When it comes to body piercings, one of the most important decisions you'll make is what type of jewelry to use. The two main engineering styles for body jewelry is threadless and threaded. In threadless jewelry, a small pin attached to the jewelry snaps into the post. Threaded jewelry has two varieties: external and internal. Internal threading uses a screw to attach the jewelry to the post, and external threading uses a threaded post that screws into the jewelry.

Of those two, internally threaded is the preferred and used design by studios affiliated with the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). The APP is a voluntary health and safety organization for the body piercing industry. They provide educational access to members in the areas of proper sterilization, safe piercing environments, quality jewelry, and a code of conduct to uphold professionalism and non-discrimination.

Internal Threading

 

Internal threading is the most popular type of threading used by APP studios – for good reason. It's used in a wide variety of applications, and the most common are medical equipment and body jewelry. When it comes to body piercings, internal threading can be used in piercings that are located on the outer parts of the body, such as the ears, mouth, nose, and eyebrows.

 

One of the benefits of internal threading is its reliability and ease of use. It's also less likely to cause damage to the piercing site because the post has no ridging. Internally threaded jewelry is generally manufactured from higher quality materials like implant grade titanium and stainless steel. Externally threaded jewelry is mostly surgical steel. Surgical stainless steel is a blanket term that is commonly used to refer to any steel used in medical or bio medical procedures or processes.

Key Benefits of Internal Threading

 

• Internal threading is more secure than external threading. The screw creates a tighter connection between the post and the jewelry which reduces the risk of jewelry loss.
• Internal threading is easier to use. The screw can be easily accessed. This makes it simpler to attach and adjust the jewelry.
• Internal threading is more aesthetically pleasing. Larger and more decorative jewelry is more easily supported by the screw, so it allows artists to craft a wider variety of jewelry.

If you're looking for a secure, easy-to-use, and aesthetically pleasing piercing option, then internal threading is the way to go.

Internally threaded jewelry requires a screw to be inserted into the jewelry to attach it to the post, while external threading uses a threaded post that screws into the jewelry. This can be a little confusing for those new to the world of body piercings, so make sure you know which type your piercer is using before you go in!

If you're not sure which type of threading is right for you, talk to your piercer. They'll be able to help you choose the best option for your specific piercing.

Internally threaded jewelry requires a screw to be inserted into the jewelry to attach it to the post, while external threading uses a threaded post that screws into the jewelry. This can be a little confusing for those new to the world of body piercings, so make sure you know which type your piercer is using before you go in!

 

If you're not sure which type of threading is right for you, talk to your piercer. They'll be able to help you choose the best option for your specific piercing.

Jewelry Material

 

Now that you’ve decided between external and internal threading, what kind of jewelry will you choose? This is one of the most important decisions you'll make. There are many different types of jewelry available, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The most commonly found material used in APP studios is implant-grade titanium. Titanium is a lightweight metal that is ideal for people with concerns about nickel sensitivity. This material can be anodized to create jewelry of different colors without affecting the safety. Anodization is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. It can change the color of the titanium to a variety of different colors.

 

When choosing jewelry for a new piercing, it's important to consider the size and shape of the piercing hole. Most pieces of jewelry come in a variety of sizes, so you should be able to find something that will fit your piercing comfortably. The shape of the jewelry can also be important - some pieces of jewelry are designed specifically for certain types of piercings.

 

If you're not sure which type of jewelry to choose, ask your piercer for advice. They'll be able to recommend something that will work well with your piercing and will be comfortable to wear.