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Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 9:42 pm
by corazon_de_oro
I'm glad you posted this! A lot of people here give really bad advice, even those who claim to have the most experience. I know so many people who think bigger lobes = more stretching knowledge so they'll tell you it's okay to stretch quickly because they did. With stretching, time is your friend. Yeah, reaching your goal size is nice, but having healthy lobes is too!
I'd also like to add that if you stretch fast, you build up scar tissue which makes future stretches more painful and difficult. It also makes them harder to shrink if you ever decide to take them out for good.

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 8:23 am
by leighmarie
I went on the Facebook group yesterday and there's a lad who's got to 12mm in 4 months, and a lad who's got to 8mm in 5 weeks! :O Unbelievable!

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 3:31 pm
by magalo le matelot
leighmarie wrote:I went on the Facebook group yesterday and there's a lad who's got to 12mm in 4 months, and a lad who's got to 8mm in 5 weeks! :O Unbelievable!
I've got to 20 mm in 5 month, and it was easy and not that painful...

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 5:17 pm
by Boffey
Ive gone from a normal piercing to 6mm in a month and a bit. Little pain and my ear is fine.

I think it depends on different people, like the elasticity of your skin. Mines pretty elasticy so it stretches quite easy.

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:36 pm
by leighmarie
Stretching shouldn't be a painful process.

I agree, it definitely depends on individual elasticity, but you've both stretched very, very fast. Generally you should leave at least 6 weeks between sizes (preferably closer to two months) no matter how elastic your skin.

I'd definitely recommend anyone stretching (or considering it) to give this a really good read: http://www.bodyjewelleryshop.com/forum/ ... garding-It

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:39 pm
by corazon_de_oro
Edit: we posted at the same time, cool!

And yeah, some people stretch quickly and don't run into any major problems. That doesn't mean slower isn't better, and it doesn't mean you didn't stretch too fast.
I started at 10G (pierced at that size, waited 5-6 months before stretching) and 13 months later I'm at 4G. I think stretching is all about patience, and it's sad that people are in such a hurry to have big lobes that they do permanant damage to their ears.

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:46 pm
by leighmarie
corazon_de_oro wrote:Edit: we posted at the same time, cool!

And yeah, some people stretch quickly and don't run into any major problems. That doesn't mean slower isn't better, and it doesn't mean you didn't stretch too fast.
I started at 10G (pierced at that size, waited 5-6 months before stretching) and 13 months later I'm at 4G. I think stretching is all about patience, and it's sad that people are in such a hurry to have big lobes that they do permanent damage to their ears.
Haha :)

I definitely agree, in the long run it's just not worth the risk. Yes, it is nice to get to your goal size as quick as you can, but as it should generally be seen as a somewhat permanent process (whether or not you go past the point of no return) it's better to take the time to make sure you DEFINITELY do it right and not take chances. Especially when it's something you'll have to live with for years, if not the rest of your life.

I've been stretching for over a year and I'm only just at 8mm. It'll have taken me two years by the time I reach my goal size (12mm).

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 6:48 pm
by corazon_de_oro
Agreed, and the faster you stretch the less likely your lobes are to shrink.

I was just able to dead stretch to 2G after a shower, with no pain or resistance. That's what patience gets you! Haha. :)

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:11 pm
by magalo le matelot
Why everyone is talking about shrinking ? Stretching is a permanent modification, it's not a fashion trend who last after 6 month. If you can't assume it and keep them for the rest of your life, just don't do it and buy yourself some clothes that you can get rid of after...

Re: What can happen if you stretch too fast.

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:37 pm
by corazon_de_oro
I'm not saying I want to shrink mine because I know there's a possibility that even a tiny stretch won't shrink. I'm just saying that a lot of people stretch to 2G or so with the hopes of returning to a "normal" size and if you build up a lot of scar tissue during the stretching process it's a LOT less likely to happen.