Titanium vs Surgical Steel: What's Best for Your Piercing?

You might think, “It’s metal. It’s shiny. What could go wrong?” But here’s the sucker punch…

Your body doesn’t just shrug and accept whatever sparkly thing you shove through your nose, nipple, or navel. It’s got standards, especially if you’ve got nickel sensitivity (which, a lot of people do without even realising it).

As a result, the wrong kind of jewellery is often responsible for:

• Metal allergies
• Slow healing
• Piercing rejection

Some piercers still pop in surgical steel by default, usually because it’s cheaper. But your skin might disagree. It’s harsh. Especially if you’re fresh off the needle.

Implant grade titanium (look for ASTM F136), is the metal equivalent of a dreamy first date who texts back, doesn’t ghost you, and comes free from emotional baggage - or nickel, in this case.

In terms of the titanium vs surgical steel debate, titanium is completely nickel-free, hypoallergenic, lightweight, and so biocompatible it’s used in medical implants like hip replacements and dental screws.

So, think of it like this. If it’s good enough for your skeleton, it’s good enough for your septum.

It’s also seriously strong, resists corrosion, and doesn’t tarnish.

Plus, it can be anodised into different colours without losing any safety points. This is a brilliant bonus if you want rainbow ends or black clickers.

What about the good, bad and ugly of implant grade titanium?

Pros of titanium vs surgical steel jewellery:

• Nickel-free and hypoallergenic
• Super lightweight and good for healing
• Strong AF and corrosion-resistant
• Can be anodised into fun colours

Cons of titanium vs surgical steel jewellery:

• Pricier than surgical steel
• Slightly darker in colour (if that bothers you)
• Can be harder to find in budget ranges

In short, titanium is your bestie for getting a new piercing or when you’ve got sensitive skin.

It sounds like something a surgeon might use to fix a broken femur, doesn’t it? Well, it kind of is. But not quite.

Surgical steel usually refers to a type of stainless steel commonly known as 316L. It’s strong, shiny, corrosion-resistant, and doesn’t rust, so there’s plenty going for it.

But here’s the catch. It still contains nickel.

Granted, it’s a low amount and the release rate is minimal. But it’s enough to cause irritation, inflammation, and sometimes a raging allergic reaction if you suffer with even mild nickel sensitivity.

And the end result if itchy, angry piercings that just won’t settle down.

You can consider surgical steel jewellery safe for tons of people with healed piercings. Although it’s not usually the best bet during the healing process.

Pros of surgical steel vs titanium for piercings:

• Affordable and widely available
• Strong and corrosion-resistant
• Great for healed piercings

Cons of surgical steel vs titanium for piercings:

• Contains nickel
• Heavier than implant grade titanium
• Not ideal for fresh piercings or sensitive skin
• Perfect for ear stretching if you aren't ultra sensitive to nickel

Think of surgical steel like the fast food of the jewellery world. It’s cheap, convenient, but not something you’d want to live on.

Time to get nerdy with a snappy cheat sheet for the TL;DR crowd:

The short and sweet answer is most of the time.

Here’s when titanium’s the better option:

• You’ve got a new piercing
• You have sensitive skin or known metal allergies
• You’ve had a piercing reject in the past
• You want to wear it forever and not think twice

Basically, it’s a no-brainer to go titanium, especially if your body’s just been punctured or you’ve ever experienced jewellery drama.

There are always exceptions to the rules when it comes to the titanium vs surgical steel debate. But do you really want to risk finding out you’re not one of them?

As a general guideline, implant-grade titanium is the first and only choice if you:

• Want the safest, most hassle-free healing
• Don’t want to risk reactions
• Are getting pierced

On the other hand, surgical steel is ok if:

• You’ve healed up nicely
• You don’t have allergies
• You want affordable options for everyday wear
• You are stretching a healed piercing

But always go titanium if you’re not sure or want to keep things drama-free.

Ready to make the switch? Here are a few bestsellers that’ll make your lobes, labrets or labia sing:

Body mods are badass, but they’re still body modifications. This means your skin, immune system, and nerve endings are involved. Thankfully, most piercings are smooth sailing. But sometimes it can go sideways.

Here’s what can go Pete Tong and how to dodge the drama:

Infections

Redness? Swelling? Gunky ooze (or oozy gunk)? These are all signs bacteria’s gatecrashing the party. And they can range from annoying to properly dangerous.

Allergic reactions

If there’s a compelling case for titanium vs surgical steel, this is it. Because the nickel in surgical steel can be as problematic as a snide ex. This is why itchy, rashy, red piercings are often down to your jewellery, not your hygiene.

Scarring and keloids

These raised, thickened scars can form around the piercing site, and they can be even more radical if you’re genetically prone.

Nerve damage

It’s rare, but badly done or poorly placed piercings can hit a raw nerve, causing pain or numbness.

Trauma, tears and tugs

Catching your piercing on your towel, top, or backpack strap is no laughing matter. And beware, stretched holes, torn tissue, and excessive bleeding are greater risks when larger gauge jewellery is involved.

Tongue terror

Oral piercings gone bad can mess with your speech, your teeth, and your snacks. The risk is real, because the mouth’s moist environment is a haven for bacteria, so infections love it in there.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be like this.

There are certain golden rules it’s best to abide by, no matter where you stand on the titanium vs surgical steel scale. They include:

• Pick a piercer like your life depends on it - Read their reviews, stalk their Instagram, check their hygiene certifications, and make sure their gear doesn’t look like it came from a garage sale.
• Use the right jewellery from the start - Nickel-free implant grade titanium is the gold (well, silver) standard.
• Nail your aftercare - Clean, dry, hands off, religiously. Speaking of which...

LobeLove™ Saline Piercing Spray is pro-grade product in a no-fuss, no-mess, non-aerosol spray bottle that slips in your bag or back pocket.

The good news is it’s perfect for both standard piercings and problematic stretched lobes. So, you can confidently flush out crusties, soothe any irritation, and keep your piercings in check, without preservatives, alcohol, or harsh vibes.

Just mist, wait, and let it work its magic. No drama. No stinging. No excuses.

Best get your hands on some to give your new conch, septum, or stacked lobe some serious healing power.

Q. Is surgical steel jewellery safe in a new piercing?

A. Technically, yes. But it’s not ideal, especially if you have nickel sensitivity or want to avoid irritation. For all these reasons, implant-grade titanium is a better choice for new piercings.

Q. Titanium vs surgical steel jewellery - which is most expensive?

A. Titanium costs more upfront. But it’s built to last. Think of it as investing in your skin’s happiness.

Q. How can I tell if I’m allergic to the nickel in surgical steel jewellery?

A. Redness, itching, bumps, or a rash around your piercing are all signs your piercing’s not a happy bunny. And if you’ve ever had a reaction to costume jewellery, you’re probably nickel-sensitive.

Q. Is titanium magnetic?

A. No. But it’s a cool party trick to tell it apart from steel. Stick a fridge magnet to it and see for yourself. No pull = titanium.

At the end of the day, your piercing deserves better than mystery metal. And your skin? It’s got enough pollution, stress, and sun damage to deal with, without adding more aggravation into the mix.

The titanium vs surgical steel debate isn’t cut and dried. But it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re putting piercings in your body.

So, don’t go cheap with the metal. Instead, opt for the real deal that’s safe, sleek, and built to last when stretching your lobes, adding to your constellation, or going bold with a septum spike.

At Stretch It Body Jewellery, the choice is yours. Browse our safest titanium options and treat your piercings to jewellery that won’t let you down. Or go for surgical steel if you’re sure you’re not nickel-sensitive or your piercing is fully healed.

Because everything else is more likely to fall into place when your jewellery’s solid.