Stretching FAQ

[Violet Grimm]

http://www.onetribe.nu/catalog/stretching.php

with thanks to one tribe.

[guff]

This FAQ recommends rubbing jojoba or vitamin e oil on healed stuff, does anyone actually do that?

[jo-bah]

its says there that 2guage is the point of no return...i was under the impression that 5mm is the max that u can go to without it going back to normal...and i didnt know what 2guage was until i checked and it says 6.3mm hmm im confused!

peaCe!

[Ghostsuit]

Generally speaking, 2 gauge is widely considered the “point of no return” - where your lobes become significantly less likely to heal even to the size of a standard earring.

Stretching is not an exact science and should not be taken lightly. There is never any guarantee that your ears will shrink back up.

From this I'd say that it will all vary depending on the person. I'd guess in thier experience that most people would be ok at 2 gauge but as they say it's not an exact science and everyones body will be different.

[bikuki]

http://www.bodyjewelleryshop.co.uk/p...sion_chart.htm - handy wee gauge converter

it's not quite accurate, but it shows the rough equivalents between British and American sizes

[guff]

I've got an accurate conversion chart, I'll stick it up if I can find it

[guff]

Its done as gauge, accurate diameter, then the "marketed" diameter (what everyone says it is)

20ga - 0.812mm (0.8mm)
18ga - 1.024mm (1.0mm)
16ga - 1.291mm (1.2mm)
14ga - 1.628mm (1.6mm)
12ga - 2.053mm (2.0mm)
10ga - 2.588mm (2.4mm)
8ga - 3.264mm (3.2mm)
6ga - 4.115mm (4.0mm)
4ga - 5.189mm (5.0mm)
3ga - 5.827mm (5.8mm)
2ga - 6.544mm (6.4mm)
0ga - 8.251mm (8.0mm)

After that , accuracy doesn't really matter

[slipknotgod]

i know youre only dupposed to stretch a size at a time, but i had my septum stretched from a 14 to an 8 guage in 15 minutes. hurt like a bastard.

[guff]

i know youre only dupposed to stretch a size at a time, but i had my septum stretched from a 14 to an 8 guage in 15 minutes. hurt like a bastard.

no fucking wonder, seriously dude you shouldn't do that. it'll thin down the area you are stretching and you might end up without a septum. oh yeah, could also rip you, meaning you need to start the healing process all over again. please dont be a dumbass (nicest possible way), the problems/risks majorly outway the benefits. stretching shouldn't hurt, just feel odd.

[gilz]

oooh slipknotgod u sound in pain. I got a bit addicated to stretching, while doin my ear lobes.....i went from a 'normal' piercing to 14mm in 7 weeks.... then stayed at 14mm for a while then in 1-2 weeks went up to 18mm.....so through out that there was some painful moments, but all very exciting.... that was with my left lobe, but my right lobe is shit... it just does not want to stretch as easy... and for a while i just left it at 6mm and then gradually went up to 10mm... and now im slowly tryin to reach 14mm... its just alot more painful with my right lobe...crap eh... hehe.....stretching is fun.... but the no point of return is difo with everyone... so think long and hard before you begin.... if you regret it then eeeks... big saggy ear lobes... and when u take plugs out, the holes look like raggety arse holes...eeww!

[Pure Kaos]

Hmm...Ok.. 6mm - Your safe, it will most likely shrink down...8mm - Your risking it... 10 - Fucked

Thats my theory...But then again, My mate knows a guy who went up to a 17mm and it shrunk down to 2mm hole....And he knows a girl who went to 11mm and she can't get em any smaller than a 8mm....So it just depends on your body i guess...

I got 6mm lobe...I'm thinking about going to a 8mm but i'm not sure...Anyways, Laters

[[deathratedsex]]

yeah i say 12mm doesnt really shrink ne smaller than 8mm. mines are 10 + can go down to 2s again no problem.

i'm not sure about stretching my second lobe piercings to something small like 4mm... i guess i could then take em out, but its effort!

think i should?

[guff]

think i should?

of course stretching is fun

[starryeyed]

Stretching your ear lobes can be a tricky business -
I have both my ears at 12mm and I even stretched my snugs to 5mm

I have found that one ear stretches beautifully and the other is like giving birth!
my theory was that it has to do with which side you sleep on, but whatever you do - dont force a stretching - if you force it - and make it bleed - it can become infected, apart from possible infection and general discomfort - it will ruin your chances of stretching it further the next time. This is becos scar tissue forms [and its a a complete faff to stretch!]
The easiest way to stretch is to do it just after a shower so your ear is warm and wet -
I was given this advice from the sweet grrl in nirvana piercings in glasgow - shes so nice
And once you get to 12mm you can buy sexy plugs off of wildcat!!!

Wilcat
http://encyc.bmezine.com/?Ear_piercing

bits of your ear can be found at -
http://encyc.bmezine.com/encyc/encyc00215-1.gif

[bikuki]

you got photos of the stretched snug? never seen one before...


i want to stretch to 6mm JUST so i can get these: http://www.wildcat.co.uk/acatalog/SST.GIF