Holier Than Thou

About

In plain terms, larger and larger pieces of jewellery are worn in the area until the desired size is achieved. Once the piercing is healed, larger gauge jewellery can be fitted with the aid of an insertion taper and some lubricant. Existing jewellery should be removed and the area cleaned and dried. Lubricant should then be smeared on to the tip of the taper, then inserted into the area and gently pushed through in a twisting motion. Once the thickest end of the taper is flush with the surface of the area, the jewellery can be aligned and guided through. Clean the area to remove any traces of lubricant. Treat like a fresh piercing for the next few weeks and massage with vitamin E oil daily to increase moisture and suppleness in the area.

Stretching an area too hurriedly (if healed) or too prematurely (if the piercing is not fully healed) can result in tearing of the fistula (the skin tube that makes up the inside of the piercing), leading to a build up of scar tissue, usually at the back of the piercing. If the area does tear it is important to downsize the piercing immediately, reducing the size will take the pressure of the area. Make sure the area is fully healed before attempting to continue to stretch.

Once the tissue has stretched passed a certain point, the tissue is fundamentally dissimilar from its original appearance. Stretching a piercing is more time demanding than most other body modification and requires dedication to the way of life. Do not stretch any part of your body unless you are certain that you will be happy with it forever. Some people can stretch to 8mm (0ga) and still have the tissue go back to normal, but as in life, there are no guarantees that this will happen.