Going straight to a 12

[Boffey]

I went straight to a 12, and i found it really easy. My lobe was pierced for about 4 years before i stretched it though so it had probably stretched over time.

[cymlee]

Unless your piercings have stretched themselves over time start at a 16G. There's a lot of jewelry available, just shop around. :]

So I've had my ears pierced since I was a baby. Do you think by now they have stretched themselves and that it would be okay to start at a 14G? Or should I just stick to starting at 16G? I just don't want to skip a size if it's not a good idea. I want to start soon and I'm trying to decide which tapers and plugs to get.

[Hardware]

You could always try it, I wouldn't force anything though and don't get anything that has the screw off ends. I would suggest going to hot topic and getting the 'buy one get on half off' deal and getting captive bead rings in 16G and 14G. Open the 14G first and see if they will slide in easily. Try doing this after a shower when the skin is supple and relaxed. If they don't go in easily, try the 16G.

[cymlee]

That sounds like a great idea. I'll look into that tonight. If the 14G won't fit and the 16G does, how long should I wait before I start to stretch?

[Hardware]

It depends. If the 14G rings slide in fine and there is no pain I would say you could try 12G right away. If there is resistance with the 14G, try the 16G. Once you find out your 'starting point' it will be easier, but keep in mind that stretching your ears should not hurt. Give your earlobes the time they need to adapt and heal to a new stretching. Everyone heals at a different pace. You will want to keep them clean with sea salt soaks though.
Get back to us when you get the rings in. How big are you planning to go?

[cymlee]

I plan on ordering them this week so hopefully I can give an update by the end of the month. I don't want to go past the point of no return so I'm thinking at the most I'll stretch to a 4G

[Hardware]

Okay cool. Yeah 4 gauge will be easy to get to. All I can really say is leave a substantial amount of time when going from 8G to 6G, it's a big difference. I'm sure you can find the half sizes online though

[cymlee]

So the 14G rings wouldn't go in but the 16G went in really easy. I got captive bead rings but I can't get the beads to go back in. Should I get someone to put them in for me or are they even necessary?

[cymlee]

It took a while for me to get the beads back in but I finally figured it out. I would include pictures, but I don't know how to do that yet. lol How long should I keep them in?

[Hardware]

Are the 16G rings feeling tight inside the ear? Any discomfort?
If there is no pain and the tissue inside the ear is normal I would leave them in for about a month before trying to see of the 14G rings will go in. Let your ears get used to the new jewelry. After that time see if the 14G rings will go in easily, usually trying this after a shower makes it a bit easier.