(*Biocompatible: the condition of being compatible with living tissue or a living system by not being toxic or injurious and not causing immunological rejection.) Source: (Merriam-Webster Incorporated © 1997)

Over the last five years, we have found that The Wildcat Collection meets all of these requirements. 

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The information below refers to materials used for body jewellery from The Wildcat Collection only. Other manufacturers do not necessarily use the same grade or quality of materials. Be sure to ask your piercer for specifics on the materials he/she uses.

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GRADE 2 IMPLANTATION STEEL

Although many larger-gauge items are made of 316L Stainless Steel, Wildcat uses Grade 2 (British Composition D) Implantation steel for all jewellery that is most commonly used for fresh piercings (18, 16, and 14 gauge Ball Closure Rings and barbells). This grade of steel has lower levels of Carbon, Nickel, and Molybdenum than 316L steel. In the studio, we have found that using Grade 2 Implantation Steel jewellery for fresh piercings significantly reduces the incidents of redness of the skin immediately after a piercing. This is extremely important for facial piercings.

In addition, jewellery from The Wildcat Collection goes through a process called Electropolishing. This process slowly erodes a thin surface layer from the jewellery - high spots or protrusions are removed preferentially, and the resultant surface is extremely smooth and crevice-free. This reduces the possibility of bacteria forming in microscopic crevices, and also reduces the risk of rejection.

NIOBIUM

Unlike surgical steel and other implantation alloys, Niobium is a pure element which can not be subdivided into further components. It is hypoallergenic (unlikely to cause an allergic response), and as a reactive metal, can be "colored" through the process of anodization which produces a thin surface oxide layer. By reflection and refraction, this transparent oxide layer gives the illusion of colour. No dyes are used, and the oxide layer is completely safe.

TITANIUM

As with steel, there are many different titanium alloy combinations, and not all are safe or suitable for body piercing application. All Wildcat titanium jewellery is Grade 23 (Ti 6AL 4V ELI) - one of only three titanium alloys recognized by the American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM). An "F" prefix granted by the ASTM (F-136) indicates FDA consent for use in medical devices - NO HIGHER QUALIFICATION CURRENTLY EXISTS.

The oxide film on Grade 23 titanium is almost three times thicker than that of Grade 1 titanium. This film acts as a barrier to prevent the release of alloying elements, and makes the jewellery resistant to corrosion. Wildcat applies a chemical etch to all G23Ti items which enhances and extends the life of anodized colours. This formula is the oxide of titanium and is safe for body implantation. Because titanium has a high affinity for oxygen, the surface oxide film heals itself instantly if it is damaged.

 

The Smoking Gun The Smoking Gun Piercing guns have been the rage for many years prior to the advent of the modern body piercing movement, even then they were looked upon with an amount of disgust by the medical profession. One of the early versions of a professional "physician grade" autoclave safe piercing gun is depicted below. At the least this gun was operated by hand pressure and was used by a physician to insert metal studs into ear lobes.	The Great Debates The Great Debates From aftercare to jewellery preference, there will never be a time when two piercers will agree on absolutely everything. Is a piercer wrong or unprofessional because s/he prefers to use bent barbells instead of rings for navel piercings? Recommends Listerine instead of Oral-B? Uses 14 gauge barbells for tongue piercings?
I want to get a Piercing I want to get a Piercing! Shop around, visit the shops you have interest in and talk to the piercers, look at the studios ask some smart questions. Don't price shop, use your head, we are talking about your body and putting a hole in it somewhere. Do your research on the piercing you want then ask the piercer about the piercing and the aftercare for the piercing. Use common sense and gut instinct.	It's Infected, now what? It's infected now what? Professional piercers know much more about body piercing than the average person, so this in mind, you have to pick a course of action. Start by seeing your piercer as soon as possible. Infections are easy to treat so long as they are handled quickly and properly..
Common Sense Aftercare Aftercare is a simple procedure in the care of any body piercing from simple ear piercings to the extreme piercings, but you have to remember some common points with all aftercare instructions. Many clients quickly forget half of what they are told in the studio after getting a piercing, partly due to the excitement of the piercing and partly from the rush of having just got what they wanted for a while.	It's an Art form, It's what we do.Our body piercer is among some of the most experienced piercers in British Columbia. Our senior piercer is from the old school of piercing and studied various piercing methods at length as well as many variations offered by other senior piercers in the industry. Instrument use, technique, sterilization methods and metals used for the process of piercing were looked at in great detail.