Loveless Friday: A case study
Style over Safety: What this means for your piercing
As we have seen the rise in popularity of body piercings in recent years, the increase in body jewellery shops has been going with it. However, there are differences between these piercing jewellery shops and a local piercing studio. In this blog we will go through a case study of “Loveless Friday”.
Over the years we have seen several rebrands of the same jewellery. This time feels different because the industry is moving in such a good direction for safety meaning that these types of rebrands feel more egregious.
Externally Threaded Vs Internal Thread
In the world of body piercing, the type of threading on your jewelry might seem like a minor detail, but it makes a significant difference in comfort, safety, and the overall health of your piercing. For years, externally threaded jewellery was the standard, but it has largely been replaced by internal thread and threadless jewellery. Let's delve into why external threading has become outdated and why piercers and enthusiasts alike now prefer its modern counterparts.
The Evolution of Body Jewelry Threading
To understand the shift, it's essential to know the differences between these types of jewelry:
Externally Threaded Jewelry: Imagine a screw. The threads are on the outside of the post (the part that goes through your piercing) and a matching internal thread is in the ball or decorative end. When you screw the end on, the threads on the post pass directly through your piercing channel.
Internally Threaded Jewelry: In this design, the threads are on the inside of the post. The ball or decorative end has a small, protruding threaded pin that screws into the post. This means the smooth exterior of the post is what passes through your piercing.
Threadless (Push-Fit) Jewelry: This is the most modern innovation. Neither the post nor the end has external threads. Instead, the decorative end has a thin, slightly bent pin that is pushed into a hollow post. The tension created by the bent pin holds the end securely in place.
Why Externally Threaded Jewelry is Outdated
The primary reason external threading has fallen out of favor boils down to two critical factors: irritation and hygiene.
Damage to the Piercing Channel: When an externally threaded piece of jewelry is inserted or removed, the sharp, exposed threads on the post scrape through the delicate, healing tissue of the piercing channel. This can cause micro-tears, irritation, and even introduce bacteria, significantly delaying healing time and increasing the risk of complications like bumps, infections, or excessive scar tissue. For fresh or sensitive piercings, this can be particularly detrimental.
Accumulation of Debris and Bacteria: The grooves of external threads can easily trap dead skin cells, lymph, and other debris. This creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, making the jewelry harder to keep clean and increasing the likelihood of infection, especially in new or healing piercings.
Less Secure Fit: While not always the case, external threads can sometimes wear down over time, leading to a looser fit where the ends might unscrew more easily, increasing the risk of losing the jewelry.
The Advantages of Internal Thread and Threadless Jewelry
The modern alternatives directly address the shortcomings of external threading, offering a safer and more comfortable experience:
Smooth Insertion and Removal: With internally threaded and threadless jewelry, only a smooth, polished surface passes through your piercing. This significantly reduces irritation, minimizes tissue damage, and promotes faster, healthier healing. This is particularly crucial for initial piercings.
Superior Hygiene: The smooth surfaces of internal thread and threadless jewelry are much easier to clean. There are no exposed threads to trap debris, leading to a more hygienic piercing environment and reducing the risk of infection.
Enhanced Comfort: Less irritation means a more comfortable piercing experience, especially during the initial healing phase and when changing jewelry.
Versatility and Customization: Both internally threaded and threadless systems offer immense versatility. You can often mix and match different decorative ends with various posts, allowing for endless customization without needing to remove the entire piece of jewelry. Threadless jewelry, in particular, is incredibly versatile as a single decorative end can often fit various post gauges.
Secure Yet Easy to Change: While securely fitted, internally threaded and threadless jewelry is generally easier for a professional piercer to change, minimizing trauma to the piercing. Threadless jewelry is especially popular for its ease of changing ends without removing the post.
Not being industry professionals the nuances of this hasn’t made it through to them and they have chosen to produce their jewellery in this outdated design regardless of the risks this poses to your piercings.
Surface Finish and the use of filters in photos
This Image shows where a blurring filter hasn’t been applied to the entire piece showing the surface finish of the jewellery.
In the world of body piercing jewelry, the aesthetic appeal often starts with the surface finish. This refers to the final treatment applied to the metal, affecting its smoothness, reflectivity, and overall appearance. While a beautiful finish can enhance the look of your jewelry, it's crucial to understand how filters and blurring in online product images can mislead consumers about the true quality and safety of the piece.
The Importance of Surface Finish in Body Piercing Jewelry
For body piercing jewelry, a high-quality surface finish is not just about aesthetics; it's paramount for biocompatibility and healing.
Smoothness: The most critical aspect is an incredibly smooth, mirror-like finish. Any microscopic scratches, pits, or imperfections on the surface can provide hiding places for bacteria and debris. More importantly, these microscopic irregularities can irritate and even damage the delicate, healing tissue of a piercing, leading to prolonged healing times, irritation bumps (hypergranulation), and an increased risk of infection. A truly smooth finish allows the jewelry to glide through the piercing channel without friction and minimizes opportunities for bacterial adhesion.
Reflectivity/Lustre: While aesthetics play a role, a highly polished, reflective surface often indicates a superior finish. This level of polish is achieved through meticulous buffing and can be a visual cue of the effort put into creating a biologically safe surface.
Cleanliness: A well-finished piece is easier to clean and sterilize, which is vital for both piercers and individuals maintaining their piercings.
How Filters and Blurring Can Mislead Consumers
In the age of online shopping, where physical inspection isn't possible before purchase, product images are your primary source of information. Unfortunately, sellers can use various techniques to manipulate these images, potentially hiding flaws in the surface finish:
Filters and Color Correction: Digital filters can dramatically alter the appearance of metal. A piece that might look dull or scratched in reality can appear bright, shiny, and flawless with the right filter. These filters can enhance reflectivity and obscure minor imperfections, giving a false impression of a high-quality polish.
Blurring (Out-of-Focus Images): One of the most common and deceptive tactics is using slightly out-of-focus or blurred images. When an image is not perfectly sharp, the minute scratches, pits, and irregularities that would be visible on a truly sharp photograph are softened and become indistinguishable. This intentionally (or sometimes unintentionally) masks the very details that indicate a poor surface finish. Consumers might perceive the blurring as an artistic choice or a technical limitation, rather than a deliberate obfuscation of quality.
Heavy Vignettes and Shadows: Strategic lighting, shadows, and vignettes can be used to obscure parts of the jewelry or draw attention away from areas with a less-than-perfect finish.
Exaggerated Reflectivity: Some images might be taken with very bright, direct light that creates an illusion of extreme polish, even if the underlying surface isn't truly smooth. The intense reflections can hide surface texture.
Protecting Yourself as a Consumer
To avoid being misled by deceptive product images when buying body piercing jewelry online:
Look for High-Resolution, Clear Images: Demand sharp, in-focus images that allow you to zoom in and examine the surface closely. If all images are slightly blurry, it's a red flag.
Request Unedited Photos: If possible, ask the seller for raw or unedited photos of the product.
Read Reviews and Look at Customer Photos: Customer reviews often include unedited photos taken by real buyers, which can give you a more accurate representation of the product's finish.
Check Material Specifications: Always ensure the jewelry is made from implant-grade materials (e.g., implant-grade stainless steel like 316LVM, implant-grade titanium like ASTM F136). High-quality materials are more likely to have a superior finish.
Buy from Reputable Suppliers: Purchase from reputable piercing supply companies or professional piercers who prioritize quality and safety. They are less likely to mislead with deceptive imagery.
Be Skeptical of "Too Good to Be True" Deals: Extremely low prices can sometimes indicate compromised quality, including a poor surface finish.
The Crucial Difference: Why Your Piercer is Your Best Jewelry Designer and Fitter
In the rapidly expanding world of body piercing, a growing number of brands are emerging, often driven by fashion trends and online aesthetics. One such brand, "Loveless Friday," as seen in our earlier discussion, represents a type of company that, while offering attractive designs, may not be owned or operated by individuals deeply entrenched in the professional piercing industry. This distinction isn't trivial; it has profound implications for the quality, safety, and ultimate success of your piercing.
The Rise of "Fashion-First" Jewelry Brands
Many new jewelry brands, like Loveless Friday, are spearheaded by entrepreneurs, designers, or marketing professionals who may have a keen eye for style and a strong understanding of online retail. Their focus is often on creating visually appealing products that align with current fashion sensibilities, appealing to a broad consumer base through aspirational imagery and effective social media campaigns. While there's nothing inherently wrong with this approach for conventional fashion accessories, the unique demands of body piercing jewelry require a different level of expertise.
Why Industry Insiders Matter: The Piercer's Advantage
Professional body piercers are not just artists; they are highly trained specialists in anatomy, aseptic technique, healing protocols, and crucially, jewelry biomechanics and metallurgy. When jewelry is designed and fitted by someone with this specialized knowledge, it makes all the difference:
Anatomical Understanding:
External vs. Internal Design: A piercer understands how different jewelry shapes and sizes interact with various body parts. They know that a specific curve or flat back is essential for a helix piercing, while a seamless ring might be perfect for a nostril. Brands not in the industry might prioritize a "cool" design without considering if it will actually fit well or heal properly in a specific anatomical location.
Space for Swelling: Piercers know precisely how much extra length or diameter is needed in initial jewelry to accommodate natural swelling, which is critical for a healthy healing process. Undersized jewelry, often sold by non-industry brands, can embed and cause severe complications.
Biocompatibility and Material Science:
True Implant Grade: Industry professionals are meticulously educated on implant-grade materials (like ASTM F-136 Titanium or ASTM F-138 Stainless Steel) and their surface finishes. They understand that "surgical steel" sold by many fashion brands is often not implant-grade and can contain irritants like nickel.
Surface Finish is King: As discussed previously, a mirror-smooth surface finish is vital to prevent irritation. Piercers know how to inspect jewelry for these critical details, whereas a fashion brand's priority might be appearance over microscopic perfection.
Mechanism and Functionality:
Internal Threading & Threadless: Piercers advocate for internally threaded or threadless jewelry because they understand the safety and comfort benefits during insertion and wear. Brands outside the industry often sell externally threaded jewelry due to lower manufacturing costs, without comprehending the damage it can cause to delicate tissue.
Secure Fit: Piercers ensure that jewelry fits securely to prevent loss, but also that it can be removed easily by a professional when needed, without causing trauma.
Long-Term Health and Troubleshooting:
Healing Phases: A piercer designs and selects jewelry with the entire healing process in mind, from initial swelling to downsizing.
Problem Solving: They are equipped to identify and troubleshoot issues that arise from ill-fitting or inappropriate jewelry. Non-industry brands typically lack this after-sales support and expertise.
The Dangers of Misinformed Choices
When you purchase jewelry from a brand owned and run by individuals outside the piercing industry, you risk:
Compromised Healing: Ill-fitting jewelry, inappropriate materials, or poor surface finishes can significantly prolong healing times, cause irritation bumps, or lead to infections.
Irreparable Damage: In severe cases, low-quality or improperly designed jewelry can lead to permanent scarring, migration, rejection, or necessitate the removal of the piercing entirely.
Wasted Money: Investing in jewelry that quickly tarnishes, breaks, or is unsafe for your body is a waste of your hard-earned money.
In conclusion, while fashion-forward brands like Loveless Friday might catch your eye with their appealing designs, for body piercing jewelry, your piercer is your most valuable resource. They possess the specialized knowledge to not only select the highest quality, safest jewelry for your unique anatomy but also to ensure it is perfectly fitted for optimal healing and long-term wear. Always prioritise the expertise of a professional piercer when choosing and purchasing jewelry for your piercings – your body will thank you.
