Ready to stretch! A few last questions...

[itsjessicawoot]

Hey hey! I'm new to this site and am thinking that I'm finally ready to stretch my ears after doing lots of research and reading lots of the posts here. I just have a few questions.

1) Does anybody have any sites that they would reccomend to purchase jewelry from? (I'm got my ears pierced about 7 years ago so I'm looking for an 18g)

2) I know tapers are only used to stretch and the plugs are put in immediately after, but are you supposed to leave the plugs in all the time (sleep w/ them too)? Or are you supposed to take them out, like when you clean them or to give them time to "breathe"?

Thanks!!

[Deano]

Welcome to the site!

1.) I purchase my jewelry from PainfulPleasures.com. It's a good site with low prices, and their customer service is excellent.

2.) I always leave in some sort of jewelry, whether that is an eyelet or a horseshoes, etc. The only time I leave them out right now is when I'm cleaning my ears and jewelry or massaging them with vitamin e oil. However, once I get to my goal size of 0g, and they are fully healed there, I plan to take my jewelry out for a couple hours every now and again to help blood flow, but until then, I'm keeping them in.

I just had an uncomfortable experience 2 nights ago where I took out my eyelet to clean them and do a 5 minute oil massage, and when I went to put the eyelets back in, I got the same feeling I did when I stretched them the first time, from 8-6, which was just about 3 weeks ago. I probably should have waited a couple more weeks before leaving out the jewelry for more than a couple minutes, and I certainly won't be taking them out for any longer than it takes to clean the jewelry and the piercing itself for several more weeks.

Hope this helps you some.

[Acacia]

I would recommend bodyartforms, they have everything and an EXCELLENT service!
After a stretch I leave my (glass)plugs in 24-7 for about two weeks, doing sss 2-5 times a day, then after two weeks I remove them every morning and evening to clean them with soap and water and do oil-massag, then re-insert them again.

[itsjessicawoot]

Thanks guys! I will definitely be checking out those sites. Also what's the best thing to clean the jewelry itself with? And I've heard acrylic plugs aren't the best choice because they can build up bacteria, but are they pretty safe to wear after your ears have had plenty of time to heal between stretches?

[Deano]

I just clean my jewelry with antibacterial hand soap. Acrylic can't be autoclaved, therefore, it can harbor much bacteria. It is definitely in your best interest to wait until your ears are fully healed to wear acrylics, and even then, you may have an allergic reaction. I don't have any acrylics, but I don't suggest wearing them for the long term. Most acrylics are made as "costume jewelry," if you will, as they are made to be worn for short times, such as going to a concert, going out on a date, etc. You may not have any problems with acrylic what so ever, but many people do, so just keep that in mind before you start wearing it 24/7.

[Acacia]

I just clean with soap and water.

And I'm not really a fan of acrylic and only wear it rarely, as there is a lot of doubt as to whether or not it releases toxins over time.

[itsjessicawoot]

You guys have been an AMAZING help I'm so glad I found this forum and can't wait to get started! If I have any other random questions I definately know who to ask.