Summary
Ear plugs are now very popular
fashion statements. If you are considering them, be sure to start at a safe
gauge, say 14 to 16. Stretching must be done gradually and there should be no
skipping of sizes. Give your lobes at least one full month between stretches.
Body
One of the hottest
new trends that you won’t fail to notice is the remarkable ear plugs. Before,
plugs body jewelry are mostly worn by the younger generation and has been
deemed as an outrageous form of fashion. It is also perceived to be popular
among outsiders who don’t like to conform to society. Now, things have changed.
Ear plugs are worn by people from all walks of life and are used to add flare
to personal fashion statements. Here are a few things that you must know about
this popular trend.
What
is the ideal gauge to start stretching your ears at?
The
first thing that you need to ask yourself before stretching your ear is the right
size for you to start at. For most people who have worn regular earrings, a 14
to 16 gauge is the ideal starting point.
A
14 gauge is appropriate if you have always worn regular earrings every day for
a long time, while a 16 gauge is best for individuals who have never worn
earrings or have just recently pierced their ears. There is actually a very
small difference between the two sizes, but it is important not to push too
hard when it is your first time stretching your ears.
What size can you stretch up to without incurring permanent
damage?
There are many opposing opinions
on this topic; however, most body modification professionals recommend not
going any larger than 2 – 0 gauge. This is if you want the hole in your ears to
totally close up without seeing through them. Of course you have to consider
that not everybody’s anatomy is similar, but most people’s lobes will look
normal two to three months after taking out 2 – 0 gauge plugs.
There are a few important factors
that can affect the endurance of your size. The number one factor is how fast
you stretched and skipped sizes. If you
have skipped several sizes and stretched your ear too fast, you have caused
more ripping to your skin rather that stretching. This makes holes larger and
become more permanent in the long run. If you want to make sure that your ears
will go back to its normal appearance after taking your plugs out, never skip
sizes and make sure that you wait one full month between each stretch.
If
you happened to stretch your ears to a very large size and realize that it is
not for you, you can always consider surgery. Lobe reversal is very common and
popular nowadays and a lot of medical professionals can do the job for you
easily.
How
long should each stretch be?
A
lot of people are too eager to have bigger holes on their ear lobes that they
resort to stretching them really fast. Majority of plugs body jewelry
professionals recommend at least one full month between each stretch.
Generally, this period is adequate for giving your last stretch the time to
heal, and to prepare your lobes for your next stretch. Patience is the key. The
slower you go along with it, the nicer your ear lobes will be in the long run.
If you can wait more than a month between each stretch, the better. Although,
the urge to stretch much faster is understandable, it is always better to give
your lobes a time to heal. You will be thankful you did so especially when you
decide to take your plugs out and have your lobes go back to normal.
What should I keep in mind when stretching?
If
you have just recently pierced your ears and are thinking of stretching them,
you have to wait at least six to eight weeks after the initial piercing, or
follow whatever the professionals at the shop recommend to you. This is to
allow adequate healing time. Be sure to wash your ears every day with plain or
antibacterial soap.
If
you have made a firm decision to stretch you lobes, remember that you are just
like creating a tiny injury on your body, and therefore it is important to take
care of it to avoid infection. If you happen to experience a lot of pain and
discomfort than what is normally expected, bathe the piercing in water solution
containing sea salt. This is a better alternative to manmade antibiotic
ointments.
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