Ear Stretching by the Book Part 1

Ear stretching or gauging, as some call it, is a very well-developed process. The cultures of the past have used this technique to show their beauty and manhood. However, the process of stretching takes time and require the proper process to be effective.

Stretching Process

The first thing is to make sure you have a licensed and reputable piercer begin the process of ear stretching with you. Many piercers will start off with a 16 gauge piercing before they move to the plugs. The final size that desired should be discussed with the piercer prior to beginning the process. The main rule of this process is to increase plug size by one increment at a time. So, if one were pierced with a 16 gauge needle, the next plug would be a 14 in size. The sizes continue on to 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, 00, and then start measurements in millimeters & fractions.

Stretching Tools

Tapers are purchased to help with the stretching process, but are not worn long-term. Plugs are used for the long-term and are solid when placed in the ear. Tunnels are like a ring with a hole in the middle and these are very popular because it displays the actual piercing hole, whereas the plug could be mistaken as jewelry and not a piece of jewelry that is filling a hole.

End Product

When ear stetching, the process is different for everyone. Continue speaking with a professional piercer to determine when you should stretch to the next level and what products they recommend for healing while you are in the ear stretching process. The most important thing to do is not skip a size and try to double up, as this can result in problems with the stretching and damage to the ear itself. The size of the hole is completely up to you. However, stretching to extreme sizes may mean the area may ever shrink back to a regular size.

Go too Big?

Stretched piercings is a trend that many young people participate in, but when they get older, some will want careers in fields that do not allow holes greater than 1.6mm, aka the military. Therefore, the new trend is plastic surgery to fix these wounds. They actually have to cut out the entire hole, because it is healed scar tissue and then they will pull the remaining tissue and stitch them back together. This procedure will close the holes, but the scarring may not be pleasant.