Teenagers & ear expanders

juno

Stretched ears do not smell. People who don't wash smell. If you have stretched ears and a good hygiene routine you'll be fine. That's a bit like saying "feet smell" or "armpits smell".

And there's no such thing as "the point of no return" as this thread has proved. Some people claim 6mm, others 8mm, others 10mm. But I personally know people who have gone to sizes a lot bigger than that and their lobes have healed, and people who stayed smaller and theirs won't close. It depends on the person, how long they keep their holes, and also how they stretched to get there.

Stretching needs to be done slowly, and the best thing to do would be to advise her on this (although she may not listen). 1mm a month is fast enough. I took a year to go to 8mm and now have lovely, healthy lobes that I wash and jojoba oil every day.

However, stretching is not moneysaving in the slightest. I have a large collection of plugs and hangies, and some pairs cost $100.

erichamster

juno wrote: »

Stretched ears do not smell. People who don't wash smell. If you have stretched ears and a good hygiene routine you'll be fine. That's a bit like saying "feet smell" or "armpits smell".

And there's no such thing as "the point of no return" as this thread has proved. Some people claim 6mm, others 8mm, others 10mm. But I personally know people who have gone to sizes a lot bigger than that and their lobes have healed, and people who stayed smaller and theirs won't close. It depends on the person, how long they keep their holes, and also how they stretched to get there.

Stretching needs to be done slowly, and the best thing to do would be to advise her on this (although she may not listen). 1mm a month is fast enough. I took a year to go to 8mm and now have lovely, healthy lobes that I wash and jojoba oil every day.

However, stretching is not moneysaving in the slightest. I have a large collection of plugs and hangies, and some pairs cost $100.

May I ask, why did you decide to do it? Was it because you particularly liked the look of stretched ear lobes? Or because you like the association with a particular lifestyle or subculture? Or wanted to make a statement? I genuinely don't understand why anyone would want to do it.

I don't even have my ears pierced as I can't see the point in causing myself pain (however brief) and risking infection just to dangle things from my ears so I must say this practice seems pointless in the extreme, especially as it seems a lot of people find the look of stretched earlobes unpleasant.

I can understand the reasoning behind tattoos, my OH has several which are personal to him and remind him of certain periods in his life and are associated with his favourite things. But I don't think the memento argument works in this case.

But do some people think stretched earlobes look more attractive than regular earlobes? Are larger/more stretched ones more attractive etc?

It's like those piercings that people have that I think are supposed to look like a beauty spot/mole but just end up looking like a massive zit, does anybody like those?
Again just genuinely curious, it's fascinating and baffling to me and I'm only 24, already feel old, kids today............

mammyof7

My 17 year old has got both of his stretched and at their biggest were 14mm, but are now back down to 8.

I totally admit I was mortified when he first did it and being a bit green behind the ears, didn't even realise that the long pointy things he was sporting were stretchers! Being totally uncool, I thought they were just some new type of earrings.

However after the initial shock I must admit I now rather like them. He keeps them spotlessly clean and they most certainly don't smell. I think as a parent we've got to realise that times are changing. Yes we may not like it but ultimately there are far far worse things that can and do happen.

juno

mammyof7 wrote: »

I totally admit I was mortified when he first did it and being a bit green behind the ears, didn't even realise that the long pointy things he was sporting were stretchers!

That's because they're not "stretchers". They're tapers or possibly even plugs.

juno

erichamster wrote: »

May I ask, why did you decide to do it? Was it because you particularly liked the look of stretched ear lobes? Or because you like the association with a particular lifestyle or subculture? Or wanted to make a statement? I genuinely don't understand why anyone would want to do it.

I don't even have my ears pierced as I can't see the point in causing myself pain (however brief) and risking infection just to dangle things from my ears so I must say this practice seems pointless in the extreme, especially as it seems a lot of people find the look of stretched earlobes unpleasant.

I can understand the reasoning behind tattoos, my OH has several which are personal to him and remind him of certain periods in his life and are associated with his favourite things. But I don't think the memento argument works in this case.

But do some people think stretched earlobes look more attractive than regular earlobes? Are larger/more stretched ones more attractive etc?

It's like those piercings that people have that I think are supposed to look like a beauty spot/mole but just end up looking like a massive zit, does anybody like those?
Again just genuinely curious, it's fascinating and baffling to me and I'm only 24, already feel old, kids today............

I have many piercings, although I don't really associate with any of the stereotypes - and if you saw me you wouldn't know. Many people who see my ears assume that I'm just wearing the larger style disc earrings that are now popular (if you go somewhere like ASOS there are loads of examples of normal sized earrings with large fronts). Work don't mind, and even though I work with the public I've never had any complaints (either to my face or other staff) although I have received lots of compliments.

One of the reasons I did it is because I like the look, and I love the wide range of jewellery available. I also don't like the risks associated with normal piercings - the thinner gauge causes a "cheese wire effect" which can easily rip out, and also when people get older their ears sag from wearing heavy earrings.

With a properly done piercing there is little pain, and also little chance of infection. Many people go to places that use guns (like Claires or a hairdresser) which are bad and cause problems. You get to play the AIDs lottery, but hey, it's a cheaper piercing!

And if you're old at 24 I must be ancient.

mammyof7

juno wrote: »

That's because they're not "stretchers". They're tapers or possibly even plugs.

Sorry must have used the wrong term. They were definitely tapers (just looked on Google images )

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

juno wrote: »

Stretched ears do not smell. People who don't wash smell. If you have stretched ears and a good hygiene routine you'll be fine. That's a bit like saying "feet smell" or "armpits smell".

But teenagers, many of whom develop an apparent allergy to soap and water for about 5 year, do. And the smell of a grubby teenager who can't even be bothered to wash their hair, never mind their ears is particularly distinctive when they wear the natural materials in their lobes. This thread is about a teenager, after all.


I quite like them myself. As long as they are scrupulously clean.

BugglyB

You can comfort yourself with the amount of her peers that are doing the same thing - by the time they get older they'll all look the same. Just as tattoos and brightly coloured hair are now commonplace.

sweetpeas_2

I think I must be the oldest 26 year old about cos I really don't 'get it'

I'm not a total frump, I have piercings and I have tattoo' s (which I"m well aware is another topic cos alot of people really loathe tattoos )

I also don't get those piercings that people have on their skin like on their hand.. they freak me out a bit

andthethreebears

lots of advice / input on this thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3533403

i have them / love them, however I was 16 (which is the age of consent for most types of piercing) when i started stretching my lobes.