I have five piercings in one ear, four in the other, and three lip piercings-they were snake bites but then I pierced it again on one side because snake bites got too common for my liking. Only one of my piercings is really gauged, on my right ear. It's a zero. I just put random things in my ear and got progressively bigger. Literally, at the moment, I have a taper, a safety pin, a paper clip with a key, two earrings, and a labret in my ears. I also have a tattoo, which is kind of girly but I don't care because it's...just me. Just be yourself, everyone else can suck it.

Quote from: jacob.ayden.averi on October 27, 2010, 03:19:32 PM
Just be yourself, everyone else can suck it.

Agreed. Its like saying "you look bad as a girl/guy, you shouldn't transition" should that stop anyone? No, because that's who they are and how they feel comfortable. Go for whatever piercings you want dude

Quote from: lilacwoman on October 27, 2010, 11:29:31 AM
like cynthia I connect snake bites with FtMs.
point of piercings is they are decoration to draw attention?
if a person wants to pass as a member of the opposite sex they need to blend in not stand out.
spend the money on guy clothes and footwear.

It's wonderful to blend in with the bio male population of course, but there's no need to give up ones individuality for the sake of "blending in." If you're confident in who you are as a male, it doesn't matter what stands out on you. Just be yourself and no one will notice anything is off.

Quote from: kyril on October 27, 2010, 02:52:20 PM
Oh, I see. (sort of counter to my experience, my piercings got dramatically less irritated when I switched to rings before - studs trapped dirt/gunk against the hole, and also pulled/pushed on it a lot at night)

Did you have studs with a butterfly back on? They trap dirt so they are bad. Labret studs are the way to go.

Quote from: Nathan. on October 27, 2010, 04:31:13 PM
Did you have studs with a butterfly back on? They trap dirt so they are bad. Labret studs are the way to go.

Yeah, that's what they gave me, and mostly what I found in stores.

Quote from: jacob.ayden.averi on October 27, 2010, 03:19:32 PM
Just be yourself, everyone else can suck it.

Quote from: kyril on October 27, 2010, 04:41:39 PM
Yeah, that's what they gave me, and mostly what I found in stores.

those are pretty bad. i tend to buy my stuff online, from some company in thailand i think. really cheap but fairly good crafted.

Quote from: jacob.ayden.averi on October 27, 2010, 03:19:32 PM
Just be yourself, everyone else can suck it.

^This.

Quote from: Ryan on October 27, 2010, 02:14:56 PM
I consider myself quite knowledgeable about piercings and the stretching process if you have any questions.
You really need to take it slowly and care for your ears. Stretching may feel a slightly uncomfortable with the pressure but it should NEVER hurt.

Snakebites are quite feminine in my opinion. They seem to have gone out of fashion since 2007ish, but it was mainly more androgynous type men who got them. I think they would hinder passing.
Don't get rings or circular barbels in your ear piercing. I'd recommend a labret stud until you can start stretching. (At least 3 months from initial piercing is recommended)

How many piercings do you have, Ryan? Do you still need to clean your piercings even after they've healed? (I mean regularly, I imagine at least check them once every few days)
And why do you think snakebites are feminine? I personally think it really depends on the wearer, but I'd generally say they were more masculine (especially with those spike/cone studs). I was also planning on a stud/plug for my ear.

Quote from: jet3 on October 27, 2010, 03:09:52 PM
Honestly man, I always say do what makes you comfortable. If you're comfortable and would feel confident with snake bites in the future...then go for it! It's you body bro! Everyone says having diamond earrings in both ears hinders your passing, but I have wore my diamonds in both ears for about 2 years and i have never had problems being recognized as male in public. Obviously now I dont because I've been on T for a year, but even pre-t I passed at least 80-85% of the time maybe even a little more, and the other 15-20% of the time people just weren't sure, but I rarely ever got read as female.  As far as gauging goes, I had my ears gauged to a 4. I increased them by 1 size about every 2 weeks until I got them to where i wanted them. I know they can use a bigger gauge when they first pierce your ear, but I'm not sure how big they will go. Just ask.

Thanks man! I'll be sure to ask at the shop, I don't think I'd (currently) want anything bigger than 3mm to start with anyway.

My ears are stretched to 00g. My suggestion if you're looking to stretch your ears is to go to a place that does body piercings. They won't use a piercing gun which is probably the least safe way to pierce your ear (but the most common way). I see plenty of people with industrials (scafolds) which I'm not that into.

As for how to stretch, my advice is go very slow. Get pierced with a 14g or 16g needle, and wear a CBR (captive ball ring). Wait about four to six weeks before stretching the first time. If the next size doesn't go in then your body isn't ready for it. When you go to stretch the 2nd time wait an additional 2-4 weeks (making the time 6-8 weeks). Pretty much you add an additional 2-4 weeks per stretch. I also recommend using tapers if you can afford them.

Quote from: kyril on October 27, 2010, 04:41:39 PM
Yeah, that's what they gave me, and mostly what I found in stores.

Yeah they are the most common type but labret studs are easy to find and if you go to a professional piercer that's the jewellery they should use.

bodyartforms is a great place to buy body jewellery from. Even though i'm in the uk I use them and the postage isn't expensive.

Sweet! I got quoted! *does a happy dance*