So this is going to be my write-up to stretching since I get all these questions about it all the time and don’t want to write a short story every time I get an ask.. Nor do I want to ignore you all and let you turn your earlobes to shit, I care for the community too much…
Basic information;
Acrylics are porous, and can hold bacteria causing an infection or irritation, I don’t ever recommend wearing it, if you do only wear it for a day at a time.. Silicone is bad because your skin can want to bond with it. Although it is more likely to bond during a healing process it still can on a healed piercing, this also goes for acrylics. Plus acrylics and silicone are tacky and make you look cheap for wearing them. Organics is the way to go, but are not good for stretching or freshly stretched piercings as they are porous as well. Glass and surgical steel are awesome alongside organics and they are what should only be used when stretching since they are not porous and safe for wearing for long periods of time.Take pride in having beautiful taken care of earlobes/piercings. You will get compliments for being the one in the million now a days that doesn’t have terrible looking piercings or stretched ears. Your everyday care should consist of massaging your earlobes for at least 5 minutes with your oil or butter of choice to moisturize the skin and promote new tissue growth and blood circulation for your earlobes.
When you do reach your goal size you should learn to sleep without your plugs in, this is good because it can also promote circulation through your earlobes. To do this you need to condition and prepare your ears, start by taking them out for only a little bit each day and massage them with your oil or butter before putting them back in. Now extend this period of time each day until you feel comfortable taking them out whilst sleeping. Once you have achieved this, just don’t sleep with you plugs in, it is a relief on your earlobes especially at big sizes. Just remember to massage them each morning before you put them back in and they may fit a little tight at first, but that is okay, they will loosen up..
Even if you have taken the proper precautions and preparation for stretching stuff can still go wrong. Don’t beat yourself up if you made a mistake and maybe rushed, but please learn from it and don’t do it again.. If you accidentally tore, blew out, or your ears are irritated, you should downsize immediately at least two sizes, giving your ear room to heal properly. Yes, this may feel like you’re taking a few steps back, but most likely your ears will heal at the previous size you were at (Bigger size). Unfortunately scar tissue can become an issue when tears or blowouts happen. Jojoba, vitamin-e, sea salt soaks are your best friend in reconditioning and breaking down the old tissue and promoting new tissue growth.
Utilities for stretching;
1. Glass or surgical steel jewelry ONLY.2. Jojoba oil, Vitamin-e oil…etc.. Chose which you would like, some online stores sell these “butters” or “home brew” oils that are supposedly amazing for your ears. I have yet to try any because I am fine with Jojoba which is reasonably priced at your local Vitamin Shoppe.
3. Bondage tape, tape designed to be used with skin that has NO ADHESIVE. It can be found at Spencer’s or your local sex shop, go figure. DO NOT under any circumstances use any other tape because the adhesive is TOXIC to your skin. Some people will recommend Teflon (Plumbers Tape), I do not, from personal experience it dries out your earlobe very fast and drags against your skin.
4. Patience, $money$, and knowledge.
Rules;
1. DO NOT stretch if you just had the area pierced, wait at least six months for the piercing to fully heal. In some cases it can take up to a year for a piercing to fully heal.
2. When at smaller sizes 18g(l.02mm) - 8g(3.26mm) it will be best to use INTERNALLY THREADED surgical steel Labret jewelry or surgical steel plugs. I stress the fact that it must be internally threaded because that is the most sanitary, when jewelry has threads on the outer circumference it can hold bacteria and cause an infection.
3. REMEMBER Tapers are not jewelry they are only a tool for stretching, burn this into your head, in fact, burn everything I am saying in this write-up into your head..
4. Listen to your body when stretching if you are in the process of stretching your earlobes and it doesn’t feel right stop and put your current size jewelry in and keep at the preparation process for another week or so, then try again. This means DO NOT force your jewelry in, it will only complicate the stretching process and lengthen the time of healing..
5. When using tape, DO NOT put more than ONE complete wrap at a time. No overlapping either.
6. DO NOT skip sizes under ANY circumstances.
7. Always take a break before stretching again.
8. DO NOT stretch with silicone, it is a death trap for ears.
Process;Okay, tapers are a useful tool in stretching, but they are typically used incorrectly by most people. Although I will recommend not using them and do prefer the taping method, if done correctly you can stretch with them. Reference to Rule 3; Tapers are only used as a tool and should not be worn as jewelry. If they are worn as jewelry the uneven weight distribution will cause thinning in your ear lobes, no bueno.. When using tapers get stainless steel and concave ended if you can, it holds the jewelry in when using the taper.
1. Preparation and patience is the key to a healthy stretch. Take whichever oil or butter you have obtained and for about a week or two before you want to stretch massage that into your ear lobes twice a day for about 5 minutes each time (This should also be done every day regardless of stretching or not, it promotes blood circulation and tissue growth). Massaging while in the shower is also good, the steam opens your pores and helps condition your ear lobes.
2. You feel you have taken the proper precautions and prepped your ear lobes enough to stretch. When at smaller sizes 18g(l.02mm) - 8g(3.26mm) you are too small to use tape and may not need tapers. In that case take your next size of jewelry and put the oil on the jewelry and your ear lobe and carefully push the new jewelry through your piercing. There should be almost no resistance and absolutely no pain getting it through if your ear lobe is ready to be stretched.Now remember I do not recommend tapers, but if you must… So how are tapers used you ask? You take the taper and put your non-flared jewelry of the same size at the end of the taper. While using your oil as a lubricant in one motion you push the taper through until only the jewelry is in your ear, viola. You are at your next size and used a taper to help put your jewelry in correctly. No pain should be present when stretching correctly with the taper and using the proper preparation and precautions.
No matter which stretching method you have just used I personally recommend giving your earlobes anywhere from 2 - 3 months to heal at the bigger size before you stretch again. This is no race and speeding the process will not only ruin your earlobes, but bring unexpected complications on your plate lengthening your stretching process..
3. Congratulations, you have made it to the the little big leagues (8g or 3.26mm) and are ready to take on the taping method. Reference to Rule 5; When using tape, DO NOT put more than ONE wrap at a time. Assuming that the prep process is your religion before stretching.. With your non-flared 8g/3.26mm (Or bigger, depending on what size you are at) glass or surgical steel jewelry you take your bondage tape and put ONE complete wrap around the plug, then trim and put the plug in your ear while using your oil or butter as lubricant. There you go, the all complicated tape method. Repeat this process every 5 or so days until you are at your next size. Reference to Rule 7; Always take a break before stretching again. This method can actually go by very fast and hey it doesn’t hurt, but don’t rush it, you will blow your ears out and people will judge you and laugh at you because your earlobes are ugly… Repeat this process from 8g/3.26mm or as soon as you can get the tape on - infinity..
4. When in the big leagues of stretching there is another way to help stretch your ears, controversial because it can be detrimental to your earlobes if done incorrectly. I am covering this because well it needs to be covered and I am on the side of using it, only because I know how to use it though. This process is using weights to stretch your ears, there are various weights for sale that have different actual weight or size on websites and some some shops will carry them. Now a good weight to have when stretching is anything around 10 Grams, in my opinion. The bad with weights, if used incorrectly they will create a thin spot in your earlobe where they hang. This spot will become more noticeable the bigger your ears get, so you have to be very careful on how long you wear the weights in your ears. Not more than a few hours a day I will say, some people will disagree and say you can longer, but I personally don’t think so. A good technique to help prevent thinning is the everyday massaging of oil into your earlobes and when you do wear the weights put them in a tunnel in your stretched ear, it will help distribute the weight evenly throughout the bottom of your earlobe. Please, if you do use this method do it very carefully and always remember to take you time.5. I have decided to add a small bit on scalpeling an earlobe, but please I am not a professional and am not fully educated on the subject. I do understand quite a bit of the process from talking with a properly experienced piercer.. This method is typically used on earlobe(s) that have a thin section with no more room to do a proper stretch. The cut is usually taken straight across the top section and either glass or high grade surgical steel is inserted and kept in until the healing is complete. You are also usually scalpeled a size under what you want to be because your ear(s) will open up quite a bit when fully healed. Please, if you are not from around me where I can’t recommend my piercer really do your research as it is really dangerous having someone not properly experienced around your ear with a scalpel.
I really hope this helps a lot of you out there with questions about this process or jewelry etc.. If I have forgotten anything don’t be afraid to tell me and I will be happy to edit it into my FAQ. Now good luck and happy stretching, be careful an hopefully you come out way more knowledgeable into this whole new world of stretching. Also, let’s spread the knowledge of stretching safely and properly and get this guide out there!
So this is going to be my write-up to stretching since I get all these questions about it all the time and don’t want to write a short story every time I get an ask.. Nor do I want to ignore you all and let you turn your earlobes to shit, I care for the community too much…
Basic information;
Acrylics are porous, and can hold bacteria causing an infection or irritation, I don’t ever recommend wearing it, if you do only wear it for a day at a time.. Silicone is bad because your skin can want to bond with it. Although it is more likely to bond during a healing process it still can on a healed piercing, this also goes for acrylics. Plus acrylics and silicone are tacky and make you look cheap for wearing them. Organics is the way to go, but are not good for stretching or freshly stretched piercings as they are porous as well. Glass and surgical steel are awesome alongside organics and they are what should only be used when stretching since they are not porous and safe for wearing for long periods of time.
Take pride in having beautiful taken care of earlobes/piercings. You will get compliments for being the one in the million now a days that doesn’t have terrible looking piercings or stretched ears. Your everyday care should consist of massaging your earlobes for at least 5 minutes with your oil or butter of choice to moisturize the skin and promote new tissue growth and blood circulation for your earlobes.
When you do reach your goal size you should learn to sleep without your plugs in, this is good because it can also promote circulation through your earlobes. To do this you need to condition and prepare your ears, start by taking them out for only a little bit each day and massage them with your oil or butter before putting them back in. Now extend this period of time each day until you feel comfortable taking them out whilst sleeping. Once you have achieved this, just don’t sleep with you plugs in, it is a relief on your earlobes especially at big sizes. Just remember to massage them each morning before you put them back in and they may fit a little tight at first, but that is okay, they will loosen up..
Even if you have taken the proper precautions and preparation for stretching stuff can still go wrong. Don’t beat yourself up if you made a mistake and maybe rushed, but please learn from it and don’t do it again.. If you accidentally tore, blew out, or your ears are irritated, you should downsize immediately at least two sizes, giving your ear room to heal properly. Yes, this may feel like you’re taking a few steps back, but most likely your ears will heal at the previous size you were at (Bigger size). Unfortunately scar tissue can become an issue when tears or blowouts happen. Jojoba, vitamin-e, sea salt soaks are your best friend in reconditioning and breaking down the old tissue and promoting new tissue growth.
Utilities for stretching;
1. Glass or surgical steel jewelry ONLY.
2. Jojoba oil, Vitamin-e oil…etc.. Chose which you would like, some online stores sell these “butters” or “home brew” oils that are supposedly amazing for your ears. I have yet to try any because I am fine with Jojoba which is reasonably priced at your local Vitamin Shoppe.
3. Bondage tape, tape designed to be used with skin that has NO ADHESIVE. It can be found at Spencer’s or your local sex shop, go figure. DO NOT under any circumstances use any other tape because the adhesive is TOXIC to your skin. Some people will recommend Teflon (Plumbers Tape), I do not, from personal experience it dries out your earlobe very fast and drags against your skin.
4. Patience, $money$, and knowledge.
Rules;
1. DO NOT stretch if you just had the area pierced, wait at least six months for the piercing to fully heal. In some cases it can take up to a year for a piercing to fully heal.
2. When at smaller sizes 18g(l.02mm) - 8g(3.26mm) it will be best to use INTERNALLY THREADED surgical steel Labret jewelry or surgical steel plugs. I stress the fact that it must be internally threaded because that is the most sanitary, when jewelry has threads on the outer circumference it can hold bacteria and cause an infection.
3. REMEMBER Tapers are not jewelry they are only a tool for stretching, burn this into your head, in fact, burn everything I am saying in this write-up into your head..
4. Listen to your body when stretching if you are in the process of stretching your earlobes and it doesn’t feel right stop and put your current size jewelry in and keep at the preparation process for another week or so, then try again. This means DO NOT force your jewelry in, it will only complicate the stretching process and lengthen the time of healing..
5. When using tape, DO NOT put more than ONE complete wrap at a time. No overlapping either.
6. DO NOT skip sizes under ANY circumstances.
7. Always take a break before stretching again.
8. DO NOT stretch with silicone, it is a death trap for ears.
Process;
Okay, tapers are a useful tool in stretching, but they are typically used incorrectly by most people. Although I will recommend not using them and do prefer the taping method, if done correctly you can stretch with them. Reference to Rule 3; Tapers are only used as a tool and should not be worn as jewelry. If they are worn as jewelry the uneven weight distribution will cause thinning in your ear lobes, no bueno.. When using tapers get stainless steel and concave ended if you can, it holds the jewelry in when using the taper.
1. Preparation and patience is the key to a healthy stretch. Take whichever oil or butter you have obtained and for about a week or two before you want to stretch massage that into your ear lobes twice a day for about 5 minutes each time (This should also be done every day regardless of stretching or not, it promotes blood circulation and tissue growth). Massaging while in the shower is also good, the steam opens your pores and helps condition your ear lobes.
2. You feel you have taken the proper precautions and prepped your ear lobes enough to stretch. When at smaller sizes 18g(l.02mm) - 8g(3.26mm) you are too small to use tape and may not need tapers. In that case take your next size of jewelry and put the oil on the jewelry and your ear lobe and carefully push the new jewelry through your piercing. There should be almost no resistance and absolutely no pain getting it through if your ear lobe is ready to be stretched.
Now remember I do not recommend tapers, but if you must… So how are tapers used you ask? You take the taper and put your non-flared jewelry of the same size at the end of the taper. While using your oil as a lubricant in one motion you push the taper through until only the jewelry is in your ear, viola. You are at your next size and used a taper to help put your jewelry in correctly. No pain should be present when stretching correctly with the taper and using the proper preparation and precautions.
No matter which stretching method you have just used I personally recommend giving your earlobes anywhere from 2 - 3 months to heal at the bigger size before you stretch again. This is no race and speeding the process will not only ruin your earlobes, but bring unexpected complications on your plate lengthening your stretching process..
3. Congratulations, you have made it to the the little big leagues (8g or 3.26mm) and are ready to take on the taping method. Reference to Rule 5; When using tape, DO NOT put more than ONE wrap at a time. Assuming that the prep process is your religion before stretching.. With your non-flared 8g/3.26mm (Or bigger, depending on what size you are at) glass or surgical steel jewelry you take your bondage tape and put ONE complete wrap around the plug, then trim and put the plug in your ear while using your oil or butter as lubricant. There you go, the all complicated tape method. Repeat this process every 5 or so days until you are at your next size. Reference to Rule 7; Always take a break before stretching again. This method can actually go by very fast and hey it doesn’t hurt, but don’t rush it, you will blow your ears out and people will judge you and laugh at you because your earlobes are ugly… Repeat this process from 8g/3.26mm or as soon as you can get the tape on - infinity..
4. When in the big leagues of stretching there is another way to help stretch your ears, controversial because it can be detrimental to your earlobes if done incorrectly. I am covering this because well it needs to be covered and I am on the side of using it, only because I know how to use it though. This process is using weights to stretch your ears, there are various weights for sale that have different actual weight or size on websites and some some shops will carry them. Now a good weight to have when stretching is anything around 10 Grams, in my opinion. The bad with weights, if used incorrectly they will create a thin spot in your earlobe where they hang. This spot will become more noticeable the bigger your ears get, so you have to be very careful on how long you wear the weights in your ears. Not more than a few hours a day I will say, some people will disagree and say you can longer, but I personally don’t think so. A good technique to help prevent thinning is the everyday massaging of oil into your earlobes and when you do wear the weights put them in a tunnel in your stretched ear, it will help distribute the weight evenly throughout the bottom of your earlobe. Please, if you do use this method do it very carefully and always remember to take you time.
5. I have decided to add a small bit on scalpeling an earlobe, but please I am not a professional and am not fully educated on the subject. I do understand quite a bit of the process from talking with a properly experienced piercer.. This method is typically used on earlobe(s) that have a thin section with no more room to do a proper stretch. The cut is usually taken straight across the top section and either glass or high grade surgical steel is inserted and kept in until the healing is complete. You are also usually scalpeled a size under what you want to be because your ear(s) will open up quite a bit when fully healed. Please, if you are not from around me where I can’t recommend my piercer really do your research as it is really dangerous having someone not properly experienced around your ear with a scalpel.
I really hope this helps a lot of you out there with questions about this process or jewelry etc.. If I have forgotten anything don’t be afraid to tell me and I will be happy to edit it into my FAQ. Now good luck and happy stretching, be careful an hopefully you come out way more knowledgeable into this whole new world of stretching. Also, let’s spread the knowledge of stretching safely and properly and get this guide out there!
