Sizing up

[D.K.]

So about 2 months ago I got my ears pierced with stainless 14g's I could just use a few tips as far as how often to gauge up as well as materials in the gauges I use. I hear one of the more common ways to size up is using acrylic tapers, but I've also heard really bad stuff about using acrylic? Is this all hype or are acrylics really that bad? Also, though I know I'm nowhere near the size where it will become an issue, whats the best way to avoid that awful, ear cheese? I plan on going up to anywhere from 5/8 to an inch, but I really would love to avoid having my ears smell like something dead. Any help would be appreciated!

[Salayna]

I just started stretching my ears, and I may not be able to offer alot of advise but I am using acrylic tapers to stretch my ears and so far I havent had any problems with the actual acrylic taper itself. I've heard bad things about them also but like I said so far I haven't had a problem with them. Im currently at 14g myself but next week I will be stretching again. Sinse you started off with piercing them wait untill they compleatley heal then start stretching, during the stretching period 2 weeks at the least untill you can stretch again but i recomend waiting 3-4 weeks as long as their compleatley healed. Tips: use sea salt to clean your lobes with and to soak your lobes. you should clean 2-3 times a day every day and Vitamin E oil works amazing for your lobes. massage it in, it not only helps with the healing process n speeding it up but it keeps the sea salt soaks from drying your ears out. As for the nasty smell, stretching up in size is going to make your ears smell grose no matter what, but to prevent it clean them every day 2-3 times even after their compleatley healed, this will prevent the smell. I've been cleaning my ears evryday 2-3 times and they haven't smelled once. I wish you luch and hope I gave you some help!!

[Salayna]

Oh n about the acrylic tapers. As people say the reason their bad is because the keep in bacteria and they can cause infections. But personally I believe that the reason people get infections from them is because they arn't cleaning them like they should. As long as you use acrylic tapers for healed piercings only and make sure you sterilize them during every clean, you should be fine.