The glint of the operating room’s fluorescent lights always felt sterile, even with the faint scent of antiseptic clinging in the air. This time, though, it wasn’t a scalpel I held, but a tiny, titanium labret stud. My own, mind you.

This particular piece – the 16g, 5/16 internally threaded – has been in my collection for a while. Not the exact one, of course; I’m a fan of sterile insertion. But the same specs, the same principle. I see countless iterations in my line of work, everything from subtle, barely-there helix studs to the bolder, more flamboyant snake bites. And the details matter.

The internal threading is the star of the show here. That’s because the threading is inside the post, not exposed. This dramatically reduces the chance of irritation or pulling. Trust me, anyone who’s ever had a ripped-out piercing knows that’s a win. You’re also looking at implant-grade titanium, which is a non-negotiable for me. Nickel allergies are, sadly, far too common. That stuff will turn a piercing into a festering mess faster than you can say “ouch.”

One thing I’ve noticed, and it’s a minor gripe, is the polish. While the titanium itself is excellent, the finish could be just a hair more mirror-like. Makes it a little trickier to insert smoothly. But, you know, a good quality lubricant solves that little problem. A tiny dab, and you’re golden.

Now, compared to some of the cheaper externally threaded options you see flooding the market? Night and day. Those things can snag on everything. You’ll be fiddling with it constantly. Save yourself the headache and the potential trauma.

So, here’s my take: if you’re serious about body jewelry, and looking for something that’s both durable and kind to your skin, this internally threaded titanium labret stud is a solid investment. Especially for a cartilage piercing. Forget the drama; start building a collection of quality pieces. Then, spend some time with a professional piercer, and let them get you set up right. You won’t regret it.