If you are shopping for body jewelry, the most important consideration you need to keep in mind is that you are buying jewelry that will be directly in contact with your skin, and in other cases, it will be in contact with body fluids. As a result, the body jewelry you choose should be made of the highest-quality materials.
But this is not all you need to keep in mind, and there’s one caveat when it comes to high-quality body jewelry – quality might be subjective to your body because your body might reject the metal used to make that high-quality belly/ navel ring. And in such cases, the cheaper options made of plastic or acrylic might be the best option for you.
With that in mind, which is the best body jewelry for you and is plastic better than metal (and vice versa)? Barbells are appropriate for belly/ navel and most other body piercings, but is a metal barbell better than a plastic barbell?
Keep reading for all the answers you have been looking for?
You will Learn in this Post
- Plastic Belly Rings Vs. Metal
- What is the plastic belly rings? And what is made of?
- What is the metal belly ring? And what is made of?
- Pros and cons of the plastic belly ring
- Pros and cons of Metal belly rings
- Choosing between the two – Which one is better?
- Conclusion
Plastic Belly Rings Vs. Metal
Barbells, whether made of plastic or metal, are hard-wearing, attractive, adventurous, hard-wearing, and versatile, but when it comes to choosing the option that works best for you, the choice between metal and plastic becomes too tough. But it doesn’t have to be.
Let’s take a quick dive into the differences between plastic and metal belly button rings/barbells.
What is the plastic belly rings? And what is made of?
If the metallic belly button rings don’t work for you or if you’d rather not find out through migration or the rejection of the barbell, plastic belly button rings would make an excellent fit for you.
Plastic body jewelry might have a less-than-ideal reputation, but that plastic barbell would save you the risk of an irritated, infected, or a never-healing piercing. The plastic barbells are sometimes referred to as the flexible barbells, and they are made from flexible, high-quality, hygienic, and hypoallergenic materials. They are also bio-compatible and skin-friendly.
When looking for the best plastic body piercing jewelry, you will also come across acrylic barbells. Often, these are as safe as the PTFE plastic pieces, but we recommend that you confirm the materials used. The best of acrylic jewelry is made of PMMA, with no fillers or monomers.
What is the metal belly ring? And what is made of?
At the end of the day, however, your choices will depend on the metal used to make the jewelry and whether you are allergic to it or not. Some of the most common metals used for body jewelry include medical-grade titanium, surgical steel, and blackline. In most cases, they are safe.
If you settle on metallic belly button barbells, you need to know that your decision comes with a high risk of rejection. Generally, you can tell that you are experiencing a piercing rejection if you can see more of the barbell than you did when you first got the piercing. These changes could also signify a migration, but you need to see a professional whichever the case.
Pros and cons of the plastic belly ring
Pros
- Less risk of irritation, infection, migration, or rejection
- It’s super affordable
- Reduced healing times
- Skin-friendly, biocompatible, and hypoallergenic
Cons
- They look and feel cheap
- The plastic barbells are not durable
- Not a long-term solution
Pros and cons of Metal belly rings
- Easy maintenance
- Hygienic
- Attractive designs
- Easy customization
- Easy to find
- Medical-grade metals are a good option
Cons
- A high risk of allergies for some metals
- The safest metals are often pricey
- There is a high risk of rejection or migration, especially if you choose the wrong metal
Choosing between the two – Which one is better?
While metallic belly button barbells are generally the better option, they aren’t the best option always, especially if you react to metal (severely or moderately), and a reaction of any kind in a piercing could mean more problems, let alone prolonged healing times.
So, if you are allergic or worried about a potential adverse reaction, plastic or acrylic is a definitely preferable option. If you choose plastic, you should know that the plastic barbell is not an ideal permanent solution, and metals like platinum or titanium would be preferable options.
To avoid sensitivity reactions, we recommend investing in high-quality, often expensive jewelry. And only choose plastic if you aren’t healing too well. The other reasons why metal is the best option overall include the fact that you have to remove and wash plastic jewelry every day (not ideal for a healing piercing), and there’s also the porosity factor, which means the risk of chemical leaching into your body over time.
Conclusion
Plastic body piercing barbells or rings might be a good fit for you in the short-term, but metallic pieces are preferable in the long run.
All you have to do is to settle for the implant-grade metals, and if these fail, go for glass. Plastic will be a good fit after you’re fully healed and when you need to remove the metal barbell for a short duration.
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