I find acrylic tapers work the best for me and, they have never given me any problems what so ever, but apparently it is frowned upon, and I am not recommending it to anyone else. I am careful when it comes to my piercings, and I always clean them properly. I've been searching for creams and all sorts of concoctions to use on my fresh stretches, and fresh piercings to help with the healing process but, not anything that could severally damage me. I make sure what I decide to use is ok to use on the certain part of my body that I am trying to heal. I wait at least 2 days before i try something new to see if it's working.
At A Glance Author RebeccaWicked When A month ago Artist Myself I stretch every month and, I prepare myself for it by massaging my ear lobes right before. At the time I was at 7/16 and, About 2 weeks ago I decided to stretched my ears to 9/16, as always I lubed it up with antibacterial soap. It went through like butter, and was a little red, like most of the time, and it didn't bother be at all. I was so eager to get to my desired gauge I decided to go to 5/8 the next day[NEVER DO THIS]. I prepared the same way I always do and, It went through but, it took a little more pushing than usual, and it stung mildly. I thought it was ok but, About an hour later my ears were red, sore, and in unbelievable pain to the point were i was crying. I felt so stupid. Whenever I went to sleep and woke up the next day my ears felt so much better, but this time it was worse.
Next day I woke up and my ears felt a little better. I went to the mirror and examined them and I saw a strange flab behind my left ear. I knew right away that I had gotten a small blowout. My worst fear had happened. That same day I had gotten my tapers ripped out so, my ears were really really fucked up, and I thought I would have to start all over. They were pussy, swollen, bloody, red, itchy, just everything all at once. I went straight to the internet and read all sorts of things to do when you have a blowout and an infection. I downsized back to 7/16 and cleaned my ears everyday and night. I read that sea salt soaks were recommended so, I tried it. I also tried oil massages and they worked for loosening up my lobes and, I used vitamin E cream which helped with itchiness and calmed my skin like it's suppose to.
I tried almost everything and, I remember reading an article somewhere on the internet about putting tape in you ear to hold the blowout at the place it blew from, not just any tape, you use medical tape, I am not saying you should try this, actually, don't try this unless your prepared for whatever may come afterwards, just because it worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you. It pulls the blown tissue up into the hole an it heals together. And it worked but, I wanted faster results.
I looked through my medicine cabinet and read all the creams and ointments and I came across Preparation H. I read the box and it said that it cured blown scar tissue, pain, itching, redness, it was as if it was meant for blowouts, then I found out if was for hemorrhoids, but hey I was desperate for cures. I used it before I went to bed because, thats the best time to do it and, the next morning it was much much smaller! I was so surprised and thrilled. [Like I said I was desperate, that does not mean you should use things that seem ok to use.]
I've been using it every night and, sometimes in the morning and, my blowout is gone. I was skeptical about stretching but, my ears were completely healed after just 3 weeks[not a result from Prep. H, I am just a fast healer when it comes to piercings.]. I am now back at 9/16 and my ears are just fine, I am so glad I came across Preparation H. Though I do think you should wait a month like all information says and, common sense, Just so your ear can heal properly, and so you don't get another blowout! Ear lobe stretching is a beautiful process and, when done right, looks amazing so, don't rush stretching and be very careful and make sure you keep it clean. It took me about 8 months to get were I am and I regret stretching so fast. Good luck.