First off, it's referred to as stretching when it deals with the act of. Saying your gauging your ears is like saying your burritoing something. It makes no sense.
That aside, I've had a decent amount of both tattoos and piercings. The total count for piercings was 14 at one point but it's dwindled down to *counts* 8 as of now. That being 4 lobe piercings, 1 conch, 1 helix, 1 nose and 1 septum. I'm currently stretching my first ear piercings myself. My goal is 4 gauge but I'm now considering 2. It really isn't painful nor should it ever be, but a lot of people make mistakes or are simply impatient. I've read some stories that would give me nightmares about people rushing the process. The most you should feel is a slight tingling/tightness and slight soreness for a few days, nothing more and you never skip sizes. 8 to 6 is said to be a bit difficult, and 4 to 2 is quite a jump. The main importance is to listen to your body and follow the suggested period of healing and after care. When stretching you do use a tool called a
taper and steel is the best material to use. It's actually a very gentle process. The worst I've had was when I went from 20 gauge to 12 gauge in one jump, but I trusted my body piercer. Since, it's been so effortless it's really taking me off guard. I'll be stretching my septum as well to allow for more jewelry options. Sadly it's not removing my desire for a new hole.
That aside, I've never once received any slack due to my body modifications. Maybe I'm just someone that pulls them off well but I get complements instead. When I first got my septum done, I was really worried about the publics reaction as it is quite in your face, but it's the piercing I get the most complements on. Although being an avid supporter of body modification I do feel that there is a time and a place and the individual does it needs to take into account the repercussions of said decision. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to hide larger holes with nice plugs, or hide piercings with either retainers or say with the septum, flipping it up inside the nose. Getting it down is a bit comical and awkward though.
I find it refreshing seeing a business person with modifications. Granted, I have more freedom as I'm in a creative career and I'll often times turn down the job if they request I take out the small stud in my nose. It's really more of a personal thing, I've worked at places that expected their creative design team (whom of which never deal with clients and sit behind their computers all day) to put on a business professional image. The atmosphere at the places were so fake it made me want to crawl out of my skin.
From my personal experience though, I will be avoiding anything from the neck down. Been there, done that, that stuff just gets in the way!! It looks pretty (in my opinion) but it's not functional.
What I DON'T agree with is allowing kids under the age of 16 to get pierced or allowing anyone under the age of 18 to get a tattoo. Too often kids approach these from a trendy point of view, not knowing the proper care, what could happen if they either don't care for the new modification or if they don't do their research and go to just any old studio. Don't get me into what I've seen when kids have gotten ahold of piercing supplies..... or some of the hair brained ideas they have to get around their parents rules.......
/emoticons/
