For as long as I can remember I have been interested in body piercing and modifications - by the age of 17 I already had my ears done 4 times, my tongue and my nipple done. To many people they may consider it to be in rebellion, but I say so what...if it feels to be in your nature, then it is who you are.
At A Glance Author Rosey Contact Rosey@bme.anon When Three months ago Location Australia
I have since decided to start studying body piercing and training to become a body piercer, and in researching I decided that simple piercing wasn't enough - I wanted to experience something different - something like stretching. Seeing as though your ear is one of the most maleable body parts, that was therefore my first place to start...
When I first started looking into stretching my lobes there were hardly any resources available, even when I went to my local piercer he had no advice other than "stretch them as far as you want"...that wasn't all that helpful! So with a simple 18 gauge ring I bought a 16 gauge surgical steel ring to insert. I was under the impression that it would be painful - but it went through just as easy as the 18 gauge - so I thought to myself -I can do better than that! I bought a 10 gauge surgical steel taper...all day I was intimidated and a bit scared by pushing it through, so I bought some xylocaine cream (which not only numbs that area, but lubricates), and that afternoon I tried pushing it through. I first applied a hot/warm compress to the area to relax the skin and then applied the cream to the taper and my ear. After waiting a few minutes I tried pushing it through and to my dismay only got a third of the way through. So I stood in front of the stereo with St Anger by Metallica playing (to psyche me up)and I pushed it all the way through. I discovered that as soon as you go past your pain barrier - it doesn't really feel like pain - more like a discomfort.
For the next stretch I bought some plastic claws that were a 6 gauge - and may I just say that personally I found those to be the best.
After a week, I went to a 4 gauge, and so on to the 0 gauges that are now in my ear. Going from a 2 gauge to a 0 gauges was the hardest transition, it opened up my skin a bit, but once again...I was full of adrenalaine so that it didn't really hurt - to be quite honest, getting your tetanus shot hurts more.
I have since found that the best thing for treating your ears is swimming in the surf...sea water is like the fountain of youth! For those who are not able to get to the beach, simply boil some water (on the stove for 15 minutes - not in the kettle), and when it is cool enough to be placed in your skin, mix with sea rock salts. Get some tissues or face wipes and soak in the warm salt water and hold your ear until it gets cool. Once it is cool, do the same thing again, but this time move it around to remove any discharge or "crusties".
In a space of 2 months I have stretched my ears 7 mm further that what they were, got a new piercing (tragus) dyed my hair black and changed my future profession, and I have been lucky enough to witness the public's change to me. Before-hand I was what is affectionately known as acceptably "normal". I have since learned that there are no such people - so be what you want. I had so many people come and try and talk me out of all my modifications, but at the end of the day it is your body - not theirs! I now love being able to express my individuality in comparison to people that afraid to stand out from the crowd. I find it humorous that when I meet new people now, they no longer look me in the eyes, but on my piercings...I don't have a problem with that at all - after all, your piercings are who you are.
I am about to go even further and continue stretching my lobe..once I am happy with that result I am going to stretch a second hole just up from it. I also going to get a labret (in fact I had a concept of numerous) and possibly many more piercings. I can imagine that piercings are an addiction - not a hobby!
Anyway, I hope that by reading my experience, it will help you in your new voyage of self modification exploration....happy stretching!