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The Easiest Way to Gauge Ears

Stretching ear piercings is a process which is often incorrectly referred to as "gauging." The process of stretching a piercing is a slow, careful procedure in which size is added gradually so as not to cause scarring or damage to the tissue. Stretching ear piercings is accomplished through one of two very straightforward methods. The wrapping method involves layers of Teflon tape placed over existing jewelry to increase the size while tapering uses a tool called a taper to open the piercing to the new size.

Things You'll Need

  • Appropriate body jewelry at each size, starting from the size of the original piercing
  • Tapers of corresponding sizes
  • Teflon tape
  • Vitamin E oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Massage vitamin E oil into your lobes for a few days prior to stretching. This helps to break down residual scar tissue and relax the lobes in preparation.

    • 2

      Remove the current jewelry and decide whether you will be using the wrapping method or tapers to stretch your piercing.

    • 3

      For wrapping, wrap the jewelry with a single or double layer of Teflon tape and reinsert the jewelry. Repeat this process every other day. This is known as the tape wrap method and increases the size of your piercing gradually.

    • 4

      For tapering, choose the taper which is one and only one size larger than your current piercing. Carefully insert the taper to stretch the hole, pushing the taper through to the largest end. Place a piece of body jewelry of the appropriate new size next to the taper and follow the taper through the piercing with the jewelry. Close the jewelry and allow your piercing to heal for at least one month before making the next stretch.

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