Stretching earlobes is becoming increasingly more popular as normal body piercings and cartilage piercings are becoming commonplace. Young people want to look different to their peers, and one to do this in a visible way is to increase the diameter of their piercings to hold increasing larger forms of jewelry. Ears are among the most visible, and the most suited to such decorations as thick studs and flesh tunnels.
One problem with respect to stretching earlobes is that it is recommended that you do it yourself, since only you know when you are not hurting - once it begins to become particularly sore, an earlobe gauging should be stopped, and held until either the pain stops or the piercing is properly healed.
Piercing earlobes is a standard technique that even amateurs can do (though not recommended) but stretching earlobes must be done either by a professional who fully understands the problems involved, or by yourself because only you know how much pain you are experiencing.
Here are some tips on stretching earlobes: they do not include the actual stretching other than a brief resume on the basic technique, but are intended principally to keep your earlobes healthy and clean during the procedure.
When Stretching Earlobes is Safe
Your earlobes are safe to stretch only once the original piercing has fully healed, and the same is true of each stage when stretching them. Stretching earlobes is also known a 'gauging' due to the terminology used in measuring the sizes of the hole through your lobe.
You would generally begin with a 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm, which are respectively 20 gauge - or 20g - and 18g. A professional can use a needle to give you a 16g hole which is ideal to start off with. This is about 1.2 mm - 1.3 mm. You can however, also commence gauging using a 16g taper with a 20g hole.
Gauge Sizes
Although a professional needle piercing is best for stretching earlobes a gun will do, but the hole will likely not be as straight as a with needle. Begin with the next size below that of your piercing. If you are not sure what that is, then you should be OK to start with a 16g taper. Basically, stretching is carried out using a tapered needle, one end starting at the size of your current piercing, and the other end one size above.
This is where it can get confusing, because for some reason gauges reduce with increasing diameter, and also do so in steps of 2 - so they are always even. Thus, if you start with a 16g as you should do, the thicker end will be 14g. Simple insert the narrow end into your piercing and work it through until the thicker end just enters your ear.
Taper Options
Now, you have three options: with an insertion taper, you will place the pin of a 14g earring, or some other jewelry, against the end of the 14g end as it is pushed through, and then follow the pin through and fix it as normal. Another form of smaller rod, known as a spike, is designed just to stay there until you are ready for the next size, and a third type is ear jewelry with a tapered pin. Simply insert the pin and you are set until it has healed.
The first option is best because the jewelry pin is the same diameter all the way, while tapered jewelry is thicker at one end and thinner at the other, so your hole may heal at different widths front to back.
Tips on Stretching Earlobes
However, this is not about the mechanics, but about how to care for your earlobes and for yourself, so here are some important tips on stretching earlobes:
1. Do not start until your piercing has healed, including any previous earlobe stretching carried out. Otherwise it will be too painful and can become infected.
2. Have a shower before starting - the warm water will soften you ears and will help prevent tearing of the skin that can lead to infection farther down the road.
3. Buy a non-scented anti-bacterial soap and clean your earlobes with it before and after gauging. 4. Use a solution of 3 tablespoons sea salt in enough water to dissolve it, and use that to soak your earlobes with. Doing this daily should prevent any infection that could ruin the stretching.
5. Never use plastic, silicone or double flared plugs for new stretches - gold, platinum, stainless steel, surgical steel or glass are suitable. Silver is OK, and anti-bacterial, but it can tarnish.
6. Turn the insert daily to prevent sticking or crusting - after a shower is best.
7. Never try to accelerate the process by missing a size.
8. Keep in mind that once you reach about 2g stretching earlobes is liable to be a permanent change, so you will always have to wear something in your ear
If you follow these tips on stretching earlobes, you should find it to be a fairly simple procedure. It might be slightly painful, but no more than that, and it is stressed that if it is, and if you see bleeding, then stop, insert your original stud and wait until your piercing has healed completely. This can take up to 3 months, and you may have a wait of 3 weeks to 3 months between earlobe stretching steps.
More tips and information on stretching and gauging your ear lobes can be found on Mark's website Flesh Tunnel where you will also find a selection of Ear Stretchers and some great ear jewelry.
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