Will 8mm stretched ear close?
If you have stretched your earlobes to 8mm, the piercing itself is definitely permanent at that point. The size is still small enough though that if jewelry is not worn in the hole, it will shrink up to the point it doesn't look too different from a “normal sized” ear piercing.
Once it fits properly, go down another size until you reach the smallest gauge. Once you reach this point, your hole should be able to close on its own. This entire process usually takes at least 2 months. You can also help your ears along the road to healing by cleaning and massaging them with oils and moisturizers.
Because your ear lobes have healed around the tunnel, plug, or taper you used to stretch the ear, your ears will never completely close. Keep in mind that your best expectation is to shrink the size of the holes. If you experienced tearing, infections, or blowouts, your ears may not shrink as much.
Those who have their ears pierced and haven't worn an earring in a long-time will know that the hole can close back up, but where is the point that it stops happening? Most professionals would say that size 0g (8mm) to 00g (10mm) is the absolute point of no return.
Wait at least 6 weeks between gauges, but keep an eye on your piercing. Don't go up to the next gauge if you notice any redness, swelling, or irritation after 6 weeks. It may take longer based on your own healing process. Don't touch the piercing with dirty hands to avoid introducing bacteria.
Most professionals in the piercing world suggest going no larger than a 0 gauge, preferably a 2 gauge, if you want your ears to shrink back to standard size. If you stop at this point, you should have no problem with your ears shrinking back.
The earlobe can shrink back to its normal size if the earring or gauge is less than 14mm or a size 2 gauge. Anything larger than this size will require reconstructive surgery. Stretching of the ear with gauge piercings is a process that takes many months and should not be rushed.
Soak your earlobes at least twice a day in warm, clean water with about 1/4 tsp of salt for every 1 cup of water. Massage your earlobes at least once a day with coconut oil, jojoba oil, or another safe oil to keep it moisturized and promote healing.
One of the most common questions I get asked about ear lobe stretching is “will my ears shrink back down?” Yes – to an extent. Most of the time, the size of your stretched holes will go back down to just under half of your maximum stretched size. For example, 30mm would shrink back to about 10-15mm.
Every person is different, and many factors, such as the elasticity of your skin and the time and method of stretching, can affect this. Most people can go between 2g (6mm) – 00g (10mm) and expect their ears to revert back to a normal piercing, after a few months of healing.
How do you close stretched ears surgery?
The process for closing normal ear piercings is the same as the one used for repairing “stretched out” holes. Under local anesthesia, skin is removed from around the hole, and the hole is stitched closed. Correction is made by removing the tunnel, and adding a single stitch front and back if the defect is very small.
Stretching your ears can take months or years, depending on how large you want them to be. During this time, your ear will be sensitive. However, they should never be painful or stressed. A good rule of thumb is to go up one gauge size every four to six weeks.
Ear stretching can be done as soon as you want. The only real condition is that you need to have a completely healed piercing before you start. It's best to wait up to 6 months (sometimes longer) to make sure it's fully healed and you'll be able to stretch evenly.
If you are stretching your ears and notice that you have tissue blowout around the back of your ear, the first thing you should do to promote healing is downsize. Downsizing means to go down a size from what you are currently wearing. If you don't downsize, the blowout is likely to get bigger.
It is generally considered that you can stretch up to an 8mm or 10mm without suffering any long-term consequences should you decide to remove your jewellery and let your piercing reduce back to its original size.
Any size larger than 8mm is normally given as the "point of no return" for earlobe piercings, as beyond this size there is a significant risk that the hole will not shrink back to the size of the original piercing and may require cosmetic surgery in order to close the hole completely.
The smaller gauge ear sizes can stretch a little quicker than the larger sizes. So if you are stretching from 4mm to 5mm you might only take 5 weeks to 7 weeks. While if you are stretching from 19mm to 20mm it is recommended to take on average 12-14 weeks before stretching to the next gauge size.
Why does this happen? Your body secretes a substance called sebum, sebum is an oily secretion which helps your skin keep lubricated and keep it waterproof. The sebum mixes with the dead skin cells between your ear and the jewellery to make this unpleasant odour.
Once you reach a certain point, ear gauging leaves permanent results. So, if you ever want to remove the gauges from your ears, you will be left with a big hole that can only be reversed with surgery. By working with a professional, your chances for closing gauged ears without surgery is greater.
Most of the time, the size of your stretched holes will go back down to just under half of your maximum stretched size. For example, 30mm would shrink back to about 10-15mm. There are, however, a lot of things that can affect this.
Will my stretched ears go back to normal?
“Regularly massaging the lobe with Vitamin E oil and other preparations can help repair scar tissue.” While this is an effective method in many cases, the ear will never completely return to normal. Many individuals will find, while the hole does shrink, it never completely closes.
Stretching your ear too quickly can tear the skin. Only increase your jewelry by one size (2 gauge) at a time. Wait 4 to 6 weeks before increasing sizes. Wait for inflammation and pain to subside before increasing the size of your gauge.
Here is how gauges compare to diameters in inches and millimeters: 18 gauge = 0.04 inches or 1.0 millimeters. 14 gauge = 1/16-inch or 1.6 millimeters. 8 gauge = 1/8-inch or 3.2 millimeters.
Stretching your ears can take months or years, depending on how large you want them to be. During this time, your ear will be sensitive. However, they should never be painful or stressed. A good rule of thumb is to go up one gauge size every four to six weeks.
Your earlobes have most likely built up some scar tissue in that time and shrinkage will be more difficult to achieve. This means your ears will downsize slightly, but it may be difficult to shrink them to even half the size you're at.
Here is a good example timeline to get from regular piercing to 00 gauge: 16g to 14g - 1-2 months. 14g to 12g - 1-2 months. 12g to 10g - 2-3 months.
Massage your lobes with vitamin E oil every day. This will help encourage earlobe shrinkage. To further encourage shrinkage, apply hemorrhoid cream. Continue to massage your lobes even after they've shrunk to your preferred size.
Answer: Postop care after Gauged ear repair.
In my patients I generally recommend Aquaphor ointment 2-3x day applied to the suture line, and the use of gentle soap when showering like Dove or Cetaphil.
The earlobe can shrink back to its normal size if the earring or gauge is less than 14mm or a size 2 gauge. Anything larger than this size will require reconstructive surgery. Stretching of the ear with gauge piercings is a process that takes many months and should not be rushed.