Piercing Photos

Information taken from "Body Piercing- Does it Hurt?" by Mark Eames

LOBE
Description and Location
The Lobe is the soft fleshy part of the lower ear and consists of skin-covered connective fatty tissue.
Procedure
Most commonly carried out with a specialist spring trigger ear lobe piercing gun. Bleeding is unlikely.
Swelling
If the ear swells excessively, the jewellery can be replaced with a longer labret stud or a BCR.
Types of Suitable Jewellery
Fittin traditional ear jewellery too early can lead to infections and the formation of misshaped piercing holes. If you faithfully follow the aftercare instructions, in later years you will have a small smooth round hole in the lobe of each ear - never a slit.
Multiple Piercings
It is common, particularly amongst women, to have several piercings in each ear lobe. The distance between piercings should be carefully considered so that one piece of jewellery doesn't migrated into the hole of another, and to prevent the back clasps from overlapping. 

STRETCHING GUIDELINES
The Key to stretching is time and patience. Your body tissues need time between each stretching stage to adjust, heal and grow new cells. The slower you stretch the easier and more comfortable it will be and the further you will be ale to go.

If you do not allow sufficient time for tissue regeneration, your skin may tear and scar causing keloid tissue which can build up and not only prolong the healing process but will also limit future stretches.

As ear lobes get plenty of circulation they tend to heal quickly but the soft tissue is easy to injure if pushed too far too soon.

Lightly lubricate the ear and jewellery, gently pushing the stretching crescent from front to back until you feel resistance, supporting the tissue at the back of the ear.
A good time to do this is after a hot bath or shower as the warmth causes the tissue to expand and soften making your skin stretch more easily.

Water based or oil based lubricants can be used for example cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil etc. However, use oil based lubricants in moderation as these may make an oily film keeping oxygen out.

Remember although jewellery is measured in diameter, your body feels the circumference. The bigger you go, the greater the area you are increasing the stretch by, and the more difficult it will be, so it is more important that you do not rush these stages.