If you are afraid of a skin reaction to metals used in most regular piercing jewelry, you may be wondering if plastic piercing jewelry is an alternative, if they are safe, and if they can be used until the piercing heals fully.
Well, this article explores the world of plastic piercings and their safety. Keep reading to learn more.
What is a plastic piercing?
‘Plastic’ piercing, also known as Bioplast, can be defined as a type of medical-grade plastic considered safe for use on piercings.
Where individuals getting their initial ear or body piercings are afraid of biocompatibility issues because of the sensitivity of their skin, this kind of plastic is used. Bioplast is not only biocompatible but also flexible.
And the other reason why it is now one of the recommended piercing materials is the fact that bioplast allows for sterilization at high temperature using the high-temperature steam in the autoclave.
Bioplast doesn’t melt in these conditions, unlike other forms of plastic, which would melt under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.
Bioplast is also recommended for use in piercings because this plastic material makes the best material for jewelry retainers, which are used to not only keep the healing piercings open but also viable, especially if you don’t wear earrings all the time. The retainers are also perfect for hiding piercings when you need to hide them.
Are plastic piercings safe?
Yes, the plastic piercings are safe. They are considered biocompatible, which means that they are the safest accessory or type of material for you to put in your body, especially if you have sensitive skin. It’s also safe, thanks to its flexibility.
Why plastic piercings are safe
The plastic piercing or bioplast is considered a safe piercing material because it is a different type of plastic, specifically, medical-grade plastic. This version of plastic is, therefore, safe for your initial piercings, and as mentioned above, can be used as retainers.
The plastic piercing is also very safe because you can actually sterilize it in the steam autoclave under very high-temperature conditions so that it doesn’t harbor bacteria or create an environment that is conducive for the breeding of bacteria.
This is something that is completely unheard of with normal and other types of plastic, and it’s why plastic piercings are very safe.
Biocompatibility is the other reason why bioplast is a safe plastic for piercings. The plastic piercing or Bioplast is, quite literally, a piece of medical material that’s undergone rigorous testing and is approved as a safe material that works in a rather symbiotic relationship with the human tissue. Therefore, and as a result of the biocompatibility of Bioplast, it is an excellent material for healing piercings.
It’s inert. This is the other winning feature that makes Bioplast safe. As an inert plastic, Bioplast is ideal for anyone who struggles with pesky metal sensitivity reactions.
If you are allergic to nickel and/or any other metal and you’ve struggled with metallic jewelry for some time, then Bioplast would be the perfect option for you by virtue of being non-metallic. Its non-reactivity also means healthier and more comfortable piercings.
Flexibility. The other thing that makes metallic piercing jewelry unsafe and not the ideal material for new piercings for most people is the fact that metal is not flexible.
This makes Bioplast the perfect and the safest alternative to metallic piercings because it is very flexible. You cannot bend the surgical-grade stainless steel earring, and it will not bend to follow the shape of the pierced area or your body movements, but plastic piercings boast a high degree of flexibility.
The plastic will bend, but it won’t break, making it an ideal material for piercing jewelry if you lead a very active lifestyle.
Are plastic piercings bad?
The plastic Bioplast piercings aren’t bad. The plastic used is the safest form of plastic, and it is a medical-grade piece that would be a great alternative to metal piercing jewelry, especially if you have metal-sensitive skin.
So, as long as you don’t disturb the healing piercing site when you use the plastic piercing, you will have a great experience with the plastic piercing.
However, piercings made of real plastic that is inflexible and cannot be steamed are unsafe, and you should avoid them. The plastic piercings are only safe if they are made of Bioplast, the medical-grade piercing plastic.
Can a piercing heal with plastic?
Yes. Since the plastic piercing or Bioplast is trademarked medical-grade plastic, and it’s also biocompatible and very flexible, it is considered the optimal material for healing the body piercings fast.
As mentioned above, they don’t harbor bacteria, Bioplast is autoclaved before use under very high-temperature conditions, and the plastic is nickel-free, making it the safest material for the healing piercing.
There is also the symbiotic relationship that the Bioplast creates or has with the human body/ tissue, which makes this medical-grade material the perfect option for healing piercings.
How long can you keep plastic piercings in?
The plastic piercing, like any other kind of piercing jewelry, should stay in the hole for at least 6 weeks or until the piercing heals.
The rule of thumb when it comes to plastic piercings is not to disturb or remove the jewelry in the healing piercing until you are certain that the piercing is fully healed, and this applies to the plastic piercing too.
Since it is a safe option that is medically recommended, it should be in the piercing throughout the healing period. Most piercings heal after about 8 weeks but could be longer. Just be careful not to switch out the jewelry when the piercing area is still tender.
Can I use a plastic piece as my initial piercing?
As the trademarked medical-grade plastic, Bioplast is very biocompatible, and it’s recommended for optimal healing, and it’s the perfect material for initial piercings, especially for individuals who have sensitive skin and are allergic to most metals.
Pros and cons of plastic piercings
Pros
- Bioplast is inert and completely non-reactive
- It is nickel-free
- It’s biocompatible
- Encourages healing of the piercings
- Work well as retainers
- The plastic piercing is very flexible and comfortable
Cons
- Many people confuse the real biocompatible plastic piercing or Bioplast with jewelry made of actual plastic, which is not safe for use on piercings.
Conclusion
Biocompatible plastic piercings or Bioplast are safe on your piercings, even the new ones, but not the body jewelry made of normal plastic.
And we recommend against the use of normal plastic jewelry, especially with new piercings.
If you must use the plastic jewelry made of normal plastic, make sure that the piercing is healed and only use it as a temporary retainer.
Read more piercing tips here or here!
Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.