Expanders Ear Plugs
I want to stretch my ear?
I have been considering stretching my ear for a long time now.
Any info you can give me on it will be appreciated.
How to do it
The risks,
The safest size to stretch to so that it can return to its normal size
Where to buy plugs/tapers/expanders - everything i need
How long it takes
and anything else you think i need to know!
Thanks
Well it can be hard to say at what point they'll go back. Some people say 0 gauge is the point of no return, but that's not necessarily true. It depends on a lot. Best case scenario, I wouldn't be comfortable going past 2 or 4 gauge If you stretch too fast, skip sizes, stuff like that you're likely to develop scar tissue that can make the stretches more permanent. Really I'd say if you're going to want them to shrink, stretch properly, and I wouldn't go past 2 gauge at the most. Even then, there is a change that they won't shrink. Bottom line, any stretch, even small gauges, can be permanent if done improperly.
Now, regarding how to stretch, one of the most important thing you need to know is that it's a long process, you need to start at the next size up from where you're at now, and continue like that for the entire stretching process. Skipping sizes can result in blow outs, big tears which becomes and issue of scar tissue. Gauge size goes in descending order: 20 gauge, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0, 00, and everything after that is measured in fractions of inches. This is American measurements, if you're a Brit, you'll be working in millimeters; I don't know the conversions, you'll have to google it.
If you have a standard piercing now, it's probably at 20 or 18 gauge. You'll want to start with no larger than 16 gauge. When you do your stretches, give your ear a nice hot water soak to help loosen the tissue, use a bit of plain water based lube or jobajoba oil, insert the taper, push it through, and transfer the jewelry immediately. A lot of people will wear tapers as jewelry, but this is incorrect. "Expanders" shouldn't really be used, as they're basically tapers with O rings. The reason wearing tapers is a bad thing is because it's an uneven surface, your ears won't be happy with that, they may cause your piercing to stretch and heal unevenly, that can complicate further stretching or shrinking. They also aren't weighted to be worn as jewelry, this puts uneven pressure on your piercing, again, this can complicate healing, create an excessive healing period, cause scar tissue, and they can just cause a lot of damage, so don't do it.
Okay, you also need to know that stretches take time to heal. In general, you should be doing no more than 1 stretch a month for smaller sizes, but give it a couple months for larger sizes. Also, listen to your body, some people will need longer, some stretches will need longer. I'd say going from standard size to 2 gauge should take at least a year, maybe longer. Remember, stretching shouldn't really hurt. You'll feel a pressure, maybe some discomfort, maybe some very mild pain, but it certainly shouldn't be anything that will make you say "ow!" or cringe. If it hurts you're going too big too fast. Back it off.
As for where to buy these things, I suggest you buy your plugs and jewelry from a body piercer or reputable online dealer. Places like Spencers, Hot Topic, they have jewelry, but it's not very good quality. Personally I wouldn't put it in my ears. Tapers may be a bit harder to find, you can definitely get them at Hot Topic, but they will be acrylic. A warning about acrylic, it's a really bad material to put in your body. It's extremely porous, which can create an issue with healing. More importantly, like all plastics, acrylic is made with cancer causing chemicals, over time, these chemicals can leach out and be absorbed into your body. Not a good thing. Now granted, if you use acrylic tapers right, and don't leave them in for long periods of time, it's not going to hurt you. But absolutely stay away from acrylic jewelry and plugs. I would recommend metal tapers over acrylic though, if you get them from the right place they aren't any more expensive, they're better for your body, and frankly, in my experience the extra weight and length just makes stretching easier. You may be able to pick them up at a piercing shop. Or you can get them online. www.painfulpleasures.com is a really great body jewelry site. They have metal tapers in every size, and I believe they're only a few dollars each (they have kits too that you can buy, like 16 gauge to 00, for about $30). If you're a minor and don't have a credit card to order with, you can just buy a prepaid Visa gift card and it will work just fine.
Oh! Something I forgot to mention about plugs, don't put double flair plugs in a fresh stretch, get single flairs or no flairs. Double flairs are too hard to get in and out for a new stretch. Save them for later.
Good luck 
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