We live in a world of instant gratification. We want everything now and not tomorrow. Also we do not want to work for it. That is why there are so many get rich quick programs out there. It is also a big reason that there are so many fad diets out there promising huge results in no time.

Step one entails determining what type of body structure you have. You can determine your body structure by using the body blueprint which comes with the makeover diet kit. There are four different types of bodies in the Michael Thurman diet and you will be categorized as having an A, B, C or D body once you fill out the blue print.

Our bodies are a survival mechanism. Before the days of Playstation III, internet and X-box, our main concern was survival. Survival meant gathering nuts and fruits and hunting for our next meal. Later, we evolved to learn how to farm and develop agriculture, however, agricultural food sources were affected by seasonal changes and the weather.

The good news is that the day will surely come, were you will wake up feeling inspired to put an end to feeling overweight, bloated and more likely than not, lethargic… This excess weight that you are carrying around your waste after pregnancy, is kindly and understandingly known as your mummy tummy.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get a jumpstart on the holiday season with a total body makeover before New Year’s so you can spend your post holiday months maintaining your brand-new body rather than stressing out about keeping your New Year’s resolution.

The next step is to get active. Less than 90 minutes a week you can lose weight by getting active. It doesn’t matter what you do, although exercising that will increase your cardio will make you lose weight faster any exercise will help with your weight loss.

Most of the exercises in the Ultimate Leg, Butt, Hip, and Thigh Makeover don’t require any equipment at all, so it’s perfectly possible to do this program successfully without a gym membership or expensive training equipment. Joey Atlas also provides a set of short and intensive workouts.

Rather than making the size larger or smaller, a breast lift is the option of choice to enhance the sagging appearance after having been used for nursing. This procedure is done to raise the breasts back into a more youthful location. Some women choose to have this in conjunction with implants or with a reduction surgical procedure.

There are some concerns about its safety – after all, is it safe to have multiple surgical operations at once? It sounds risky, but the answer is yes. The reason is that they are small operations designed to work together.

The most common technique used for breast lifts involves creating an incision beneath the natural crease of the breast that extends vertically up to and around the areola, somewhat resembling the shape of a ship anchor. Excess skin is cut away and the breast is repositioned into a higher, more appealing position.

Read About Health Magazine Also Read About Breast Enlargement and Body Makeover

Jerry Jalava, after loosing his finger in an accident, has now embedded a 2Gg USB stick in his prosthesis. 

Watch more pics of this practical construction on his flickr!

Woop, over 1,000 views! Thanks for the hits guys, hopefully you’ll keep coming back and I can turn this into a huge dedicated page all about stretching piercings and modification!

I uploaded a new video today;

Nothing too new to report, but people seem to live my videos. So, yeah I am hopefully going to expand this site onto a full blown domain, with proper hosting. I won’t mention the URL, as I don’t want anyone to steal it . But atleast then I can have a bit of advertising to cover the costs of the pages, unless you guys want to donate

Peace,

Roger.

Here is a Tattoo Artist list like no other – all are coming to Singapore – if you want to book – do it now ! join us in facebook – http://facebook.com/tattoopride – to find out more about the show and how you can attend. follow us on twitter – http://twitter.com/tattoopride

Tattoo Lovers Just Love Uniquely Singapore – Tat2 2010 Jan 8 to 10
With guest appearances by Kim Saigh (LA ink), Tim Hendricks (Gold Rush tattoo), Michelle Myles (Daredevil tattoo and winner of TLC’s Tattoo War Competition at the 6th Annual Boston Tattoo Convention), Shige (Yellow Blaze Tattoo, Japan) and returning to this show again will be Chris Garver (Miami ink) and Bob Tyrell (Night Gallery). Also attending the show will be VIP guest, Matt Booth, celebrity jewellery designer and owner of Room101 who is also the guest judge for this upcoming year’s tattoo show with Room101 being the major sponsor for this event and introducing Paypal who is also sposnoring the event for the very first time.

Click on the picture to view artist’s website

Tim Hendricks (Guest Appearance in Miami Ink) Gold Rush Tattoo, USA	Mick Squires Korpus Tattoo, Australia	Patrick Sans Burly Fish Tattoo, USA	Philip Spearman Inkworks Tattoo, USA
Shark Tattoo Studio, Singapore	Andrea Pallocchini Four “X” Tattoo, Italy	Evolution Tattoo, UK	Norman Banach Norman’s Tattoo & Art Gallery, Germany
Dong Dong Mummy Tattoo, China	Sacred Ink, UK	Michelle Myles (Winner of TLC’s Tattoo War Competition @ 6th Annual Boston Tattoo Convention) Daredevil Tattoo, USA	Needles & Pins, China
Beppe Shiro Royal Tattoo, Denmark	Claudia Classic Ink & Mods, Holland	Denixxx Tattoos, Italy	Chad Koeplinger New York Adorned, USA
Ethan Morgan Symbolic Tattoo, USA	Diau Fu Tattoo, Taiwan	Morg Armeni Morganic Heart Tattooing, Italy	Xincike Tattoo, China
Lucky Tattoo, China	Deep Down Empire, Italy	Andy Shou Fright Tattoo, Taiwan	Genziana Cocco Sundance Tattoo, Italy
Dan Marshall Tribulation Tattoo, USA	Rod Medina King Cross Tattoo Parlour, UK	Black Cat Tattoo Studio, Malaysia	Nate Beavers Epoch Tattoo, USA
Jocke Hultman Temple of Art, Sweden	Dark Shadow Tattoo, Germany	The Left Hand Path, New Zealand	Dragon Edong El Drako Tattoo, Saipan, USA
Tommy Lee Tommy Lee Tattoos, Germany	Filippo Bart, Italy	Heidi Scheck Super Genius Tattoo, USA	Virgoz Studio, Italy
Fo Guang Hang, Thailand/Singapore (Sak Yant Thai Tattooing)	Kim Saigh of LA Ink High Voltage Tattoo, USA	Shawn Barber Atelier Tattoo, USA	John Montgomery Tattoo Syndicate, USA
Horimasu, Japan	Kari Barba Outer Limits Tattoo, USA	Mario Rosenau Art Junkies Tattoo, USA	Jeremiah Barba Outer Limits Tattoo, USA
Mike De Masi Art Junkies Tattoo, USA	Shagoo Studio Shagoo, USA	Federico Ferroni Federico Ferroni Tattoo, USA	Phil Young Hope Gallery, USA
Mike Cole Mike Cole Art, USA	Jon Clue Star Blood Studios, USA	Kevin Stress Sovereign Collective, USA	Carson Hill Carson Hill Tattoos, USA
Bob Tyrrell Night Gallery, USA	Yang Zhuo YZ Tattoo, China	Jess Yen MY Tattoo, USA	Leon Shitoujii Tattoo, France
Tim Kern Tribulation Tattoo, USA	Chris Garver of Miami Ink Love Hate Tattoo Studio, USA	Diau An Diau An Tattoo, Taiwan	Night Action Tattoo Taiwan
Tattoo Galerie Germany	Klaktat2 Belgium	Horitsuna Tattoo Studio Desperado, Japan	Knuckle Knuckle Energy Tattoo, Japan
Susan Ink Tank Tattoo, Switzerland	Phetrus Kings Cross Tattoo Parlour, UK	Demian Kings Cross Tattoo Parlour, UK	Zoe Thorne Zoe Thorne Tattoo, Germany
Scum Art Tattoo, Germany	Wulun Tattoo, China	Yi Xiu Tang, China	Catia Zambon Sunskin Art, Italy
Murran Tattoo, Italy	Siam Ink Tattoo, Thailand	Sunskin Studio, Malaysia	Gestochen Scharf, Germany
Cimo Tattoo, Taiwan	Belleza Tattoo, Taiwan	ZOP Tattoo, Italy	Yaksa Tattoo, China
Monkey Tattoo, Malaysia (Traditional Borneo Tattooing)	Fulltime by Eak, Thailand	Yugen Tattoo, Holland	Think Tattoo, Singapore
Skin Label Tattoo Studio, Singapore	Dream Body Art, Singapore	Kustoms 7 Tattoo, Singapore	Visual Orgasm Tattoo, Singapore
William Tattoo Studio, Singapore	8 Volts Tattoo Studio, Singapore	Body Décor Tattoo & Piercing, Singapore	Imagine Tattoo Studio, Singapore
Elvin Tattoo, Singapore	Mi Feng Tattoo Studio, Taiwan	Diau Chi Tattoo, Taiwan	Diau-Hu Tattoo, Taiwan
Diau Chang Tattoo, Taiwan	Diau Chung Tattoo, Taiwan	Alien Tattoo, Taiwan	Daio-King Tattoo, Taiwan
Chi-Tattoo Family, Taiwan	Hsinyi Tattoo, Taiwan	Top Tattoo, Taiwan	Yong Mo Tattoo , Taiwan
Lion King Tattoo, Taiwan	Ink-credible Tattoo Studio, Singapore	White Tattoo Studio, Taiwan	Tiao Fang Tattoo, Taiwan
Hwa Kwe Tattoo, Taiwan	Arctic Tattoo, Norway	Flyback Tattoo, Singapore	Exotic Tattoo, Singapore
Aurora Tattoo, Indonesia	Positif Tattoo, France	Julia Seizure Tattoo, UK	Tinta Tattoo Shop, Philippines
Wushang Tattoo, China	Vlady Positive Vibrations, Italy	Tattoo Mangon, Germany	Body Processing Tattoo, Taiwan
Mohan’s Tattoo Inn, Nepal	Derek Noble Lucky Devil Tattoo, USA	Pierce Ink Tattoo	Golden Needle Tattoo, Thailand
Tattooism, South Korea	Tian Zhi Long Tattoo, China	Ton Thai Tattoo Studio, Thailand	Vic Tattoo, Taiwan
Duck Art Tattoo, Belgium	Evil Devil Tattoo, Taiwan	Tian Zun Tang Tattoo Studio,China	Forever True Tattoo, UK
Mr. Tattoo, Taiwan	Holy Mark Tattoo, Taiwan	Mayin Tattoo, Taiwan	Cheng Long Tattoo, Taiwan
JK Tattoo, Taiwan	Long Tattoo, China	Tattoo City Art Studio, Malaysia	Horiyasu Asakusa Horiyasu Studio, Japan
Eric Michalovic Devine Street Tattoo, USA	Adrian Williard Magnum Opus Tattoo, UK	Smilin’ Demons Tattoo, Germany	XT- Tattoo, China
ZiYou Tattoo, China	Yao Zhan Tattoo, China	Smokov Tattoo, Bulgaria	Utopia Studio, Singapore
HE Tattoo, China	In’s Tattoo, Singapore	Tattoo Jimmy, Germany	Arts Elemental New Zealand Art of Maori Tattoo
Junior Kult Tattoo, Poland	Dave Kult Tattoo, Poland	Jeff Tattoo Studio, Malaysia	Iron Monkey Tattoo, Germany
Red Star Tattoo, Germany	Lovisa Tattoo, Frence Polynesia	Taiwan Diao Tattoo, Taiwan	Tang Tattoo Studio, China
Nippon Tattoo, Japan	Evil Twins Tattoo, Sweden	Gary Parkinson The Bolton Tat Shop, UK	Mick Tomo Ruby Arts Tattoo Studio, UK
Ginchan Tattoo, Japan	House of Tattoos, UK	Marc Pinto’s Primitive Tattoo, Singapore Traditional Hand & Machine Tattooing Piercing, Branding & Body Modification	Dragonfly Tattoo, Malaysia
Josh Roelink Tatudharma, Australia	Ichibay Three Tides Tattoo, Japan	Mahyar Tattoo, Brazil	Brad Fink Iron Age Tattoo, USA
Boog Tattoo, USA	Lengyan Tattoo, China	Moana Moko / Steedman Tattoo Machines, New Zealand	Rock n Roll Tattoo Studio, Indonesia
Brisik Tattoo, Indonesia	Black Dragon Tattoo, Indonesia	Skinworkz Tattoo & Body Piercing, Philippines	Max Bruno Pinker Tattoo, Italy
True Hate Body Art Studio, Malaysia	Ronnie’s Tattoo & Piercing, Philippines	Zhencang Tattoo Studio	Chung Woon Tattoo, South Korea
Bunshin Horitoshi , Japan Traditional Japanese Hand Tattooing, (Tebori)	Nick Tattoo Studio, India	Hellfish Tattoo, Germany	Tattoo Studio-Cat, Germany
Famous Gabe Tattoo, USA	Takami Knock Over Decorate Tattoo, Japan	Primitive Art Piercing & Tattoo, Singapore	Shige Yellow Blaze Tattoo, Japan
Goska Evil from the Needle, UK	Body Adornments, Belgium	Bonzai Tat2, Holland	Tattoots, Holland
Bunny Rising Tide Studio, USA	Tattoo Art Gert, Holland	The Mean Machine, Holland	Spec Body Art (Crying Freeman), Malaysia
Dan Sinnes Tattoo, Luxembourg	Triple Stars Tattoo, France	Dow Jenn Tattoo, Taiwan	Tattoo Tentacles, Italy
Fine Vulture Tattoo, Taiwan	Phuket Tattoo, Thailand	Woon Kim Tattoo, South Korea	Aric Taylor Art Junkies Tattoo, USA
Stardust Tattoo, Sweden	Skin Graphics Tattoo, Philippines	Gabbiano Tattoos, Italy	Kekkokonte Tattoos, Italy
Inkology Tattoo Studio, Malaysia	Filip Antonetti Sa Tattoo Studio, Italy	Antonio Conigiu Positive Temptation Tattoo, Italy	Clare Hampshire Tatudharma, Australia
http://www.tattoo.com.sg
Sunskin Tattoo Machine, Italy	Trendy Tattoo Design Co. Ltd	Micky Sharpz	Mithra Needles, USA
Asia Tattoo Supply, Singapore	Jie’s Tattoo Machine Manufacturer, China	Tattoo Burst Magazine, Taiwan	Diau An Tattoo Supply, Taiwan
Tattoo Life – Tattoo Energy Magazine, Italy	Khai Kong Industrial (S) Pte Ltd	Tianjin Xiaojian Tattoo Equipment, China	Tattooink.TV, Australia
Matt Booth Room 101 Silver, USA	Martini Machines, USA	Good Things, Canada	Baron Tattoo Supply, Korea
MK Tattoo, Taiwan	Hangzhou Jansong Tech Co., Ltd, China	Wizards of Light, Singapore	Blood Borne Pathogen Prevention Training Institute, USA

Pierced people hang out

Photography by Leighann Seaman

Candice Frisbee and Candy McCloud ferociously strain against one another during a pulling exhibition hosted by Body Piercing Unlimited at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween. BPU owner, Kevin McKinley, regulates the action for the event.

Charlie Watson with Body Piercing Unlimited exhibits his well known framed face on stage at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween.

Body Piercing Unlimited owner, Kevin McKinley, gets ready to hoist John Danger up for a suspension exhibition at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween.

John Danger swings effortlessly by hooks punctured above his kneecaps during a suspension hosted by Body Piercing Unlimited at Chilkoot Charlie’s on Halloween.

2 Point Suspension

Another month has passed and it truly has been a wonderful one. I’ve now moved out of Martin’s place and have been renting a room for a whole month now. I love where I am. In a perfect world I would be closer to the sea but I’m only a short walk from there now and a short walk from the city centre. So… almost the perfect location! The important thing is that I’m now officially a Brighton resident and have been for a few weeks now.

Job hunting is still causing me some problems but, for now, I do have a part time job with an online jewellery shop. All I need now is for that job to offer me more hours or to find another part time job to run alongside it. Then I’ll be set for the next few weeks (or maybe longer).

I also collected Thlayli from my parents’ house so now he is officially a Brighton resident too. I am so happy that he could move in with me, I really don’t know how I would cope having to leave him behind. I know he would be well looked after but he’s a very special rabbit to me. I still need to collect the rest of my possessions and try to get my hands on a very cheap bookcase but I’m already feeling very settled here.

Halloween weekend was amazing! My friend held a suspension/art event on the Saturday and I suspended for the very first time, it was a 2pt suicide. It was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Having the hooks themselves put in was uncomfortable at the most. The weirdest part for me was when my last toe came off of the ground, my brain took a few seconds to try and understand how my body didn’t need my feet to support it. Once I was off the ground I really relaxed into it. It felt like I was floating in water but still being able to breathe, so no wonder I found it so relaxing! I was off the ground for just over 12 minutes before I asked to come down. My back was very stiff during the after party and I needed a little bit of help getting dressed but other than that I had no problems. I will go in to more details when I get round to writing a full experience on it.

The after party was great fun thanks to some absolutely fantastic company! Some of my closest friends were there and I also had the opportunity to make new friends who I have come to adore.

Last week the lovely Emma came back down to Brighton (all the way from Scotland) and we checked out Brighton University. Emma is thinking of moving down here and, quite frankly, I would like nothing more. We got to hang out for the best part of the whole week and it took me a couple of days to fully recover! Messy times.

October and November have been wonderful months to me. I have been so busy getting my life on track and spending quality time with close friends and some super new friends. Friendships that I hope will grow.

Now, I have no experience in stretching cartilage piercings, but I do have some experience with stretching septums. So, most of the cartilage information is stuff i’ve picked up from other tutorials, and friends who have stretched. You may ask why? Well, there isn’t really a definite reason as to WHY you would stretch cartilage piercings, but theres no real reason why you’d stretch any piercings! So thats the history covered, lol.

Stretching your septum, is much like stretching another piercing. Except, the time differences between stretching, and the pain. It doesn’t hurt a whole lot more, but the only way I can describe it, is that it’s almost like a grinding pain. Due to your septum being pierced in the fleshy bit, not the cartilage, you’ll find it rubs against it and dents it as you get bigger. So, if you have a small fleshy bit, then bigger stretches are going to be harder. I myself can’t get past a 10g. Don’t know why, but doesn’t matter if I use tapers, pull on it, or even ask it nicely, it just will not go above a 10g. I probably could get an 8g in. But i’m not stupid and I will listen to my body. Its fine, I don’t want a big septum anyway, as far as i’m concerned my nose is big enough.

So, some places you can get your septum scalpeld, but not very many places will attempt it. Some will pierce with a large gauge needle, some places just generally will pierce it with a 14g (1.6) and leave it at that. Stretching the septum is generally pretty awkward, and you have to be ready to push a taper nearly the entire way through. You can’t exactly walk around with a huge taper sticking half way out your nose. BUT, there are several tools you can use to stretch your septum. jewellery called, “Claws”:

Beautiful isn’t it? These act like tapers, but are far more convenient, and are intentionally meant for the septum wearer. Generally, they only stick out a little bit, so it just looks like you have a few nose hairs. Attractive. These “claws” come in all sizes, and will generally get you up to an 00g pretty easily. But as I said, you gotta take it easy, and listen to your body. If you try stretching your septum, and it’s not ready, you will know! You will most likely shed a few tears, and have a sneezing fit.

Cartilage.

My experience of this, is minimal. And is generally what I read. Cartilage piercings, look great in the Conch, in the flats of the ears, and sometimes where industrials, or just regular cartilage piercings are. See below:

The tunnel at the top, is a stretched conch. Its one of my favourite cartilage piercings. There are more methods involved in getting this done, and one of the most favourable, is the dermal punch. This involves taking a “sterilised hole punch” to the ear, and punching it straight through the ear leaving a visible hole.

It’s graphic, and its sure as hell looks painful. But its the quickest way to a hole . Stretching it, you just go the normal taper method, and in time because of the weight of the jewellery and the placement in the ear, it’ll stretch over time, so i’m told.

Orlan

Initially, I didn’t know what to make of Orlan and her “art.” Anytime I think of flesh being cut, pulled and reshaped, I squirm a little and feel weak. I don’t really know why either. I have two-gauge plugs in my ears, which I stretched myself, I’ve pierced my own navel before, and I have a tattoo that runs shoulder blade to shoulder blade on my back. I didn’t really think about pain so much when I did those things either, so when Orlan talks about her Carnal Art, I confuse myself with my reaction.

Orlan’s art is extreme though. It’s more than the typical body modification of a piercing or tattoo. She resculpted her face through a series of plastic surgeries to replicate various features of women represented in famous works of art. One resulted in the bumps she has on each side of her forehead, which hostile critics said looked like “demon horns.” However, she says her objective with the plastic surgeries isn’t to beautify herself. Barbara Rose, who wrote a piece on Orlan for Art in America, puts it best. Rose says Orlan’s art shows that the image of the ideal woman is unattainable and horrifying to try to achieve. By using her body to express her art, she becomes the media and the message. Orlan is the canvas and she expresses what she is trying to say through it.

Orlan is unusual. Some might even call her subversive for undergoing such extreme procedures in the name of art. These things have some truth, but her point is very clear and makes sense. If Orlan is OK with being the canvas, then I can only support her because I agree with what she has to say.

In an interview she conducted with the UK’s the Guardian, Orlan says she isn’t out to change the idea of beauty.

“No, my goal was to be different, strong; to sculpt my own body to reinvent the self. It’s all about being different and creating a clash with society because of that.”

The Hole Look Body Art Studio in Anchorage hosted a branding exhibition downstairs at Kodiak Bar & Grill November 21. Blake Thomas performed the procedure for a scarce collection of body art enthusiasts and friends. Thomas has been involved in the tattoo and body piercing industry since 2001 and has performed thousands of body piercings over the years.  The process of branding involves pressing sterile, white-hot metal into the flesh so that it makes a serious burn and then a permanent scar.

Some people may not realise that you can infact stretch other piercings. Some are more common place, and some because of the size they get to are considered extreme.

So, what can you stretch?

• Lips – Snakebites, centre, medusa, lowbrets
• Ears – Not just lobes, cartilidge, conch, tragus
• Septum – Yup, some very large septum piercings out there
• Nostrils – Some of the biggest nostril piercings in the world are over 1 3/4″
• Cheeks
• Testicles
• Penis
• Labia, outer hood
• Belly button

Plus lots more. Some images attached below, I didn’t ask for permission, but if anyone has any problem with the image being shown, please email me and i’ll take it down

I’ll go into more details about stretching said piercings in the next update.

There are many methods of scarification but all have the same permanence. While a tattoo may be laser treated and covered up, scars are much more difficult to hide. John Joyce from Scarab Body Arts in Syracuse, NY took the time to share his knowledge.

John says there are many reasons to get scarification done, “Some people choose scarification over tattoos for aesthetic reasons, others like that you can feel it once it’s healed, some people don’t like the idea of a foreign substance(tattoo ink) being put into their body, and some people have existing scars that they want to turn into something else. The fact that you can feel the piece once it’s healed definitely adds to it for some people.”

The methods of producing a scar are as varied as the reasons to get one done. John says, “Single line cuts, removal, cross hatching are all different forms of cutting. Then there
are strike, cautery and electro-cautery, which are forms of branding. When I first started I did just line work for a very long time. Eventually I started adding some removal into my pieces to add some depth. Now, I still do a combination of single line and removal.”

Scarification has a long history as a rite of passage, to show status or personality and it is continuing to grow in popularity. “It is definitely growing and getting more exposure now than it used to.”  John said, “People used to see my portfolio and be like, “WHOA!!! What the F@!K Is This?!”, now people have at least heard about it, or seen some special about it on the Discovery Channel. It’s lost its shock value, which I’m actually very happy about.”

If you want to get into doing scarifications, John says to take it slow, “Talk to respected artists, gather information, and watch people doing it first. Have your work critiqued, and start small and simple, not with a giant removal piece.” Artists that don’t go through the proper channels can make it harder for pros, “Scarification is already illegal in some areas. People putting out poor quality work are only putting a negative view on our art form which could lead to it becoming illegal in more areas.”

If you are interested in getting scarification done John says that there is no guaranteed outcome. “With a tattoo you come up with a design, show it to a good artist, you can pretty much guarantee that the finished outcome will look exactly how you want it to. With scarification, while there are tricks and things we can do to help it scar consistently and to produce the results we want, ultimately it is up to your body.”

You can see more from John Joyce at scarabbodyarts.com

People are always thinking of new and interesting ways to modify the human body, so many ways to decorate beyond modern machines. While so many of these trends are throwbacks to days past, new technology, ancient methods and bright minds keen to modify hold endless possibilities.

Escarificação nada mais é do que a própria palavra diz; “fazer incisões sobre algo”, e este algo nada mais é que a pele.

Esta arte corporal consiste em esculpir a pele com incisões com bisturi, que abrem a pele dando forma ao desenho.

Este método é bastante antigo, era usado pelos Aborígenes Australianos, por tribos na África, e para marcar escravos e criminosos.

Ultimamente este tipo de Body Modification tem sido bastante usado, mas os cuidados tem de ser muito maiores, por tratar-se de lesões na pele. Portanto meninos e meninas, além de pensar muito bem e escolher direitinho o que vão “Desenhar”, é bom procurar um ótimo profissional e até um médico para falar sobre o assunto.

Como diria minha amiga Milla ‘Isso é coisa de gente sem Jeová no coração!’ (risos)

How do you stretch your ears? What equipment do you use? Where do I buy it? Well this is what is in store for Part 4!

I only encourage healthy, and sterile forms of stretching. I will not enclose D.I.Y methods, nor do I encourage them as they can be reckless and dangerous to your ears.

So, if you’ve waited the appropriate time for healing, which was explained in Part 3. So, the common methods for stretching are as follows:

Tapers

Now these things look intimidating. But they’re you’re essential tool for stretching your ears. They come in all sizes. Generally two to three sizes can be gained from one taper. For example, I have a taper at home which goes from 2g – 00g. They go from 14g – 1″ I believe. But once you get passed that stage you then move onto a more advanced and slightly more D.I.Y method. Most people are happy to stop within the ranges of the tapers, and that is more than satisfactory. But for people who want to goto the larger end of the spectrum, you will need to use the methods below.

Dead Stretching

Dead stretching, is when you feel you have developed a big enough gap that you can go up a whole size in one go. Generally this can occur when you wear jewellery for a long period of time, or if your jewellery is very heavy. This usually occurs with steel plugs, and solid plugs. Dead stretching should only really be considered if you think the bigger jewellery will go in. But it can also be an expensive way to stretch. If you’re at say 25mm, and you want to goto 26mm, then buying one set of plugs, just to go up one size can prove to be costly. I myself found I would never do this once I got passed 2″ as the sheer price of the plugs would deter me from doing so. Which brings us onto our next method of stretching.

Taping

If you watch this video, you’ll see my method of stretching. I have done this from 2″ and I will do it all the way till whenever I decide to stop. The argument over the best tape to get is a never ending battle. I myself use electrical tape, but it has its problems. The tape slides when it gets moist, leaving you with a one sided lip. Bondage tape is used by adventurous adults in the bed, but it is also amazing for using with your jewellery. Then you have teflon tape, which has got a good following too.

Basically, the method is the same for all tapes. You get your jewellery, if its a first time doing it, make sure you clean the jewellery thoroughly, and make sure it is dry before applying the first wrap of tape. You can cut your tape to size if you want to measure accurately, or you can just wrap. I use the wrap method because its always hard to determine how much you’ll need.

You grab the tape tightly, and start wrapping round the plug making sure to not leave any bubbles, and ridges, as this could cause discomfort for the ear. Maybe do one wrap, every week, and that will slowly start to stretch your ears. This is the best method to start stretching your ears once you get passed the taper stage. Some people prefer taping to tapers, as tapers can cause wreckless stretching, and can cause people to almost race to getting it all the way through.

Please don’t wear tapers as jewellery, they aren’t intended to be worn as jewellery, just to be used as a tool.

I have a new obsession – Brialle.

I hate to touch paper though, and am not very good without my sight (there’s a reason why I studied visual communications). I’m trying to learn to read Brialle instead, like visually. Ironic, I know, but there are just something about those dots that intrigues me.

I’m even considering having a tattoo in Brialle. Pretty common but some might find it weird that I have dots on my body. Personally though, I think it adds a little mystery.

Thought I’d share what I found on Google…

A tattoo for the blind, created by Klara Jirkova. This is done by having stainless-steel beads surgically implanted under your skin.

A clever idea but I’m not really sure if anyone has gotten one / if anyone provides this service. (Those are apparently photoshopped.)

Hmm, body mods. Interesting, but I’m too chicken to try.

So, you’ve decided that you want to stretch your ears. You’ve decided on an ideal size, and you’re ready to get committed. Where do you begin? I myself got pierced with a piercing gun, which isn’t recommended, as the jewellery is about 20g, which is very small and it makes the initial stretchers very difficult.

So, my recommendations is go see your local piercer, and ask about getting your ears pierced with a needle. They generally will pierce you at around a 14g, but sometimes on request they can pierce at 12, 10, 8g (2.4, 3.2, 4mm). I got my labret pierced at 4mm (8g) and I have to say it made the initial stretching alot easier. But it depends on your pain levels as to whether this is the option for you.

There are a few more methods we can go into. Getting pierced and straight stretched, which is when you get pierced at maybe, for talking sakes 8g and stretched straight to a 4g or maybe a 2g. Its uncomfortable, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

For the more extreme of you. There is scalpelling.  I’ll let you see a video of someone getting the procedure done.

The healing process is longer, the wait for stretching is longer, but you end up with an instant hole, and it halves the time it takes to get to that size. But again, it is a procedure that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is also considered more permanent.

When you first get your ear pierced, you should wait nearly 6 months before doing your first stretch, and it should only be a half size, e.g: if you got it pierced at 1.6mm, stretch to 2mm. Don’t skip. But stretching will be covered in the next section.

If you get it pierced and stretched, wait for about 6 – 8 months before stretching again.

If you get it scalpelled, wait for nearly a year before doing your initial stretch. It seems extreme, but you’ve gone from a naked lobe to having a hole in it, within a few seconds.

More coming soon..