The Point of No Return (How Big Can You Stretch before they won't Shrink Back?)

Q: How big will I be able to stretch my ears before they will be too big to ever stretch back to normal?

A: Honestly, If you plan on stretching to any size past a 12G, your ears are never going to return back to the way they were when you first got pierced as a baby. However, if by "normal" you mean able to at least conceal the fact that your ears were ever stretched in the first place, most people will tell you somewhere around a 2G or 0G. The thing about this question is that it's a lot like asking "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" There is no right or wrong answer. I've witnessed people who have stretched to a 7/8" and their ears were able to shrink back to a 1/2 inch. Likewise, I've seen people who have stretched to as "little" as a 2G and their ears never shrunk. It all depends on your individual tissue structure and elasticity. If you are having second thoughts about stretching any further, make sure you are using products on your ears that prevent scar tissue build up, as scar tissue can make it not only difficult to stretch up a size, but also to shrink down a size. Holy Butt'r and Jojoba oil are two great products to use because they help thicken your lobes, keep them moisturized and prevent scar tissue from forming.

Hope that answer helped!
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Auri

Are Tapers Good or Bad for Your Ears?

For about as long as stretching your ears has been popular, the topic on whether or not to use tapers has been a back and forth endless debate. Here's my personal opinion on the matter. I don't agree with using tapers EVERY time you stretch. However, I don't exactly agree with not using them ever. In order for me to further explain, let me start off by showing you the sizing chart for gauged ears.

Now, if you're still wondering where I'm going with this, take a good look at the chart. Sizes in between 16G and 2G generally only have a 1 or 1.4mm difference. Using tapers in the early stages of stretching won't do too much damage to the tissue because the jump is slight. Once you get pass 2G, the sizes jump by 2 or 3mm, which doesn't seem like much, but can be brutal on the tissue when using a taper since tapers aren't the most gradual and steady form of stretching. 

I personally used tapers up until I wanted to stretch to a 0G. When I attempted the stretch with a taper the first time, I found it more difficult and painful. So I decided to begin using the PTFE teflon tape method to further stretch my lobes.I am now currently at a 9/16" and have had no issues stretching using the taping method.

Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of people who have had nothing but success in using tapers to stretch up. Everyone's ears are just about as different and unique as their fingerprints. 

To end this post, I will say this: if you ARE going to continue (or start) using tapers to stretch, make sure you:

1. NEVER leave the taper in your ear for longer than 2 minutes following a fresh stretch. Some people like to wear tapers as jewelry, however, you must remember that each new stretch is equivalent to getting a fresh piercing. Tapers are larger on one side, meaning they distribute an uneven amount of weight on your lobes. This can lead to a blow out and cause the tissue to heal improperly and be more susceptible to infection. After you've successfully pulled the taper through your lobe, immediately follow it with the new jewelry (preferably a stainless steel plug or tunnel to assist in the healing process.)

2. ALWAYS use stainless steel tapers. I know, it's super tempting to use those kick-ass skull tapers you bought from Hot Topic the other day, but chances are they're made of acrylic. Most people aren't allergic to acrylic, but since acrylic is a more porous material (think of the holes in a sponge), bacteria is more likely to get trapped inside your piercing and cause an almost immediate negative reaction including bleeding, inflamed, sore to the touch, infected ears . An infected ear will force you to not only have to take out the larger sized jewelry, but you may even be forced to down-size your ears (the complete opposite of what you were actually trying to achieve.)

3. Pull the taper through SLOWLY. Need I say more? It's not like ripping off a band-aid. Swift and quick won't work in this situation.

In upcoming posts, I'll explain some other methods of stretching that are harmless and ones that are questionable.

Adios!

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Auri

Beautifully Stretched Beauties

If you're on Instagram, tag your pic #AuriXBSB to be featured on the blog and the Auri X(Beautifully Stretched Ears) Instagram page. Each week the Auri X Beauty of the week will be chosen and at the end of the month, the beauty with the most "likes" on her (or his...hey, guys can be beautiful too..lol) photo will win a set of plugs that I will personally purchase and have sent straight to you!

Ear Stretching Basics(Before you start stretching)

Fair Warning!!! This post will NOT be a step-by-step tutorial on how to stretch your ears. I'm simply going to be going over some basic considerations before you begin the stretching process. So let's begin!

Consideration #1: How were your ears originally pierced? 

Chances are, you got your first piercing when you were too young to even remember whether or not it hurt. Or maybe you waited until you were older and went to your local jewelry kiosk to get pierced. In any case, you need to take into account what was used when that first set of holes was created. Most jewelry kiosk/stores who also provide piercing services are only certified to use a piercing gun. In most cases, the piercing gun is only equipped with a solid needle. If you go to an actual piercing shop, they will most likely use a hollow needle to make the hole. So what's the difference you ask? A solid needle means that blunt force trauma (although in a small diameter) is being applied to the tissue of your ear lobes.This can create problems for future stretching because the tissue that should have been removed is still there, causing more pressure on the jewelry and your ears; which can eventually lead to the tissue not healing properly, infections, increase in scar tissue and frequent keloids. Think of it like cutting cookies out of dough, If you use an actual cookie cutter (the hollow needle) you get a perfectly round cookie. If you just use your hand to rip out the dough (a solid needle) you'll get a kind of funky shaped round-ish cookie. If you've never had your ears pierced before, my best advice is go to an actual shop, NOT a kiosk...your ears will thank you later. However, if you didn't have that option, just be sure to take a tad more care and caution with your lobes when stretching.

Consideration #2: What's your pain tolerance?

Stretching should NEVER be painful in any way. However, each stretch is like a new piercing. You will feel a slight sensation on your ears. Especially your very first stretch. (We'll go over the difference between pain and a sensation in later blogs.) If being pinched makes you run home screaming and crying..maybe you should think about investing in faux plugs. 

and the last consideration of the post is...*Drum Roll*

Consideration #3: Your personal hygiene

I know, it SHOULD be extremely obvious to make sure you're on the up and up on taking showers, but you'd be surprised how many people have never (and most likely still don't) take proper care of their piercings and stretches. Not taking care of any piercing you have can lead to a horrible experience involving an infected puss-filled, oozing, bleeding ear (grrross!)Be sure to wash your stretch on a daily basis with non-scented antibacterial soap. Also, using products like H20cean, Holey Butt'r, Jojoba Oil or Vitamin E Oil aid in keeping your ears nice and healthy inside and out.

So now that you've had time to think things over, will you still be stretching? If so, be sure to subscribe to this blog and check back every week for new pics, updates and findings on all things "beautifully stretched."

Until next time!
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Auri <3