Quote from: Seb on December 04, 2012, 10:47:47 PM
Taper every time. Dunnygun offers taper sets for 20 dollars from 16g to a 00g. I blew my ear out from going too fast and rushing it, but that was on 00g. And it isn't bad, it's fully healed. If you take your time you should be fine.

Once you get to larger sizes, using a taper actually isn't recommended as wearing the plug for a certain amount of time starts to stretch the ear out on its own. That's only when you're at least past a 1/2" though.

Well, yeah, I've gone up the past three sizes without tapering, but I'm at 1" haha.

Quote from: Seb on December 04, 2012, 11:27:25 PM
Well, yeah, I've gone up the past three sizes without tapering, but I'm at 1" haha.

It doesn't really look like you're at an inch your pictures, dude (and it's fine if you're actually not).
Are you sure?

My ears are basically at an inch, so yeah.

I am actually haha sorry if it's deceiving!! My ears are exceptionally small. Not lying about my size, bro, I actually just went up like...a couple weeks ago.

Quote from: JasonRX on December 04, 2012, 11:23:53 PM
Once you get to larger sizes, using a taper actually isn't recommended as wearing the plug for a certain amount of time starts to stretch the ear out on its own. That's only when you're at least past a 1/2" though.

I agree, natural stretching is the best but taping isn't bad either. I use PTFE tape (bondage is too pricey) and do daily jojoba oil massages. Taking it nice and slow 1 to 2 months between stretches. I'm almost certain I'll stop at 5/8". I've been collecting stuff in that size for awhile and really have too much to go larger than that. You guys collect any Tawapa, Omerica, Anatometal, or Zoomorphic plugs?

I had stainless steel single flare flesh tunnels for awhile. Switched 'em out for clear glass plugs. Now I've got these in:




I have had trouble being seen as male, but I don't think my plugs have anything to do with it. Now that I'm wearing square ones I feel like it would be more obvious that it's a plug.

Quote from: Nygeel on December 05, 2012, 05:32:15 PM
I had stainless steel single flare flesh tunnels for awhile. Switched 'em out for clear glass plugs. Now I've got these in:




I have had trouble being seen as male, but I don't think my plugs have anything to do with it. Now that I'm wearing square ones I feel like it would be more obvious that it's a plug.

I've always wanted to try oddly shaped plugs, but I've always had a fear of them looking odd on me.
These look good on you though, bud.

I had triangles and I had to cut them out of my ear.

Quote from: Seb on December 05, 2012, 10:11:28 PM
I had triangles and I had to cut them out of my ear.

Did you wear them for prolong periods or in fresh stretches? I ask because it might have had to do with something other than the shape because your ear can actually grow to silicone.

Also, I'm not trying to come across as a "know it all" when it comes to this. I've actually learned a lot about stretching from a few groups on FB. One is "The Ear Stretching Network". Lots of good info to be found there.

Quote from: Simon on December 05, 2012, 10:19:52 PM
Did you wear them for prolong periods or in fresh stretches? I ask because it might have had to do with something other than the shape because your ear can actually grow to silicone.

Also, I'm not trying to come across as a "know it all" when it comes to this. I've actually learned a lot about stretching from a few groups on FB. One is "The Ear Stretching Network". Lots of good info to be found there.

I agree with you, actually.
You should never wear or use odd shaped plugs in freshly stretched ears.
Same goes with wood, because they're more likely to morph into your ear.

Nahhh of course not, but they probably were sooner stretched than I would have liked. It was a stupid move on my part anyway.

Quote from: Seb on December 04, 2012, 11:27:25 PM
Well, yeah, I've gone up the past three sizes without tapering, but I'm at 1" haha.

Can you post closer pictures of your ears?

My ears are really tiny. Just woke up so my hair's a mess. But there. I acutally got gauges in my ears to make them appear a little bigger.

Quote from: Seb on December 06, 2012, 10:45:28 AM


My ears are really tiny. Just woke up so my hair's a mess. But there. I acutally got gauges in my ears to make them appear a little bigger.

I hate to agree with Andy, but that looks more like 00g (maybe) and not an inch. I can fit my entire thumb through my ears and have about average sized hands. Also, if your ears are small, your plugs would just look even larger compared to the size of your ears, dude.
I'm not saying you're lying on purpose, but that you might just have the measurement of your gauge (mm) wrong and not realize it.

What the <not allowed> I'm not lying!! Seriously!!

I'll go get the package my plugs came in. I'm not a idiot.

Unfortunately I can't find it... but I don't like being called a liar about something so stupid. I'll buy some new plugs and take pictures of me putting them in if you care that freaking much.

Just as a warning: I took the square plugs out the other day and one of my ears was bleeding (a lot). It wasn't a size up or anything, just the different shape that did it. I had never had my ears bleed ever so this was super frustrating, sad, and overall not fun.

Quote from: Seb on December 06, 2012, 10:53:55 AM
Unfortunately I can't find it... but I don't like being called a liar about something so stupid. I'll buy some new plugs and take pictures of me putting them in if you care that freaking much.

No one is calling you a liar, just saying you may be misinformed as to your plug size.  If you really want to "settle this dispute", which it's not, take a photo of your plug next to a ruler.

Quote from: Nygeel on December 06, 2012, 11:50:33 AM
Just as a warning: I took the square plugs out the other day and one of my ears was bleeding (a lot). It wasn't a size up or anything, just the different shape that did it. I had never had my ears bleed ever so this was super frustrating, sad, and overall not fun.

Yeah, I meant to mention about odd shaped plugs.  I've heard they are not good for long term wear because of reasons like that.  Like wear them for a special occasion or part of the day but don't wear them all day or for days, not sure how long you wore them.

Quote from: wheat thins are delicious on December 06, 2012, 02:52:44 PM
Yeah, I meant to mention about odd shaped plugs.  I've heard they are not good for long term wear because of reasons like that.  Like wear them for a special occasion or part of the day but don't wear them all day or for days, not sure how long you wore them.

Well, these ones were silicone and you shouldn't wear silicone plugs for very long (chemicals+ porous). I only wore 'em for a day or two. No plans on wearing them again because my ear got torn up.