Stretching (body piercing) 1614244 221503317 2008-06-24T20:05:31Z 79.71.146.148 /* Stretching methods */ [[Image:350444027 6fda76761f o.jpg|thumb|Woman with stretched earlobes]] {{nofootnotes}} '''Stretching''' (sometimes erroneously referred to as '''gauging''' or '''scalpelling'''), in the context of [[body piercing]], is the deliberate expansion of a healed [[fistula]] (hole in the skin) for the purpose of wearing [[body piercing jewelry]]. [[Ear piercing]]s are the most commonly stretched piercings, with [[Nose piercing#Nasal septum piercing|nasal septum piercings]], [[tongue piercing]]s, industrial piercings and [[lip piercing]]s/[[lip plate]]s following close behind. All piercings can be stretched to some degree, however. Cartilage piercings are usually more difficult to stretch, and more likely to form hypertrophic scars or [[keloid]]s if stretched quickly. Healing is very important in between stages of stretching. Stretching is usually done in small increments to minimize the potential for damaging the healed fistula or creating scar tissue. In [[North America]], most stretching methods go up by a single even-sized [[American wire gauge|gauge]] at a time. In [[Europe]] and most of the rest of the world, jewelry is [[metric system|metric]], but the increments between standard sizes are similar. ==Stretching methods== [[Image:Body Piercing Taper Set.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A set of tapers, tools used to stretch a piercing.]] There are several common methods used to enlarge piercings, of various origins and appropriate for different circumstances. *'''Tapering''' &mdash; The most common professional technique for stretching piercings, tapering involves the use of a taper, a [[cone (geometry)|conical]] rod usually made specifically for this purpose. It is [[lubrication|lubricated]] and pushed through the fistula until the widest part of the taper is level with the skin surrounding the piercing. Larger jewelry is then pushed through, parallel to the back of the taper. Tapers come in a variety of sizes and are usually identified by the [[American wire gauge|gauge]] of the large end. They can vary in length, but most tapers are about 2-3 [[inch]]es (approx. 5-7 [[centimetre]]s). Most tapers are made of [[surgical steel]] or [[Polymethyl methacrylate|acrylic]] and some have threads extending from the wide end to allow the attachment of [[barbell (piercing)|barbell]] jewelry, to make insertion easier. Improvised objects like [[knitting needle]]s are sometimes used as tapers by people stretching at home. *'''Dead stretching''' &mdash; Any stretching where no equipment is used and larger jewelry is forced through an existing piercing. This can lead to two types of injury: a simple tear of the skin, or a "blowout" in which the fistula is pushed out through the back of the piercing by pressure. A buildup of [[scar tissue]] may be created, which will weaken the fistula and can make it more difficult to stretch in the future. Some piercings will stretch slightly on their own and larger jewelry can be inserted without the potential for unpleasant side effects, especially piercings that see a lot of "play", such as [[tongue piercing]]s, and those that have loosened to the extent that, when gently pulled on, light can be seen over the top of jewelry being worn. *'''Teflon tape stretching''' &mdash; The existing jewelry is removed and a thin layer of non-[[adhesive]] [[Polytetrafluoroethylene|Teflon]] [[tape]], which is inert and safe for piercing use, is wrapped around the jewelry. The jewelry is then re-inserted, and as the piercing adapts to the new diameter of jewelry, the process is repeated with the next application of tape being thicker than the previous one. This is done until the fistula has stretched enough to accept new jewelry altogether. This is the safest way to stretch piercings and is recommended by most professionals. *'''Weights''' &mdash; Large, heavy jewelry or weighted objects can be used to stretch piercings. This method is not widely used in modern-day, as it tends to cause piercings to [[piercing migration|migrate]] and can, especially in [[ear]]s, lead to a thinning of tissue that is disfiguring or requires [[reconstructive surgery]]. However, it is a method that has been traditionally utilized by various tribes, such as the [[Dayak people|Dayaks]] in [[Borneo]], that practice extreme earlobe elongation. *'''[[Scalpelling]]''' &mdash; Rather than expanding a healed fistula, this method involves extending the size of the piercing by using a [[scalpel]] to cut the edge of the fistula, expanding its [[diameter]]. It is often used in [[earlobe piercing]]s. This technique is also often used to alter the placement of a large piercing. *'''Scalpel and taper''' &mdash; After an area of flesh is removed (using the scapel method), a large taper can be inserted directly after, allowing skin to instantly be stretched to large diameters; several inches can be achieved. This method is much rarer and can be extremely painful. The use of a dermal punch, followed by tapering, is also used in this procedure. *'''Silicone Plugs''' &mdash; These plugs are soft and malleable, allowing a relatively large plug to be inserted into the fistula. Once folded and inserted into the ear, they expand, stretching the earlobe. However, stretching with silicone is often a foolish decision. Kaos Softwear does not recommend using silicone plugs to stretch with, due to the tacky surface.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.kaossoftwear.com/index.php?main_page=faq&faq_item=6|title = Product FAQ:"I have heard you do not recommend stretching with Kaos?" |publisher = KAOS Softwear}}</ref> ==Health issues== There are few health issues directly related to stretching piercings. Most stretching methods do not create a wound, and properly stretched piercings will heal after stretching, although If an individual's skin [[Elasticity (physics)|elasticity]] and [[Blood vessel|vascularity]] allow, most piercings can be stretched far beyond their initial size. Piercings smaller than 7-8 mm will often close up if jewelry is removed, although some take longer than others depending on the individual body part and age. However, each person's tissue will differ, and many variables—such as a person's age, length of time taken to stretch, time fully healed at a particular size, skin elasticity, and scar tissue formation, amongst others—can affect the ability of the skin not only to stretch, but also to close up. However, if you stretch them correctly and let them heal for at least 4-6 weeks before going bigger, your lobes should be healthy and will shrink at least a couple sizes after the jewellery is removed. If taken beyond the body's ability to stretch, or if done improperly, damage caused can require minor surgery to repair, or may not be repairable. Blowouts from over -stretching, especially ones caused by "dead stretching", can create scar tissue, which can lead to [[keloid]]ing or hypertrophic scarring. Stretching too quickly, or skipping from one smaller gauge to a gauge more than one size larger, can cause bleeding and infection and eventually lead to a buildup of [[scar tissue]]. Scar tissue is more difficult to stretch than unharmed skin, and can make further stretching difficult. However, application of [[tea tree oil]], [[vitamin E]], [[Jojoba oil]] or other similar oils can reduce the size of blowouts and enhances the circulation of blood flow going to the skin around the stretched fistula, thickening the flesh and allowing more elasticity and a healthier piercing. <!-- NOT HOW IMAGE WORKS, AND PROBABLY NOT HOW GALLERY WORKS. <gallery> {| class="wikitable" |- <gallery> Image:<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc45/Jason_theonly/100_3134.jpg[example of a 7/8 flesh tunnel] </gallery> |} </gallery> --> Silicone is ok to stretch with as long as it is done slowly and the right style of silicone tunnel is used, the cotton reel style is the only style that works as it is flexible enough to allow the stretch to occur over a few days and to heal within a week or two. ==Jewelry for stretched piercings== [[Image:Stretched.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Flesh tunnel (metal)]] [[Image:Spiral in stretched lobe.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Organic (wooden) 00G earring]] There is a large variety of jewelry available for stretched piercings. Many jewelry materials can be used in the manufacturing of jewelry for stretched piercings; materials that would ordinarily be too delicate or brittle to be inserted in smaller gauge piercings are freely used. [[Rock (geology)|Stone]], [[fossil]]ized materials, [[wood]], [[bone]], [[horn (anatomy)|horn]], [[amber]], [[bamboo]], [[silicone]], and [[glass]] are not uncommon in stretched piercings. Many of these materials "breathe" better than [[metal]]s or [[plastic]]s, preventing the buildup of [[sebum]] in the enlarged ear lobe. Jewelry is still often made of acrylic or metal, however. The typical jewelry worn in a large stretched piercing is a [[Earplug (piercing)|plug]]. It is solid and usually cylindrical, and may be flared out at one or both ends (saddle-shaped), or kept in place by [[o-ring]]s fastened around the ends. A variation on this is the [[flesh tunnel]], which is shaped in the same way, but hollow in the middle. Claw-, talon-, and spiral-shaped pieces are also commonplace. Ear-weights in varying degrees of size are also worn, commonly made from silver or bronze, though other metals such as copper or brass are occasionally used. However, some people's piercings are easily irritated by some metals; therefore, care should be taken when metal jewelry is worn. Ear cuffs (such as the gold ones utilized in South India provinces) or wrapped beadwork (common amongst the Maasai of East Africa) are other options, though are not usually seen in modern Western contexts. ==History and culture== Stretched piercings are probably almost as old as piercing itself. Earlier versions of all modern stretching techniques are known to exist, in one degree or another. Evidence from statuary, especially in Asia, shows us that stretched earlobes were common thousands of years ago and the practices of many African and South American tribes today include stretched [[lip piercing]]s, some of phenomenal size. In contemporary times, the re-emergence of body piercing in the developed world has been accompanied in an interest in stretched piercings. Much of this activity was initially associated with the [[modern primitive]] movement, but like piercing in general, it has become a more mainstream activity, common amongst young people and members of many [[subculture]]s as an identifier and due to its aesthetic appeal. ==Gauges and other measuring systems== Body jewelry is measured in [[American wire gauge|gauges]] from 20g up to 000g; sizes larger than that are measured in fractions of inches. In Europe they are measured in millimetres. The table below uses rounding; conversions are not precise. [[Image:0 guage Septum Piercing.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Close up of a septum piercing that has been stretched to 0-gauge by a combination of dead stretching and repeated tapering.]] {| class="wikitable" ! Gauge !! Millimeters !! Inches |- |18g || 1.0 mm || 5/128" |- |16g || 1.2 mm || 3/64" |- |14g || 1.6 mm || 1/16" |- |12g || 2 mm || 5/64" |- |10g || 2.4 mm || 3/32" |- |8g || 3.2 mm || 1/8" |- |6g || 4 mm || 5/32" |- |4g || 5 mm || 3/16" |- |2g || 6 mm || 1/4" |- |0g || 8 mm || 5/16" |- |00g || 10 mm || 3/8" |- |000g || 11 mm || 7/16" |- |- | || 12.7 mm || 1/2" |- | || 14 mm || 9/16" |- | || 16 mm || 5/8" |- | || 19 mm || 3/4" |- | || 22 mm || 7/8" |- | || 25 mm || 1" |} ==See also== *[[Body modification]] *[[Piercing]] *[[American wire gauge]] *[[Scalpelling]] ==External links== *[http://www.bmezine.com/pierce/01-ear/str001.html Picture database of people's stretched earlobes]: Body Modification E-Zine *[http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Stretching Encyclopedia entry on stretching]: Body Modification E-Zine *[http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Gauge Encyclopedia entry on gauge, including a table comparing different measurement systems]: Body Modification E-Zine *[http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Knitting_Needle Encyclopedia entry featuring a chart showing a comparison of knitting needle sizes to common piercing gauges]: Body Modification E-Zine *[http://tonguestud.com/gauge.html Interactive Gauge Chart]: TongueStud *[http://www.organicjewelry.com/conversionchart.html Highly Accurate Conversion Chart: Gauges, Fractional Inches, Decimal Inches, and Millimeters]: Organic: Natural Body Jewelry *[http://www.tribalectic.com/StretchingGuide.asp Stretching Guide]: Tribalectic *[http://www.onetribe.nu/catalog/stretching.php Ear Lobe Stretching FAQ]: Onetribe {{Body Piercing}} [[Category:Body piercing]] [[de:Dehnen von Piercings]] [[simple:Stretching (body piercing)]]