Surgical stainless steel is popular as a rust-free accessory material.
Many people may have heard of the name but do not know the details of the material.
Surgical stainless steel has various benefits such as not only being resistant to rust but also resistant to metal allergies.
This time, we will introduce the characteristics of surgical stainless steel and recommended care methods.
table of contents
What is surgical stainless steel?
A word created by combining the words surgical (for medical use) and stainless steel (which does not stain or rust), and generally refers to metals written as ``316L'' or ``SUS316.''
As the name suggests, this material is used for medical scalpels and scissors, and its hardness makes it durable and scratch-resistant.
As a result, delicate processing is difficult, and many accessories have simple and elegant designs.
It is resistant to corrosion and heat, and does not deteriorate easily, so it can be used for a long time.
Features of surgical stainless steel
Surgical stainless steel is said to be safe to leave on .
Next, we will explain in detail the four main features of surgical stainless steel that you are interested in.
Not easy to rust
Surgical stainless steel is a material that is resistant to oxidation, so it is resistant to rust and discoloration.
Accessories made of materials such as silver or brass may become discolored or rust due to oxidation from air and sweat.
If you continue to use it as is, there is a risk of allergic reactions or skin damage.
Rust-resistant surgical stainless steel is recommended for situations where you sweat a lot or where you might get wet.
The nice thing about it is that it doesn't rust easily even if you wear it in hot springs, the sea, the pool, etc.
However, this does not mean that it will never rust, so be sure to take care of it.
Less likely to cause metal allergies
One of the characteristics of surgical stainless steel is that it does not react easily to metal allergies.
It is a material that has little impact on the human body.
In the first place, metal allergy is a reaction that occurs when metal ions eluted from areas where metal comes into contact with sweat or moisture combine with proteins in the body and turn into substances that cause allergies.
Since the protein that has combined to become an allergen is judged to be a foreign substance, the body overreacts, causing allergic symptoms such as itching, swelling, eczema, and redness.
Surgical stainless steel is an alloy containing iron, chromium, nickel, etc., so it also contains materials that are likely to cause allergies.
However, when it combines with oxygen, an oxide film called a passive film is formed, which prevents metal ions from leaching out without coming into direct contact with the metal.
However, metal allergies are not completely impossible.
Depending on your constitution and usage/management conditions, allergic reactions may occur, so if you experience any skin problems while wearing the product, please refrain from wearing it immediately.
Not easily scratched
One of the characteristics of surgical stainless steel is that it has high hardness and is resistant to scratches.
Soft materials such as silver are easy to process into delicate designs, but the surface is easily scratched and shows signs of use, so it is not suitable for daily use.
On the other hand, stainless steel is said to be immune to the phenomenon of irreversible yielding due to changes in the material due to pressure.
Surgical stainless steel, in particular, is resistant to scratches on the surface and maintains its metallic shine even without special care.
However, because it is extremely hard, it is not suitable for delicate designs such as hand-carved carvings, and the pattern may be crushed when it is put into a mold and manufactured.
We recommend that you be especially careful when choosing accessories with a high design.
Cheap and easy to obtain
Another characteristic of surgical stainless steel is that it is often cheaper and easier to obtain than other metal products.
This is because it is an artificially created alloy and is not classified as a precious metal.
Precious metals such as ``18K gold, platinum, and 925 silver,'' which are cited as materials that are unlikely to cause metal allergies, are typical materials used for accessories, but most of them are not affordable.
Also, many materials other than precious metals are made of materials that can easily cause metal allergies, so you need to choose them carefully.
In this regard, surgical stainless steel is a relatively inexpensive material that is unlikely to cause allergic reactions, making it easy to obtain and popular.
How to care for surgical stainless steel
Basically, no special care is required.
However, depending on the condition of the accessory, it may lead to rust, discoloration, or corrosion.
Please take proper care of it so that you can continue using it for a long time.
Be especially careful after coming into contact with sweat or seawater, as rust and corrosion are more likely to occur.
We recommend cleaning by wiping with a soft, non-abrasive cloth, such as an eyeglass cleaner.
If you are particularly concerned about dirt, wash it with a diluted solution of soap or neutral detergent, then wipe it with a soft cloth.
Simply wiping it down after each use will make it last longer.
Introduction of recommended surgical stainless steel products
earrings
Hinged Thin Hoop Pierce [Stainless] ¥2,860~
Surgical stainless steel hinged hoop earrings perfect for everyday use.
These earrings have a simple design and are perfect for everyday use or layered with ear cuffs.
Minimal Hoop Pierce［Stainless］¥3,190
Simple hoop earrings with minimal waste.
The extremely simple earrings have just the right thickness to give a luxurious impression and decorate your ears with elegance.
necklace
Initial Necklace［Stainless］ ¥2,970
A simple initial necklace for people with metal allergies.
You can layer different initials together for a cute look, and we also recommend layering them with a necklace with a simple design.
Simple Narrow Necklace［Stainless］ ¥3,190
A simple narrow necklace that is convenient for layering.
It has a simple design, so you can wear it with any outfit you choose, and it's also the perfect necklace to layer with other necklaces.
Petal Chain Necklace［Stainless］¥2,200
A petal chain necklace that is convenient for layering.
This necklace has an elegant shine and gives off a feminine impression.
It goes perfectly with clothing that has an open neck design.
summary
Surgical stainless steel is a material that is not only relatively inexpensive and resistant to rust, but also resistant to scratches and allergies.
I can't say that this will never happen depending on the care and usage conditions, but it is still an easy-to-handle material.
Why not try using surgical stainless steel accessories that are easy to clean and handle?
At novice , we have a wide variety of accessories that are reasonably priced and have elegant designs that are available for less than 2,000 yen .
If you are still not sure what color or design suits you, we recommend that you try out some reasonably priced Novice accessories first to get a clear idea of the color and design that suits you before you suddenly buy expensive accessories.
Please choose your accessories from here .