Gauging is the process of increasing the size of your ear piercings. Professional piercers recommend that you wait at least one month in between stretching your ear piercings, according to Infinite Body Piercing. One month is an appropriate wait time in between stretches for small gauges, such as 14 gauge through 2 gauge, while waiting several months is optimal for large gauge stretching, such 0 gauge through 1/2 inch. If you encounter difficulty between stretches, wearing ear weights can promote elasticity and make your next stretch a smoother transition.
Step 1
Remove your current ear jewelry from your earlobe piercings. Wash your earlobes with soap and water. Hot water will help the skin in and around your earlobe piercings become more pliable and easier to stretch.
Step 2
Apply liquid soap to an ear taper. The liquid soap will lubricate the taper to ensure the taper enters and exits the skin smoothly. Insert the small end of the taper into the front of your earlobe piercing.
Step 3
Push the taper slowly through your earlobe piercing. Stop pushing when the edge of the large end of the taper is even with the front of your earlobe piercing. Place your earring up against the back--the large end--of the taper. The front of the earring should be facing out and the back of the earring pressed against the large end of the taper.
Step 4
Hold the small end of the taper behind your ear in between two fingers. Push the earring into the earlobe piercing with the other hand while allowing the taper to slide through your fingers. Wipe excess soap from around your earlobe piercing with a paper towel. Repeat the process for your earlobe piercing on the other side.
Tips and Warnings
- Purchase ear jewelry from a professional piercer. The jewelry should be only one size greater than the current size of your earlobe piercings. Attempting to stretch your earlobes with jewelry that is twice the size of your current piercings will tear your piercings. Ask your piercer to provide you with ear jewelry that is safe for stretching. Some materials, like acrylic, can irritate your piercings during the stretching and healing process. Wash your hands before and after handling your earrings.
- Never force an earring that is too large into your ear piercing to prevent tearing, scarring or bleeding.
Things You'll Need
- Liquid soap
- Paper towels
- Taper
- Earrings one size larger than current jewelry
