When it comes to body jewelry, ear piercing is one of the most popular types. It includes ear stretching, which is currently on the rise. This trend is increasingly visible in contemporary fashion and subcultures. Not that it is something novel. Ancient and modern tribes and civilizations pierced and stretched their ears. However, it was done by a narrow circle of people because the practice was part of a rite of passage or was done to showcase the status of the wearer. Nowadays, ear gauges are seen as a fashion statement and a way to communicate a person’s style or belonging to a certain subculture. Plugs and tunnels are available to everyone if this way of body modification suits your lifestyle and preferences. The modern interpretation has shifted the practice from a sacred ritual to an individual and aesthetic choice.
The resurgence of interest in body modification, including the use of plugs and tunnels, began in the 1980s and 1990s. Body art was the main means of self-expression and rebellion among alternative cultures. It was also the time when the community of piercing professionals and enthusiasts started to share knowledge and techniques for safe stretching practices via blog posts, books, and magazines.
Today, personalized plugs and tunnels are widely accepted and are not perceived as something weird or shocking. Let’s dwell upon these two forms of body jewelry and find out their differences.
Both plugs and tunnels are intended for stretched ears. Eyelets, which are hollow tubes, can be used by beginners as well as by professionals and are recommended for fully healed earlobes. They weigh less and allow for various hanging decorative elements.
Plugs are solid pieces that can be worn when the piercing in the earlobes is stretched enough and fully healed. They come in various shapes, from circles and teardrops to coffins and hearts.
Basic example of plugs
These custom jewelry pieces can be made from any material you want: from precious metals, like solid gold ear tunnels, which boast of durability, to eco-friendly variants like wood or gemstones, which offer a unique appearance and attractive texture. If you opt for a sparkly and jaw-dropping item, consider diamond gauges, which definitely stand out. Other options include glass, silicone, and stainless steel. Moreover, customization allows creating ear accessories to your taste with engravings, beads, or images based on your photos.
Basic example of tunnels
People who already have tunnels or plugs say that a person who wants to stretch lobes must weigh the pros and cons because the process requires patience and pain tolerance. Such a decision shouldn’t be impulsive. When you go up a gauge size, you should wait from 4 to 6 weeks for the ear to heal properly – after that, looking after the piercing is an important and responsible task. It is needed to avoid unpleasant smells and discharge. The jewelry and earlobes should be regularly cleaned.
Many piercers say that the safe stretching limit is 00 gauge (approximately 10mm) if you want your ears to be able to shrink back to decently normal. Reconstruction surgery can help in cases when earlobes are stretched to 20mm/30mm or more.
Those who want to enter the club but have doubts or those who want to wear ear gauges once to complement their look have an incredible way out. Custom fake plugs are super comfortable and such a great alternative. A standard-sized earring pin is connected to a large decorative end that resembles a real plug. The part with a pin is easily connected to another part, like regular earrings.
