Ear Stretching Jargon: Essential Terms for Every Fan
Hey there, ear stretching enthusiasts! If you’re diving into the world of ear stretching, there’s a whole bunch of words and phrases that’ll pop up, leaving you scratching your head. Fear not, fellow stretcher! We’ve got you covered with a crash course on the essential terms you need to know. Let’s break down the jargon so you can stretch your ears like a pro.
1. Gauge
Alright, first things first – gauge is king in the ear stretching world. It refers to the size of your piercing hole. The higher the gauge number, the smaller the size. Don’t sweat it; it’s just a funky way of measuring!
2. Taper
No, it’s not a candle thing! A taper is a tool used to gradually stretch your piercing to a larger size. It’s like a little buddy guiding your ear to the next level.
3. Plug
Ah, the mighty plug! This is the jewelry that goes into your stretched ear. It comes in various materials, shapes, and styles. It’s the star of the show!
4. Dead Stretching
No zombies involved, I promise! Dead stretching means letting your ear naturally stretch over time without using tapers. Slow and steady wins the race here.
5. Blowout
Nope, not a hairstyle thing! A blowout occurs when the inside of your piercing gets a little unhappy and decides to pop out. Ouch! Proper care is the key to avoiding this.
6. Lobe Butter
Not for your toast! Lobe butter or ear butter is a moisturizer or oil used to keep your lobes healthy and happy during the stretching process. Hydration is key!
7. Downsizing
When it’s time to give your ears a break. Downsizing means switching to smaller jewelry to let your ear relax and shrink a bit.
8. Ear Weights
Adding a bit of gravity to the equation! Ear weights are cool accessories that help in stretching by applying gentle pressure to your lobes. They come in various shapes and materials, adding a unique touch to your stretched ears.
9. Fistula
Sounds serious, but it’s just the hollow tunnel created from stretching your ear piercing. This space allows for bigger jewelry sizes as you progress in your stretching journey.
10. Ear Scalpelling
A precise method for achieving larger gauge sizes! This technique involves a professional making a clean incision to create a larger hole, bypassing the gradual stretching process.
11. Sea Salt Soaks
Your ear’s spa day! Soaking your lobes in a sea salt solution helps keep them clean, aids in healing, and prevents infections during and after stretching.
12. Snug Fit
When your jewelry sits just right! A snug fit means your plugs or tunnels fit comfortably without being too loose or too tight.
13. Blowout Recovery
Oops! If you experience a blowout, it’s essential to downsize, treat it gently, keep it clean, and let your ear heal before attempting further stretching.
14. Earlobe Thickness
This refers to the depth or thickness of your earlobe. Thinner or thicker lobes can impact the stretching process, so it’s essential to consider this factor.
15. Earlobe Reconstruction
In case you decide to reverse the stretching process, earlobe reconstruction is a surgical procedure to restore your lobes to their original size. It’s an option if you’re looking to go back to standard piercings.
16. Single Flare vs. Double Flare
Not a bakery dilemma! Single flare plugs have one flared end, while double flare plugs have both ends flared. They offer different insertion methods and fits, so choose what feels comfortable for you.
17. Sizing Up vs. Stretching
While these terms might seem similar, sizing up refers to switching to larger jewelry sizes within the same gauge, while stretching involves gradually increasing your piercing size using tapers or other methods.
18. Setback
Sometimes, your ear needs a timeout! A setback occurs when your ear isn’t ready for the next size and needs some time to heal before continuing with the stretching process.
19. O-Rings
These little rubber rings are stretchers’ best friends! O-rings help secure your plugs or tunnels in place and prevent them from slipping out.
20. Embrace Your Style
Above all, your ear stretching journey is about self-expression and embracing your style. Experiment with different jewelry designs, materials, and sizes to find what suits you best.
