Best Metals for Sensitive Ears & Piercings NZ & AU – Loveless Friday

Best Metals for Sensitive Ears & Piercings

There's nothing worse then unrequited love, especially from your jewellery. Redness, swelling, mystery itchiness... sound familiar? Whether you're fresh out of the piercing studio or just have extra sensitive skin, the metal you choose matters.

So here's Loveless Friday's no BS guide to metals that actually like your ears back.

Titanium

If your ears had a dating app, they will swipe right for titanium. It would text you back, respect boundaries and knows how to communicate.

Titanium is:

100% nickel-free
Lightweight but strong (one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios)
Tarnish proof and corrosion resistant
The go-to for initial piercings and long-term love due to its high biocompatibility

Its non-reactive properties means zero drama and all the glow. Our range comes in PVD gold and rose gold plating for extra durability and comfort.

Surgical Steel

Strong, sleek and affordable. Surgical steel is what many studios use for both initial and post-healed piercings.

Surgical steel is:

Durable, non-tarnishing and affordable
Ideal for healed piercings and daily wear
Often plated with PVD for durability and comfort

It's the ideal option if you want something that looks polished and carries you from AM to PM without emptying your wallet. Just make sure to stick with high-grade surgical steel (like we do) to keep things kind to your skin.

Purity Heart Gemstone Helix Tragus & Cartilage Ear Piercing - Gold

Solid Gold

There's a reason why gold has been used in body jewellery for centuries. It's biocompatible, non-reactive, and let's be honest, it just feels luxe.

Solid gold is:

Biocompatible -14K and 18K solid gold are generally safe and considered hypoallergenic.
Low risk of infection or irritation
Resistant to tarnish - it doesn't oxidise, rust or corrode
Ideal for healed piercings - one of the most comfortable long-term metals to wear daily

The luxe comes with a few cons. During healing, we recommend ultra inert metals such as titanium or implant grade surgical steel. The softness of solid gold also means it's more prone to scratches, which can harbour bacteria if you're not careful.

Sterling Silver

There's something undeniably romantic about silver, but when it comes to piercings it can be a bit of a diva.

Sterling silver is:

Made up of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper)
Safe for most healed piercings
Malleable - often used to create fine designs in studs, hoops and dainty pieces
Affordable luxury
Easy to clean and restore - silver can oxidise over time, but it's easy to polish back to its original shine. Simply use Loveless Friday's polishing cloth to give it a good wipe.

We don't recommend sterling silver for fresh piercings as it's a reactive metal, especially in a high moisture environments like a healing wound.

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