I am not writing this to be a know-it-all, but just to inform those who seek information on my experience. Which is still ongoing to this day.
At A Glance Author Momo When N/A Artist Myself Studio Home
I started in the winter of 2003, stretching that is. I've always loved body modifications, and ear stretching has always been quite a fascination. In the beginning I didn't really do a whole lot of research, I basically thought you buy a taper and push it through your ear to stretch. But first I actually used whatever I could find, my ears have been pierced since I was 3 and over time they gradually stretched a little on their own. I was very naive and used paper clips, q-tips and whatever else lying around to stretch them some more. I knew that was the best idea nor the most sanitizing. I found an online store (bodyartforms.com, highly recommend!) and bought some tapers and plugs. It didn't take long at all to stretch to 10g, it was really easy actually. I also bought 6g tapers and plugs, which was just as easy too.
Fast forward to around January of 2004, I was already at 0g. By then I had found out the teflon tape method (which I still use today and highly recommend), which made stretching such a breeze. October rolls around and I was at 3/4", let me tell you I used 00g plugs and there was A LOT of teflon tape around them!
Fast forward again, June of 2005 comes and I made it to 1" (my final goal) and I was so excited. But it didn't last very long, I had bought some silicone eyelets and since my ears weren't fully healed they ended up tearing and ripping up my ears. There was quite a bit of blood and I end up almost passing out. I cleaned them out as best as I could and left them with no plugs in overnight. By the time I woke up in the morning they were very swollen and had closed up quite a bit. I think my ears had shrunk down to about 4g or 6g. For almost a year I had kept them downsized to help them heal as best as they could. I really treasure my ears, they are obviously quite important to the human body.
Around mid May of 2006 I decided to start stretching again, I felt it had been plenty of time and I was just so happy to start over. I actually didn't though, I left my ears alone for a while (more like I was really lazy), I got my left ear at 00g and the other at 2g. For some reason my left ear is more cooperative and stretches easier than the other.
Just about a month or so ago I decided to just quit being lazy. Now my left ear is at 1/2" and my other is almost the same (only a couple more pieces of teflon tape to go, I should be there by the 31st of this month). I definitely want to get both ears to the same size and then stretch them both at the same time. I can't stand them being different sizes, and I don't know why I let them be for quite a long time.
I am not in a rush, I was in the beginning and I was a bit impatient too. I still am impatient, but I'm OK with taking my time. I don't want to ruin my ears ever again. Besides, it's already been 4 years, there is still plenty of time. My goal was 1" but ultimately I would love to be 1 1/2"... Heck, even 2" seems nice. My boyfriend doesn't really like me stretching my ears and doesn't approve. I could care less, nor do I need his liking or approval. I tell him they are my ears and they are attached to my body. Body modifications are beautiful, especially stretching. I get comments and questions all the time, people are always so shocked that they are actually as big as they are...
I don't know if there will actually be a set goal of when I wanna stop. It might be at 1", 1 1/2", 2" or whatever! It's definitely addicting. I think I might only be able to stop is when I feel comfortable enough. And who knows when that will ever be. I won't even care if I'm old with big earlobes ;)
Anyways, I don't really have a whole lot of advice, but just that you should definitely take your time. Because if I hadn't ruined my ears 2 years ago I would probably be at my ultimate goal right now. I can understand how fun and exciting it all is, but if you rush it and don't really take the time it can be risky.