So I had my 14 gauge lobes done by my father when visiting Ohio. It was such a relaxing and exciting experience! I definitely understand why this is such a time honored tradition in my father's family.
At A Glance Author RogueWriter Contact RogueWriter@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Papa Zero (Uncle) Studio Apartment Living room Location NY When we decided to put in my 12 gauges it was after I woke up one morning and discovered that my 14 gauge plugs had fallen out. Sufficiently impressed and annoyed by my lobes I decided to pull out my new 10 gage arsenal!
My sisters and brothers have all had their lobes expanded and so I had a plethora of previously worn jewelry coming to me. My father suggested that I stay away from Steel, acrylic, or silicone because of my extreme nickel sensitivity.
So for the next stretching because my father was in Ohio and I in NY I asked my Uncle Zero whom is a tattoo artist if he would help me stretch. A lot of people don't seem to understand that stretching for me involves a lot more than "bigger lobes and cooler earrings" to me the growth of my holes is a direct gauge of my soul growth. It's a reminder that without family, patience and perspective you can't quickly move on.
The same goes with stretching. If you don't do it the right way, you loose ground (or go back gauges) But if you do it the right way you slowly enjoy the process, you appreciate the growth and have a semi-perfect circle at the end of your journey (kind of like life right? Now you get it a little!)
My Uncle Zero came over to my house for dinner. We made Spaghetti with Vegan tomato sauce, and vegan parmesan. Garlic bread and n awesome salad that he brought with baby greens put me in a hedonistic mood. After eating dessert (Tofu Ice Cream!) we set out the entire 10 gauge earrings my 6 siblings had send and set out to decide which one would be going into my ear.
After much discussion my Uncle suggested Titanium Pinchers. I hated them and wanted niobium rings but my uncle pointed out for ONE night at lease the pinchers were a better idea. I reluctantly agreed and hopped into the shower to "heat things up" while my husband and uncle warred over Mortal combat.
After I was bundled up in Pajamas and a fluffy robe Uncle Zero Took out my 12 gauge plugs (which I had hastily shoved back in that morning...not a good idea...never do this.)
He Took the 10 gauge pinchers that he had ran through his autoclave and set them out on clean gauze.
Then he warmed up jojoba oil on his fingers After he had warmed the jojoba oil (as I am not so good with jellies and other lubes piercers use...jojoba oil works for me others may want to try KY or Astroglide) he gently rubbed my ears which feels WONDERFUL!
Then before I knew it he slid the 10 gauges into my earlobe.
I felt a slight pinch, then burning, then tugging as my uncle put the o-rings on. He repeated the same routine on my other lobe and I was done.
My ears were a little hot and sore but nothing serious.
The next day was when the trouble came. I awoke with redness, itching, pain, and a rash. The pinchers were making my ears angry.
My uncle examined the pinchers and was shocked and angered to find that the manufacturer lied about them being nickel free. He quickly took them out of my ears and placed titanium CBR's in my lobes. My ears immediately felt better within an hour.
The only problem was that I couldn't sit still for the beads to be put on. Also I really didn't like the color match of silver beads with a rainbow titanium ring. My uncle who was squeezing me in between appointments decided he would place two o-rings to hold the ring on and simply tighten the rings into a spiral. This satisfied both of us, and hurried me so he could make some actual money instead of giving freebies to his picky neice!
After a few choice words from me and a little bit of discomfort he gave me to his assistant whom is also a holistic medicine practitioner. She warmed up more jojoba oil, mixed in tea tree and lavendar oil and gently rubbed my ear lobes which were feeling much abused by this point. Immediately my ears stopped burning, the rash and redness was diminished and I was much more relaxed.
It is now day three and my lobes do not hurt at all. The only pain I feel is every once and a while when I shake my head vigorously or answer the phone and don't think ahead to lower the ear piece a bit.
On the whole I have enjoyed the stretching so much that I told my dad I would like to continue to 2 gauge if not 0.
Although I couldn't see his face I could hear his smile over the phone, because it easily matched if not surpassed my own grin.