Stretch It Body Jewellery
SIBJ is one of the world's leading online specialist retailers and wholesalers in ear stretching kits, plugs, aftercare and body jewellery. We have over 10 years of experience in selling high-quality, unique ear stretching jewellery providing the knowledge, expertise and tools to stretch up confidently and safely.
"Yeah, we get it. Those mega gauges look amazing and you can’t wait to rock them. But trying to rush the process is the number one way to end up with blown out ears from stretching. Remember, slow and steady wins this race, even though it can feel like a total bore."
Chances are you’ve heard of the dreaded ear stretching blowout, whether you’re a recent ear adventurer or a seasoned gauge guru. And make no mistake, blown out ears from stretching are the pits, to be avoided at all costs.
And if you haven’t come across it yet—well, lend us your ears. Because you’re about to learn how an ear stretching blowout can turn your big dreams into a bit of a nightmare!
Join us for a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of blowout in ear stretching - what it is, how to avoid it, and what to do if things go wrong. So, grab your favourite plugs and settle in.
Discussed In This Post
What Is a Blowout in Ear Stretching?
Alright, let’s get the basics down first. You might be asking, “What exactly is an ear stretch blowout?”
It’s like this. Everything seems to be going smoothly on your ear stretching journey. And then suddenly, you notice a puffy, irritated ring of skin forming around the back of your lobe. This, my friend, is what we call an ear gauge blowout.
A blown out ear gauge happens when the tissue inside your stretch is pushed out at the back. It’s usually caused because you’ve either stretched too quickly, or with too much force.
An ear stretching blowout is your lobe’s way of fighting back. And unfortunately, it’s not a pretty sight.
Besides a distinct lack of aesthetic appeal, you might also experience symptoms like:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Scar tissue
Definitely not the vibe you were going for. So, let’s look into the whys and wherefores further. Because the more you know about ear stretching blowouts, the higher your chances of taking the right measures to assure it doesn’t happen to you and your lobes.
How Does A Blowout in Ear Stretching Happen?
Chances are you don’t want to go from a perfectly happy ear stretch to a blowout disaster! The good news is you shouldn’t if you avoid the main guilty culprit… impatience.
Yeah, we get it. Those mega gauges look amazing and you can’t wait to rock them. But trying to rush the process is the number one way to end up with blown out ears from stretching. Remember, slow and steady wins this race, even though it can feel like a total bore.
And here’s why…
Your skin and tissue don’t have enough time to adapt to a new, larger size when you stretch your ears too quickly. As a result, the skin can tear and push outwards, leading to that annoying telltale ring of scar tissue.
But it’s not the only cause of an ear stretch blowout. Other factors include:
Not keeping your stretch clean and lubricated
Regular cleaning and moisturising help keep your ears healthy and less prone to ear gauge blowout.
Skipping sizes
Only move up a half size at a time and wait at least eight weeks before stretching again.
Wearing cheap and nasty jewellery
Invest in high-quality materials safe for long-term wear.
Wearing heavy jewellery
Avoid wearing heavy or dangling jewellery until your ears are fully healed, to prevent it pulling on your lobes. And when you are ready, don't wear the heavy stuff all the time!
So, take it easy, and never skimp on the quality of your gear.
But, what about the do’s now we’ve covered the don’ts? The do’s are your BFF’s for dodging ear stretching blowouts in the first place. (Some of them are don’ts in reverse. But they’re worth reiterating in a slightly different way to get the message through!)
How Can I Stretch Without Causing a Blown Out Ear Gauge?
You now know what an ear stretching blowout is and how it happens. Following swiftly on from this, let’s talk next about how to avoid it altogether.
Here are some golden rules to keep your lobes safe and smiling:
Dead stretch for safety
Dead stretching is as simple and straightforward as it gets. No fuss. No fancy tools. Just patience, and a bit of time, meaning less can go wrong. And who doesn’t want that?
The key to dead stretching is patience - bucketloads of it. And it should be reserved for when your current jewellery starts to feel loose. That’s when you know your lobes are ready for the next step.
Plus, there’s the incremental game to play. The standard rule of thumb for dead stretching is to bump up your size in 1mm increments without skipping sizes, ever. But, the SIBJ Team prefer to take things up a notch (or down, technically) with tiny 0.5mm increments between stretches. This means you can stretch up with less effort and more importantly, with maximum safety and minimum risk of a blowout in ear stretching.
Slow, slow, as slow as you can go
There’s no overstressing this. Give your ears at least eight weeks to heal between each stretch, and like we’ve already said, only go up half a size at a time. Trust us, your ears will thank you for only sizing up when they’ve given you the green light.
If you feel any discomfort or resistance, it’s your body telling you to hit the brakes. And never, ever force a piece of jewellery in. It’s a reliable way to invite irritation, blown out ears from stretching, and a whole host of other completely avoidable problems.
Use quality jewellery only
Cheap tat causes all sorts of problems, from allergic reactions to higher risk of ear stretch blowouts. Why go there for the sake of investing in better quality, hypoallergenic materials? Instead, opt for the good guys like:
It’s SO worth it in the long run.
Keep everything clean
We’re talking about your stretched lobes and the jewellery you’re adorning them with. And it really couldn’t be easier. Simply use a mild chemical-free soap for keeping your jewellery free from any nasties.
And your ears? LobeLove™ Saline Piercing Spray is your go-to for stretching aftercare. This professional solution comes in a handy spray bottle, making it quick and convenient to keep your stretches clean and healthy. Essential when you’re serious about avoiding an ear gauge blowout!
Massage like you mean it
Dry skin tears more easily. This is why it’s vital to keep your lobes moisturised with a good quality oil. LobeLove™ Organic Golden Jojoba Oil and LobeLove™ Premium Ear Stretching Balm are both excellent choices. Massaging your stretched ears with these unassuming little miracle workers has many benefits, such as:
- Promotes circulation
- Breaks down scar tissue
- Makes the stretching process smoother
- Keeps your lobes juicy and flexible
A 5–10-minute massage each day can do wonders for your overall ear health, besides helping to keep an ear stretching blowout firmly at bay.
Listen to your lobes
It’s time to stop right now if your ears are screaming in pain, you’re pushing too hard if it’s hurting.
Additionally, keep a close eye on any changes in your lobes as you stretch them. Take notice when they’re trying to tell you something, be patient, and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeously stretched gauges, minus any blowout dramas.
All the same, it’s a wise move to understand the early warning signs of a blown out ear gauge, so you can act fast before it gets too serious if things go pear-shaped.
How Can I Tell If I’m Getting Ear Stretching Blowout?
Prevention is always better than cure. For this purpose, it’s savvy to know how to spot a blowout in ear stretching before it has chance to get any worse. Early warning signs include:
- Pain and soreness - Ear stretching should be pain-free when done correctly. So, you’ll get the idea something’s not right if it hurts.
- Redness and irritation - It’s time to look sharp if your lobes start looking red and feeling unhappy.
- Swelling – Blown out ears from stretching often cause the backs of your lobes to puff up.
- Inverted ring - This is the most obvious sign—a bulgy, swollen ring of tissue around the backs of the lobes.
Take a step back and assess the situation if you notice any of these symptoms.
Does An Ear Stretch Blowout Go Away?
Right. The worst’s come to the worst and you’ve got an ear gauge blowout, despite your best efforts. Now what?
The big question is whether or not a blown out ear gauge goes away on its own. And the answer is this. It depends.
In some cases, you might be able to reverse the damage if you catch the blowout early and take immediate action. But truthfully, you might be stuck with permanent scarring if the blowout is severe or you’ve left it untreated for too long.
Importantly, don’t beat yourself up about it. The most pressing thing is leaping into action at lightning speed as soon as you notice any signs. Ultimately, the sooner you address an ear stretching blowout, the better your chances of healing it without permanent damage.
If in doubt, be sure to visit your local trusted body piercer or GP.
How Do I Treat a Stretched Ear Blowout?
First up, don’t panic! It’s not where you’d hoped to be. But it’s not the end of the world either. Here’s a walkthrough of what to do to get your gauges back on track:
Downsize your plugs or tunnels
The first thing you need to do is downsize your gauge by at least one or two sizes. This relieves the pressure on your lobes and gives them breathing space to heal.
Give it a good cleaning
Gently clean the area with LobeLove™ Saline Piercing Spray or a mild, antibacterial soap, making sure to avoid harsh chemicals or alcohol-based soaps and cleansing products, which can dry out the skin and make things worse.
Get well oiled
Start massaging with a nourishing oil like LobeLove™ Organic Golden Jojoba Oil or Holey Butt'r once the area stops hurting. This helps break down scar tissue and promotes healing.
Bide your time
Healing a blowout in ear stretching takes time. We’re talking about several weeks or even months. So, hang fire. And whatever you do, don’t stretch your ears any further until your lobes are well and truly healed.
Try tucking it back into place
You might be able to tuck your ear stretch blowout back into your lobe if you’ve caught it early and it’s small enough. This is done by putting your jewellery in from the back and re-absorbing the blown out tissue into your lobe. Just be gentle. And give it more time if it’s too painful.
But what if it's bad? Like, really bad? You’re probably intrigued to know if there’s some sort of ear gauge blowout point of no return.
Can Ear Blowouts Be Permanent?
There’s no nice way to say this. But in some cases, the answer is, unfortunately, yes.
Permanent scarring can occur if blown out ears from stretching are left untreated or they’re especially severe. In some of these cases, that thick, unsightly, raised area of skin around the lobe doesn’t just go away on its own.
In fact, surgery might be your only option if you’re dealing with a really deep-rooted and stubborn blown out ear gauge. Although, it’s typically a last-resort measure for restoring a particularly savage ear stretching blowout to its former glory.
Don’t Let Blowouts Blow Your Vibe
When all’s said and done, you’ll hopefully avoid the dreaded blowout in ear stretching and keep your lobes looking amazing by:
- Taking your time
- Using the right tools and fresh stretch appropriate jewellery
- Paying attention to your lobes
- Practicing good hygiene and perfecting your aftercare routine
But don’t lose your mind if you’re unlucky enough to find yourself dealing with blown out ears from stretching. Take a deep breath, follow the steps we’ve laid out, and you should be back on track in no time.
Make Stretch It Body Jewellery your one stop shop for more tips and tricks to keep an ear stretching blowout at arm’s length. And pick up the highest quality ear stretching gear at wildly affordable prices.
Visit our website today for all the tools, jewellery and products you need you need for a beautiful and blowout-free ear stretching journey.
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