If you have stretched ears, you aren't limited to wearing basic plugs. There are actually many different types of jewelry you can wear in stretched ears, from tunnels and saddles to hangers and ear weights.
The best option depends on whether your ears are still stretching or fully healed, as well as the look you're going for. Let's go over some of the most common jewelry styles for stretched ears.
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Plugs are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about stretched ears. They are solid pieces of jewelry that fill the stretched piercing and come in a huge range of styles, shapes, and materials.
Common plug materials include:
Plugs can also have different wearable designs. Single-flare plugs have a flare on one end and usually use an O-ring on the other end to keep the jewelry in place. Double-flare plugs have flares on both ends and do not normally need O-rings.
If you're actively stretching your ears, single-flare glass or appropriate titanium plugs are generally much easier to work with than double-flare jewelry. Save double-flare pieces for healed lobes that can comfortably accommodate the flare.
Tunnels, sometimes called eyelets, are similar to plugs, except they're hollow in the center. This gives your stretched piercing an open look instead of filling the entire space with jewelry.
Just like plugs, tunnels come in different materials, colors, and designs. Depending on the style, you can even wear other jewelry through the opening.
Ear skins are very thin, flexible tunnels usually made from silicone. Because they're lightweight and flexible, many people find them comfortable for everyday wear.
However, silicone ear skins should be saved for fully healed stretched ears. Silicone is not a good choice for actively stretching a piercing or for a lobe that is irritated or still healing from a recent stretch.
Round jewelry isn't your only option once your stretched ears are healed. Plugs and tunnels can come in fun shapes such as:
Shaped jewelry can create a completely different look, but it can also put pressure on your lobes differently than round jewelry. That's why you should wait until your ears are fully healed before wearing shaped plugs or tunnels.
They also aren't meant to change the permanent shape of your stretched piercing. Think of them as decorative jewelry rather than a tool for stretching your ears into a specific shape.
Want the look of a traditional dangling earring while still showing off your stretched ears? Dangle eyelets combine the two styles.
These pieces usually have an eyelet or tunnel that sits inside the stretched lobe with a decorative element hanging underneath. They're an easy way to get a more decorative or dangly look without giving up your stretched-ear jewelry.
Saddles are another option that can give stretched ears a very different appearance. They look somewhat like tunnels, but instead of making a complete circle, they have an opening at the top.
The jewelry rests along the bottom of your stretched lobe, creating an open, curved look. Since saddles don't support your lobe the same way a standard plug or tunnel does, they're best suited for healed stretches.
Ear hangers are decorative pieces that hang from stretched lobes instead of filling the entire piercing like a plug.
Depending on the design, you may be able to wear hangers:
Hangers come in many shapes and designs, making them a fun choice when you want something more decorative than a standard plug or tunnel.
Ear weights are similar to hangers, but there's one important difference: they're designed to have noticeable weight.
That weight can create a bold look, but it also puts pressure on a smaller area of your lobe. Wearing heavy jewelry for long periods may cause uneven stretching or thinning in certain areas.
Because of this, ear weights are generally better for short-term wear rather than something you leave in all day, every day. Give your lobes a break and switch back to jewelry that distributes pressure more evenly.
If you're still working toward your goal size, keep things simple. This isn't the time to experiment with heavy, oddly shaped, or flexible jewelry.
Single-flare glass plugs are one of the best options for stretching because they're smooth, easy to clean, and available in small size increments. Appropriate titanium plugs can also be an option.
Avoid using decorative jewelry, ear weights, silicone ear skins, or shaped plugs to force your ears to the next size. Stretching should happen gradually, and the jewelry should slide in comfortably rather than being forced through the piercing.
Once your lobes are fully healed and comfortable at their current size, you have a lot more freedom to experiment.
Your options can include:
The important thing is to pay attention to your lobes. Jewelry should feel comfortable and shouldn't cause pain, irritation, swelling, or excessive pressure. If a piece starts bothering your ears, take it out and switch back to something comfortable.
There are way more choices than just plugs! Depending on your size and whether your lobes are fully healed, you can wear plugs, tunnels, ear skins, shaped jewelry, dangle eyelets, saddles, hangers, and ear weights.
If you're still stretching, stick with simple jewelry such as single-flare glass or suitable titanium plugs. Once your ears are healed at their current size, you can start exploring more decorative styles.
No matter what you choose, listen to your ears. Comfortable, healthy lobes should always come before the jewelry you're wearing.
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