About metal allergies

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About Metal Allergies

Enjoy fashion more with the right knowledge.

What is a metal allergy?

A metal allergy is a "rejection reaction" that occurs when metals from accessories, etc., dissolve in sweat or bodily fluids and enter the body.

It can develop suddenly and is said to be difficult to cure once it occurs.

Mechanism of allergy development

It develops when metal dissolved in sweat turns into a "foreign substance" in the body.

Contact/Dissolution (Ionization)

When metal comes into contact with sweat or acid, it dissolves and penetrates the body as "metal ions."

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Binding/Foreign Body Formation

Metal ions bind with proteins in the body and transform into "allergens (foreign substances)."

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Rejection Reaction (Onset)

The body tries to attack the foreign substance, causing inflammation (itching, redness, rash).

Conditions that increase the likelihood of allergies

The risk is high when "an environment where metal dissolves easily" and "a state where it can easily enter the body" overlap.

💦 Sweaty season In summer or during sports, metal dissolves more easily due to increased moisture.

👂 Area with wound Piercing holes have thin and damaged skin, allowing ions to directly penetrate.

💍 Close-fitting designs Rings and thick chains, where sweat has no escape, increase the risk.

Metals that are prone to allergies and those that are not

More likely to cause allergies (Easily ionizes)	Nickel (Ni) Cobalt (Co) Tin (Sn) Palladium (Pd) Chromium (Cr) Copper (Cu) Nickel, in particular, is often used in inexpensive alloys and as a base for plating, and requires the most caution. Palladium and copper can be included as "alloying metals" (added for strength) in platinum and gold. *Our IP (ion plating) process does not use the above metals as a base either. We employ a skin-friendly processing technology.
Less likely to cause allergies (Less likely to ionize)	Titanium (Ti) Zirconium (Zr) Platinum (Pt) Gold (Au) Titanium combines with oxygen to form an "oxide film," making it less likely to dissolve in sweat. While platinum and gold are also stable as metals, they may react to the "alloying metals" mentioned above. Our products use high-purity pure titanium (JIS compliant), which is also used for medical purposes.

More likely to cause allergies
(Easily ionizes)

Nickel (Ni) Cobalt (Co) Tin (Sn) Palladium (Pd) Chromium (Cr) Copper (Cu)

Nickel, in particular, is often used in inexpensive alloys and as a base for plating, and requires the most caution.
Palladium and copper can be included as "alloying metals" (added for strength) in platinum and gold.
*Our IP (ion plating) process does not use the above metals as a base either. We employ a skin-friendly processing technology.

Less likely to cause allergies
(Less likely to ionize)

Titanium (Ti) Zirconium (Zr) Platinum (Pt) Gold (Au)

Titanium combines with oxygen to form an "oxide film," making it less likely to dissolve in sweat.
*While platinum and gold are also stable as metals, they may react to the "alloying metals" mentioned above.
*Our products use high-purity pure titanium (JIS compliant), which is also used for medical purposes.

Things to be careful about in daily life

Wipe off sweat frequently It is important not to leave "sweat," which causes metal to dissolve.
Keep it clean After use, wash with water, wipe with a soft cloth, and then store.
Remove immediately if you feel any abnormality If you experience itching or redness, do not force yourself to continue using it; let your skin rest.