If you love piercings then you have probably heard about labret studs, most specifically, those made of bioplast. These are studs with a flat back and made of clear medical grade bioplast material.
They are not only affordable, but they are also comfortable, and discreet, and suitable for many piercings, from your ears, nose, and even lips.
Although people have been raving on and on about how convenient these studs can be, some have raised question marks about them. Are bioplast labret studs worth all the praise?
What are some of the problems to expect with these types of studs? Not to worry, this article has you covered. We will share with you some of the main problems to expect if you are thinking of getting bioplast labret studs.
Problems With Bioplast Labret Studs
Like we’ve already mentioned, these studs come with numerous benefits. They are cheap and made using hypoallergenic, medical-grade material.
Their design and flexibility also make them comfortable to have on especially for difficult piercings. The fact that they are clear means that you get to keep your piercings that would otherwise be frowned upon at your place of work.
What’s more, you don’t have to keep taking them off at security checks or when doing medical tests. They can be worn for both new and old piercings and have even been said to reduce healing time by encouraging faster skin regeneration.
But you’re not here to hear all about the benefits of bioplast labret studs. Like with everything else, there are two sides to the coin. In as much as it comes with benefits, there are certain concerns or cons to these studs. They are as follows:
1. It is not certified as biocompatible material
Manufacturers of bioplast pass it off as it is certified and a medical-grade material that is safe to use on the body. The fact, however, is that the only certification that exists for bioplast is as a building material.
No certification proves it is safe for medical use or on the body. There is also no tests proof of the effects the bioplast will have on your body after long-term use.
Most people also don’t know what the material is made of. So you might want to be cautious about putting the stuff in your body.
2. It hardens and discolors over time
One of the main reasons people love bioplast studs is because they are flexible and clear. So that makes them comfortable and discreet. But over time with the build-up of dirt and components, the studs will begin discoloring into a gross look.
But that’s not the worst part. The bioplast material also tends to harden over time. This is a problem because it becomes easier for the studs to break, or pieces of it may chip away and get into your skin or even your bloodstream.
What’s dangerous about it, is that it is not clear what components make up this bioplast material. So, you do not know what type of danger it may pose to you in the long run.
That is why you are advised not to leave the studs on for long periods, but change them as frequently as needed.
3. It can damage piercings
One of the biggest selling points of bioplast labret studs is that you can cut them to fit your piercing. That is part of the reason why they are popular for most forms of piercings.
The issue with this, however, is that cutting the studs leaves rough edges that could scratch or tear the inside of your piercing if you try to put it in.
If you also get the low-quality bioplast studs that have been poorly manufactured they may have a rough feel to them, maybe because it has not been given a proper polished finish. This may also cause damage to your piercings too.
4. It can damage your gums, teeth, and bones
Most people opt for bioplast studs for their mouth piercings because they cause less damage than metal studs, being that they are softer.
That may be true, but bioplast is hard plastic, so while it may not cause as much damage as metal, it still will cause damage to your gums and teeth.
What’s worse is, while metal won’t break down and dissolve from rubbing against your gum or teeth, bioplast might. So, you could be ingesting components you aren’t aware of.
5. It is bacteria friendly
Although most people would say that bioplast is good for new piercings, we wouldn’t advise it. Bioplast is plastic and plastic tends to be porous.
That makes it a great breeding ground for bacteria, dirt, and other germs. That is not good for new piercings, since they are open woods that would easily get infected.
Old wounds may not be as susceptible but you can never be too sure.
6. It could lead to deformed piercings
The reason why most piecers use metal jewelry when piercing is that they are stiff. That is why you are encouraged to keep the metal jewelry on until your piercing heals.
That way you can be sure that the piercing will be straight and not deformed. This is not the case when using bioplast studs for new piercings, especially long ones, because they are soft and flexible, not stiff.
If you were to use bioplast, the piercing may be deformed and it may be harder for you to put on stiffer material like metal jewelry later without any damage.
Conclusion
Now you must be thinking, is it worth it buying the bioplast labret studs now?
The truth is there are benefits to it as much as there are cons.
It is up to you to decide which ones hold more weight for you.
After all, bioplast labret studs have come in handy for many people as much as it has not for others.
The way we see it is a 50-50 chance, it depends on whether you want to take the risk.
We would advise you to be cautious either way.
Read more related topics 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.