Finding Plugs and Tunnels That Fit Like They Were Made for You

Choosing the right size of stretched jewellery is not that easy. But it's low-key essential if you do not want your ears to end up in trouble. If your plug’s too big too soon, you are just basically opting for a tear. If the plug is smaller than your stretched size, it won’t sit snug. It’ll move around, fall out.  Your ear deserves better support than that. A plug that’s too tight won’t allow airflow. A plug that’s too loose lets in dirt and bacteria. Either way it’s going to cause irritation, swelling, and possibly a gross smelly situation. Stretching unevenly or with wrong sizes can mess with the symmetry of your lobes. Long story short? If you want your stretching journey to be healthy, it's really important to choose the right size. Here we help you find the right size for yourself.

Finding Plugs and Tunnels That Fit Like They Were Made for You!

Understanding Sizes for Stretched Ears

Stretched earrings, also known as plugs or tunnels, follow a sizing system that can be a little confusing at first. Sizes start in gauges and get larger as the gauge number gets smaller. For example, 16 gauge is smaller than 12 gauge. Once you reach 00 gauge, which is around 10 millimeters, the system switches to inches or millimeters. After that point, you’ll see sizes like 7/16-inch, 1/2 inch, and so on. The most accurate way to shop for ear jewelry is to focus on the size in millimeters. It removes all guesswork and keeps things consistent, especially when shopping online.

How to Measure Your Size?

To know your current size or check if new body jewelry will fit, use a digital caliper. This tool gives you a precise measurement in millimeters and is way more reliable than a regular ruler. You simply place your jewelry between the jaws of the caliper and read the number. If you do not have plugs to measure and are just starting out, you can ask a piercing studio to size your ears for you or order a sizing tool online. Do not rely on guessing or comparing sizes by eye. Even a one millimeter difference can make a big impact.

Stretching Safely

If you are still in the process of stretching, patience is everything. Only move up one size at a time. Give your ears at least four to six weeks to heal fully before going to the next size. This helps avoid tearing, scar tissue, or blowouts, which are painful and hard to fix. When you are ready to stretch, use a taper to insert the new size gently. After that, wear jewelry made from a safe, smooth material. Avoid skipping sizes or forcing jewelry in. That is how most problems start.

Picking the Right Materials

When your ears are healing or freshly stretched, always wear jewelry made from safe materials. The best choices are surgical steel, glass, or titanium. These materials are non-porous, smooth, and easy to sterilize. Once your ears are fully healed, you can experiment with natural materials like wood or stone. Just keep in mind that wood and stone can vary slightly in size and absorb moisture, which makes them unsuitable for fresh stretches. Silicone should only be used after your ears are fully healed, since it can trap bacteria and cause irritation.

Buying Jewelry with Confidence

When shopping for plugs and tunnels, avoid vague descriptions like small, medium, or large. You should always see the size listed in millimeters or inches. Stick with trusted brands that clearly label their products. And always check reviews to see if the jewelry tends to run big or small. This is especially important for handmade items, which can vary slightly in size. At Punk Plugs you get every size, material and style with ease, what are you waiting for, explore now.