How to Stretch an Ear Piercing

You don't need to go to a local piercer to stretch your ear piercing. It can been done safely at home, and it will cost you much less than if you went out and had it done professionally.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Earrings one size larger than your current piercing size
• Tapering rings (optional)
• Anti-bacterial soap
• Gauge chart

1. Confirm what gauge your ear piercing is right now. Most ear piercings are done with the smallest gauge needle, which is 20 gauge. Occasionally, they are pierced at 18 gauge. TongueStud.com has an interactive, accurate gauge chart available online (see Resources).

2. Purchase earrings of the next largest size. The smaller the gauge, the larger the opening. When you're stretching a piercing, you want the gauge number to decrease.

3. Wash your hands and ear lobes with soap and warm water.

4. Insert the new, larger gauge earring into your ear. Take your time and be careful not to push too hard or force it through. You don't want to make your ear bleed.

5. 
    

   You may also use tapering rings instead of larger earrings. However, many tapering rings are made in much larger sizes, so if you're just beginning, you may have to wait until your ears have been stretched a few sizes.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your piercings clean at all times.
• Your ears may be sore until they heal.
• Wait until your ears have healed completely before attempting to stretch them further, at least 2 weeks or more.

Resources

• TongueStud Gauge Chart

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[porcelainruby]

on 9/5/2009 Good article for beginners- I have gauged ears, done myself.. I found that rubbing some plain Vaseline onto the new earring helped minimize the pain when going up a size.