Tunnels, plugs, spirals… stretched lobes are a whole mood. But the secret to gorgeous stretched ears isn’t speed, it’s patience. Slow and steady wins the race (and saves your lobes). Here are 25 things to know before you start, straight from our studio in the heart of Amsterdam.
Before you start
- Every ear is different. Lobes that hang free usually stretch more easily than lobes attached to your face, which may not get as big.
- Placement matters: if you dream of bigger sizes, your piercing should sit slightly above the middle of your lobe.
- Take small steps, for example 1.2 mm to 1.6 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm and so on.
- Stay at each size for at least two weeks. Your ear heals faster and looks nicer. Healing is very personal and depends on many factors, so see this as a guideline.
- Going straight to 3 mm with a titanium tunnel is often possible, but only in a professional studio with an experienced piercer.
We have one golden rule: we always ask for your approval first. We mark the spot, you check it out, and only after your "yes!" do we pierce. Nothing happens without your consent.
Stretching the right way
- If you stretch properly, bleeding is unusual. Listen to your body.
- Stretching should not hurt much. If it does, you’re going too fast.
- The best moment is right after a shower, when your skin is soft. A little massage first helps.
- Never stretch with dirty hands, and don’t touch your jewellery in between.
- Leave your jewellery out for a few days and your hole can shrink, sometimes by a few sizes.
- After stretching with a tunnel, don’t take it out for the first two weeks; it can be hard to put back.
- Careful with pets! Playful cats and dogs can catch a fresh stretch.
Materials
- Stainless steel and titanium tunnels are great for stretching and easy to clean.
- Acrylic tunnels are fine to stay at one size, but too light to stretch further with.
- Acrylic spirals and expanders are nice for stretching, because you can twist carefully and stop in time.
- Glass is super smooth, but breakable, so be careful.
- Silicone tunnels are best from around 6 mm.
- Always check for a smooth finish with no seams or cracks.
- Don’t stretch with gold-tone jewellery; wear it once you’ve reached your size and healed.
- Wood, horn, bone and stone are lovely for healed lobes and tend to smell less.
- Brass is gorgeous too, but best once you’ve reached your size.
Fancy a fresh lobe first? Read our guide to stacked lobes or everything about niobium for earlobes. Browse our first jewellery in titanium and gold.
What clients say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what others wrote. Click a name to see the original review:
"Highly recommend this place if you’re thinking about getting pierced!"
– Mishal Trivedi, Google review
"also the have a big range of jewerly for you to choose, so if you are in Amsterdam don’t hesitate!"
– Jennifer Tatiana Castañeda García, Google review
"Really nice, tidy piercing studio, always ready to help!" (translated from Dutch)
– Madelief Rosa, Google review
Limits and care
- Clean your tunnel or plug at least once a day to avoid unpleasant smells.
- When there’s less than about 2 mm left between your hole and the edge of your lobe, stop. Going further risks a tear or blowout.
- Blowout, bleeding or pain? You stretched too fast. Size down, and come to the studio so we can take a look.
- Be patient. Good advice plus time equals beautiful lobes.
How to look after it
- Clean it twice a day with the AphraHeals wipe (our favourite: practical, sterile and safe). It fits in any bag, right next to your lip gloss.
- Prefer a spray? The AphraHeals aftercare spray works great too, for example at home.
- Want all AphraHeals products in one place? Visit the AphraHeals shop.
- Wash your hands first, and no twisting or playing with your jewellery. Not even when it looks this good.
- Want to read it all again in peace? Download our aftercare instructions.
Is your piercing getting red, warm or swollen, more painful instead of calmer, or does it stay inflamed? Contact your piercer or a doctor. We’re always happy to take a look.
Please note: all healing times mentioned are an indication. Healing is very personal: for some people it goes faster, for others it takes a little longer.
More products: AphraHeals piercing aftercare.
Why get your stretching advice at Piercings Works?
- Experience: we’ve been piercing since 1998, and we’ve been at Reguliersbreestraat 46 in Amsterdam since 2004. That’s a lot of happy clients walking out the door.
- Hygiene: we were the first studio with a GGD licence, and the GGD re-inspects us every 3 years.
- Know-how: we’ve trained more than 100 piercers.
- You decide: we always ask for your approval first. We never do anything without your consent.
- Safe jewellery: in the studio we use internally threaded jewellery, so no thread scrapes through your fresh hole.
- One step at a time: we do a maximum of 3 piercings per visit. Even if your bestie yells "one more!"
- Questions in your own language? Our team speaks several languages, usually 6.
- Age: check our minimum age page first.
More than 2,000 reviews, piercing since 1998 and since 2004 at the same location on Reguliersbreestraat 46. We’re open every day of the year from 10:30 to 22:00.
Curious how a piercing would look on you? Upload a photo and see how it looks on your own ear. Just for fun and inspiration, not advice.
Ready for your next size? Book your appointment here or just walk in. Bring your bestie for the selfie afterwards!
Curious about the history of piercings? Visit our free online Piercing Museum.
FAQ about stretching earlobes
How long should I wait between sizes?
At least two weeks per size, and longer if your lobe needs it.
How big can I go?
That depends on your lobe. Stop when there’s less than about 2 mm of tissue left at the edge.
Will my hole shrink back?
Small stretches can often shrink, but it depends on how the stretch went. There are no guarantees.
My lobe is red and painful, what should I do?
Size down and contact your piercer or a doctor.
VIP with us is pure benefit, zero risk: join for €50, €100 or €200 a year and get the same amount back as a gift voucher, plus 10% off for as long as your membership runs and free piercing changes.
From Ira, with love
Ira Lutvica is co-owner of Piercings Works, which she runs together with her husband Mensur Lutvica: since 1998, and since 2004 at the same spot on Reguliersbreestraat 46. Ira writes the books herself and runs the piercing course (in Dutch), where she has trained 100+ piercers. Want to know more about this topic? Read her e-book The Art of the Ear: The Master Ebook on Ear Piercings. Also read Piercings Works in the media.