Hey, my name is Shawn Jones and this is a short story on my experience with stretching my labret.
At A Glance Author Shawn Jones Contact ShawnC.Jones@gmail.com When N/A Artist Myself Studio My home Location Bremerton, WA When I was 16 I got my labret pierced as a birthday gift from my mother. Needless to say I was stoked. I was intent on getting all the piercings I could to impress and shock as many people as I could. As I grew older, getting my nipples pierced, and started stretching my ears, I gained a more spiritual level with piercing. The pain is almost erotic, and the experience is very intimate. I started getting serious and not really caring about what other people thought of me or of my piercings. I definitely enjoy the looks and questions(with the exception of, "OH MY GOSH DID THAT HURT?!"), but to me, it's a personal experience now.
My labret was pierced at a 14 and about 10 months ago I decided I wanted to start stretching it. So in about a months time I got to a 10 useing tapers and captive bead rings and wasn't happy with the outcome. It took me a while, and the only pain I have really felt stretching was when I went from 8 to 6. While doing this stretch I tore the inside of the hole a little bit and it was awful. I put the 8 back in until about two weeks later when I was completely sure the little tear had healed up properly. Since then, to make sure I don't rip my labret, I have been using wraps of tape to make it bigger and bigger. I usually do about 3 wraps of tape in 2 days and then wait a couple of weeks to insure my lip is stretching and so I don't have any painful experiences later on. I am now at a zero and I think it looks awesome. I can fit a huge Arco Icee cup in my lip, and since I live right now from an Arco, and use that as an excuse to shock some of the people that come over to my house. As I was writing this I actually put one wrap of tape around the plug I have in there now. I am stoked about how it looks on my face, and am even more stoked about stretching it bigger.
I usually use glass jewelry because my labret seems to take to glass better than anything else. I've used silicone, and although I'm not allergic to it, I have had adverse affects with it. Right now I have a stainless steal size 0 plug with one wrap of tape around it and plan to get another wrap of tape around it by the end of the night. I've noticed, when doing a bigger stretch, it's easier to take a shower and let the warm water rinse against the area you plan to stretch. I put vitamin E oil to help with any scarring in my lip and hurry the healing process because I am definitely an impatient person. Also, a good oil to use is jojoba oil, which closely matches the oil in your skin, and it helps to moisturize too. I also use the oils when stretching to make the process a little easier, although making a jump too fast can limit the time your body has to realise something hurts too bad and you probably should stop.
I've had very mixed reactions with my labret being stretched. Some people don't even really notice it, but the people that do are always taken aback by the fact that I have a big hole in my lip. I've realised the true nature of human beings because of this. Either they hate you for it, or they think it's awesome, and trust me, both reactions are awesome in their own respects. I guess it's the humans need for attention or popularity why I enjoy both reactions. It's almost a feeling of satisfaction that I have either pleased somebody or that I have offended somebody.
So, to anyone out there who wants to stretch your labret; do it slow because you don't want to rip that tissue, it constantly moves and is no fun during the healing process. Also, don't use jewelry that is too short in your lip. It's very uncomfortable when you have O rings that are too tight. And lastly, make sure you ask questions and understand what you're doing before stretching anything on your body. Try and learn as much about the history of modern body modifications as well as ancient. Research tribes, and research Fakir, the father of the modern primitive movement. This will all help you better understand the ideas and the reasons why people modify their bodies in so many different ways.
Me stretching my labret is not unlike one who gets breast augmentation, face lifts, and rhinoplasty. I seek to better my personal experience in the only way I know possible. I adorn myself with tattoos, and piercings to stand out, to raise questions, and to educate, and to even learn. We all have a special passion in our lives!
And please, if you have any further questions about this, don't be afraid to contact me!