For the majority of people, either 16 gauge or 14 gauge is a good starting point if you have only worn regular earrings. 16 gauge is a good starting point if you never wear earrings or if you have recently had them pierced and they are just healed up.
Additionally, are gauges good for sensitive ears?
Niobium Gauges, Plugs & Tunnels
It’s very durable as a material which is why it’s common use is for medical-grade implants, but this means it is also great for those with allergies or highly sensitive skin too.
Silicone is not on that list of initial body jewelry as it has a habit of trapping bacterial in between the ear and the plug itself. Ear stretching with silicone can lead to blowouts, bacterial issues including intrusions and infections.
Similarly one may ask, what material is best to stretch ears with?
There are tons of options:
- Acrylic is affordable and easy to find.
- Steel is slightly more expensive but durable.
- Titanium is like steel but lighter and less likely to irritate your ears.
- Silicone is a hypoallergenic material. …
- Organic options include glass, finished wood, polished stone, or any nonartificial materials.
Should you sleep with gauges in?
I recommend you sleep with your plugs in your ears. Sleeping without them can cause irritation, dryness, and cracking. (This could just be my preference.) Once your ears completely heal, purchase a pair of wood plugs.
Why do gauges stink?
The reason your ear gauges smell bad is because they’re sitting in your ear. Your skin sheds almost every hour on the hour and all of those dead skin cells are left sitting on the gauge. Thus the stinky smell.
Are ear gauges dangerous?
1) Risk of Infection
When you stretch the ear lobe, you are opening up a wound that is trying to heal. Any gauges or instruments that aren’t sterile have the potential to introduce bacteria into the wound. If you do end up with an infection, you’ll have to treat it immediately to avoid pain and scarring.
Are ear gauges still popular?
Yes, it did hurt. There are many reasons for people to stretch their ears. With ear stretching becoming more popular as the years go on, it still doesn’t make them any less of an anomaly.
What do ear gauges symbolize?
Both men and women are pierced at an early age and brass weights are hung to stretch the ears. Those in the tribe with long stretched lobes are well respected. The longer the ears were stretched, the more revered a person would become to the tribe.
How long should I leave my gauges in?
Initially you should purchase both tapers and long term ear stretching jewelry in the gauges you will be stretching to. Make sure you really like what you are buying as ideally they will be worn for at least a month before you gauge up to the next size.
Why are my gauges wet?
Wet Ear. While uncommon, stretching with non-porous materials (typically glass) can occasionally result in a condition some piercers refer to as “wet ear.” This is where the skin in contact with the jewelry secretes too much fluid, creating a sticky, moist, “sweaty” layer between the ear and the jewelry.
Can I take my gauges out overnight?
Oil massage them when you take them out before bed, and again when you wake up. It also helps with thickening your lobes. I’m at 1″ 1/4 and I always sleep without them. If you still feel sketchy about it, I suggest leaving them out for a few hours during the day til you’re fully comfortable.
Can you use Vaseline to gauge your ears?
Stretching Process (taper method)
Lubricant will make the taper super slick, so it will slide through easy. Lubricants make a stretch easier. While you’re out getting a new taper, get some Jojoba oil, Vitamin E oil or GaugeGear Stretching Balm (Neosporin and Vaseline are not good lubes for ear stretching).
Does Ear stretching hurt?
The process of stretching your ears is uncomfortable and will cause discomfort although there are ways to minimize pain. We recommend that you stretch slowly and give your ears time to heal before going up to the next size. Moving too fast while stretching is a big driver of pain.
Is acrylic bad for gauges?
Acrylic really isn’t a good material to use for stretching, or for wearing in general for that matter. The problem with acrylic is that it can’t properly be sterilized, breaks down over time & cracks, & is often toxic, & the heat from your body can cause it to break down & leach those toxins into your skin.
