Ask a doctor

Will a Size 4 Gauge Close Up to a Size 10 Gauge?

Okay, so I want to stretch my ears to a size 4 gauge. I have had my ears at a 10 gauge before, at which size I could easily wear normal size earrings in it. I know that a size 4 gauge would not fully size down to a size 18 gauge, but I'm wondering if I were to properly, carefully, and slowly stretch my ears up to a size 4 gauge, would it shrink down to a 10 gauge if I took out the stretchers? I understand it wouldn't look like a normal piercing.

Doctor Answers 3

Gauge issue and earlobes

January 28th, 2013
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

I have treated some enormous ear gauge holes on patients that wanted to have a "normal" earlobe again. While the ear can be restored to a more "normal" appearance, it is not a good idea to stretch them out.

Steven Wallach, MD


New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Ear Lobe Gauge Concerns

December 2nd, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for the question, but it is not possible to accurately predict exactly how the skin/tissues will “shrink down”.  My words of caution,  having “closed"  many earlobe piercings that were too large for patients,  would be not to overdo the stretching…

Best wishes.

Web reference: http://www.poustiplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/earlobe-repair-surgery.htm

Tom J. Pousti, MD, FACS

Ear Gage's

November 27th, 2012
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

You will only know when you try it.  If all else fails, you can always have the holes closed and start again from scratch!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD

Ronald J. Edelson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 24 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.