Nickel Safe Ear Piercing Standards
Walton Pharmacy follows strict safety protocols to ensure nickel safe ear piercing for every patient. Indeed, our team ensures that all products meet or exceed the European Union Nickel Directive 94/27/EC. Specifically, our medical-grade titanium products provide the maximum safety and comfort for people with known nickel allergies. Furthermore, our stainless steel and gold-plated lines use medical-grade materials as the base metal. This professional choice ensures the highest levels of safety for all our customers.
Understanding the Nickel Directive and REACH
Initially, the Nickel Directive regulated the use of nickel in jewellery and products touching the skin. Since June 2009, the REACH Regulation has subsumed these rules under Annex XVII. However, most professionals still use the term Nickel Directive to refer to these essential safety restrictions. Notably, these laws prescribe the EN 1811 test method to quantify exactly how much nickel a product releases. Consequently, technicians measure the migration limits to ensure they are safe for human contact.
Health Risks and Preventing Nickel Allergies
Nickel serves as a very common cause of contact dermatitis in Western Europe and North America. Consequently, roughly ten percent of the population suffers from sensitivity to this specific metal. Frequent sensitization occurs from wearing poor-quality ear studs or other body piercings. Once a person develops this sensitivity, they may react to coins, zippers, or watch straps for the rest of their lives. Therefore, our nickel safe ear piercing process strictly limits metal release to protect your long-term health.
Technical Migration Limits and Testing Methods
The law imposes strict migration limits on the amount of nickel that jewellery may release. Specifically, post assemblies inserted into pierced ears must release less than 0.2 micrograms per week. Other products like rings or watch cases must stay below a limit of 0.5 micrograms. To verify these levels, lab experts place objects in an artificial sweat solution for one week. Subsequently, they use atomic absorption spectroscopy to measure the exact metal release and ensure compliance.
Recommended Jewellery for Initial Piercings
Regarding your safety, our team recommends specific materials based on the age of your piercing. For initial, unhealed piercings, you should always use titanium or medical-grade steel. Alternatively, for healed piercings, you may choose from sterling silver or gold plate. Because we prioritize your health, every item we stock must comply with these strict EU safety laws. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a nickel safe ear piercing experience that you can trust.