Earstretching.net

I've had my ears pierced since I was a baby and I was told it would be fine if I went straight to a 14g. Should I be rather safe than sorry and just start the stretch at 18g or is the 14g fine?

If I was you, I'll start with 16 gauges, let it there 1-2 weeks, then you'll be able to go to 14g and start stretching for real.

Alright, cool. Thanks. I mean I understand skipping isn't recommended but I figured in this case it'd be fine and what not.

Personally i think going to a 14g is ok, its after that you dont want to skip sizes. I dont think many place even have 16g tapers from what ive seen. Get a stretching kit.. 14g - 12g - 10g

For 16 gauges, there's some eyebrow or navel jewelery.

^^^ Actually eyebrows/navels should be done at 14G because thinner jewelry increases the risk for migration... I know this from experience because my eyebrow was done at 16G.

Anyway, skipping smaller sizes doesn't seem bad but really it's almost worse than skipping larger sizes. When you think about it, 20G is 0.8mm and 14G is 1.6mm, so you'd be making the hole twice as big as it was before. Some people who wear 20G jewelry can put in a 14G if their lobes have stretched over time by wearing heavy earrings, so you should look for the next size up that you can put in without pain or too much resistance. And make sure you're waiting long enough between all your stretches; even smaller sizes need some time to loosen up.

Okay, so I'm putting in a 14g taper and it goes in about half way, but I don't think it'll go any further- there's little pain. I stopped for a little bit, then tried again, but same thing and I don't want to force it. Is that normal or should I get 16g?

Er, there's a little pain, but it feel like a pinch?

Get some Vaseline and lube up the taper.
See how far that will go in, your going to have to push it in, it's not going to just slip it. Don't force it.. if your lobe feels its not going to stretch then ya get 16g tapes

Never mind, successfully got them in with these other tapers I have