Hello Everybody!

[Big Chicken]

Hi,

How's it going? I'm currently thinking of getting my ear stretched so thought I would join up and see what's up.

I'm still trying to decide whether to get my ear stretched. I think it looks really cool but am not sure if it would suit me or not. I've read quite a bit about stretching and understand that the ear can be stretched up to a certain size and should close and heal up if someone didn't like it sort of thing.

I'm a bit confused with where/how to start. I spoke to a local piercing studio a couple of days ago, and they've said there are 3 ways to start.

1) Go for a regular ear piercing, wait for it to heal, and then start stretching slowly. (I'm not sure if this is something you do yourself).
2) Get a regular piercing and have anything up to 6mm done on the same day.
3) have you ear 'holepunched' and go up to a larger size (this sounds way too painful and a bit too permanenet!).

I was kinda interested in option 2, but have read loads of stuff about starting off with a normal pierced ear and going really slowly.

I was talking to someone yesterday who had an 8mm tunnel which looked quite good.

Not sure how friends/family will react?! I'm 31 and a bit worried I'm a tad too old for this! My 14 year old niece has a 3mm thingy bob in her ear!

Anyhoo, just thought I'd get in touch with some like minded people and see what everyone/anyone had to say.

Oh yeah, what is the difference in ear-stretching/ear-gauging? Or is ear-gauging just an incorrect term?

Thanks

Big Chicken

[WindowLicker]

First off welcome!

When I pierced my ears I had them pierced at an 8 gauge, meaning they took a needle hollowed out to however many mm that is and just shoved it through lol. If you're looking to gauge this would probably be the best way. Your ears will still close up and you get to the size you want much quicker. I had my 8 gauge hoops in for about a month then I was able to go to a 6 with no problem at all, so if you're looking to stop at a certain size you can do that right away, or you can start closer to your goal. Let me know if you have any questions.

[Drrob]

Welcome to the forum,

I would agree with Windowlicker mainly because that is exactly what I had done, I was initially pierced with a 6 Gauge Needle/4mm which is the easiest way to start if you do not already have a piercing.

I would not advise having a hole punched in your ears as this is a procedure which would mean you would not be able to have them close if you ever wanted too.

Just make sure you care for the piercings - there are lots of sources on the forum to deal with this.

Regards
Dr Rob.

[corazon_de_oro]

Don't let anyone tell you that your ears WILL close up below a certain size; no matter what size you're at there's no guarantee they'll shrink.
Anyway, IMO the best way is to get pierced at a larger-than-normal gauge (around 10G-6G), let them heal and loosen up for about six months, and stretch up from there. I don't recommend getting pierced and stretched immediately after, and dermal punches aren't good for lobes because it'll remove tissue that you'll need later and your lobes can get really thin.

[shellbournian]

Welcome! Some good advice in this thread already. Just keep in mind that stretching is going to take a lot of time and patience. Every time you go up a size, it's very exciting until a week later when your holes seem to look small again. Don't go too fast, use common sense. Good luck!

[WindowLicker]

In regards to the previous post about taking your time, keep in mind that the longer you wait, the better and healthier your ears will look. Also, the larger size you go the longer you need to wait. I can remember when I first started stretching I was going up a size every week-2 weeks and 2-0/0-00 I didn't even use tapers. Just shoved a plug in my ear no problem. From 7/16 and on I typically waited close to a month, except I skipped 9/16.The time you need to wait varies from person to person as not everyone's ear elasticity is the same, so take it extra easy in the beginning.

[Big Chicken]

Thanks very much for all the information.

I'm prob being a bit stupid, but I'm still at a bit of a loss. I'm trying to research this stuff and I'm a bit lost between starting with a normal piercing, and letting it heal before stretching (myself?) or, getting a piercing then stretching in the same day? I don't wanna get a 'blowout'!! Sorry if I'm asking the same questions again!! I'm pretty new to all this! It's more complicated than I thought!!

Cheers.

[TheGreyEyedMonster]

its not too complicated. it doesnt matter if you get pierced at a standard or large gauge, it takes roughly the same amount of time to fully heal. it should take 5-6 MONTHS to heal fully. your ear may look and feel perfectly fine but it must also build up enough strength to be able to stretch and not spontaneously explode when its put under pressure when stretching.

above all else, listen to your ears. stretching shouldnt hurt much if at all, and it DEFINITELY shouldnt bleed.

[Hybrid]

its not too complicated. it doesnt matter if you get pierced at a standard or large gauge, it takes roughly the same amount of time to fully heal. it should take 5-6 MONTHS to heal fully. your ear may look and feel perfectly fine but it must also build up enough strength to be able to stretch and not spontaneously explode when its put under pressure when stretching.

above all else, listen to your ears. stretching shouldnt hurt much if at all, and it DEFINITELY shouldnt bleed.

I agree with everything she said. I waited 5 and a half months before I just now started stretching. My ears are really elastic though, lucky me , so I'm going to wait a month in between sizes where as most people like to wait 6+ weeks for maximum "healing" from stretching. Like grey said, listen to your ears!

[WindowLicker]

It kinda varies from person to person. I didn't experience any of that after I only waited one month after getting pierced. Basically, the best thing to do is as people have been sayin, "listen to your ears." If you have to really force anything through your ear, bleed, or experience a lot of pain you're doin it too soon.