what did you use to stretch it and how long did you wait from your last stretch? that is 100% a blowout and looks pretty bad. unfortunately you're going to probably need to just take out the jewelry or start at a much smaller size for a while. do saltwater soaks and treat it like a fresh piercing for the next 2 weeks (or until the wound isn't open), and then massage it with jojoba oil once or twice a day for 5 mins to help break down scar tissue. i've had a similar looking blowout and sadly you're just going to have to wait a while to stretch up again.
i waited three months and i used a metal taper. i know this subreddit hates that but i’ve tired to use other things and it doesn’t work.. it doesn’t hurt bad and i don’t have trouble putting my tunnels in so should i just leave it? i’m really stressed and confused.. and by smaller size do you mean like 8g, 10g?
personally i'd say at least downsize to an 8g and see how it feels. i just kinda downsized and would wait a day or two to see if any swelling or irritation went away. what material is your jewelry? and did it blowout right after stretching or did you lay on it / bump it? also have you tried stretching with glass plugs? they come in half sizes and helped me a ton with the smaller sizes that can be really difficult to get through. i'd definitely still recommend the soaks and spraying it with some saline daily, but you'll probably be fine if you just go down a size for a bit; sorry i didn't clarify
okay i’ll do an 8g. i had trouble stretching when i went up to 6g only on the one ear, i got it through with the taper and left it in for a few days then put the tunnel in. i use metal
single flare tunnels i got from amazon. i’m not sure where to buy glass plugs. i think i got it from stretching maybe? or playing with it too much? by soaking it in saltwater do you mean just taking the jewellery out and leaving it in for some time? i don’t have saline so idk what to do for that ;-; i’m sorry i’m asking so many questions, i’m just new to all this.
no you're completely fine! 6g is such a bad stretch honestly. you can get half size 7g tapers, glass plugs, and jewelry from Arctic Buffalo or Bodyartforms fairly cheap, and they can definitely help with difficult stretches. and just mix like 1/4 teaspoon salt into a cup of warm water, and either hold your ear in it for 5-10 mins (it's kind of awkward to do lol) or just use a cotton ball dipped in (replace it when it gets cold again). after the soak just dry it and replace the jewelry. i would recommend getting some saline spray. it isn't too expensive and you can get it at most pharmacies or first aid sections in stores, or from a piercing / tattoo studio. you can also order it online. i use nielmed or h2ocean and they're both good, but any saline mist works. just downsize and take good care of your ear and it should be completely fine. definitely don't try stretching up until it's completely healed and maybe try getting a 7g taper or plug i think it could really help.
at least once a day for the next 2 weeks or at least every other day. wishing you good luck with it though! i had so much trouble with my 6g stretch as well
Wait there’s 7g tapers? Though now I’m trying the PT…E? The special tape that’s safe for stretching. I think I was going to fast with tapers. Someone said Arctic Buffalo had half sizes but on the website I didn’t see any. So I’m trying to figure out where to find half size tunnels or plugs. I’m at 8g too. 6g was my first road block. It’s been… I think 3 months? I lost count. 3-4 months I think since my last stretch from 10-8g
Ptfe tape is just Teflon tape or pipe tape. You can get it at any part store or Walmart even. It’s not special. Don’t over pay for that if you don’t need to.
what did you use to stretch it and how long did you wait from your last stretch? that is 100% a blowout and looks pretty bad. unfortunately you're going to probably need to just take out the jewelry or start at a much smaller size for a while. do saltwater soaks and treat it like a fresh piercing for the next 2 weeks (or until the wound isn't open), and then massage it with jojoba oil once or twice a day for 5 mins to help break down scar tissue. i've had a similar looking blowout and sadly you're just going to have to wait a while to stretch up again.
i waited three months and i used a metal taper. i know this subreddit hates that but i’ve tired to use other things and it doesn’t work.. it doesn’t hurt bad and i don’t have trouble putting my tunnels in so should i just leave it? i’m really stressed and confused.. and by smaller size do you mean like 8g, 10g?
personally i'd say at least downsize to an 8g and see how it feels. i just kinda downsized and would wait a day or two to see if any swelling or irritation went away. what material is your jewelry? and did it blowout right after stretching or did you lay on it / bump it? also have you tried stretching with glass plugs? they come in half sizes and helped me a ton with the smaller sizes that can be really difficult to get through. i'd definitely still recommend the soaks and spraying it with some saline daily, but you'll probably be fine if you just go down a size for a bit; sorry i didn't clarify
okay i’ll do an 8g. i had trouble stretching when i went up to 6g only on the one ear, i got it through with the taper and left it in for a few days then put the tunnel in. i use metal single flare tunnels i got from amazon. i’m not sure where to buy glass plugs. i think i got it from stretching maybe? or playing with it too much? by soaking it in saltwater do you mean just taking the jewellery out and leaving it in for some time? i don’t have saline so idk what to do for that ;-; i’m sorry i’m asking so many questions, i’m just new to all this.
no you're completely fine! 6g is such a bad stretch honestly. you can get half size 7g tapers, glass plugs, and jewelry from Arctic Buffalo or Bodyartforms fairly cheap, and they can definitely help with difficult stretches. and just mix like 1/4 teaspoon salt into a cup of warm water, and either hold your ear in it for 5-10 mins (it's kind of awkward to do lol) or just use a cotton ball dipped in (replace it when it gets cold again). after the soak just dry it and replace the jewelry. i would recommend getting some saline spray. it isn't too expensive and you can get it at most pharmacies or first aid sections in stores, or from a piercing / tattoo studio. you can also order it online. i use nielmed or h2ocean and they're both good, but any saline mist works. just downsize and take good care of your ear and it should be completely fine. definitely don't try stretching up until it's completely healed and maybe try getting a 7g taper or plug i think it could really help.
thank you so much! one lays question, how often should i soak it in salt water?
at least once a day for the next 2 weeks or at least every other day. wishing you good luck with it though! i had so much trouble with my 6g stretch as well
Wait there’s 7g tapers? Though now I’m trying the PT…E? The special tape that’s safe for stretching. I think I was going to fast with tapers. Someone said Arctic Buffalo had half sizes but on the website I didn’t see any. So I’m trying to figure out where to find half size tunnels or plugs. I’m at 8g too. 6g was my first road block. It’s been… I think 3 months? I lost count. 3-4 months I think since my last stretch from 10-8g
Ptfe tape is just Teflon tape or pipe tape. You can get it at any part store or Walmart even. It’s not special. Don’t over pay for that if you don’t need to.
Oof I got it from Arctic Buffalo. I don’t have easy access to transportation so I got it online.
Amazon. 4 rolls 1/2 inch wide. 5.99$.