Earlobe Stretching
From BMEzine Encyclopedia
Earlobe stretching is the practice of increasing the diameter of an earlobe piercing after the initial healing period for the purpose of wearing larger gauge jewelry. Standard earlobe piercings, performed with commercial ear piercing instruments (piercing guns), are typically 20 gauge for piercings receiving 14 kt. gold piercing studs, or 18 gauge for piercings receiving 24 kt. gold plated surgical steel piercing studs. If the piercing is performed in a professional piercing studio, the initial size will typically be 16 gauge or larger.
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Jewelry
A variety of jewelry is available for stretched earlobe piercings. Types of jewelry available include plugs, eyelets, and large captive bead rings, as well as hanging styles. The best jewellery to wear in a stretched lobe, is something organic such as bone, wood or stone. These materials relieve the wearer from lobe funk and smell.
If the jewelry is removed from the piercing, the hole will shrink in diameter over the course of weeks and months. The amount a stretched earlobe will shrink if jewelry is removed long-term is dependent on the specific person pierced, and it's impossible to give an exact amount that will apply to everyone. Please note, however, that it's generally accepted that a piercing stretched to 4 gauge or over is not likely to shrink to the point it won't be noticeable. Earlobes which which have been scalpelled or punched will typically not shrink beyond the size they were when the procedure was performed.
Methods
Stretching an earlobe piercing, or any other body piercing, is usually done by use of a taper. In order to avoid tearing the earlobe tissue, stretching is often performed in increments of one or two gauge sizes, with sufficient intervening time to allow for the body to adjust to the stretched piercing and for the healing of any micro-tears. Tapers work well for small sizes, but for larger gauges or faster size jumps other means of stretching are often preferable.
Weights
By wearing heavy jewelry in the piercing, the tissue of the earlobe gradually stretches to accomodate the weight. This has the advantage of being slow and gradual. However, weights put all of their pressure on the tissue directly supporting them. This causes stretching to be uneven and can lead to thinning. Stretching with weights is generally not recommended.
Tape
By periodically wrapping a few turns of electrical tape or teflon tape around a plug or eyelet, the diameter of the jewelry can be increased gradually and evenly. (Teflon tape is often preferred because it contains no adhesive and is very biocompatible.)
Scalpelling
In order to quickly attain larger diameter piercings and avoid stretching, one can undergo a procedure known as scalpelling. Scapelling is currently practiced by a small number of body piercers, and involves cutting a slit in the tissue with a surgical scalpel then inserting the jewelry with the aid of a taper. Scalpelling does not remove any tissue.
Dermal Punch
A dermal punch is used to excise (remove) a circular portion of the earlobe, and jewelry is inserted in the hole. It is not recommended to dermal punch earlobes if later stretching is desired. This is because the dermal punch removes tissue, limiting future stretching.
