How do you select the gauge sizes for ear piercing?

Answer by  fiona85 (22)

The ear lobe is usually pierced with 18 or 20 gauge. It can be pierced larger, with a dermal punch to create stretched lobes (ears pierced at 18 or 20 gauge can be stretched up to large gauges after they are healed). Cartilage or other area on the ear, it is usually pierced at either 16gauge or 14 gauge

Answer by  Anonymous

Start with a standard piercing gauge (20 or so), gradually go up, one size at a time. If you decide to let them close up later, they will look better if you stretch gradually than if you start off big (you don't want buttholes on your lobes when you're 80).

Answer by  Aubs (1089)

Selecting the size of the gauge really just depends on the size of the hole you want and the earrings that you want put in.

Answer by  mama86 (245)

The person doing your piercing will pick out what the proper gauge size for your ear piercing is. This all depends on what part of your ear is being pierced.

Answer by  jheremans (1446)

It is up to you how big you want yours to be. You can go the standard size and then train it to get bigger in a few months.

Answer by  Jaquelynne (594)

The smaller the number of the gauge, the bigger the size of the earring. Typical earrings are slighty smaller than a 20. I suggest moving one size at a time.

Answer by  Anonymous

stretched lobes look awesome!