Ear gauging is an ancient practice that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It involves stretching the earlobes with different sized jewelry and can be used for a variety of reasons, from fashion to cultural expression. But before you get your own set of ear gauges, it’s important to understand the process and potential risks involved. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about ear gauging so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is right for you.
What Are Ear Gauges?
Ear gauges are pieces of jewelry that are inserted into the hole in your earlobe that gradually stretches it over time. The sizes range from “00” (which is 8mm) up to 7/8″ (22mm). The standard gauge size for a regular piercing is 20g, which is 0.8mm thick and usually takes two weeks or more to heal fully. As you stretch the piercing, you will need larger and larger jewelry in order for it to fit comfortably without having any pain or discomfort. Most people start around 10-12g and work their way up gradually as they become more comfortable with the process.
Safety Considerations
When done properly, ear gauging can be a safe and enjoyable experience; however, there are certain risks associated with this procedure that should be taken into consideration before starting. First of all, make sure that your piercer has experience in stretching piercings and using larger jewelry sizes safely. Additionally, improper care of your ears after stretching can lead to infections or other complications, so it’s important to clean your ears regularly and use proper aftercare methods such as soaking them in saline solution or using tea tree oil as directed by your piercer. Lastly, it’s important to remember that once stretched past a certain size, some people may not be able to revert back to regular gauge sizes without surgery. Therefore, if you’re considering getting large gauge piercings for fashion purposes only, it’s important to keep this in mind and take extra precautions when deciding on how large of a gauge size is right for you personally.
Types of Jewelry Available
Once stretched beyond standard piercing sizes, there are a variety of jewelry styles available specific for ear gauging needs including plugs (which are solid pieces of jewelry), tunnels (which have hollow centers), spikes (which have sharp points), flares (which have flat ends) ,and tapers (which narrow down at the ends). Depending on your personal style preferences and desired look, there are many options available when selecting appropriate jewelry for large gauge piercings. Prices vary depending on material choice but typically range from $5-$30 per piece depending on style selection . It’s also possible to find cheaper alternatives online if desired but quality should always be considered since these pieces will be placed directly onto sensitive skin tissue!
Ear gauging is an ancient practice that has seen a resurgence in popularity due its ability express personal style and cultural identity through body modification techniques like stretching piercings with large gauge jewelry sizes. Before beginning this procedure ,it’s important understand all safety considerations such as finding an experienced piercer, taking proper care of ears post -procedure, and understanding potential risks associated with permanent stretching. Additionally, there are many varieties of earrings available specifically meant for larger gauge sizes ranging from plugs, tunnels, spikes, flares, to tapers. When done properly with quality materials, ear gauging can create unique looks while maintaining safe practices!
