Piercing Fact Sheet
Ear Piercing
The majority of ear piercing is performed using sterilised surgical stainless steel.
Studex uses only surgical steel that is manufactured to a specification that does not allow nickel release, thus stopping nickel allergies like nickel dermatitis.
Titanium is a very pure metal not containing nickel.
Studex jewellery uses polished surgical stainless steel, 24k gold plated surgical stainless steel, 14k yellow gold and 14k white gold.
Some manufacturers make their ear piercing studs from plastic (Blondahl) and brass (Caflon).
Click here to watch our videos
Nose Piercing
Nose piercing that is performed with a nose piercing instrument is usually done with titanium because it is pure and is a very strong metal. Nose piercing is also performed with a needle using 316L surgical stainless steel, 14k and 18k solid gold twist, “L” shape or straight post studs.
Tongue Piercing
Tongue piercings are done with 316L surgical stainless steel or titanium. Acrylics should not be used for initial tongue piercing as the acrylic cannot withstand the heat of the autoclave so cannot be sterilised correctly. Tongue piercing must always be performed with a sterilised needle.
Eyebrow Piercing
Eyebrow piercing is usually performed with 316L surgical stainless steel or titanium. Eyebrow piercing must always be performed with a sterilised needle.
Navel Piercing
Navel piercing is usually performed with 316L surgical stainless steel jewellery. Titanium, usually grade G23 is also used but this material has a much higher cost. 14k and 18k gold are also used but are very expensive.
9k gold should not be used for initial piercings as it is too impure. There are two belly piercing systems available, Medisept and Blomdahl. Both systems use sterilised jewellery and equipment.
Click here to watch our video
Labret / Tragus / Lip / Conch Piercing
These piercings are usually performed with 316L surgical stainless steel and must always be performed with a sterilised needle.
Surface Piercing
These piercings are usually performed with titanium due to the high rejection rate. Surface piercing is always performed with a sterilised needle or small dermal punch.
