Earlobe stretch piercings can be obtained by measuring the ears to a specific piercing size, either all at once or through several successive earlobe stretches. Much depends on how big you want your piercing to be, and anything that is one gauge higher than the previous one will involve more of a stretch.
The measurement of the ears is carried out using ‘gauge numbers’ which refer to a specific hole diameter. For example, 20 gauge is written as 20g and that refers to a 0.8mm diameter hole. 18g refers to a 1mm diameter hole, so as the gauge numbers decrease, the diameter increases. Also, the gauges drop in pairs, so there are no odd gauge numbers. So the sequence goes: 20g, 18g, 16g, 14g and so on up to 00g. Therefore, one down gauge step is from an even number to the next and from a lower bore diameter to a higher one.
When sizing your ears, you need to stretch the piercings just one gauge step. So if you want to change from 16g to 14g (1.2mm to 1.6mm), you can do it in one step. However, if you wanted to go from 16g to 8g (1.2mm to 3.2mm), you would have to do it in four steps, with four stretched perforations, each one gauge level.
When earlobes are pierced with the intention of increasing the gauge to a fairly high diameter for some beautiful large diameter rods you have seen or even a cold meat tunnel, consider the starting diameter first – the larger the starting diameter , fewer earlobe stretching steps you will have to perform to reach your preferred diameter. Do not get your ears pierced in a mall with a gun, as they are usually pierced at 20g or 18g maximum.
Start with a professional piercing
Have a professional perform the initial earlobe piercing with a needle. It’s worth the extra expense, and a professional will pierce your earlobes up to 16g, saving you a full step of sizing your ears to your target size. Let the professional know your intention and they will give you some expert advice, and you can even agree to have the professional do the measurement for you.
It is possible for people to do their own stretched piercings on their own, and most do to be honest, but only once they are sure the initial piercing has healed completely. If you start too early, you could burst the piercing or split your skin, and any attempt to measure your ears after that could be impossible. Measuring your ears is a skill that must be learned, so follow all the tips you find if you want to be able to use these fabulous bars that you have seen.
It is also essential to wait until each stretch has set properly, the skin thickens and hardens properly, before moving on to the next gauge. This will take about 3 times as long for the initial piercing to heal, but don’t rush.
Ear jewelry: when measuring ears and after
The ear jewelry available for stretched piercings is fabulous. When choosing jewelry to wear during the ear sizing process, you need to take into account possible infections and allergies, with surgical stainless steel and titanium best being. However, once you have reached your target gauge and your stretched piercings have fully healed, you have a wonderful world of amazing jewelry in materials too brittle to be used in high gauge barrettes or barrettes.
You can use bone, horn, wood, stone, and even amber and glass, many of which also help keep your piercing clean and not clogged with oils from your skin. You can also wear metal and acrylic ear jewelry in many shapes and sizes. Many are happy with large studs, while others prefer large diameter hoops, bars, and regular earrings. Others love to use solid cylindrical plugs, flared or held by O-rings and ear weights made of any material under the sun, although silver, bronze, brass, and copper are common. The really rich make theirs in solid gold.
Meat tunnels are popular
An alternative to the normal type of ear jewelry is a type of hollow plug known as a flesh tunnel. These are particularly used for larger diameter stretched piercings, and when the ears are calibrated this is usually the end goal. Meat tunnels are available in many different materials and are held in place in the same way as plugs: with flares, O-rings, or with a screw in the back piece. Some people have beads or other forms of decorative elements threaded through their flesh tunnels, and they are often used as a mark of how far a person has managed to go with their piercings stretched out.
Therefore, people measure their ears with stretched piercings both for their decorative effect and as a means of displaying their ear stretching abilities. Whatever your reason, keep in mind the caliber of your initial piercing and that everything related to ear measurement should be sterilized and kept clean and germ-free. Make sure each stage is fully healed before starting the next one, and you shouldn’t have any real problems.
