|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:45 pm
We had a request for this thread. It is felt that many people don't know how to have gauging done properly. So, I thought we could cover that here to help people out.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:21 pm
The correct term is "stretching", not "gauging." Gauges refer to the size of the jewelry. Sorry, don't want to seem picky sweatdrop lol
I'll start off with some stuff, because I've been stretching my ears for about a year now and because I'm bored a lot, I've researched it a lot. xd
The basics on stretched earlobe piercings (from the BMEzine Encyclopedia):
Earlobe stretching is the practice of increasing the diameter of an earlobe piercing after the initial healing period for the purpose of wearing larger gauge jewelry. Standard earlobe piercings, performed with commercial ear piercing instruments (piercing guns), are typically 20 gauge for piercings receiving 14 kt. gold piercing studs, or 18 gauge for piercings receiving 24 kt. gold plated surgical steel piercing studs. If the piercing is performed in a professional piercing studio, the initial size will typically be 16 gauge or larger.
A variety of jewelry is available for stretched earlobe piercings. Types of jewelry available include plugs, eyelets, and large captive bead rings, as well as hanging styles. The best jewellery to wear in a stretched lobe, is something organic such as bone, wood or stone. These materials relieve the wearer from lobe funk and smell.
If the jewelry is removed from the piercing, the hole will shrink in diameter over the course of weeks and months. The amount a stretched earlobe will shrink if jewelry is removed long-term is dependent on the specific person pierced, and it's impossible to give an exact amount that will apply to everyone. Please note, however, that it's generally accepted that a piercing stretched to 4 gauge or over is not likely to shrink to the point it won't be noticeable. Earlobes which which have been scalpelled or punched will typically not shrink beyond the size they were when the procedure was performed. -Earlobe Stretching - BME Encyclopedia
It is also possible to stretch other piercings, like septums, labrets, nipples, and more. But all follow the same basic outlines in terms of how to stretch and gauge sizes.
Some information on gauges:
Stretched piercing diameters are measured by a system called gauges (often shorted to just a g). Each gauge corresponds to a certain millimetre. The higher the number, the smaller the gauge.
A chart:
18g - 1 mm
16g - 1.2 mm
14g - 1.6 mm
12g - 2 mm
10g - 2.4 mm
8g - 3 mm
6g - 4 mm
4g - 5 mm
2g - 6 mm
0g - 8 mm
00g - 9-10 mm
000g or 7/16 inch - 11-12 mm
After this, the sizes are measured by fraction of an inch.
How to safely stretch a piercing:
It is important that, when stretching, to never rush. Stretching is done by very gradually increasing the diameter of jewelry you wear in your piercing. A sample of the estimated time to wait between stretches:
Fresh piercing to first stretch: Approx 5 to 6 months
16g to 14g - 1 month
14g to 12g - 1 month
12g to 10g - 1.5 months
10g to 8g - 2 months
8g to 6g - 3 months
6g to 4g - 3 month
4g to 2g - 3 months
2g to 0g - 4 months
0g to 00g - 4 months
Keep in mind that this is a general outline, and every person's body stretches at a different rate. On the whole, though, it is generally safe to wait a minimum of one month between stretches, and 2-3 months minimum for sizes above 2g. When stretching, your ear should NEVER bleed and you should NEVER force the taper in. If your ear bleeds, downsize back to your previous size (or farther) right away to reduce swelling and allow your ear to heal for a few months until you feel it has healed.
Here is the link to an extremely helpful visual guide on how to stretch your piercing: Picture Guided Stretching How-To
Other guides:
http://www.wikihow.com/Stretch-a-Piercing
http://forums.bodyartforms.com/forums/t/5641.aspx
In addition to this, stretching can be done using the taping technique, which is my personal favourite. It involves using PTFE tape (never electrical or packaging tape, as it has adhesives that can irritate your skin) to wrap layers of tape on the plug, gradually increasing the size of the plug. Generally, one wrap per day is considered safe.
For more information on taping, go here:
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Taping
Stretching Do's and Don'ts
DO wear either glass, titanium, or either 316L or implant-grade stainless steel in a freshly-stretched piercing. Any other materials, like organics (wood, horn, bone, etc), and especially acrylic (acrylic is porous and can emit toxins from the plastic. It is, however, fine to wear in healed piercings, but never for long periods of time) should not be used.
DO daily sea salt soaks after stretching your piercing. Dissolve 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of iodine free sea salt into one cup (8 oz) of warm (bath temperature) water. Soak your piercing in this solution for 5-10 minutes 1-2 times daily for the duration of the healing time (around two weeks).
DO wear either a plug with no flares or a single flare when stretching. Wearing hanging jewelry , double flared plugs, claws, or pinchers can irritate the piercing. Save these for when your piercing is fully healed.
DON'T play with or fiddle with your plugs! This will only cause complications with the healing process, especially when touching it with dirty hands. You shouldn't remove your plugs for at least one week after stretching them, as constantly taking them out and reinserting them will irritate your piercing. Always wash your hands first before handling your piercing.
DON'T wear a taper in your healing piercing. Tapers should only be used as stretching tools, and replaced with a no-flared or single-flared plug immediately after.
DON'T use rubbing alcohol, bactine, or anything else with harsh chemicals to clean your piercing. Sea salt soaks and a mild anti-bacterial soap in the shower is all you need.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:22 am
I cant actually remember what size mine are (damned memory loss) but I wanna go bigger now while I can afford the rings, is there anyway I can measure the ring with a tape measure as I dont have one of those metal measuring things...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:43 pm
Even in your most casual moments...
So this raises the question:
Why do double-flare plugs exist if they are hell to put in?
...You pulse in synchrony.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Girl-Crazy Conversationalist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 8:30 pm
Korn Flaekz Even in your most casual moments...
So this raises the question:
Why do double-flare plugs exist if they are hell to put in?
...You pulse in synchrony. My guess is mainly so you don't have to bother with o-rings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 10:30 pm
well i use double flare and they are not a pain in the a**, well the first time i put them in it was a little uncomfortable but now they even fall when i put t-shirts on
and about the time lapse between stretching it really depends, i know everyone isn't able to do this but well i my boyfriend with a little of my help hehe stretched his earlobe from no piercing at all to a 1/2 g in 27 days, he waited at least 1 or 2 days between sizes and sometimes skipped some like from 10g he went to 6g because there wasn't that much difference, and his ear healed very well and it wasn't damaged so yeah i say it depends on the person, i wouldn't be able to wait more than 1 week for stretching wink
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
