Our Story!

With a combined 50+ years of nickel-related expertise in dermatology and allergy, our team is ready to put our knowledge to work for you.

Our founders - Michael Dow and Lea Roberts - connected via an American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology medical convention. Michael was a sales and marketing rep for a contact dermatitis company, and Lea was selling corticosteroids and antihistamine/decongestant combinations. Their expertise in nickel allergy led them to travel the country (and beyond!) teaching dermatologists and allergists about patch testing.

They came together in 2003 to launch Athena Allergy, Inc. with our flagship product: Nickel Solution®. Combining Nickel Alert®, a nickel detection kit, with Nickel Guard®, a clear coating that can be used to create a barrier between metal and skin, Nickel Solution was the answer for many of the people that Mike and Lea had been helping with their nickel allergies.

In 2009, Athena Allergy had an opportunity to acquire NoNickel.com from a distributor of Nickel Solution. With their wide knowledge of nickel allergy, Michael and Lea knew they could apply their expertise to fashion, belts, and manufacturing. A year later, the Nickel Smart® brand was created, and in 2011, our store adopted the Certified Nickel Free™ seal, a standard that must be met by all of the products we sell.

Recognizing a need for Certified Nickel Free goods that everyone can afford, we launched the Nickel Zero® line of belts in 2019. Meeting the same rigorous nickel-free standard, these belts prove that nickel-free doesn’t have to mean pricy. Ever expanding to make sure we reach as many nickel allergy sufferers as possible, we bought NickelFreeBelts.com, our sister site, in 2020.

We operate a little differently than the standard Fortune 500 company. For example:

• Remember the Golden Rule. Give the best customer service possible. Treat our customers, like we want to be treated.
• Family first. If you happen to call during work hours, and we don't answer the phone we might be at a school function. Leave your name and number and we will call you back ASAP.
• Guarantee our products. We guarantee our products will never cause a nickel allergic reaction - period.
• Have Fun! Seriously, life is too short.

Over the last 20+ years, the NoNickel team has grown, but our mission remains the same: to provide quality products that are guaranteed not cause a rash from nickel and to answer questions about nickel allergies for people in need. We truly enjoy speaking about nickel allergy, creating the world’s best nickel free goods, and making a difference in our customers lives. 

Thank you for being a part of our journey!