Do ear gauges close? This is a common question for many people who are considering getting these piercings. Ear gauging, also known as ear stretching, is a process where the ear is gradually stretched out for the purpose of wearing larger piercings. Even though ear gauging has grown in popularity in recent years, it is still a painful process that could result in unwanted effects and the need for ear gauging surgical repair. If you want to stretch your ear lobes, the best advice is to have a professional do it. This ensures that the gauges turn out the way you want them.
Below are the five main reasons why you should never gauge your own earlobes.
1) Risk of Infection
Each time you insert a new gauge, you run the risk for infection. Gauged ears cause this side effect for most people. Here’s why. When you stretch the ear lobe, you are opening up a wound that is trying to heal. Any gauges or instruments that aren’t sterile have the potential to introduce bacteria into the wound. If you do end up with an infection, you’ll have to treat it immediately to avoid pain and scarring.
By working with a professional, you can ensure that your ears will be gauged safely. It’s important to wait about 2-3 weeks in between sizing up so that the wound has time to heal. Some people need more time than this, especially for the first gauge, so be patient.
2) Tearing
After you gauge your ears, if your ear stretches past a certain point, it’s possible for it to separate from the ear lobe. If this happens, you will need plastic surgery to repair the earlobe. The surgery requires reshaping the ear and stitching it back together. Not to mention, all of this added stress is extremely painful. To avoid this from happening, a professional will gradually move you up in sizes (no skipping) until you reach the desired look.
3) Blowouts
Another complication that can occur from ear gauging is blowouts. Blowouts occur when red, irritated rings develop around the back of the ear lobe hole. The reason for this is because the ears are being stretched out too quickly and scar tissue forms as a result, making the hole red and angry. If this starts to happen under a professional’s care, you will go down a size until the wound heals.
4) Permanence
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. It all depends on how big the hole is, how old you are and your genetics.
Extra Tip: Avoid Silicone
If you decide that ear gauging is definitely for you, there are certain things you should never do when stretching your ears. The primary one to be aware of is: never use silicone. Professional ear piercers know this, but other people do not. Silicone is popular because it’s comfortable, lightweight and inexpensive. Unfortunately, silicone is bacteria-friendly and can lead to infection and blowouts. You should only use silicone when the hole has properly healed.
How can plastic surgery help gauged ears?
Plastic surgery to fix a stretched or torn earlobe is performed under local anesthesia. A board-certified plastic surgeon can work with the earlobe tissue to reconstruct the shape of the lobe. Unlike in a ripped or torn earlobe repair, ear gauging creates a hole where normal tissue should reside.
About Berlet Plastic Surgery
Berlet Plastic Surgery specializes in plastic surgery services in northern NJ, including ear gauge repair. While we always recommend working with a New Jersey professional to avoid issues, we know that things can still happen. Contact us today to learn more about our stretched earlobe surgical solutions.