| At A Glance | |
| Author | Alexandra |
| Contact | Alexandra@bme.anon |
| When | It just happened |
Firstly, I thought stretching from an 18G to a 16G would be enough initially, it would get my piercing a little bigger gradually, without hurting too much (or even at all, for such a tiny stretch). I went to a body jewellery shop, and settled for a 16G small belly bar, and a 14G loop, also intended for a belly button piercing.
I looked at the 14G loop. It was quite a bit thicker than my usual post-style earring, yes, but was it do-able? Could I skip the 16G all together?
I got the 14 gauge loop out of the pack, telling myself it wouldn't go through- but I'd just have a go.
To my surprise, I managed to fit the 14 through without bothering with the 16 (I'd been wearing 18). It had taken a little persuasion, but it had gone through! I chose which of the three pairs (different designs) balls to put on the ends, and looked in the mirror again. It didn't hurt, it was tender for a day, but it didn't hurt. I was pleased with it. I wore that loop for a month or two, and loved the look of it, but started I knew it couldn't stay; I wanted my ear lobe stretched some more.
This brings us up to yesterday. So now I was at a 14G (1.6mm)... I bought a 3mm expander (a bit smaller than 8G). I looked at the marble patterned expanders, trying to choose a colour, knowing this would be with me for a while. Pink? Not my style. Purple? Too many people seem to be going for purple at the moment... Black was a maybe, as was red. But then I saw the blue one and knew it was for me- it could serve as a reminder of the cool hair I used to have (dyed bright blue) before I had to dye it dark again.
I discussed going from my current size loop to the expander with the girl who worked there. She said it could be done, but it'd be easier if I tried fitting some 18g posts through with the 1.6mm/14G loop before. I said I would try that, bought the expander and went home. I fully intended to do so, but as with the last time, I couldn't resist having a go "just to see" how far I could get it in at the moment!
There I stood again, in front of the mirror. Without much persuasion I could get it part of the way in, but then it met a lot of resistance. I took it out, massaged the ear lobe and kept trying, convinced I'd have a go, give up and work on stretching a little with the 14G hoop and posts... Each time I tried, it went in partly, then hit the stronger resistance, making me stop. I was hesitant- would this hurt like hell? Worse, would I end up having a blow out and bleed all over the flooring?
But then I took a sharp draw of breath, held the earlobe and kept pushing.
It stung, and there was a burning, but the pain was bearable. Then, suddenly, it was through! I stood, semi-shocked, then looked for the washer. I slid the washer onto the back and dabbed my ear with earcare solution, to cool it down a little. I smiled broadly; I had my first proper stretch.
(However, it was also at this point that I realised that I was going to have to sleep on my other side that night!)
My apologies for the poor quality of the picture (taken on a phone camera) but here's my ear, one day on from the stretch-
I'm pleased with how well it went, and one day on, while it is still warmer than usual, and stings a little, my ear lobe seems to be settling down.
I know I'll get different reactions from some people I encounter- to many people ear stretching is still a very foreign, exotic idea that conjures up ideas of tribesmen somewhere far away and they look upon it as something they could never do. My mum laughingly called me a freak and my dad (also jokingly) said my ear would fall off. I know at least one friend who didn't want me to stretch my earlobe piercing, but many more who will like it- and as I explained to the friend who opposed it, its something that you do because you like it, not because your friend does.
I'm sure my hairdresser will wince when she sees it (as will a few other people I know)!