There are a few ways to stretch your ears without using tapers.If you want to make your ears look bigger, you can use heavier plugs.If you've been using rubber jewelry, heavier plugs will get your ear used to the current size of your gauge.You can use bigger plugs to stretch your ears, but you can't move up more than one size at a time.Adding layers of tape to the rim of your plugs will expand your gauge.Call a medical professional if you experience swelling or bleeding.
Step 1: Find plugs that weigh more.
If you go to a jewelry store, you can get a set of plugs that weigh more.Stay under 5 grams heavier.Adding more weight to your gauge will make it harder for the tissue in your ears to get used to a bigger size.If you leave your ears in long enough, they will make them look bigger.Double-flared jewelry shouldn't be used to stretch your ears.
Step 2: Put an ear plug lubricant in your ear.
Ear plugs can be removed with antiseptic lubricants.You can buy it from your local jewelry store.Remove some lubricant with the tip of your index finger and rub it around your gauged ears on both sides to prepare the plugs for removal.If you have to remove a plug and can't get ear plug lubricant, you can use petroleum jelly.If you prefer, you can use jojoba oil.
Step 3: Push your current plug out slowly.
Place your nondominant hand on the edge of your ear cartilage.Put your dominant index finger on the front of the plug and apply some pressure with your thumb.Slowly, your plug should slide out.It is possible to start on the bottom half of your plug.An ear-piercing professional can help you remove a plug.
Step 4: An antiseptic spray is a good way to clean your gauge.
Put your ear plug down.Use a clean paper towel to wipe the lubricant off of your ear.You can use an antiseptic spray on your ear.You can apply the antiseptic spray by massaging the inside and outside of your gauge.After 1 minute, rub your ears dry with a clean paper towel.Bactine and Medi-First are antiseptic sprays that contain alcohol and cleaning agents.They are designed to prevent infections and clean skin.If you prefer, you can use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab.Massaging your ears relaxes the ear tissue and prepares it for the heavier plugs.
Step 5: Use the ear plug lubricant to Lubricate your new plug.
To make it easier to insert your plug, cover it with a light layer of ear plug lubricant.You can wipe away lubricant with your finger.If your ear is used to having new plugs inserted, you don't need to do this.
Step 6: Light pressure should be applied to the back of the plug.
Put your nondominant hand in your ear.The plug should be between your thumb and index finger.Lift the plug up with your thumb.Place the plug against the opening and wrap it around the ear with your index finger.Light pressure should be applied to the back of the plug.If it is gauged, repeat this process with your other ear.To dry your ear, wipe it with a towel.
Step 7: Wait a few weeks before using larger or heavier jewelry.
If you want to repeat this process with larger jewelry, leave your heavier jewelry in your ear for at least a few weeks.Call a doctor if your ear hurts or swells.
Step 8: Pick an ear plug that is no larger than your current jewelry.
New plugs should be no bigger than 1 level above your gauge.20 is the smallest size and00 the largest.The gauge goes up or down by the number of 2.It is measured in sixteenths of an inch.If you have a size 8 gauge, don't go higher than a 6.Don't go higher than 4 in (19mm) if your gauge is 16 in (17mm).Double-flared plugs should not be used to stretch your ears.As your ears get used to the new jewelry, use a slightly larger plug to expand the size of your gauge.
Step 9: Use an ear lubricant to Lubricate your current plug.
Take your current plugs out before using ear plug lubricant.To cover your entire ear, wipe each side of it.If you can't use a special ear lubricant, use jojoba oil or vitamins E and K.If it's not possible for you to get a specialized lubricant, you can use petroleum jelly.
Step 10: Push out the plug slowly.
To brace it, pinch your ear between your thumb and index finger.Put your dominant index finger on the front of your plug to keep it still and apply pressure from behind the plug with your thumb.Before applying more pressure to remove the plug, push lightly.If you apply pressure to the bottom of your plug, you can start working your way up.
Step 11: You can use an antiseptic spray to clean your ear.
You can clean your ear with a paper towel.To clean your ear, spray it with an antiseptic spray.Push the spray into your skin with your fingers.Wait a few seconds to give your spray time to work.H2O, alcohol, and cleaning agents are in the spray.It is used to clean the skin.If you don't have an antiseptic spray, you can use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab.Massaging your ear is good for your body.It will be easier to put your plugs in.
Step 12: It's easier to insert the plug in lubricant if you cover it.
Use your favorite oils to cover the plug.To make sure the edges are fully lubricated, wipe each edge of your plug.
Step 13: Pull lightly on the edge of your ear.
Pull your ear out with your nondominant hand.Hold the plug against your ear with your dominant hand.To slide the bigger plug into the gauge, apply pressure from the back.Because your plug is bigger, you may have to pull down the bottom of the plug to fit it.If you pull hard on your ear, it will hurt.You may feel a sensation in your ear.This is not unusual.There should be no swelling or blood.Contact a doctor if you experience either of these things.After you insert your new plug, wipe the lubricant off of your ear.
Step 14: For at least a month, leave your new plug in.
If you experience persistent pain in your ears, you should consult a doctor.It's important to give your ear time to adjust to your new size.It's best to wait at least a month for your tissue to adjust.
Step 15: Purchase bondage tape online or in a store.
To stretch ears over time, you need to ensure that you put the right kind of tape in your ears.The most common form of body-safe tape is PTFE tape.Teflon may slide out of your gauge if you use Teflon or bondage tape.It's hard to find bondage tape.If you have a new piercing, do not tape your ears.You can't use duct, household or electrical tape.The tapes have a chemical that can cause infections.You can't use the taping method with flared jewelry.The taping method can be used with steel, glass, or titanium plugs.The tape won't work with other materials.
Step 16: Before popping it out, apply an ear plug lubricant.
If you don't have a specialized ear plug lubricant, you can use jojoba oil or vitamins E and K.Rub the edges of your plugs to make them easier to remove.
Step 17: Put pressure on the back of your plugs.
Put your thumb and index together.If you use your thumb to apply pressure to the back of your current plug, make sure your jewelry index finger is straight.Push with care to pop your plug out.If you apply pressure to the bottom of your piercing at first, you may be able to work your way up.
Step 18: Put antiseptic spray on your ear and wipe it dry.
To remove the lubricant from your ear, wipe it off with a paper towel.You can antiseptic spray both sides of your ear.Rub the antiseptic spray into your skin with your dominant hand.Wait 1-2 minutes before you use a paper towel to clean your ear.The antiseptic spray is used to prevent infections.It contains alcohol.If you don't have an antiseptic spray, you can use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab.
Step 19: Put your current plugs in a container of water and dry them off.
You can wipe the lubricant off of your plugs with a paper towel.Plugs can be put under warm water.Rub the plug by hand.You can rinse off the jewelry by rotating the plug.Rub a dry paper towel over the plug to clean it.If the plugs smell funky after sitting in your ears for a long time, you can clean them with rubbing alcohol.
Step 20: Rub alcohol on your scissors to sterilize them.
Take a pair of scissors and rinse them.They should be wiped off on a clean towel.Rub alcohol on the gauss and give it a few drops.The gauss should be run over each side of the scissor blades.If you want your scissors to be sterile, don't heat them.Hot scissor blades can cause bumps when you wrap it.
Step 21: Wrap your plugs with 2 layers of tape.
Hold your plug and look at the rim in your ear.Take out a small piece of tape.The edge should cover the rim of the plug.Press the tape into the plug.As you rotation it, keep feeding tape to the rim.Attach 2 layers of tape to the plug by covering it twice.When you have completed 2 loops, cut the tape with your scissors.You should remove your tape if you don't get it right the first time.Try it again!There is no shame in trying again and again.If you are doing this for both of them, do not use a different number of layers of tape.That will cause your ears to stretch.
Step 22: Re-oil your plug and ear with ear lubricant.
You should use the same lubricant that you used to remove the plug.Rub the oil around the rim and cover it with oil.It will be easier to reinsert your plugs.
Step 23: Attach pressure to the back of the plugs.
With your nondominant hand, pull the bottom of your ear out.Lift up the plug in your ear.To insert the plug into your ear, use your thumb and forefinger.When you reinsert the plug, you may feel some pressure.Call a doctor if your ear starts to swell.If it is also gauged, repeat this process for your other ear.
Step 24: After a week, add 2 more layers of tape.
You can add 2 more layers of tape after a week.The tape will stretch your ears slowly.It seems like 2 layers is too much, you can always use 1 layer of additional tape.Slowly, your ears will get used to their new sizes.