The method of stretching piercings is designed to deliberately expand the piercing to the desired size in order to wear larger-sized jewellery. This procedure is also sometimes called ‘gauging up’. Ear piercings are probably the most common area that is stretched. Other common areas for stretching piercings include the tongue, nose, septum and lips.

Does stretching a piercing hurt?

Stretching a piercing should not continuously hurt. You may experience low pain while stretching the piercing, however, if stretching a piercing has become very painful then you may have pushed your skin too far. Piercings are not meant to hurt during healing so if you are experiencing pain you may have caused tearing and scar tissue to form.

How long after getting your ears pierced can you start stretching?

It is recommended that you wait 4-6 months after an ear lobe piercing or other soft tissue piercing is fully healed to begin stretching. Healed ear lobe piercings should be stretched at a rate of one size every 4-6 weeks. When stretching a piercing, patience pays off in order to result in successfully stretched piercings.

How do you start stretching your ears?

Before you begin stretching your ears you should consult a qualified piercer to discuss the best process for earlobe stretching. When stretching your ears always make sure to have clean hands and piercing jewellery. Lubricate the taper and your ear and gently slide the small end of the taper into your ear. Place the rubber O ring on the back and front of the taper to keep it in place. Only stretch the ears one size at a time and leave 4-6 weeks in between each of the ear gauge sizes.

The taper is one of the most common instruments used in stretching piercings. Tapers are metal or acrylic shafts with one end having a gauge and then gradually tapering down into a smaller point at the other end. The larger the area, the more time it takes. See our Stretching Procedure information for more ear stretching tips.

How long do stretched ears take to heal?

It takes 4-6 weeks for your stretched ears to heal in between each size. The ear stretching process takes a long time so you need to patient. Stretching your ears slowly and allowing plenty of healing time in between each size will help prevent scar tissue and tears. If you stretch your ear too quickly you may permanently damage your ears which means you might not be able to stretch your ears again.

What can I use as lube for ear stretching?

Jojoba oil and Vitamin E oil are thought to be the best lubricants for ear stretching. Oil-based lubricants are the best way to prevent tearing of the ear lobe. Water-based lubricants should be avoided in most cases as they are likely to be absorbed too quickly. There is only one place where water-based lubricants might be useful – in the mouth area. Petroleum-based lubricants are also ineffective and even harmful when used in stretching piercings; they are quite hard to remove and can even cause irritation or bacterial infection.Lubricant is first applied on the taper before it is slowly inserted into the existing piercing. Lubricants are extremely significant as they help reduce friction and make the process less painful. It also significantly reduces the possibility of tissue damage commonly associated with stretching. However, not all lubricants are suitable for this procedure.

Can your ears go back to normal after stretching?

If you stretch your ear lobe to 6–10 mm it is more likely that your ear will return to normal after stretching. However, if your ear has been stretched and fully healed for several years it is unlikely that is will shrink back to the original size. Similarly, if you have stretched your ear to a large size above 00g it is unlikely to shrink back. Ears can return to normal if they were only stretched a few months or up to a year ago at a smaller size. It is important to remember that everyone’s body is different so results will vary.

Why do people stretch their ears?

It is one of the most ancient forms of body modification and today is popular among fans of alternative and punk styles. Ear lobe stretching is thought to originate in indigenous tribes and is also found in ancient Egypt (Tutankhamun is thought to have had stretched earlobes). The reason for tribes stretching their ears ranges from making them look more intimidating in battle to celebrating beauty and a sacred part of the body. It is important to remember that stretching a piercing is considered a serious body modification and should be treated with care to prevent permanent damage.

How to stretch ears without tapers?

We consider tapers to be the safest method of ear stretching however there are many ways people choose to stretch their ears. This includes wrapping tape around ear plugs to slowly increase the size or hanging weights from the ear lobe to allow gravity to stretch the lobes. We recommend tapers because they allow you to easily clean the jewellery and piercing hole, and mean you can increase the size in a slow and controlled way to prevent permanent damage.

Making sure you have all the information you need before beginning stretching piercings can help you to safely and successfully carry out this process.

Stretching Procedure

Though tapers and stretching kits are readily available online and in stores, it is strongly advised to visit a professional piercer to assist and advise with ear stretching as mistakes during the stretching process can result in serious damage to the ear lobe.

To stretch your ears safely, follow the steps below. Please remember whilst it might be tempting to speed the process up and use a bigger taper immediately to achieve your stretched ear lobes, by not following the correct procedure you could risk potentially scarring or tearing the ear lobe completely which may require surgical correction and will prevent you from ever being able to stretch your lobes again. So it pays to be patient and follow these ear stretching guide steps:

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to have an existing, healed ear lobe piercing before you can begin the stretching process. If you have just had an ear lobe piercing you will need to wait at least 4-6 months before you attempt to stretch the ear.

Visit a piercer who will be able to help you select the appropriate taper for your ear as well as talk you through the process. Most people start with a 2mm or 3mm taper.

Apply a warm compress to the ear to relax the skin. Alternatively, just after a warm shower is a great time to stretch your ear.

Clean the ear thoroughly and ensure the taper/stretcher is sterile.

Apply a little lubricant such as Jojoba oil or vitamin E oil to the taper and remove one of the bands, keep it to hand to replace after the stretching is complete.

Gently slide the narrow end of the taper into your ear lobe piercing hole. You may feel some minor resistance and a slight stinging sensation. Gently push the taper in until the resistance is at a point where it requires any force to push through. This means you have stretched your lobe to its capacity for now. (Don't worry though, as the piercing heals again the skin will regain elasticity and you will be able to gradually increase the size of the hole.) It is strongly advisable to only stretch your ear 1 size at a time. If you are unsure about how far to stretch your piercing, please consult with a professional piercer.

Place the band onto the taper behind your ear lobe to secure it in place until you are ready to stretch again.

Leave a good amount of time in between each stretch for your skin to heal, it is recommended to wait at least a month in between stretching.

The important thing to remember is that whilst feeling a little discomfort or stinging during ear stretching is normal, it should never be unbearable or extremely painful. If the ear stretching process starts to feel very painful it means you are over-stretching your ears or stretching too quickly and you will risk tearing the lobe.

Aftercare Advice

Clean the area twice daily with salt water soaks.

If you're wearing jewellery, take it out and clean both the jewellery and the ear daily to clean out dead skin, dirt and moisture which could cause infection.

Gently massage the ear with Jojoba oil or Vitamin E oil to prevent scarring and keep the skin moisturised.

Only wear jewellery made from high quality materials to ensure your ear heals smoothly.

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to stretched piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Ear Gauges
Ear Stretcher Tapers
Plug Piercing

When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size –Make sure you find out what gauge (thickness of jewellery) you have been pierced with and don’t skip any sizes when stretching your piercing as this can cause permanent damage and scarring.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. Make sure you choose high quality jewellery to help reduce the risk of swelling and infection.

Aftercare Advice

Clean the area twice daily with salt water soaks.
If you're wearing jewellery, take it out and clean both the jewellery and the ear daily to clean out dead skin, dirt and moisture which could cause infection.
Gently massage the ear with Jojoba oil or Vitamin E oil to prevent scarring and keep the skin moisturised.
Only wear jewellery made from high quality materials to ensure your ear heals smoothly.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.

Ear Stretching Jewellery

Ear Stretching Jewellery

Stretching Procedure

Aftercare Advice

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

Aftercare Advice

Other Guides & Ranges