Stretching can be uncomfortable, but it should not be very painful, and it should not cause a bleeding. The initial stinging and discomfort should be gone within a day but your ear will feel quite sensitive as it heals. It may also feel uncomfortable the first couple nights that you sleep on them. For this reason, you may want to stretch piercings in both ears one at a time.

Use stainless steel rings or plugs to stretch a piercing. Don't stretch or wear wood or acrylic jewellery until the piercing has healed. These materials are much more porous than stainless steel. Porous materials leave more room for bacteria to form.

All ears are different. Some people can fit new jewellery into the ears with little difficulty, and others cannot. Let's take a look at a couple stretching methods:

- Insertion tapers are short rods with one end that tapers down to a smaller size at the other end. These should be inserted, and gradually pushed through, one size at a time. Use a taper that is at least 3 inches in length for a smooth and gradual sizing.

- Taper rings are pieces of jewellery that stretch piercings. They are similar to insertion tapers in that one end is larger than the other. Taper rings come in many styles and variations.

- Taper spikes work like insertion tapers, but they are shorter and can be worn as jewellery, secured with small plastic bands. Push them through gradually, over time, as the ear heals.

Stretching

Soak the ears in hot water to relax the tissues before starting.

Wash your hands with an anti-bacterial soap.

Cover the jewellery in a water-based lubricant. This will make it easier to stretch your ears.

Insert the jewellery, slowly working it into the ear. Do not force it in quickly because you want to give your ears time to adjust.

Care

Wash twice daily with unscented anti-bacterial soap.

Don't use petroleum ointments to heal your ears. These can promote the presence of bacteria, which can cause infection.

Sea salt will help the ears to heal. Combine a bit if it with distilled water, and soak for 5 to 10 minutes.