I was never really interested in stretching my lobes when I first had them pierced. In fact, I was quite certain that I'd never stretch them. But after many modifications and a few months to think about it, I realized that I really liked the look of stretched lobes. So I decided to go ahead and start my stretching journey.
At A Glance Author Alex Contact astephens1989@yahoo.com When N/A I initially had my left hole re-opened at a 12 gauge and then had my right ear pierced at a 12 gauge a few days later at Warlocks. Warlocks is where I usually go for all of my piercings. The piercers name is Autumn Spinks and I can't say enough good things about her and the way she does business. She is one of the few that actually genuinely cares about all of her customers. She's pierced my septum, my tongue web, my ears, my labret, my knuckles, and my nape. She's the only body piercer who I completely trust.
Anyway, about a month after having my lobes pierced is when I decided to start stretching. I went back to Warlocks for this stretch. I told Autumn that I wanted to stretch two gauges, and she said that would be fine. I also told her that I didn't want CBR's anymore because they're a pain in the ass to get on and off, so we went with stainless steel eyelets. So I jumped from a 12 to an 8. Now, this was my very first stretch and I had no idea what to expect, other than what I'd read on BME. I'd be lying if I said that it didn't hurt. It wasn't the same type of pain like having it pierced, it was more like a really bad burning sensation. Honestly, I'd rather do the piercing all over again than stretch. I paid her when we were through and left a very generous tip, $60 for a $20 stretch (I always like to tip very well, not only to show my appreciation, but also I really would like to apprentice under her someday, and leaving big tips couldn't hurt, right).
After about a week I noticed that my ears weren't healing at all, in fact they were getting worse. They were really red, still pussing, and hard as a rock. I went back to Warlocks and asked about it. It turned out that my ear lobes are too "pudgy" to heal the stretches with eyelets, and I had to go with CBB's, which I didn't mind.
After a month with the 8 gauge CBB's, I decided it was time for another stretch. But I felt it was time I did my own stretch. I went down to Hot Topic and bought 6 gauge tapers and CBB's. And I learned my lesson about going to Hot Topic, they are really overpriced on all of their piercing supplies, except for their clearance items.
I went home and took out the 8 gauge CBB's and slid the taper through the holes without any lubricant. They went in without a problem and no pain what so ever. I put in the 6 gauge rings was really happy.
Two weeks went by and my lobes had already seemed to have completely healed. So, I decided it was time for another stretch. I decided that I'd do it again myself, but go directly from a 6 to a 2 gauge. I remembered seeing some 2 gauge jewelry on clearance at Hot Topic, so I decided to check it out. Ok, I'll admit it, I got a really good deal, but this is the first and only time so far. I got 2 acrylic tapers and 2 acrylic plugs for a grand total of $3.
I went home to repeat the stretching process. But I didn't realize how big these things actually were. I tried first sliding them in without any lubricant, and that was a no go. It was really painful and the taper didn't even get nearly half way in. So I put some lube on it, and still couldn't force it in. So I decided that the only way this stretch was going to happen any time soon was if I went and had it done professionally.
Unfortunately it was a Sunday, and Autumn wasn't at Warlocks. So I decided to go to Rock and Roll Tattoo, just down the street. I talked to the guy, and asked how much it would cost to stretch my lobes. He told me $5 an ear plus the cost of jewelry. This was actually the most expensive place I've been to yet, but I never abstain from getting something done because it's too expensive. I firmly believe that good mods aren't cheap and cheap mods aren't good.
After picking out some jewelry, 2 gauge CBB's, I went and sat in the big chair, which rises up and down with the flick of a switch. He raised the chair a bit and took out my jewelry. I looked over at the table and saw the tapers and got a little nervous because they were freaking huge. He told me to count to three out loud and he'd insert the taper on three. One, two, three... OUCH! That was really painful. He asked if I was ok and I told him I was fine. He did the same to the other ear and more pain came, but it quickly subsided. I paid him and left.
This stretch left me with very tender and sensitive lobes. It hurt to sleep on them for three nights and they produced a lot of blood and crusties the first five or six days. It's been a week now and they seem to be almost healed. I put my blue acrylic plugs in today and they feel great. I think I'll probably do another stretch in a few weeks, just before school starts back. Anyone considering stretching their lobes should definitely not skip gauges, not only does it hurt more, but you also have a higher risk of having a rip or a blowout.