The process of stretching my ears has been my favorite piercing experience thus far just because there are so many options in how you can accomplish it. There is also a very visible indicator of how far you've come from where you started.
At A Glance Author Alex Johnson Contact Alex Johnson@bme.anon IAM Warhead When Six months ago Artist Stephen DeToma, Tyler Floren, Sque3z Studio Anomaly Studios Location Pasadena, CA I'll start from the very beginning because that seems to make the most sense. I was initially pierced at a 6g and not realizing how quickly my body would heal from that I took a little bit of time to stretch up to that 4. The method I achieved my very first step of stretching was through a 4g taper. I didn't enjoy the pain that came from this like I did the piercing, seeing as how the pain is more of a strong pressure than a quick pinch but I soldiered on.
After much playing with my lobes I quickly started to be able to pull the flare through the piercing. This was a key element in my ability to stretch; within a month of this time I was back at Anomaly waiting anxiously for the next taper to hit my earlobe.
Sitting in the chair the 2g taper was pushed through my right ear lobe with very little resistance. I was offered 0g tapers to push it up since there was hardly any stretch at all. Of course I agreed to it, since I am the master of good ideas. I obviously realize now that since there was a little bit of pressure at the end of the 2g taper, there would be a whole lot of pressure all the way down the 0.
It was kind of hard to relax during the first lobe, especially seeing as how I had a second lobe to go afterwards. I could hardly stand the pressure and just when it got as bad as it possibly could we were through. I tried to convince Tyler (the piercer) that I could survive with just one 0g and one 2g lobe right now, of course he didn't let that happen. It was a ridiculous idea to even suggest it and I'm glad he talked me into sticking around for the next lobe. Which of course happened to be far worse than the first one, but I was through and up to my 0g.
I thought that was where I was going to stop, but of course I was wrong. More playing with my lobes and I ended up at 00, then 7/16, both occurring fairly uneventfully.
The next step was half inch and with the amount of playing with my jewelry that I do I figured I didn't even need a taper I would just shoot some ½ inch plugs in and be good to go. I was fairly accurate in that regard, getting a pair of no flared metal plugs with ohms on the front; I stuck them in with ease and decided that this was a size that I wanted to stay at.
I bought a great deal of jewelry, and then I was shown my favorite ½ plugs in the world. A pair of Water Buffalo horn with silver inlays that looked like freaking ninja stars (and who doesn't like ninjas.) The downside to these plugs was the flares were 9/16, which in my young naivety I figured wouldn't be that big a deal. After a bit of forcing I got the first one into my left earlobe. Now, my right earlobe is not very good at this whole stretching thing. Often it will get dry, or not be as large as its brother Mr. Left. Of course, again, I didn't realize this at the time, and when I couldn't get it in the most reasonable solution was to force it in. I realize now that this was a bad idea. Gee, that hindsight thing sure is wonderful.
I didn't know that water buffalo horn could be sharp enough to cut an ear, but it certainly did. It was the kind of cut I couldn't really do anything about, seeing as how I could barely get the plugs in I certainly didn't want to take them out. It took me roughly 5 days to take them out, which lead to me destroying the thing that I loved so much with water damage. The inlays fell out and felt broken and alone (in my ears), so, 9/16 plugs it was time for.
After that, it was 5/8 and then I was ready for ¾. I went back to Anomaly and demanded (in a nice way) a taper and some lube. I was ready for the next step and felt great. That is, until I got the taper in. I found that I couldn't pull it very far and very quietly contemplated my options. I determined that I would give it another few days and would try again. That seemed to do the trick as I was able to shove them in no problem.
But this was a new type of plug for me, single flared and in such a way that I would be impossible to play with. The only option to avoid those deadly tapers was to start taping, and tape I did. After having the jewelry in for less than a month I was finally ready to make my first marvelous attempt at putting the 7/8 eyelets in. Of course there was absolutely no problem with my left ear, and while I happily rejoiced of being half way there I couldn't achieve my full happiness level for my right ear would not budge. My hand was forced.
This plan was not so wise (jeez, when I right it out like this I don't seem very smart).I started to tape up that ¾ plug until it couldn't possibly fit but it was just a bit smaller than the 7/8. With some help from my good friend Hand Soap (definitely don't use this for this purpose ever) I had the freshly taped ¾ plug in and gave it roughly an hour before I put the other eyelet in. Success! Until I awoke in the morning that is, when my mom saw and, well I guess the proper term to use would be "flipped shit". Out of respect for her I took them out and hunted down some 7/8 jewelry that wasn't just a big hole.
I found the perfect thing, a beautiful pair of Obsidian plugs. Much like before I was able to get the left plugs in very simply. Mr. Sque3z (owner of Anomaly) helped me with the right lobe and that is where I sit now, partially because that was roughly a week ago.
In the course of half a year I have gone from 6g to 7/8 of an inch and I don't know when I plan on stopping. When it feels right I will stick with a size but until then I don't plan on slowing down. My lobes are my favorite piercing and I don't plan on giving them up.