Im a newbie.

[CrakerJill]

So, i got my ears pierced when I was a baby, and I want to start stretching them. I have absolutely no idea where to start so I was just wanting some input about what everyone out in the forum did. I'm definitely going gradually because I don't want to risk a blowout. I just need a starting point, so any responses would be appreciated!

[Nic]

lol first off depending on what u were pierced with u find a taper that size. taper sizes are by 2s so basically u start with an 18g then 16g then 14g then 12g and so on. u use tapers to stretch ur ears, u need to wait a certain amount of time between sizes. 2-3 weeks is usually gud. when u taper ur ears it shouldnt be to painful and it shouldnt be forced. once u get to about 0gauge u should start taping with ptfe (or electrical if u dont have a reaction to it). as long as u wait the right amount of time between stretches u will have beautiful ears. if u have any other questions ask me. also its a gud idea to use lube, like e oil, jojoba oil, or any water based lubricants.

[corazon_de_oro]

^ What he said, except it's better to wait 6-8 weeks between sizes for most people. Honestly, with stretching, the longer you wait the better off you are. And I don't know how big you're stretching, but if you go to 0G I'd suggest stopping at 1G first. It's not a very common size (you can find it online) but IMO it's pretty essential; 2G-0G is a very large jump that is difficult for a lot of people.
Edit: Also, if you can afford it, don't wear the tapers as jewelry; just buy one taper and a pair of plugs/other jewelry (like labret studs at 18G-14G) for every size. Tapers move around in your ears a lot more than plugs, and the excess movement can create a blowout in a fresh stretch. This is especially true at sizes above 6G or so.

[CrakerJill]

Thank you guys!

[vdub]

You can probably get away with starting off with a 14g taper. Everything above 12 is so small there is barely a difference. Especially since you've been pierced for so long.

[corazon_de_oro]

It seems like there's "barely a difference," but think about how small the actual hole is. If you go from 0.8mm (20G, or the size of "normal" earrings) to 1.6mm (14G), you're making the hole twice as big... that's a pretty big jump. The only way you can get away with going from 20G-14G is if your ears have stretched themselves quite a bit over time.

[Nic]

And I don't know how big you're stretching, but if you go to 0G I'd suggest stopping at 1G first. It's not a very common size (you can find it online) but IMO it's pretty essential; 2G-0G is a very large jump that is difficult for a lot of people.

lol true dat, i remember when i stretched to 0g with sum acrylic spirals i woke up the next and i had a reaction to the acrylic. I was buring from the stretch and the acrylic gave me like weird spots on the outside of my hole. The second i got sume steel tunnels and put em in the spots went away but my ears were really sore from the stretch. hurt like a bitch. Wish i had known i could get in between sizes.