316L Surgical Steel Earrings: A Complete Care Guide
316L surgical steel is a popular choice today for healed-lobe earrings. Regular care matters if you want to keep them shining! Discover our complete guide to 316L surgical steel, and how to clean and care for your earrings.
Why Choose 316L Surgical Steel for Your Earrings?
316L Earrings: The Benefits
First of all, it's worth noting that not all surgical steel is right for your lobes. Some lower-grade steels, like 304 steel, can contain higher levels of nickel and other elements that may cause reactions like inflammation or irritation, even once your piercing is fully healed.
316L surgical steel is an ideal material for healed lobe piercings. It's biocompatible and gives you real peace of mind, thanks to its low, controlled nickel content, so you can wear your earrings long-term, which is no small thing.
Regular Care: Why It Matters
Caring for your earrings takes less effort than caring for a healing piercing. That said, it's worth knowing that you can clean your lobes and earrings to remove any dirt build-up and keep your jewelry shining.
Cleaning and Caring for Your Earrings
Tools to Use for Cleaning
For the best clean of your 316L surgical steel earrings, we recommend:
- Washing your hands with pH-neutral or gentle soap before every clean (hands, nails, palms).
- Removing your earrings before cleaning. Use gentle products like saline solution and sterile gauze pads for your piercing, and the same gentle approach for your earrings. Even with healed lobes, it's important to use products that respect your skin, to avoid any risk of inflammation or irritation.
- Drying your earrings and your piercing thoroughly before putting your earrings back in.
- Avoiding harsh products on your earrings: disinfectants, ultrasonic baths, abrasive cleaners and anything alcohol-based.
- Using a microfibre cloth to gently dry and clean your earrings.
Extra Tips and Precautions
Dos and Don'ts for Your Earrings
Caring for your 316L surgical steel earrings goes beyond regular cleaning: it also means following a few best practices and avoiding common mistakes to keep them looking their best. Here are some essential tips:
Do:
- Wear them regularly: 316L surgical steel holds up well to everyday wear, so you can wear your earrings every day without any problem.
- Inspect them regularly: check your earrings for any signs of wear or damage, and clean them as needed. There's no need to clean your earrings and lobes on a strict schedule.
- Store them properly: if you don't sleep in your earrings, keep them in a jewelry box to avoid scratches and damage. Fabric-lined boxes or individual pouches work well to protect them.
Don't:
- Don't wear your earrings in the shower or while swimming. While the material resists corrosion, prolonged water exposure can affect their durability over time. Remove them before swimming or showering.
- Avoid contact with chemicals: harsh chemical products can damage surgical steel.
- Cosmetic products: put your earrings on last, after applying makeup and hair products, to limit exposure to substances that could dull their shine.
Keeping your 316L surgical steel earrings shining and in good condition is essential for their longevity. Remember to choose this steel only once your lobes are fully healed, to enjoy its hypoallergenic benefits to the fullest. Discover our full earrings range on our site, and follow our tips to keep your jewelry looking as radiant as day one.
