Nipple barbells
A straight 1.6 mm barbell is the default first piece for nipple piercings. A curved bar is not used here — it pulls the channel to one side.
Other nipple jewellery
Size
Gauge 1.6 mm; length is nipple width plus 2 mm, in practice 12–14 mm.
Titanium or steel
Titanium for a fresh piercing, 316L once healed.
Healing
6–12 months — one of the longest.
Size and material
| Material | 316L steel — 6 models. Cheaper, corrosion-resistant, suitable for a healed piercing. For the first jewellery titanium is the better choice. |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1.2 mm — 7 models, 1 mm — 1 model. The thickness must match the one the piercing was made with. |
| Bar length | 10 mm — 7 models, 6 mm — 7 models, 8 mm — 7 models, 12 mm — 1 model. A longer bar is needed while the swelling lasts, a shorter one — for a healed piercing. |
| Thread | External — 7 models. |
FAQ
Which size should I choose?
The typical size for this zone is 1.6 mm thick, 12–14 mm long. Jewellery smaller than needed presses on the channel, bigger — catches on clothes and hair. The exact size of each model is given on its page.
Is this the same «surgical steel»?
Yes, 316L is surgical steel. But it contains nickel in bound form, so with a pronounced nickel sensitivity titanium is the better choice.
Will the steel rust from water and sweat?
No. The chromium in the alloy forms a thin oxide film on the surface, and that is what withstands water, sweat and chlorine. 316L additionally contains molybdenum — it is the grade used for marine equipment. The grey film sometimes noticed on jewellery is not rust but residue of lymph and cosmetics: it washes off with soap.
