by a piercer for piercers and so it is autoclavable and suitable for initial piercings.
- Fully bio-compatible and hypo-allergenic.
- It helps heal troubling (or infected) piercings faster.
- It minimizes irritation and maximizes style.
- It’s highly flexible! It moves with the body for maximum comfort and durability. Perfect for active people and physical workers. The navel bars are extra long and are the perfect product to use during pregnancy.
- Hygenic and easy to keep clean because it is highly polished.
- It’s transparent so it’s easy to hide your piercing!
- It’s adjustable! Use sharp scissors or a sharp blade to reduce the length of your BioFlex bar, if necessary.
- It’s heat and cold resistant so it’s cool in the summer and doesn’t freeze in the winter.
- Jeweled nose screws, pushfit labret gems and navel bars come with hand-set genuine cubic zirconia crystals.
14k Gold
14k Gold is a special order. Contact Jenn for more information!
14k solid gold is appropriate for fresh piercings as it has 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloying metal. This means it is still durable enough to hold its shape in your ear once pierced but it is also pure enough of a material to make it sensitive friendly and tarnish resistant.
Pure gold is 24 karat, this means that 14 karat gold contained 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloying metal. We have chosen to use 14k solid gold as it is still a high purity of gold which makes it durable and sensitive friendly but with enough alloy ensure it is still sturdy and not too soft. The higher the karat the easier it is to scratch and wear out.