About three days ago I got my ears pierced to a 16 solely for the purpose of gauging. Now I'm damn sure this is common knowledge, but I fail in that category ^^
So my question is, whens the earliest I can start stretching.
You should wait 4 to 6 months, depending on how fast you heal. And remember, the outside may be fully healed but the inside can still be quite delicate. When you stretch for the first time, you shouldn't feel more than a slight sting if they are properly healed. Also, DO NOT SKIP SIZES. Many people will tell you that it's fine, especially at small sizes, but if you skip sizes, even the small ones, you are doubling or even tripling the fistula (essentially the hole) and can damage your ears or make it harder to stretch to bigger sizes later on.
"We think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry out."
Have
10mm Lobes (to be 16mm)
(R)Helix Want
(L)ear- Double Helix, Tragus, Rook, 2nd&3rd Lobes
(R)ear- 6g Helix Punch, Industrial, 2nd&3rd Lobes
Nape
Tongue Web
(R)Nostril
TheGreyEyedMonster wrote:You should wait 4 to 6 months, depending on how fast you heal. And remember, the outside may be fully healed but the inside can still be quite delicate. When you stretch for the first time, you shouldn't feel more than a slight sting if they are properly healed. Also, DO NOT SKIP SIZES. Many people will tell you that it's fine, especially at small sizes, but if you skip sizes, even the small ones, you are doubling or even tripling the fistula (essentially the hole) and can damage your ears or make it harder to stretch to bigger sizes later on.
+1 also you can use jojoba or Vitamin E oil to massage your lobes after they are healed to help prepare them to be stretched.
TheGreyEyedMonster wrote:When you stretch for the first time, you shouldn't feel more than a slight sting if they are properly healed.
False... it's not that for everyone. Mine were healed since what, 15 years ? When I stretched to 12g (I was at 14g, it stretched by itself), seriously it was the worst pain ever. I wasn't even able to do it myself, I asked a friend to do it for me.
1 inch lobes, madison microdermal 16/07/10 and venoms 2/07/11.
RIP self-done tongue web, retired wrist surface and tongue.
TheGreyEyedMonster wrote:You should wait 4 to 6 months, depending on how fast you heal. And remember, the outside may be fully healed but the inside can still be quite delicate. When you stretch for the first time, you shouldn't feel more than a slight sting if they are properly healed. Also, DO NOT SKIP SIZES. Many people will tell you that it's fine, especially at small sizes, but if you skip sizes, even the small ones, you are doubling or even tripling the fistula (essentially the hole) and can damage your ears or make it harder to stretch to bigger sizes later on.
^^^ This.
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!
Hybrid wrote:If you massage your lobes, shouldn't it help make them more "elastic" and probably help eliminate some of that "pain" or "sting"?
yes, massaging a couple weeks prior to and during stretching will help increase elasticity and break down any scar tissue. using oils and lube also thicken your lobes and decrease friction, which makes stretching more difficult and painful
"We think caged birds sing, when indeed they cry out."
Have
10mm Lobes (to be 16mm)
(R)Helix Want
(L)ear- Double Helix, Tragus, Rook, 2nd&3rd Lobes
(R)ear- 6g Helix Punch, Industrial, 2nd&3rd Lobes
Nape
Tongue Web
(R)Nostril