Downsizing is a great way to deal with a variety of common ear stretching problems, from irritation to tears. But can you stretch your ears after downsizing? And can you go back to your previous gauge? The answer is a resounding yes in both cases: most people can stretch back to their previous gauge and beyond. The exception would be if the problem was a serious one, such as extreme ear thinning – in some cases the downsizing may have to be permanent. Every case is different, so it is important to make the right decision. If you are unsure or simply need a little advice, I always recommend consulting an experienced professional piercer.

How To Stretch Your Ears After Downsizing

It is important to ensure that your ears are fully healed before you begin to stretch again. For this reason I recommend waiting 2-4 weeks after downsizing. Your ears should feel fully healed, with no pain or discomfort. You can then stretch your ears in the same way that you did initially. I’m sure that you are already knowledgeable about ear stretching, but for good measure, here is my basic method for re-stretching your ears:>/p>

  1. Clean your stretching taper and lubricate both the taper and your piercing with a skin-friendly oil e.g. olive, hemp or jojoba oil. Massage the piercing with the oil.
  2. Push the taper gradually through your piercing. Take your time and pause if needed.
  3. Once the taper is pushed fully through your ear, align the end of a flesh plug with the end of the taper. The plug should be the same gauge. Then push both the taper and plug through your ear until the flesh plug is fully in your piercing.

As with any time you stretch your ears, I recommend stretching no more than 2mm at a time and allowing 2-4 weeks before stretching again. If you find it difficult to stretch back to your original gauge, it is likely that your ear is not yet fully healed. In most cases, you will simply need to wait a little longer before re-stretching your piercing.
