If you're on this blog, you're doing it wrong

Anonymous asked: I'm in college but still live at home and my parents won't let me stretch my ears until I move out. They're worried in a couple years, I'd have to get surgery. My ears grow up very easily, I haven't been able to leave earrings out over night for 10 years. So is it at all plausible that my ears could shrink down to a "normal" size? Just so it's something to tell my parents, I have no plans whatsoever to shrink them.

OK, the thing here is; everyone is different. So I’m going to give you some facts and you can tell them what you see fit.

I know people who have gone up to about 35mm and they have shrunk back down to about 5mm, still not ‘normal size’ but they haven’t so stayed big.

Also, I know people who have stretched up to 10mm and they went back down to ‘normal size’ (that’s about 1.6mm)

That being said, I also know people who have stretched to 10mm and they stayed there. 

All of those people stretched safely and slowly, and their ears were major healthy the whole way up. Everyone is different.

What you choose to tell your folks is up to you, but there are some things to consider.

What size were you considering going up to? Tell them the size you consider your ‘goal’ size, and tell them many people’s ears have reduced in size from that size.

It’s also worth saying, it’s your parents house, so if they want to make you wait, it’s nice to listen to their rules. But once you’ve moved out, it’s your head, they’re your ears, you can do what you want.

Even if you were going to let them heal back down to size, it’s not their beef, it’s yours.

Best advice I can give is this; stretch well, stretch slowly. Tell your parents that it is HIGHLY likely they will shrink if your lobes are springy. Do research and tell them you know what you are doing. But listen to them when you’re under their roof, that’s just courtesy :)

And if you need advice as your stretching, my ask box doesn’t close.

WALL OF TEXT ANSWER!!

So…

i-wont-change-for-anyone:

Well, I’m really contemplating getting some tapers at the mall tomorrow, but I don’t really know if I should start stretching my ears yet, but I think I will. Anyone know what size you start out with?

It depends what size your lobes are pierced at. Most people start at either 18g or 16g.

I can’t tell from your post, but if you’re new to stretching and don’t know basic information like this, I’d consider researching first, before starting any modification. There are plenty of sites to help.

There are links on this blog to safe stretching techniques under the ‘Do it Right’ manu. And my askbox is open for your questions. I have a LOT of knowledge in my head waiting to be of use, so ask away.

Stretch safely and correctly. We need more pretty lobes in the world.

Awesome Mods just posted tips on thickening lobes

And because it was an ask, I’m a just post it here with a link to them.

Brilliant advice is brilliant

awesomemodifications: 

Best way to thicken is to go naked for 6+ months and SLOWLY restretch. (3 months per 1mm) Do massages with some sort of oil for 5mins a day on each lobe. The type of oil doesn’t matter much as long as you’re not allergic to it. And when possible, sleep naked at night.

The size you put in after 6 months should fit comfortably. Not loose to the point of falling out, but not too snug either (no stinging etc).

carbonandink asked: wearing tapers as jewelry is equivalent to gluing the little nail polish brushes to your fingernails or tying haircutting scissors to your head.

starsinthegutter:

LOLOLOL XD this. 

Hahahahahahaaaa, dying. Accurate!!!

Anonymous asked: Not really a question, more of a story. I was out recently and was going to chat up this really cute girl but then I saw her wearing acrylic tapers for jewelry. >.> It was a complete turnoff.

Yeahhh, I know what you mean. If I see tapers/catbutt/blowout, and we are already talking, I will ask about their method. If they are dumb and ignorant about it, I will usually leave later feeling frustrated. But if they will listen, I tell them about what they are doing wrong and advise something for them, which usually leads to them changing their ways. Which is nice. Trying to introduce nicer mods into the world is a beautiful pay off for the time I spent learning all about modifications.

The only thing that REALLY gets to me is if I see a gorgeous guy/girl, I will ask to see their lobes, and sometimes there is lymph and crap in their ears, and I’m like:

“Eugh, clean your goddamn ears!!!”

Makes me sick to my stomach. And it smells, and it’s dirty, and I will punch you for making your ears sad ;D

magoomonster asked: I don't understand why tapers put uneven pressure on your ears if they're the exact same size as the plugs. My lobes are perfectly fine with wearing my tapers for five days, even if they are acrylic. I'm new to stretching, so you didn't have to be a bitch about it...

OK, I will explain then. Tapers are long, so there is extra weight at the back, making them put pressure on the back side of your lobe. Also, they are tapered, so there are two different sizes inside your ear at once, this leads to unhappy fistulas.

Acrylic is carcinogenic, it releases chemicals into your skin, one of THE worst materials for ears, along with silicone.

So; stretching is best done with high grade steel/titanium tapers (better yet, use the taping method, it is the superior method) and then using plugs/tunnels made of the same material. Alternatively, if you have more money to spend, glass plugs are brilliant, if high quality.

You say your lobes are fine, but using that method will cause problems down the line.

If you’re new to it, I suggest researching a LOT. And if you need to ask about anything, I have my ask box open always. You caught me in an exasperated mood, hence the sassy/bitchy reply, I can assure you I’m quite helpful if approached correctly ;)