Before we begin, the term “gauges” while becoming a popular term for jewelry to use for stretching your ear or other piercings is, technically, incorrect. We measure your larger jewelry by its size or gauge and then stretch your piercing with a taper to insert the new jewelry. “Gauges” is a noun that refers to devices that measure things like distance or speed, and gauge can also refer to the size of your jewelry. While we don’t mind you, the person getting stretched referring to larger gauge jewelry as “gauges” it is still important to remember it is not considered a piercing industry standard term.
The most important thing to remember when you decide to have your piercing stretched and choose larger gauge jewelry is that it is a journey and not a quick addition to your look. Choosing larger gauge jewelry for any piercing is a commitment. A commitment you have to be sure you want to undertake. If you are sure you want to stretch in Boulder, CO, you need to proceed with care and caution if you want the new larger gauge piercing to last and look good.
The Right Supplies
You should always go to a proper piercing shop with a good reputation to have your piercings stretched and purchase your jewelry. There are some bad choices for stretching that you may find at trendy chain stores. When you begin stretching your piercings with larger gauge jewelry in Boulder, CO, the skin will tear a little bit, even if it is not noticeable. Because stretching can cause some micro-tearing of your piercing you still need to use jewelry that is safe for your piercings. Most people do well with proper metals such as surgical grade stainless steel, titanium, and gold. Also, glass can commonly be used for larger gauge jewelry choices. Stay away from plastic and organics such as horn and bone until your piercings are completely healed from your stretching.
Prevent Tearing
Do not try to stretch your piercings too fast. If you are starting out with typical pierced ears, do not grab the largest “gauges” in Boulder, CO, you can find and stuff them in. Find a gauge just a size or two larger than the one you have now. For most people, this means 14 gauge to 12 gauge jewelry. You should have your ears stretched by a trained piercer with properly gauged tapers. However, if you have purchased jewelry or tapers that you will use to stretch your piercings yourself follow this simple advice to prevent tearing. Take a hot shower and press a warm wash cloth over your lobes so they are as pliable as possible then slowly put your tapers into the piercing. Do not attempt to stretch anything other than lobes on your own. Leave the tongues and nipples to the trained professionals at your local shop in Boulder, CO.
Play Through the Pain
You do not want to force a larger size gauge than you can handle because your lobes may tear. This is not good if you ever want to wear “gauges” ever again. However, no matter what anyone tells you, it will hurt a little. If you are using the lowest gauge you can and the stretch is still very painful. This may mean your piercings have a buildup of scar tissue that does not stretch easily. Make sure you are moving very slowly for these stretches. Sometimes it is necessary to do the stretch over hours or days.
After Care
Once you have the “gauges” in place, they are going to feel a little sore. To keep the pain at bay and the stretch safe and looking good, you may choose to use a saline soak. The saline can help irrigate and clean your piercing and can help the piercing heal better. Use pre-mixed sterile saline from a bottle. Do not attempt to mix your own saline with salt and water.
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