Implant-grade titanium is what professional piercers recommend for initial piercings and great for continued wear on healed piercings...

Here’s why:

• It’s nickel-free. Nickel is the most common contact allergen in the world, according to the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation. It’s regularly found in jewelry for piercings. Titanium doesn’t contain any nickel, which makes it safe for people with sensitive skin or a nickel allergy.

• It has a high strength-to-density ratio. In other words, titanium is considerably less dense than stainless steel and other metals, but just as strong (if not more so). This makes it durable and less likely to bend or break.

• It’s lightweight. That low density we just talked about is what makes titanium jewelry lighter than those made with other metals.

• It can be anodized. Titanium’s dark metallic color is cool as is. But unlike other stainless steel, you can get titanium in other colors. This is done through anodizing, an electrochemical process that changes the surface color while maintaining safety.

By implant-grade, we’re talking titanium that’s been certified for medical use and meets the standards for quality and safety set out by the American (now International) Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) or the International Standards Organization (ISO).

Look for jewelry made from titanium with these compliance designations:

• ASTM F-136

• ISO 5832-3

• ASTM F-67