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Ear Stretching

May 31st 2008 16:37
0 gauge and 2- 10 gauge


Of the pierced and tattooed, ear stretching, or gauging, is very popular. Basically, it is what it sounds like... You're streching a piercing, usually the lobes or inner conches, but it's not uncommon for people to stretch nose piercings, as well.


If you or a friend decide that you, or he, wants to stretch a current piercing, you want to make sure that you know proper stretching technique and aftercare. Without proper care, you can end up with a tear, blowout, or infection.

When stretching, you want to remember slow and steady wins the race. If you stretch too far too fast, your in for more trouble and you may run into the risks of stretching (mentioned above). You want to stretch up one gauge at a time. Remember that until you reach 00, the numbers decrease to signify larger sized jewelry. After 00, or sometimes 000, you'll run into fractions of an inch.

You may see "mm" instead of gauge, which is just another way to read the gauge; in that case, the "mm" number will increase with the larger gauge, instead of decrease.

You want to make sure to always use steel jewelry. Never use acrylic or silicone to stretch as they are porous and can harbor bacteria and fungus, which will do nothing more than increase infection and irritation risks.

My last note is to make each new stretch as though it will never shrink to a smaller gauge, as each person and each person's body will have its own "point of no return" gauge. Usually that gauge is 0, but that's not always the case with every person.


So, make every stretch as though it will never shrink to a smaller size, no matter what gauge you're at.

5/8 inch with a slight blow out
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Comments
10 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Morgan Bell

May 31st 2008 17:36
oh is there a point of no return where when you take it out it doesnt heal up?
ive never seen the little ones like that, they are actually quite cute!
i took my labret piercing out a couple of weeks ago and my mother sucked it up with the vacuum cleaner haha so my face is feeling a bit naked at the moment!

Comment by Whitney

May 31st 2008 20:55
There is a point of no return. But the actual gauge at which that is will vary between people. For most people the point of no return is 0 gauge, but my boyfriend was once 5/8 inch (pictured above) and he's now a little larger than a 0 gauge. If he continued to go without jewelry, he may even be able to return to regular 16 guage jewelry.

Yea I love the small tunnels (or earlets). I just hate how they stick out so far in the back as their made for the bottom piercing. I needed them because the horsesho I used to have would tangle and pull when I slept and I got tired of messing with them.

Aw. I had my labret pierced for a few days, but hated it. The good thing about labrets, is depending on how long you've had it it will take longer to heal up. My boyfriend took h out over a year ago, and the gum on the inside of his mouth still has a hole, but the skin on the outside is healed.

Comment by Morgan Bell

June 1st 2008 16:16
i think ive had the labret piercing for about 7-8 years, ive been wearing a nose stud with an L-shaped bar in it for most of that time because i wanted something small looking (thats what went up the vacuum) i dont think i could get a regular labret bar back through it now

Comment by Whitney

June 1st 2008 20:46
Hm. I've never thought of using a one of those in a labret. I bet it'd be less uncomfortable. Depending on what gauge the nose jewelry was, a regular labret may still fit. Otherwise it's time to dig through the vacuum or buy another piece of jewelry. Ha

Comment by Morgan Bell

June 2nd 2008 09:46
yeah i have to buy another one i think, i spent many disgusting hours digging through the vacuum bag haha

Comment by Whitney

June 2nd 2008 14:53
Nice.... Hopefully the vacuum wasn't too bad.

Comment by vanny

July 7th 2009 21:56
okay. im 14. i have my ears gauged. my lobes were 10s. then i jumped to 4s. and my cartilage is a 10. and i dont wanna go any bigger. my mother is flipping out because she thinks it wont heal up and i wont be able to get a job later. anyways shes threatening to take away all my gauges. i just want to be able to tell her that it will heal and know its the truth. help??

Comment by Whitney

July 8th 2009 16:58
Depending on your body it may or may not shrink. Generally as long as you stay below a 0 it will, but that doesn't mean that is the case for everyone. Sometimes people can't get them to shrink. You're are not supposed to stretch unless you are prepared to stick with that next size forever just in case it won't shrink.

Comment by Anonymous

September 23rd 2010 22:17
I heard that a size 2 is the size of no return ? i guess not .. i'm at a size 2 right now and i am LOVING IT !

Comment by Whitney

September 27th 2010 01:24
0 is the common size of no return. But in all reality it varies per person as to the gauge that won't shrink completely back to normal

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