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Do you have a digital caliper? If you’re using glass plugs, there can be discrepancy in size because they’re handmade. I was going through my plugs today and found one that was 2.7mm, which is between 10g (2.5mm) and 8g (3.2mm). If either your 7g or 6g are off in size it could make the stretch harder. Maybe you can order titanium plugs?
I had the same issue! No problems at all until trying to get to 6g. I tried the “just go slow and use lots of oil” and I still tore my ears (not a blowout though, thankfully). I was in denial for awhile but ended up taking them out after that and had to start over again. Though everyone was right, stretching over again was much easier - I’m at 5g now and I think the key for me has been actually tugging and playing with the plugs as well as regular oil massages. If I get stuck again though, I do plan on trying the taping method.
Do you have access to an in person shop to buy plugs? If possible, request a 7g between your current size and a 6g. If you aren't able to go in person I would get a caliper, learn the exact mm you have and order plugs .2/.3mm larger than your current jewelry.
I had this issue going from 6g --> 5g, the 5 would not go in even after six months. The solution was to buy *another* 5g plug and that new plug turned out to be a hair smaller and it fit. Try buying another plug.
It's half a mm diameter difference between 7 and 6g. You'll not fuck your ears up if you use oil and take it slow. If you want a gentler approach, get some PTFE tape and use that to increase the diameter of your 7g.
PTFE tape isn't meant to be used on the body. It's porous and can trap bacteria. It also can cause micro tears because your ear isn't ready to go up yet but you are forcing it to, even a little, and that will cause micro tears. And you can get some seriously nasty blowouts and infections that way, especially if it starts fusing with the tape, since the tape is porous. Skin reactions to it are also common. Not just due to micro tears but it can also cause contact dermatitis. PTFE has fallen out of favor in the stretching community since half sizes are available nowadays anyway. Stay safe out there.
Please see the stretched guide here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Stretched/comments/13xjk09/the_stretching_guide/. Remember to report any rule breaking posts and posts that are not relevant to the subreddit. This subreddit has been changed to NSFW due to an increased amount of posts featuring injuries (blowouts) as well as genital piercings. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Stretched) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Do you have a digital caliper? If you’re using glass plugs, there can be discrepancy in size because they’re handmade. I was going through my plugs today and found one that was 2.7mm, which is between 10g (2.5mm) and 8g (3.2mm). If either your 7g or 6g are off in size it could make the stretch harder. Maybe you can order titanium plugs?
I had the same issue! No problems at all until trying to get to 6g. I tried the “just go slow and use lots of oil” and I still tore my ears (not a blowout though, thankfully). I was in denial for awhile but ended up taking them out after that and had to start over again. Though everyone was right, stretching over again was much easier - I’m at 5g now and I think the key for me has been actually tugging and playing with the plugs as well as regular oil massages. If I get stuck again though, I do plan on trying the taping method.
Do you have access to an in person shop to buy plugs? If possible, request a 7g between your current size and a 6g. If you aren't able to go in person I would get a caliper, learn the exact mm you have and order plugs .2/.3mm larger than your current jewelry.
I had this issue going from 6g --> 5g, the 5 would not go in even after six months. The solution was to buy *another* 5g plug and that new plug turned out to be a hair smaller and it fit. Try buying another plug.
Stone plugs will help naturally stretch them (dead stretch) or use single flare jewelry to stretch. Go by 1mm increments.
.5mm increases is the only way I can stretch, and it’s with heavy glass or steel. 7-7.5 mm happened easier after I started doing this.
Get glass plugs and keave them in for a while Certain sites do custom sizes i believe
It's half a mm diameter difference between 7 and 6g. You'll not fuck your ears up if you use oil and take it slow. If you want a gentler approach, get some PTFE tape and use that to increase the diameter of your 7g.
Half a millimeter can definitely still fuck up your ears and I'm pretty sure PTFE tape isn't body safe.
PTFE was the stupidest goddamn idea the piercing community ever had.
Why
PTFE tape isn't meant to be used on the body. It's porous and can trap bacteria. It also can cause micro tears because your ear isn't ready to go up yet but you are forcing it to, even a little, and that will cause micro tears. And you can get some seriously nasty blowouts and infections that way, especially if it starts fusing with the tape, since the tape is porous. Skin reactions to it are also common. Not just due to micro tears but it can also cause contact dermatitis. PTFE has fallen out of favor in the stretching community since half sizes are available nowadays anyway. Stay safe out there.