Warning: I was VERY stupid during some of the earlier stretches in this story, and am VERY lucky that nothing catastrophic happened to my ears. PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW MY EXPERIENCES AS EXAMPLES!
At A Glance Author Kat Contact DejectedPoet@aol.com When A week ago Artist Myself Location Alexandria, VA
Alright, with that said... here we go :).
I have always loved body modification, especially stretched lobes. I did not intend to really do anything aside from the 2 (unfortunately) gunned piercings in each of my lobes. Around late September 2004, I decided it was time for a change.
First stretch: 14 gauge CBRs I was feeling older (if not more stupid, without realizing it) and decided I would stretch my ears. My goal was 8 gauge, at that time. I ended up at Claire's (Seeing as I cannot drive, and it is a short Metro ride away... how I love DC) with "the new girl" at school, who has since become one of my best friends. We split the purchase of a set of four 14 gauge CBRs, and I also bought some stainless steel claws, at 10 gauge. I, knowing nothing at the time about stretching (which was definitely stupid) stuck the 14 gauges in when we sat down to eat. They went in no problem.
Second Stretch: 10 gauge claws I left the 14 gauge CBRs in for about 3 days, then decided I would take the plunge to 10 gauge. I also figured, since the claw earrings were tapered, that I would slide them in a bit each day for about a week. I used Neosporin for lubrication, and tried to slide them in, with great difficulty. I ended up sleeping with them about a quarter of the way in, with much difficulty, as the o-rings kept popping off. The following day, I worked them in throughout the day at school. They were red and puffy, and somewhat uncomfortable, but I figured the slight stinging was a normal side effect after having traumatized my ears. This is where I learned the MOST important lesson I have yet to encounter. SEA SALT SOAKS ARE GOD. I believe my body did not like the material in the claws, because they began to become slightly infected. I started up with sea salt soaks twice a day, and Neosporin over night, and the infection was obliterated.
Third Stretch: 8 gauge acrylic plugs I stayed at 10 gauge for about 3 weeks, and then decided to buy some plugs. I purchased small, blue, acrylic 8 gauge plugs. When I got home, I popped them in no problem. They barely stung and were fine within minutes. This was my easiest stretch, by far (You will find out which was easier, later) I was content, but soon after realized that stretching IS an addiction, and I needed to go larger than just an 8 gauge.
Fourth Stretch: 2 gauge glass eyelets DO NOT SKIP GAUGES. IT IS VERY STUPID. I cannot emphasize that enough! At the time, I had no idea what I was doing and I am VERY lucky that I did not do any severe damage to my ears. Alright, with that said, I bought some glass eyelets for a reasonable amount of money. I decided to stay away from metals for a while, because of the way my poor lobes had reacted to the claw earrings. I decided I would make earrings from old plastic paint brushes (BAD IDEA) I had sitting around. I cut them into small sections, and they all gradually got bigger, until the largest pieces were near the size of the 2 gauges. This was about early-November. I took these paintbrush pieces, sterilized them in hydrogen peroxide (another bad idea), and set them aside in a small box. I took the smallest ones, removed my 8 gauge plugs, used the Neosporin again, and popped them in no problem. I used two o-rings to secure them. I changed the paintbrush pieces once a day, every day that week, and by the end of the week had the glass eyelets in. I did not realize how severely injured my ears were at this point, but they healed extremely well with the glass wear, considering what I'd just done to them. (Please don't ever consider doing what I did, PLEASE)
Fifth Stretch: 0 gauge acrylic plugs I stayed at 2 gauge until early in December, when I decided I would again stretch. I bought some blue acrylic plugs, the same brand and color as my 8 gauges. I figured that since they barely reacted as 8 gauges, my lobes would be fine with the material. I decided to take a shower, lubricated the earrings with Neosporin, and tried sliding them in. They were terribly stubborn and hard to get through, but I managed to eventually. As a side note do not try stretching with plugs that have the grooves for the o-rings. At this point, my lobes were again in awful shape, due to the grooves where the o-rings would sit. My ears had both gotten stuck on these and they made it a much more painful stretch. After about a week, I realized that they were not healing. I contemplated downsizing, but since both plugs were VERY loose, I decided to stretch to 00.
Sixth Stretch: 00 Pyrex Plugs I WOULD NOT recommend stretching that quickly, from 0 to 00 within a span of 2 weeks. Just because everything turned out okay for me does not mean it will for you. And yes, I know I was stupid. Anyway, I bought a set of 00 Pyrex glass plugs from a local shop, in hopes that my ears would like the glass better than the acrylic. I brought them home, threw some Neosporin on them, and slid them in. They went in with minimal stinging, and did not even go red. I was OVERJOYED, especially with the fact that within a week they were WELL on their way to healing. The 00's stayed from early January until the end of February, about 8-9 weeks.
Seventh Stretch (and final, for now ;]): Kaos "Standard Long" Double Flared Silicone Eyelets. For this stretch, I prepared my ears even before I ordered the earrings. The Pyrex plugs had put just enough weight on my ears while they healed that they were fairly loose, and I considered them ready for a stretch. This, as well as the fact that I constantly played with them in school, at home, anywhere really, helped them stretch naturally. I ordered my 7/16" eyelets from Kaos in the translucent purple, and could not wait until they came. The only worry of mine was the horror stories about sealing piercings off, and massive infections, and downsizing, etc. I figured 1) I am not skipping gauges, and I refuse to, I am now MUCH smarter than I used to be. 2) My ears are already loose, AND (which I forgot to mention before) the Pyrex plus I got were a little bit larger than 00 gauge. They were more a midway-point between 00 and 7/16" and 3) So long as I am extra paranoid (which I have currently grown to be in regards to my ears) I should be alright. I waited patiently for my eyelets, and cannot complain about the service from KaosSoftwear.com.
2/23/05: So today is the day that the eyelets came. I am overjoyed with them, and I can honestly say I think they are the best things since sliced bread. I rinsed them off in luke-warm water, with soap, and made sure all the soap was rinsed off before I continued. I put a little Neosporin on my ears, and contrary to popular belief, the eyelets are quite easy to handle and fold. I slid them into my ears, being very careful to unfold them very slowly. There was no burning or stinging at all. My right ear had been a little looser than my left, so the left had to stretch a small amount to accommodate the earring, but I cannot praise the company enough for making these earrings.
2/24/05: UPDATE: I am completely happy, and I recommend Kaos jewelry for stretching, so long as you are VERY careful and understand the risks involved. I am going to stay at 7/16" for a while and let my lobes take a breather. I did originally have a stopping point, but I have decided I'm going to stretch until I find a size I am terribly comfortable at.
WARNING (again, I can't reiterate it enough :P): Yes, I used to be stupid, but I have become more and more wise with my stretching in recent times. PLEASE DO NOT DO WHAT I DID, especially the stretch from 8-2 in one week. Thanks, and Happy Stretching!