Body jewelry & piercings: What you need to know before getting one

Piercings: What You Need to Know Before Your First Piercing

Body jewelry and piercings are more popular than ever – from simple earlobes to nose and belly button piercings. If you're considering a piercing, you should be well-informed beforehand. We explain the most important points.

Choosing the Right Material for Fresh Piercings

The material of the initial jewelry is crucial for healing:

• Titanium (ASTM F136): The best material – hypoallergenic, lightweight, body-compatible
• Implant-Grade Stainless Steel (316L/316LVM): Standard for initial jewelry – nickel-free
• 14K or 18K Gold (nickel-free alloy): Permitted if nickel-free alloy is confirmed
• Platinum: Absolutely hypoallergenic – best choice for very sensitive skin

Where should I go to get pierced?

• Professional piercing studio with a hygiene certificate
• APP member (Association of Professional Piercers) – international standard
• Never in shoe stores or with piercing guns – no sterilization capabilities

Healing Times

• Earlobe: 6–8 weeks (initial jewelry), 3–6 months (fully healed)
• Nostril: 4–6 months
• Navel: 6–12 months – one of the longest healing times
• Cartilage (Helix, Tragus): 6–12 months

Care During Healing

• Clean twice daily with sterile saline solution
• Do not twist or move
• No swimming pools, no sea, no cosmetics on the piercing
• Sleep on the other side at night

When to Change?

Only change the initial jewelry to high-quality jewelry after complete healing (not after the minimum healing times). Too early = interruption of healing = problems.

Discover piercing-suitable initial and subsequent jewelry at corelunejewellery.de.