No More Irritation: Why You Should Go Nickel-Free for Your Skin Health
Manufacturers of mass-produced jewelry often use blends of different metals to save on production costs. These blends are called alloys, and many of them contain nickel, a common skin irritant.
If you’re tired of jewelry that irritates your skin or leaves behind discoloration, medical-grade, nickel-free jewelry can be the solution your skin deserves. By building a hypoallergenic jewelry collection, you can save your skin from years of discomfort.
Discover more about nickel in jewelry and how going nickel-free can benefit your skin health.
The Problem With Using Nickel in Jewelry
Nickel is a metal that’s commonly used in several industries. When it comes to jewelry, manufacturers often mix nickel with other metals to create nickel alloys and coatings. This is an easy way to give jewelry that shiny metallic look without increasing production costs.
Symptoms of Nickel Allergies
Unfortunately, using nickel in jewelry comes at a steep cost for the people who wear it. Nickel is believed to be the most common metal allergy, especially in women.
If you’re allergic or sensitive to nickel, jewelry with this metal may cause:
- Red rashes
- Itchy skin
- Raised bumps
- Skin blisters
- Oozing piercings
- Tissue swelling
- Green or blue skin
- Contact dermatitis
Severe reactions to nickel can make it hard to remove the jewelry itself, leading to further issues down the line after an ear piercing.
Sweating, Showering, and Swimming
Even if your skin doesn’t react right away, daily wear and moisture exposure can trigger irritation over time. Exposing nickel-plated jewelry to moisture, salt, sweat, and certain chemicals causes nickel to leach from the jewelry directly into your skin.
This happens because exposure to moisture triggers nickel oxidation, which creates a chemical called nickel oxide. Nickel oxide looks green and often discolors the skin that surrounds the jewelry. So while you may not struggle with a nickel allergy specifically, wearing nickel-based jewelry can still be problematic.
The Solution: Quality Hypoallergenic Jewelry
Nickel isn’t the only skin irritant present in mainstream jewelry, but it tends to be the most prevalent. If you’re dealing with these issues, consider opting for hypoallergenic jewelry instead.
Hypoallergenic pieces are more than just “nickel-free.” Quality skin-safe jewelry comes without other skin irritants as well, like lead and cadmium. If you choose a reputable jeweler with rigorous testing standards, you can wear your jewelry without worry.
Beauty Without the Bumps: Enjoy Accessories to the Fullest
Dealing with a nickel allergy can be stressful. Jewelry that contains nickel can temporarily change the texture and complexion of the surrounding skin, and such reactions can impact your confidence and make you hesitant to wear jewelry in the future. No one wants to deal with red, itchy skin bumps.
Not only does quality hypoallergenic jewelry not contain nickel, but it’s also usually water-safe and resistant to corrosion. This means you can enjoy activities like swimming, hiking, exercise classes, and other adventures while donning your favorite jewelry.
The Importance of Nickel-Free Ear Piercings
Dermatological studies suggest that many nickel sensitivities begin with ear piercings themselves. When your piercer uses earrings that contain nickel, the pierced soft tissue more easily reacts with nickel’s chemical properties. This can lead to lifelong nickel sensitivities and allergies.
Medical ear piercing with high-quality hypoallergenic earrings helps you avoid this problem. Instead of exposing your body to sensitizing nickel, the medical ear piercing process uses medical-grade titanium or plastic.
These materials are safe even for surgeries and medical implants, making them the most comfortable choice for many. If you’re looking to prevent nickel sensitivities or stop them from worsening, consider nickel-free ear piercing.
How to Choose the Best Hypoallergenic Jewelry
Now that you know the benefits of going nickel-free, it’s time to build your hypoallergenic jewelry collection. Not sure where to start? Look for these green flags when selecting skin-safe jewelry pieces.
Strict Quality Assurance Standards
Ensure the seller takes stringent quality assurance measures during the manufacturing process. Look for documents like metal testing results and production audit reports.
High-Quality, Medical-Grade Materials
It’s not enough to just search for “nickel-free jewelry.” Some companies use this label but still use other metals that can cause skin health problems, like cadmium and lead.
Complete transparency is key. If a company doesn’t disclose the exact metals and platings in each of their pieces, it’s safest to steer clear. Reputable brands will provide clear proof of the materials used in their products. If you do not see this - remember: anyone can claim their earrings are ‘hypoallergenic’ since the term has no legal attachment in the United States. You can find our Quality Certificate, ISO 13485 Certificate and Children’s Product Certificate in the footer of our website.
Guidance from Health Professionals
Companies that consult with professionals like dermatologists are more likely to use evidence-based manufacturing techniques to protect your skin.
Start Your Nickel-Free Journey With Blomdahl
At Blomdahl, every piece is designed in consultation with dermatologists and crafted from medical-grade materials proven safe for sensitive skin. Discover jewelry that looks beautiful and feels comfortable. Shop our hypoallergenic jewelry today!