I'm a first time stretcher I've had my ear piercings since I was 2 so that's not the problem. My left ear is really throbbing badly. When I was stretching the left ear, the last bit won't go threw so I pushed a little too bad hard. Could I have caused a micro tear.Their not red or swollen, just sore. I've only done this 2 days ago. Thanks
What size are you at? Just asking because I looked at your signature and it said a 12g going on to an 8g and it sounds like your skipping sizes? Skipping sizes isn't the smartest thing to do but it could be the reason your ears are throbbing from the trauma of the size jump.
Was 12G your first size from a regular ear piercing? There's your problem, you skipped at least two sizes. Try downsizing to at least 16G.
Also, you'll want to avoid wearing tapers as jewelry. And anything acrylic. Wearing tapers at tiny sizes isn't the worst thing you can do but it's not a good habit to get in to because, especially at bigger sizes, they can weigh your ears down and put pressure on the piercing, or they can get knocked around easily. Both of these things can cause blowouts or other problems.
I'm Lindsay.
I have 1/2" lobes and 11 piercings: left helix x2, both conches, both nostrils, septum, navel, and VCH. My lobes are small but I know a lot about stretching and how to do it safely, so message me if you have any questions!
Sorry got the gauge sizes wrong. I'm a 2mm now, yes this was the first size I've gone from pierced ears. It was the size the piercer recommended. I'm not going up anymore, I have a hard time healing with piercings so i'm just gonna stay the size I'm stretching now.
I was only gonna go from a 2mm to a 3mm. But I can't now. I have alot of health problems and my body is very slow to heal.
Told by the piercer that I had to wear the tapers till I heal and then put the tunnels in.
On the plus side they have stopped throbbing now, wasn't cleaning them probably. m fault entirely.
I'm def changing to tunnels after they heal. I don't have a choice with acrylic as I'm allergic to anything with metal and glass is out the question as I'm afraid they will break ( I have very bad knees and they give out and I go down alot)
It's incredibly common for piercers to give incorrect advice about stretching. Actually, they give way more bad advice than good. So just keep that in mind.
If you stretch slowly and gradually, you shouldn't have any wounds that need healing so it really won't put any strain on your body. There is actually a size between 2 and 3mm: 2.4mm or 10G, and if you wait plenty of time in between you won't have any pain, soreness, etc. Stretching is a great body mod for someone who doesn't heal well because there's really not much healing involved if you're careful.
How have you been cleaning them? Since stretching shouldn't create open wounds the best thing to do is just leave them alone for a few days to settle and then start cleaning your plugs in the shower.
Also, glass plugs are very strong. I can totally understand why you'd be hesitant about them but I'll just say that I've worn glass for the whole time I've been stretching and have never had anything break. Including tiny 18G nosescrews. I've dropped plugs at various sizes from high up on hard floors and they've never even chipped.
I'm Lindsay.
I have 1/2" lobes and 11 piercings: left helix x2, both conches, both nostrils, septum, navel, and VCH. My lobes are small but I know a lot about stretching and how to do it safely, so message me if you have any questions!
Yeah, it's unfortunate that piercers can't always be trusted when it comes to stretching. Doesn't mean they're bad piercers, I guess it's just not something they learn about in their apprenticeship. And everybody has their own idea about the dos and don'ts of stretching so a lot of bad information gets passed along.
You should leave 6-8 weeks between sizes (or however long it takes for them to be ready... which means no pain/resistance with the next size) but it'd actually be a good idea to go ahead and change the tapers to the glass tunnels. Tapers really aren't meant to be worn as jewelry, especially when you get to bigger sizes.
I'm Lindsay.
I have 1/2" lobes and 11 piercings: left helix x2, both conches, both nostrils, septum, navel, and VCH. My lobes are small but I know a lot about stretching and how to do it safely, so message me if you have any questions!
You really shouldn't be taking them out to clean. What are you doing to clean them? If you're using anything harsh like alcohol, peroxide, Bactine, or any special "piercing solution" it's too harsh and that could be what's causing the redness/itching. Also, the itching could be a sign of healing but it could also be a reaction to acrylic or even your o-rings. Just keep an eye on them. Do you still have the tapers in? I'd highly recommend switching to some plugs/tunnels of a different material.
In the future, stretching really shouldn't cause any wounds that need cleaned. All you really need to do with new stretches are leave the plugs in for a few days and take them out to wash in the shower after that.
I'm Lindsay.
I have 1/2" lobes and 11 piercings: left helix x2, both conches, both nostrils, septum, navel, and VCH. My lobes are small but I know a lot about stretching and how to do it safely, so message me if you have any questions!
Yeah I'm using special piercing solution on them to clean. Ok will stop that now.
Yes I still have the tapers in as I'm stil waiting for my glass plugs to arrive from the uk, might have to go and get some temp ones like silicone until they arrive
Ok will do next time, now that I know. So much mIsleading info on stretching out there
I've had my ear piercings since I was 2 so that's not the problem. My left ear is really throbbing badly. When I was stretching the left ear, the last bit won't go threw so I pushed a little too bad hard. Could I have caused a micro tear.Their not red or swollen, just sore. I've only done this 2 days ago. Thanks 
