What Is Ear Stretching?
Ear stretching is the process of expanding an earlobe piercing hole over several months. This is a type of aesthetic body modification. Many people stretch their ears so they can wear gauges — earrings with large holes in the earlobes. Gauges are also called spacers.
Why do people stretch their ears?
Ear stretching allows you to wear different types of earrings, such as gauges. Some people stretch their ears because of cultural traditions, while others just like how it looks. You can safely stretch your ears with the right tools, but you should understand how it affects your health first.
How do people stretch their ears?
To stretch your ears, you begin by inserting a taper into a pierced hole that has healed. Tapers are cone-shaped tools made of body-safe materials, such as steel or titanium. They come in different sizes. The taper is worn for about 24 hours. Then, a gauge (called a plug if solid, or a tunnel if hollow) is inserted to hold the shape. Over time, increasingly larger tapers and gauges are inserted into your piercing to slowly stretch the ear lobes.
What is the safest gauge size to start with?
It's best to start with a small gauge size, such as 16 gauge (1.29 millimeters). You leave it in place until the skin is completely healed before inserting the next size.
How Ear Stretching Affects Your Health
If you choose to stretch your ears, make sure you do it slowly and carefully.
What are the risks and complications of stretched ears?
Without proper care, ear lobe stretching may lead to:
- Infection
- Irritation
- Pain
- Torn skin
- Permanent changes
- Surgery to repair damage
Can ear stretching cause infections or tearing?
Stretching your earlobes too quickly may tear them and cause what's called a "blowout." Blowouts happen when the inner ring of skin around your piercing gets stretched too far and fails to heal properly. Instead of slowly forming new skin cells in the stretched area, the stress causes microtears that become red, irritated, and lumpy. It may be itchy or painful, and you may also get an infection.
If you only slightly overstretch your earlobe, you may develop a minor ear blowout, which can be reversed with the proper care. But the blowout could become permanent if it gets infected.
What to Expect From Ear Stretching
Stretching your ears can take months or years, depending on how large you want the holes to be. During this time, your ears may be sensitive, but they should never be painful or stressed. A good rule of thumb is to go up one gauge size every four to six weeks. This gives your ears time to fully adjust before you expand them more.
How to Help Your Stretched Ear Heal
The entire time you're actively stretching your ears, they are slowly healing themselves. Taking precautions during the stretching process can help you avoid blowouts and infections. Here's how to protect your ears while you're gauging them:
Always take your time. If you're not sure if your piercing is ready to go up a jewelry size, then wait. As your gauge gets bigger, it will take longer for your ears to heal. Stretching your ears slowly can help you avoid having to drop down in jewelry sizes for your ears to heal.
Keep your ears clean. Clean ears are less likely to get irritated or infected. Always wash your hands before touching your piercings, and sterilize your earrings and tapers with alcohol before putting them in. You can also rinse your ears with a homemade saline solution to lessen irritation and keep them clean.
Use the right jewelry. Many people are allergic to certain metals, especially nickel. Use body-safe materials such as stainless steel, acrylic, or titanium in your tapers and earrings to avoid an allergic reaction that can lead to a blowout.
Massage your ears. Some studies suggest that gently massaging your ears with a moisturizer like coconut oil may help some people reduce scarring. That keeps your ears in better condition so that they can handle more stretching. Massage your ears once a day to keep them healthy while you stretch.
Will my ears shrink back naturally, or will I need surgery?
Earlobes may return to their original size if they're stretched slowly, not overstretched, and have no blowouts or infection.
After a certain point, your earlobes will not return to their original size on their own. If you stretch your ears above 2 gauge (6 millimeters), you will likely need surgical help to return them to their original condition.
When Should I See a Doctor for Ear Stretching?
If your earlobe gets overstretched or infected, you may feel pain. If you are allergic to the material, you may have redness or itching.
What are the signs that medical attention is needed for a stretched ear problem?
Seek medical attention if you have:
- Fever
- Itching
- Lumpy skin around the jewelry
- Oozing
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
Takeaways
Earlobe stretching is a form of body modification that creates holes in your earlobes for gauges or spacers. The process must be done slowly to avoid ear blowouts, infections, and permanent tears that may require surgery to repair. Ear stretching may cause some temporary soreness. See your doctor if you have pain, redness, swelling, or oozing, as it could mean you have an infection or allergic reaction to the ear gauging material.
Ear Stretching FAQs
How painful is ear stretching?
Ear stretching shouldn't be painful if done correctly. It's common to feel some tenderness for a few days after a new piercing or after going up a size to stretch the earlobe. You may have pain if your earlobe becomes infected or has a "blowout."
What shouldn't you do when stretching your ears?
When stretching your earlobes, don't start with a gauge that's too large. And don't increase the size too fast. Also, take care during daily activities such as:
Showering. If you shower with gauges in your earlobes, make sure you dry them completely afterward to avoid infection.
Sleeping. Consider removing your gauges before going to bed. Lying on them may cause irritation, soreness, or damage.
Swimming. Avoid swimming for about six weeks after getting pierced or after increasing gauge size. This helps reduce your chance of infection while your skin heals.
