People have been getting piercings for a long time, and they are still popular today. After getting a piercing, your skin can become more sensitive, so choosing a suitable material for your jewellery is essential. Gold is a popular choice because it has a lovely colour and doesn’t cause reactions for most people. But is gold safe for sensitive piercings? Let’s find out by looking at the properties of gold, how your skin reacts after piercing, and what kind of gold jewellery is available.
Chemical Properties of Gold
Gold is prised for its durability and resistance to tarnishing, making it a popular choice for jewellery. Unlike many other metals, gold doesn’t rust or corrode quickly, allowing it to maintain its shine and colour over time. Gold is also known for its hypoallergenic properties, meaning it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions than other metals like nickel or lead.
However, not all gold jewellery is created equal. Some pieces may contain alloy metals such as nickel or lead, which can irritate sensitive skin and cause allergic reactions. To ensure the safety of your piercing, it’s essential to choose gold jewellery of high purity, typically at least 14 karats pure. Higher karat gold, such as 18 Karats are even better, as they contain a higher percentage of pure gold and fewer alloy metals.
When selecting gold jewellery for piercings, avoiding gold-plated pieces is crucial. Gold-plated jewellery consists of a base metal coated with a thin layer of gold. Over time, the gold plating can wear off, exposing the base metal beneath, which may contain harmful metals like nickel. This can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin.
Physiologic Characteristics of Pierced Skin
When you have a piercing, the skin around it is more sensitive and can quickly get red, swollen, or painful if irritated. So, choosing a safe material is essential when picking jewellery for your piercing. Gold is usually a good choice because it doesn’t irritate the skin much. However, everyone’s skin is different, and some might still be allergic to certain things in gold or gold mixtures. That’s why it’s a good idea to test a tiny bit of gold jewellery on your skin before getting a piercing to ensure it won’t cause any problems.
Selection and Maintenance of Gold Jewellery
For people with sensitive skin, extra care is needed when selecting gold jewellery. Here are some essential guidelines to follow:
- Skin Test Before Buying: Before purchasing any gold jewellery, it’s advisable to conduct a small skin test. This involves wearing a small piece of the jewellery against your skin for a short period, typically 24 hours, to check for any allergic reactions. This can help determine if your skin is sensitive to the specific gold alloy used in the jewellery.
- Choose Trusted Brands: Purchasing gold jewellery from reputable and trusted companies or brands is crucial. This ensures that the jewellery is made with high-quality materials and meets safety standards. Trusted brands often use pure or high-grade gold alloys less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions.
- Regular Cleaning and Maintenance: Proper care and maintenance of gold jewellery are essential, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. Regularly clean your gold jewellery using mild soap and water to remove dirt, oils, and other residues that can accumulate on the surface. Use a soft cloth to polish the jewellery and maintain its shine gently.
- Avoid Exposure to Chemicals and Moisture: Sensitive skin can react negatively to harsh chemicals or moisture, which can tarnish or damage gold jewellery. Avoid wearing gold jewellery while swimming in pools or hot tubs, as chlorine and other chemicals can cause discolouration or corrosion. Additionally, remove gold jewellery before applying lotions, perfumes, or hairsprays, as these products can contain chemicals that may react with the metal.
By following these guidelines, individuals with sensitive skin can safely enjoy wearing gold jewellery without experiencing irritation or allergic reactions. Taking proper care of gold jewellery ensures its longevity and maintains its beauty for years to come.
Other matters needing attention
Everyone’s body reacts differently to metals, so it’s essential to consider your condition before deciding if gold is safe for your piercings. Before buying gold jewellery, it’s a good idea to do a skin test to ensure you won’t have an allergic reaction. If you react with gold earrings, ask a doctor or professional for advice.
When buying gold jewellery, it’s essential to choose from reputable sources. There are two main types of gold jewellery: pure gold and alloy. Pure gold jewellery has a high gold content, while alloy jewellery is mixed with other metals. Some merchants might sell alloy jewellery to save money, but it could be better quality. Be careful of fake gold jewellery in the market, as it might be made of low-quality materials that can be harmful. Look for trusted merchants and brands, like we, known for their high-quality 14K solid gold body jewellery. They’re known for their excellent quality and combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
Conclusion
Gold is a safe material for making piercing jewellery because it’s chemically stable. However, customers should still be careful about a few things. It’s essential to pick the proper purity of gold, do skin tests before buying, and keep the jewellery clean. Also, avoid buying gold jewellery with unproven “special effects.” By being smart about how we choose and wear gold jewellery, we can keep our skin healthy around the piercing and enjoy the beauty of the jewellery.