Tapers after 8g

[BassPlayer95]

Is using tapers after 8g bad? People on the ear stretching group on facebook said that after 8g you should start taping. Confused. (By the way, I am totally ridiculous for asking this when I'm not even stretching?)

[Mikey]

Essentially, yes. I am part of that ear stretching Facebook group =P.

They're bad because they are no longer long enough to allow a safe, slow stretch beyond that size.

You see, tapers are all the same size. So the size changes for 6g and up are really sudden on the taper itself. And that can possibly tear your ear because it moves more sudden than gradual.

[LucyFord]

It was fine for me... I stretched using standard captive hoops or barbells until I got to 10g, and used pinchers until 4g, where I started using tapers. I heard you should start taping after 0g or something like that.

but then again, I practice very poor stretching habits and I've torn my ears more than once [including this morning].

If you want to be absolutely sure, consult a professional piercer. The number of piercers who also stretch piercings is increasing, so chances are, you'll have an easy time finding someone who can answer your questions.

But above all, if/when you decide to stretch, take it slow, keep your piercings clean and keep a wary eye on them!

[corazon_de_oro]

Nothing wrong with tapers as long as you're 100% ready to stretch and not forcing them through. And as long as you're not wearing them long-term. If you find that a certain size is too difficult to stretch to all at once (and you've waited plenty of time) you can try taping. Many people swear by taping but I've always found it to be a pain in the butt. Plus I've always felt that if my ears are ready to stretch, the next size will fit, and if it doesn't fit I need to wait longer. I tried it for 8G-6G and wrapping tape around the tiny plugs was really difficult, and I ended up with a super uneven surface that I didn't feel comfortable putting in my ears. But other people I know taped at even smaller sizes and were fine. So it really just depends on what you prefer. I didn't even use tapers OR tape for a lot of my stretches, the easiest thing for me to do is usually to get some glass, rounded plugs and just put them in when my ears are ready for the next size.

[BassPlayer95]

Thanks, but wouldn't that just be dead stretching?

[corazon_de_oro]

Yep. Dead-stretching is fine if your ears are ready. Not saying that's what you should do, but it's another option.