Implant-Grade Steel for Piercings
Implant-grade steel is one of the most common piercing metals: durable, affordable, and bright. For most people it is a perfectly good choice, but it comes with one caveat that titanium does not have, a small amount of nickel bound in the alloy. Knowing that helps you decide between steel and titanium for your own skin.
Vanhess sells piercing jewellery in Coquitlam; we do not perform piercings. Get pierced at a professional studio, then use these guides to choose safe, well-fitted jewellery from us.
What implant-grade steel is
Implant-grade steel for piercings is a specific certified stainless steel, most often ASTM F-138 (also called 316L or 316LVM surgical steel). Like implant-grade titanium, it is tested to a medical implant standard, which is very different from the vague "surgical steel" stamped on cheap jewellery. Certified implant-grade steel is strong, holds a bright polish, and is inexpensive, which is why it is so widely used for body jewellery.
The nickel caveat
Here is the difference from titanium. Stainless steel contains nickel as part of its makeup, though in implant-grade steel that nickel is tightly bound in the alloy and released only in tiny amounts. Most people wear it with no problem. But anyone with a known nickel allergy or sensitive skin is better off with nickel-free implant-grade titanium, which removes the question entirely. For a fresh piercing on sensitive skin, titanium is the safer default.
Steel versus titanium
Both are certified implant materials, strong and long-lasting. Steel is heavier, brighter, and cheaper; titanium is lighter, nickel-free, comes in anodised colours, and is gentler on reactive skin. Neither is "better" outright, it depends on your skin and preference. If cost is the priority and your skin is not sensitive, certified steel is fine. If you want the safest option regardless, choose titanium.
Steel at a glance
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard | Implant grade, commonly ASTM F-138 (316L/316LVM) |
| Nickel | Contains bound nickel; released in tiny amounts |
| Weight | Heavier than titanium |
| Cost | Affordable |
| Best for | Most people; not ideal for nickel allergy |
What to check when you buy piercing jewellery
Whatever the piece, a few checks keep you safe and comfortable:
- Reputable seller. Buy from a shop that states the material and standard clearly, not a market stall or a mystery online listing.
- The right material. For anything worn in a piercing, choose implant-grade titanium or solid nickel-free gold, and avoid plated or unmarked metal.
- Correct gauge and size. Match the gauge of your piercing and the length or diameter of the placement, so the piece fits without moving or pressing.
- Smooth fittings. Choose threadless or internally threaded jewellery, with a glass-smooth finish and no rough edges or casting pits.
- Ask if unsure. If you cannot tell what a piece is made of or whether it fits, bring it in and we will check it for you.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cheap or plated metal. Nickel and worn plating cause most "my piercing is reacting" problems. Stay with implant-grade titanium or solid gold.
- The wrong size. A piece that is too long, too short, or the wrong gauge moves, snags, or presses. Match your gauge and get the length or diameter right.
- Changing too early. Swapping jewellery before a piercing is fully healed is a top cause of bumps. Wait for your piercer's go-ahead.
- Externally threaded posts. Screw threads on the outside of a post drag through the piercing. Choose threadless or internally threaded instead.
Fresh versus healed piercings
What you can safely wear depends on whether the piercing is still healing. For a fresh piercing, keep to the safest materials, implant-grade titanium or solid nickel-free gold, in a smooth threadless or internally threaded fitting, and expect it to be fitted a little long or large to allow for swelling, then downsized by your piercer once that swelling settles. During this window, do not change the jewellery yourself or switch to a decorative piece that has not been checked. Once a piercing is fully healed, your options open up: more styles, a wider range of safe metals, and easy changes you can do yourself with clean hands. When in doubt about whether a piercing is ready, ask a professional rather than risk a setback.
Aftercare in brief
Whatever you wear, a healing piercing needs the same simple routine: clean it once or twice a day with sterile saline, keep your hands off it, do not twist or remove the jewellery, and leave it in until a professional says it is healed. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, and lakes, and avoid knocks and sleeping on it in the early weeks. Most trouble comes from cheap metal or the wrong size rather than too little cleaning, so the jewellery you choose matters as much as the routine. Our aftercare guide has the full method, and our guide to bumps versus infection covers what to watch for.
Key Points
- Implant-grade steel (ASTM F-138) is a certified, durable, affordable piercing metal.
- It contains nickel bound in the alloy, released only in tiny amounts, and suits most people.
- Anyone with a nickel allergy or sensitive skin should choose nickel-free titanium instead.
- Certified implant-grade steel is very different from cheap "surgical steel" of unknown grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is surgical steel safe for piercings?
Certified implant-grade steel (ASTM F-138, 316L or 316LVM) is safe for most people. The catch is that the term "surgical steel" is used loosely on cheap jewellery that may not meet any standard. Buy certified implant-grade steel, and if your skin is sensitive, choose titanium instead.
Does implant-grade steel contain nickel?
Yes. Stainless steel contains nickel as part of its alloy, though in implant-grade steel it is tightly bound and released only in tiny amounts. Most people wear it fine, but anyone with a nickel allergy should choose nickel-free implant-grade titanium.
Is steel or titanium better for a new piercing?
Both are certified implant materials, but titanium is the safer default for a fresh piercing, especially on sensitive skin, because it is nickel-free and lighter. Steel is fine for most people and is more affordable. Choose by your skin and budget.
Can I wear steel if I have a nickel allergy?
Better not to. Even though implant-grade steel releases only tiny amounts of nickel, a known nickel allergy is a reason to avoid it and choose nickel-free implant-grade titanium, which removes the risk entirely. For sensitive skin, titanium is the reliable choice.
What is 316L steel?
316L is a low-carbon stainless steel commonly used for body jewellery; the implant-grade version (ASTM F-138), sometimes 316LVM, is certified to a medical standard. It is strong, bright, and affordable, with the usual nickel caveat for sensitive skin.
Sources
- Association of Professional Piercers — Jewelry for Initial Piercings
- Association of Professional Piercers — Aftercare
General information, not medical advice. See a professional piercer for the piercing itself. Reviewed 20 July 2026.
Visit Vanhess
We stock body-safe piercing jewellery, with implant-grade titanium as our default for sensitive skin, at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam. Browse our piercing jewellery, or call +1 (604) 653-6449. See the niobium guide next.