Hey,

I'm looking for a little advice about stretching. So don't yell at me, because now I know I was stupid! I recently decided to stretch, and a friend said I should try using steel spirals to stretch. So I got a pair of spirals to stretch with- I jumped from a 12 gauge to a 6 gauge within a week. Then I discovered this website, which I really wish I had found earlier! Of course my ears developed problems because I was a dumbass, including infection and soreness. But thanks to all the awesome info here I downsized to 8g, and then again down to 12g when the problems didn't clear up.  I'm also doing sea salt soaks to help.

My questions for you guys are:

With the quick stretching and infection, my piercings developed a something like a hardened ridge of skin around the front of the hole. It's small, but worrying me- has anyone else had this experience? Is it scar tissue or just irritation that will disappear now that I'm treating my ears right?

 When will it be safe for me to stretch again? I know its normal to wait a month between smaller gauges, but should I wait longer because I went and effed things up?

Do you find jojoba or emu oil more effective? Has anyone tried raw organic cocoa butter?

Thanks guys! Glad I found these forums before I screwed things up even worse.

That bump that you feel is probably scar tissue. I had some, and with downsizing and massages, it's mostly gone. I waited about 6 months to stretch again (when I felt that my ears were ready). So, yes, you can stretch again, just make sure they're absolutely ready.

I'm pretty sure I recall Kwan saying that she's used coco butter. I think. And I know that emu oil is supposed to help regenerate healthy tissue (it's also the one that's safest on open wounds). So that would be your preference.

Hope this helped. If any more questions, just ask!

 You did the right move by downsizing. Wait at least 6 months before attempting to stretch again, and once your ears heal cocoa butter is great for reducing scar tissue (thanks amanda!). I use it a lot along with shea butter or jojoba oil. 

not to say the above answers are wrong, but just to add to what they said, 6 months is a guide. you obviously did a fair amount of damage to your ears. if you take one thing from these great forums, take this: Listen to your body. its the most important thing you can do with stretching. you will know when your ears are ready to stretch. rushing will only make it harder and longer.

joshua:

not to say the above answers are wrong, but just to add to what they said, 6 months is a guide. you obviously did a fair amount of damage to your ears. if you take one thing from these great forums, take this: Listen to your body. its the most important thing you can do with stretching. you will know when your ears are ready to stretch. rushing will only make it harder and longer.

+1