Did you know that ear piercings and ear gauging are among the most popular forms of body modification in the United States?
Earlobe stretching is a tradition that dates back thousands of years and was done to enhance beauty in Ancient Egypt. Today it’s still a tradition in many countries, such as Kenya.
If you’re wondering if ear gauging is the right choice for you, it’s best to learn more about what the process involves first. Ear stretching can be a creative way to decorate and enhance your body, but you’ll need to know how to take care of your skin correctly.
Keep reading this guide to learn everything you need to know about ear gauging!
Overview of Ear Stretching
Ear stretching, also known as ear gauging, is a process that involves gradually stretching out piercings in the earlobes. Over time, the size of regular piercing holes can stretch out from the diameter of a pencil eraser to a can of soda.
Ear stretching is a type of body modification. You’ll find some people stretch their piercing holes only slightly larger than regular earring posts. Other people take this process much further by stretching the earlobe piercing to a large size.
It’s important to realize that once you stretch your ears enough, they won’t return to normal size on their own. If you want to reverse ear stretching, you’ll typically need surgery.
Ear Stretching and Your Health
If you decide to stretch your ears, it’s essential to take the process slowly. Remember, your skin doesn’t stretch naturally on its own, so you’ll need to be careful.
If you gauge your ears too quickly, you can experience a condition called a blowout. A blowout occurs if you stretch your ear too fast. Small tears begin forming around the area when you stretch your skin too far without allowing it to heal properly.
These tears become more and more irritated, and eventually, you’ll notice redness and swelling. The skin can even become itchy and painful, sometimes resulting in an infection.
Minor blowouts can be treated without further complications, but the damage can become permanent if you experience a severe infection.
Ear Stretching Process
The first step to ear stretching is getting an ear piercing. Be sure to choose a licensed piercer in a reputable shop. Many times, tattoo artists have additional training on ear piercings.
If you don’t choose a reputable piercer, you could risk getting an infection from equipment that’s not cleansed and sanitized correctly.
Once you get your ears pierced, you’ll need to let them heal for 1 to 2 months. Once your piercings have healed, you can start the process by purchasing equipment that will increase your piercing size.
This equipment includes:
Tapers
The most common method is using ear tapers. Ear tapers are long and spiky and are usually made of stainless steel or acrylic. Stainless steel is the best option since they slide through your ear piercing easier, but they’re more expensive.
They’re round on one end, which is the gauge you’ll use. The other end tapers down to a point so you can insert it easily.
Choosing a Taper Size
When you first start to stretch your ears with tapers, you’ll typically need to start with a 14-gauge size. If you’ve had your ears pierced for a while, then they may already be stretched out.
This is especially the case if you’ve worn heavy earrings. An experienced ear piercer can advise you what size to begin with and give you gauging tips.
When increasing the gauge, you should only go up one gauge at a time and allow your ears to heal before you stretch them again.
Plugs
Plugs are the round portion that keeps your ears stretched. Plugs go on the end of the taper and can be made of various materials, such as:
- Titanium which is least likely to irritate your ears
- Steel which is durable
- Silicone is hypoallergenic but needs cleaning frequently
- Organic materials include glass or polished stone
If you’re looking for plugs, you can check out this selection of gauge earrings for more ideas.
Lubricant
You’ll also need to purchase lubricant. You can easily find jewelry shops that sell commercial-grade lubricants, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil. You can also use vitamin E oil.
Be sure not to use lubricants with chemicals since they could irritate your piercing.
Stretching Your Ears
You’ll first need to wash your hands and sterilize the taper with rubbing alcohol to reduce the chances of infection.
Massage your earlobe to warm up the skin. It’s also a good idea to take a hot shower to increase the blood flow to the area.
Next, take the lubricant and put it on the taper and ear lobe. Then, insert the thin side of the taper into your piercing. You’ll then need to push the taper inside your piercing slowly.
You shouldn’t feel any pain during this process, and your ear should stretch easily. If you have pain, you’ve stretched your ear too much.
Once the taper is through your ear, put the plug on the thick end.
Caring for Your Ears During Stretching
Be sure to go slowly when stretching your ears, so you don’t damage the cartilage. Wait a minimum of six weeks before moving to the next gauge. Don’t move to the next gauge if you notice irritation, redness, or swelling.
Wash the piercing at least two times a day using warm water and mild soap. Be sure the soap you choose is chemical free.
Soak your earlobes twice daily with warm salt water. To make salt water, you’ll need to add 1/4 of salt to a cup of water. You’ll also need to massage your earlobes once daily using jojoba oil or coconut oil. Doing this will keep your ear moisturized and help with healing.
It’s essential not to touch your piercing with dirty hands; otherwise, you’ll introduce bacteria to the area. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure you don’t get anything stuck or caught in the piercing, such as loose threads from clothing.
Learn More About Ear Gauging
Now that you know more about ear gauging, you’ll be able to start the process safely.
Do more research on ear gauging before you begin, and check out reputable piercing or tattoo shops in your area for professional advice and stretching tips.
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