3. Jewelry Standards
3.1 All JEWELRY used for initial piercings must meet the following standards: 1. The first piece of JEWELRY that a BODY ARTIST inserts into a piercing, referred to as initial JEWELRY, is worn inside an open wound. As it is in contact with a CLIENT’S internal tissues, this initial JEWELRY must be BIOCOMPATIBLE to avoid adverse reactions such as contact dermatitis, scar tissue, infection, and other issues that might arise with the use of substandard JEWELRY. To ensure JEWELRY is BIOCOMPATIBLE, this Code requires the JEWELRY to meet standards based on those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and APP. ISO establishes expert reviewed and approved international standards across industries to “ensure quality and safety in both products and services” (Approachable Certification, 2016). ASTM one of the largest voluntary standards developing organizations in the world, develops standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Materials listed in Section 3 of this Code with ASTM International or ISO standards are BIOMEDICAL materials proven safe for human implant standards (ASTM 2020). Materials listed without ASTM International or ISO standards are chosen based on the research and expertise of APP and other industry experts. 2. Solid 14-karat or higher gold JEWELRY that is nickel and cadmium free is essential for BIOCOMPATIBILITY. Nickel is a common allergen that has been shown to cause skin irritation or allergic reaction in some individuals (ECARF, 2014). Cadmium is not suitable for body piercings as potential health risks are associated with the toxic metal (Pouzar et al., 2017). Even low exposure levels of cadmium can cause accumulation in the human body. 3. Platinum that is nickel-free and cadmium-free is a highly BIOCOMPATIBLE metal that is resistant to corrosion and oxidation and is considered a highly inert metal (APP, 2020; UC Berkeley, 2019). 4. Unalloyed niobium is a highly BIOCOMPATIBLE metal that is resistant to corrosion and oxidation, even in harsh environments or when in contact with bodily fluids (Safavi et al., 2022). 5. All glass JEWELRY must be free of lead. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems if it comes into prolonged contact with the skin (CDC, 2023; DTSC, n.d.). According to the CDC (2023), even small amounts of lead exposure over time can accumulate in the body and cause lead poisoning. Lead exposure can cause adverse health effects, including but not limited to nervous system problems, developmental delays, and organ failure (DTSC, n.d.). 6. JEWELRY should not have threads on the exterior of posts and barbells. This can ensure that the JEWELRY passing through the skin is smooth and reduces the possibility of scraping or irritating tissue with sharp threads (APP, 2020).
12
Powered by FlippingBook