Many people appreciate the charm of the enlarged holes in the earlobes. However, the process of achieving this dilation is quite painful. While there is no 100% sure way to avoid pain and discomfort, there are some precautions that can minimize them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Deciding on the Method
Step 1. Consider tugging on your ears gently
Before making any decisions about the hole dilation technique, consider how wide you want them to be. If you are interested in increasing the diameter by just one gauge, the best and least painful solution is to gently pull the earlobes until you can fit a larger earring. If, on the other hand, you want to dilate the piercing a lot, then you have to rely on other methods.
Step 2. Consider using the Taper Methods
This is the most common tool for dilating the holes in the earlobes. When used correctly, it causes relatively little pain.
- The taper sets are made up of different sticks of increasing diameter. To dilate the hole you need to get a set and wear each pair for about a month at a time. When you have used the whole set, the ear piercings will be exactly as big as you intended.
- Some people add small weights to the tapers they are using. This solution speeds up the process, but in some people it causes pain or tenderness.
Step 3. Try taping for gradual changes
If you have decided to dilate the holes slowly, then you should consider this technique. Taping reduces pain and ensures a gradual but slower process than tapers.
- For this solution you need non-adhesive tape to wrap around the piece of jewelry that enters the lobe. Continue increasing the layers of tape over time until you have achieved the desired diameter.
- Wash your earrings after this procedure to avoid infections.
Step 4. Avoid silicone and double flared jewelry
You shouldn't use this type of silicone plug until the holes are fully dilated and healed. If you use them during the stretching process, the material could tear the lining of the lobes and cause infections. Double-flared earrings, on the other hand, are sometimes large enough to cause pain and permanently damage the ears.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Preventive Measures for Pain
Step 1. Don't dilate the holes too quickly
Too fast a pace is a major cause of pain. Whichever method you choose, wait for the holes to heal completely before widening them further.
- The waiting time between one dilation and the next is variable. Each individual's organism has a different speed of healing and a lot depends on how large the hole is. In any case, it is recommended that you give your ears at least a month to get used to one caliber of jewelry before moving on to the next.
- Never skip a measure during the process. If you are not in a lot of pain, you may become impatient and be tempted to upgrade to a larger caliber by skipping the intermediate ones to speed up the procedure. However, this behavior increases the risk of permanent damage to the lobes. Even when you feel confident, "pushing ahead" is always a bad idea.
Step 2. Stop if you feel pain
Pain during the dilation process is a sign of some problem. If it is intense and continuous physical pain or you notice blood when you insert a larger taper or when you add another layer of tape, then you should stop the procedure. This means that the lobes have not yet fully healed and the dilation could only cause damage. Limit yourself to the current caliber of the jewelry you are wearing and wait a week before trying again.
Step 3. If necessary, dilate each ear at different rates
While this technique can make you feel and look weird, remember that your ears may have different recovery rates. If one lobe takes longer to heal, there is no medical reason that prevents you from dilating the other more quickly. In fact, if one ear is more sensitive and painful than the other, you should give it more time and slow down, to avoid possible damage.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Pain During Aftercare
Step 1. Massage your lobes regularly with oil
When the holes are dilated to the diameter you want, it is quite normal to experience some pain and tingling. You can reduce discomfort by massaging your ears regularly, but wait a few days before proceeding to avoid infections. Apply a small amount of the massage oil of your choice (you can buy it online or at a perfumery) and massage it into your ears. Repeat this procedure regularly, for a few days, until the pain subsides. In this way you promote blood circulation in the area and therefore healing.
Step 2. Use a saline solution
You can buy it at the pharmacy and it is able to soothe the lobes after dilation. Use spray or foam products in moderation and only once or twice a day; if you notice any side effects, such as increased pain, stop applying immediately.
You can make the saline solution by mixing a pinch of salt in 240ml of hot water
Step 3. If you experience severe pain or notice bleeding, immediately reduce the size of the jewel
If after inserting a larger taper or adding layers of tape the ear is very sore or bleeding, then immediately revert to the previous gauge. Both of these symptoms indicate a problem, and unlike tingling and light aches, they don't go away on their own. In this case you should immediately go back to the smaller taper or the previous number of layers of tape. If the problem persists, contact your doctor and visit.
Step 4. Resume wearing normal jewelry a few weeks after dilation
Once the holes have reached the desired diameter, wait a couple of weeks. If you don't have any pain or bleeding problems, you can wear the jewelry again. For the first few weeks, use only silicone or other organic material piercings. If you don't have a problem with these then you can move on to double flare jewelry.
