Why do people put gauges in their ears?
What Is Ear Stretching? Ear stretching allows people to wear unique types of jewelry in their ears known as “spacers” or “gauges.” Some people stretch their ears because of cultural traditions, while others just like how it looks.
Does gauging your ears hurt?
Stretching your ear safely shouldn't cause sharp pain or bleeding. These are signs that you're trying to stretch your ears too quickly.
Do gauged ears go back to normal?
The earlobe can shrink back to its normal size if the earring or gauge is less than 14mm or a size 2 gauge. Anything larger than this size will require reconstructive surgery. Stretching of the ear with gauge piercings is a process that takes many months and should not be rushed.
What are ear gauges really called?
Saying this will confuse the employees because a gauge is actually the size of a person's ears. The actual jewelry they are looking for is called plugs. Not a lot of people are familiar with this very big difference between the two words, and they use of the word “gauges” whenever they want to buy plugs.
Why do ear gauges stink?
Why does this happen? Your body secretes a substance called sebum, sebum is an oily secretion which helps your skin keep lubricated and keep it waterproof. The sebum mixes with the dead skin cells between your ear and the jewellery to make this unpleasant odour.
Should I take my gauges out to shower?
Once your piercings are fully healed (after 12 weeks), you should remove your jewelry when you shower. This is the most effective way to clean both your piercings and your jewelry. Be sure that your hands are clean before you remove your ear gauge jewelry.
Do gauges ever stop smelling?
The odor will be stronger while you are stretching your ears. This is because the ear is trying to heal and will produce more sebum and dead skin. When you get to your desired ear gauge you will notice less of an odor. The other part of the smell is the plug itself.
Can you join the military with gauges?
Soldiers are prohibited from willfully mutilating the body or any body parts in any manner, including tongue bifurcation (splitting of the tongue), or ear gauging (enlarging holes in the ear lobes greater than 1.6 mm). Also, stricter guidelines regulate hair cuts for both male and female Soldiers.
How can I hide my stretched ears?
If you have longer hair, you can wear it over your ears, using styling gel to keep it in place. Another way to hide your gauges is to tuck them under a bandanna or hat. You can also purchase flesh-colored plugs to make your gauges less noticeable.
Can stretched earlobes go back to normal?
One person's earlobe may shrink back to normal after having a stretched piercing and another may need surgical repair. Generally, holes that are less than a half inch in diameter may shrink back naturally if the jewelry is left out. There is no guarantee, however.
How do people get gauges?
If you want to gauge your ears at home, get your ears pierced by a professional and then wait 6-10 weeks before stretching them. Once your ears have healed from the initial piercing, purchase a set of ear tapers at a piercing studio.
Are gauges permanent?
Once you reach a certain point, ear gauging leaves permanent results. So, if you ever want to remove the gauges from your ears, you will be left with a big hole that can only be reversed with surgery. By working with a professional, your chances for closing gauged ears without surgery is greater.
How long does it take to gauge your ears?
That said, you'll be looking at a few months, usually around 4 months for smaller gauges, all the way up to a year or two for larger gauges. Note: Whilst there is a common 'point of no return size' for ear stretching, every ear is different and some may not close at all after a certain size.
Is ear stretching permanent?
Ear stretching takes time and effort. If you don't do it right, you can cause permanent damage or scarring, and raise the risk of infection. Many people are regretting ear stretching and are seeking to reverse the process, so think about this carefully.
How far can I stretch my ears before they won't close?
2 - 0 gaugeWhat size can I stretch up to without permanent damage? There are a lot of different opinions on this topic, but the majority of professionals in the body modification industry recommend never going any larger than 2 - 0 gauge if you want your ears to totally close up where you can't see through them.
What should I know before stretching my ears?
9 Things To Know If You Get Your Ears GaugedYour Earlobe Holes May Never Get Back To "Normal" ... You Can Repair Gauged Earlobes. ... You Should Wait Eight To 10 Weeks Between Stretches. ... Tears Can Cause Scar Tissue. ... Pain While Stretching Probably Means You're Damaging The Tissue.More items...•
What ear gauge sizes do we sell?
We sell plugs in pretty much all of the ear gauge sizes, although not every design and material is available in every size. So whether you’re just starting our with stretching your ears or you’re just looking for some awesome body jewellery that you can’t find anywhere else, we can accommodate your size!
Why are ear gauges so hard to work out?
The reason why it’s all hard to work out is that ear gauge sizes aren’t traditionally made for jewellery! Long story short they were created by the British wire industry to measure the thickness of wire using a 1” steel plate as a reference point.
Can ear gauges be different sizes?
One point to note here is that when working with the human body, sizes can differ. Unfortunately, it’s not always as accurate in inches or fractions which is why the gauge size can have different conversions. If you are stuck for your size, refer to our chart or get in touch and we’ll see if we can help you find the right ear gauges and plugs for you.
Is it hard to size ear gauges?
Ear gauge sizes are tricky if you’re just starting with ear stretching. But, once you get used to the way we size plugs/gauges it's not that hard, so here’s what you need to know about ear gauges and the sizing you need for stretching your ears.
Is 1/8th a 16 gauge?
So using 1/16th became known as a 16 gauge, using 1/8th became an 8 gauge and so on. That’s why the lower the fraction the thicker the wire! (and also why it gets tricky past an inch!) Ear plugs aren’t the only industry that uses the gauge system, it’s actually used in the medical industry by anesthetists too!
What is gauge in earrings?
The terms “gauges” and plugs are very often used interchangeably to describe ornamental jewellery for stretched ears. Technically, the term “gauge” refers to the size to which the ear has been stretched. It can also refer to the size of the plug based on width.
Why is it important to clean your gauges?
Regular cleaning of your gauges is important for maintaining healthy stretched ears.
What does it mean when you buy a plug?
Knowing your gauge size is important when stretching up and changing jewellery. If you buy plugs that are too small in gauge, they will not fit your ears, and if you buy plugs too large, you can risk a blowout (tearing of the stretched skin). The term “plug” simply refers to the jewellery of any gauge that is used for ear stretching. They can be of many different gauges and are unlimited in style.
How long have Otiz's ears been stretched?
Otiz is a perfectly preserved example of just how long body modifications such as ear stretching have been around as he came from around 3300 BCE and has ears stretched to about 8 millimeters! Thankfully since then, mankind has developed safer and cleaner ways of stretching ears. Understanding Ear Gauges.
How to clean a glass gauge?
If you have Metal, Acrylic, Silicone or Glass gauges- washing with warm soapy water is the preferred method. Wash them, rinse them and then leave your gauges to air dry. Stone gaugescan also be washed with water and a mild soap. Strong antibacterial soap on these gauges may damage them.
Have a Question About Ear Gauges or Plugs?
Questions about our Ear Gauges? Let us know! Contact us today with any questions about our ear gauges or plugs and we'll get back to you within a day or two.
Is Ear Stretching Painful?
This is one of the first questions that most people want to have answered. In short, the answer is not really. The stretching process might tingle or sting slightly, but if it’s done correctly by a professional with good experience, it shouldn’t hurt all too much.
Is Ear Gauing Permanent?
Ear gauges are permanent or impermanent depending on a couple of factors. As a general rule, people who make holes between 6 and 10 millimeters can expect their ears to revert back to the size of a normal piercing. This will take several months of healing. Keep this in mind if you don’t want the process to permanently stretch your ears.
How to Safely Stretch Your Ears
Knowing the process for safely stretching your ears can help make sure the professional doing it knows what they’re doing. Many people try to do it at home, which is fine and can be done through a few different stretching techniques - gauges taper kit, taping, dead stretching.
Aftercare for Ear Gauges
The most important factor to keep in mind during the process is not the actual stretching, but rather how you will look after the ear gauge once you’ve begun your journey. A newly stretched piercing should be met with patience and discipline at all times.
How to Spot and Prevent Infections in Ear Gauges
When you’re doing your daily aftercare routine, take some time to inspect the area thoroughly. Don’t be too alarmed if there is a distinctive smell at first, but if this lasts it’s worth seeing professional advice. Preventing infection requires disciplined attention and sticking to a cleaning routine.
Can You Downsize an Ear Gauge?
If you’re planning on going through the ear stretching process, you can bank on the fact that at some point during the process you may question whether you’ve gone further than you might have wanted to. If the earlobes were stretched properly, the hole will start to close up on its own and you can downsize to your heart's content.
Trusted Support During The Process
Aside from having a close friend or family member to offer moral support during the process, it’s good to know you can bank on expert advice that will offer peace of mind as it goes along. At BodyJ4You, we’re committed to helping people recover well from piercings, ear stretching, tattoos and more.
What is gauge in earrings?from customplugs.com
The terms “gauges” and plugs are very often used interchangeably to describe ornamental jewellery for stretched ears. Technically, the term “gauge” refers to the size to which the ear has been stretched. It can also refer to the size of the plug based on width.
Why is it important to clean your gauges?from customplugs.com
Regular cleaning of your gauges is important for maintaining healthy stretched ears.
How to wrap gauze around a pack?from wikihow.com
Once you finish wrapping the outer layer of gauze around the pack, there will be a small tail of gauze left hanging out. Take your tweezers and poke them down into the center of the pack so it isn’t hanging loose.
What does it mean when you buy a plug?from customplugs.com
Knowing your gauge size is important when stretching up and changing jewellery. If you buy plugs that are too small in gauge, they will not fit your ears, and if you buy plugs too large, you can risk a blowout (tearing of the stretched skin). The term “plug” simply refers to the jewellery of any gauge that is used for ear stretching. They can be of many different gauges and are unlimited in style.
How long have Otiz's ears been stretched?from customplugs.com
Otiz is a perfectly preserved example of just how long body modifications such as ear stretching have been around as he came from around 3300 BCE and has ears stretched to about 8 millimeters! Thankfully since then, mankind has developed safer and cleaner ways of stretching ears. Understanding Ear Gauges.
How to keep gauze in place?from wikihow.com
Keep the gauze’s folds in place as best as you can as you roll so it doesn’t come undone. Roll the gauze as tightly as possible to create a compact pack. The tighter the gauze is rolled, the more layers there are for the blood to soak into, which means you’ll have to change the gauze less often.
How to make a gauze square?from wikihow.com
You can buy a package of gauze that is already cut into squares, or you can cut a square out from a larger sheet of gauze. If you cut your own, make it 2 by 2 inches (5.1 by 5.1 cm).
How to stretch ears for gauges?
Just get your ears pierced at a local studio, then use professional tools like tapers and surgical tape to stretch the holes out over time. As long as you have patience and practice good hygiene, you can stretch your ears safely.
How to get ear tapers?
Many piercing studios offer a "stretching kit" of ear tapers in various sizes. Start with your size 16-14 ear taper, depending on your chosen gauge. Make sure that the stretching kit has your starting taper size before you purchase it.
How to heal ear lobes?
Massage your earlobe for five minutes every day. Massage your ear once or twice a day, preferably right after you have washed your ear. This will help your ear heal and accommodate to its new stretched size. Apply jojoba or vitamin-E oil as you massage your ears to keep your piercing soft and stretchy.
What oil to use for ear piercing?
The lubricant will help the taper slide into your piercing easily and without tearing your ear. Coconut oil or jojoba oil works especially well for stretching ears. Avoid using petroleum oil, which can get clogged in your piercing and cause infections. Wash your hands before you massage the lubricant into your ears.
How do you know if you have an infection in your ear?
Redness, swelling, and green or yellow discharge are the most common signs of infection. Not all of these signs necessarily mean your ears are infected: you may just have minor ear irritation. But if you notice two or more infection symptoms, visit a piercer or medical professional for treatment.
How to get a taper out of earring?
Replace the taper with your plug or tunnels. Align your jewelry with the large end of the taper, hold the taper behind your ear pushing the plug or tunnel through your ear until you push it all the way through and the taper has fallen out. Add the "O" rings then repeat these steps with the other ear if desired.
How to get rid of ear piercings?
Clean your ears with antibacterial soap twice a day. Wash your hands before touching your ears to prevent infection. Apply antibacterial cream around the rim of your piercing to further prevent infection. Any more than two times a day can irritate your piercing.
What is gauge in earrings?from customplugs.com
The terms “gauges” and plugs are very often used interchangeably to describe ornamental jewellery for stretched ears. Technically, the term “gauge” refers to the size to which the ear has been stretched. It can also refer to the size of the plug based on width.
Why is it important to clean your gauges?from customplugs.com
Regular cleaning of your gauges is important for maintaining healthy stretched ears.
What does it mean when you buy a plug?from customplugs.com
Knowing your gauge size is important when stretching up and changing jewellery. If you buy plugs that are too small in gauge, they will not fit your ears, and if you buy plugs too large, you can risk a blowout (tearing of the stretched skin). The term “plug” simply refers to the jewellery of any gauge that is used for ear stretching. They can be of many different gauges and are unlimited in style.
How long have Otiz's ears been stretched?from customplugs.com
Otiz is a perfectly preserved example of just how long body modifications such as ear stretching have been around as he came from around 3300 BCE and has ears stretched to about 8 millimeters! Thankfully since then, mankind has developed safer and cleaner ways of stretching ears. Understanding Ear Gauges.
How to clean acrylic gauges?from customplugs.com
Acrylic gauges can be cleaned with soapy water. Wash them thoroughly, rinse with cold water and leave to air dry.
Can wood gauges be submerged in water?from customplugs.com
Wooden gauges / plugs should not be submerged in water. Instead they should be wiped clean with a damp cloth before being dried. When dry you should rub in some Jojoba Oil. This will help protect the wood.
Can you wash a stone gauge with soap?from customplugs.com
Stone gaugescan also be washed with water and a mild soap. Strong antibacterial soap on these gauges may damage them. A mild baby soap is ideal for cleaning natural stone plugs. Wooden gauges / plugsshould not be submerged in water. Instead they should be wiped clean with a damp cloth before being dried.
How to stretch/gauge your ears without tapers?
If you want to know how to stretch ears without tapers it’s a fairly easy method called taping although this is much easier for larger stretches than it is for smaller ones.
What are tapers and how do I use them to stretch ears?
Tapers are specialised tools used to stretch ears that most of the time look like very long cones. The broader side of the cone at its largest is the specified gauge size of the taper and the size you’re aiming for.
How long does it take for stretched ears to close?
Everyone always asks, how long does it take for stretched ears to close and the problem is, it depends entirely on the individual, because every ear is different. However, there are some factors that will affect how long it will take, including:
How to care for your ears/lobes after stretching?
Oil massages are the best practice after stretching your earlobes and this is best done after a shower because they need to stay moisturised. Use natural or water-based products to massage your earlobes, for at least five minutes each which helps get rid of any scar tissue, dead cells, and remaining sebum.
What is the difference between a plug and a tunnel?
Plugs vs tunnels - the difference. The most prominent difference is between plugs and tunnels: Plugs are solid, and tunnels are hollow. When wearing them, plugs will fill the stretched earlobe, and tunnels will only give it shape while enabling anyone to see through the actual piercing.
How to fix a swollen ear?
Slowly insert the pointy side first and then try to slide it through. If there is resistance or pain, you should wait to stretch your ears further. If there is no resistance and it feels comfortable, simply line up the next gauge of tunnels or plugs and push them through. Once they are through, fix them with “O” rings.
How long does it take for ear piercings to heal?
The only real condition is that you need to have a completely healed piercing before you start. It’s best to wait up to 6 months (sometimes longer) to make sure it’s fully healed and you’ll be able to stretch evenly.
What is gauge in earrings?from customplugs.com
The terms “gauges” and plugs are very often used interchangeably to describe ornamental jewellery for stretched ears. Technically, the term “gauge” refers to the size to which the ear has been stretched. It can also refer to the size of the plug based on width.
Why is it important to clean your gauges?from customplugs.com
Regular cleaning of your gauges is important for maintaining healthy stretched ears.
What is ear butter made of?from plugyourholes.com
Made from the perfect blend of Jojoba Oil, Organic Bee’s Wax, Vitamin E Oil , Karanja Oil and other helpful ingredients. Ear Butter is the perfect balm to keep your ears smooth and moist throughout the dry winter months. It’s butter for your ears!
What does it mean when you buy a plug?from customplugs.com
Knowing your gauge size is important when stretching up and changing jewellery. If you buy plugs that are too small in gauge, they will not fit your ears, and if you buy plugs too large, you can risk a blowout (tearing of the stretched skin). The term “plug” simply refers to the jewellery of any gauge that is used for ear stretching. They can be of many different gauges and are unlimited in style.
What size plugs are available for stretched piercings?from urbanbodyjewelry.com
Plugs and Tunnels are designated for all of your stretched piercing needs! We carry a large variety of sizes that range from a 16 gauge to 3 inches. When you shop our Plug and Tunnel collection you will notice that there is something for everyone! We carry a diverse selection of materials for your comfort! These include glass, stone, wood titanium, bone, horn, acrylic and stainless steel. You will step your stretching game up a notch with the variety of colors, sizes and materials we have to offer! It doesn’t matter if you are looking for double flares, no flare or single flares, we have them all! Shop Glass Plugs | Kaos Plugs | Stone Plugs | Teardrop Plugs | Wood Plugs
How long have Otiz's ears been stretched?from customplugs.com
Otiz is a perfectly preserved example of just how long body modifications such as ear stretching have been around as he came from around 3300 BCE and has ears stretched to about 8 millimeters! Thankfully since then, mankind has developed safer and cleaner ways of stretching ears. Understanding Ear Gauges.
How to clean acrylic gauges?from customplugs.com
Acrylic gauges can be cleaned with soapy water. Wash them thoroughly, rinse with cold water and leave to air dry.