What is the best metal for cartilage piercing?

What metal should you pierce your cartilage with?

Most cartilage piercings are pierced with straight barbell or captive preferably made of 14k gold, 18k gold, or high quality titanium. The standard size for a cartilage piercing is 16 gauge (16G), but sometimes 18G is used as well.

What is the best gauge for cartilage piercing?

The most common gauge for a helix piercing is 16 gauge, although some are done at 14 gauge instead. If you did not go to a piercer to have it professionally done, and instead had your ear pierced anywhere that uses a piercing gun, then the gauge you wear may be smaller than the standard size.

Is stainless steel or surgical steel better for piercings?

We prefer 316L Stainless Steel

This material can be worn by most people, including those with a nickel allergy with ease. 316L stainless steel is very easy to clean and keep clean. … Surgical steel is probably the most commonly used in manufacturing piercings.

Is Grade 23 titanium good for piercings?

Piercing applications do not undergo the same stresses associated with orthopedic implant and, for the most part, Grade 23 titanium is going to be good for piercing applications.

Is steel or titanium better for piercings?

Titanium is a preferred material for initial piercings because it’s an elemental metal – it doesn’t contain nickel. Titanium is as strong as steel, but as light as aluminum. … Unfortunately, Titanium is also more expensive material, so the piercing and the jewelry are going to be a bit higher, but you are worth it!

Is titanium better than gold for piercings?

Arguably, titanium is more biocompatible than gold. But, we aren’t implanting things inside your heart- its a body piercing. … Both gold and titanium are equally awesome materials, both are safe, and both are cool. And, both are an upgrade from mystery metal “surgical” steel and acrylic for sure.

What gauge do they pierce your nose with?

Nose piercing is usually done with an 18 gauge (1.02mm) post. After a nose piercing heals, most people switch to a 20 gauge (. 81mm) post because it is thinner and leaves a smaller hole. A post thinner than 20 gauge is not recommended for most nose piercings.

Can you go from 20g to 16g?

Honestly can probably taper your ear to a 16g in one go. Possibly wearing heavier earrings can stretch your ear naturally to a 16g as well. The difference between 20g-16g is very small.

Can I put a 16 gauge in my cartilage?

Getting your cartilage re-pierced to your desired gauge is also an option, and is great if your end goal is a 16, 14, or 12 gauge piercing. … You can stretch your tragus, conch, flat, as well as any helix piercing.


What is the best metal for a piercing?

Low-carbon surgical stainless steel is ideal for body piercing as, even though they contain alloys, these are trapped in the metal through a special process and aren’t released. 316L and 316LVM are the only types that are body-friendly.

Is titanium better than stainless steel?

Titanium is approximately three to four times stronger than stainless steel, which means its lifespan over generations is slightly longer.

Does stainless steel turn green?

Stainless steel will not tarnish and turn your finger green as long as the materials are of high quality and it’s made with at least 12% chromium. Not all rings are up to such standards, so be careful where you buy your jewelry.

What is the highest grade titanium?

Grade 4. Grade 4 titanium is the strongest pure grade titanium, but it is also the least moldable. Still, it has a good cold formability, and it has many medical and industrial uses because of its great strength, durability and weldability.

What is the difference between Grade 23 titanium and anodized titanium?

The main difference between grade 5 and grade 23 is the amount of dissolved oxygen left over in the material from oxidization that occurs at the high temperatures needed to meld and strengthen the metals. Grade 23 has slightly less.

What grade titanium is best for piercings?

There are a few materials approved by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), but implant-grade titanium is the one most piercers recommend for initial piercings.

Why titanium’s the best option
  • It’s nickel-free. …
  • It has a high strength-to-density ratio. …
  • It’s lightweight. …
  • It can be anodized.