Making your cartilage thicker can have a range of potential health benefits, such as increased joint mobility and decreased risk of injury, but there are a few ways to make it happen. First, start with adding more weight-bearing and impact exercises into your routine.
High-intensity activities like running, jumping, and biking can all help strengthen your cartilage and make it thicker. Secondly, try supplements that contain precise nutrients and vitamins known to support cartilage like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM.
Lastly, taking an omega 3 supplement can also help increase cartilage thickness. Make sure you talk to your doctor before making any major changes to your diet or exercise routine.
Is it okay to stretch cartilage?
Yes, it is generally okay to stretch cartilage, but it is important to use caution when attempting to do so. Stretching can increase flexibility and range of motion, and is typically a safe practice if done with care.
However, stretching cartilage can also increase the risk of injury, so it is important to proceed with caution. Talking to a doctor or physical therapist before stretching may be beneficial in order to understand the best way to safely increase flexibility in the cartilage.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that any stretching exercises are done properly, to minimize the risk of injury. Doing stretches slowly and regularly can help reduce the risk of damage and may even help to reduce pain and discomfort.
Can I put a 16 gauge in my cartilage?
No, you should not put a 16 gauge in your cartilage. Cartilage is much too delicate for a 16 gauge, and it would be too large and risky for that area. Cartilage piercings are usually done with smaller gauges, such as 18 or 20 gauge.
Smaller gauges minimize the risk of the piercing tearing, which is more common with larger gauges. It is important to have the piercing done by a professional piercer, as they will take the necessary steps to make sure the piercing is done safely and correctly.
In addition to the proper size, it is important to use a sterile needle and quality jewelry that is made of an implant-grade material.
How do you expand a piercing?
Expanding a piercing is a more advanced modification that can be done by experienced piercers. Expanding involves gradually increasing the size of your jewelry to keep your piercing from closing and help the tissue around your piercing heal.
Commonly expanded piercings include the rook, industrial, and conch.
The process of expanding requires patience, since it should not be done overnight. It’s best to wait at least 6 weeks before expanding and begin with a 1mm increase in diameter, then follow up with a 1-2mm increase every 1-2 weeks.
If you experience any pain or irritation, you should stop and allow the piercing to heal before trying again.
When expanding a piercing, you should use high quality jewelry, as cheap jewelry can irritate your piercing and cause complications. Some professional piercers may be able to provide you with an oversized piece of jewelry and help you adjust it to fit over time.
If you’re looking to buy jewelry online, you can use website tools to properly measure the size of jewelry you need.
Prior to expanding your piercing, you should consult a professional piercer to make sure it’s the right choice for you. They can help you determine the proper jewelry size and whether or not you’re ready to move on to the next step in the process.
Does it hurt to stretch your cartilage piercing?
It depends on the individual’s pain tolerance, but generally speaking, stretching a cartilage piercing can be somewhat uncomfortable. When stretching the piercing, it is important to be sure to use small, incremental steps as opposed to suddenly increasing the jewellery size.
This is because rapidly stretching the piercing can cause damage to the tissue as well as increase the risk of infection. When adding a new piece of jewellery, it is also important not to add a piece that is too large, as this could stretch or tear the piercing too quickly.
When stretching a piercing, it is important to use lubricant and make sure the jewellery is free of any dirt or debris. Additionally, keep in mind that it can take several months for the piercing to fully heal and for the new jewellery size to be secure.
As with any body modification, it is important to remain vigilant about proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent inflammation and infection. If you experience any pain or discomfort, contact your piercer to ensure the jewellery is secure and to rule out any underlying issues.
Are you supposed to twist your cartilage?
No, it is not recommended to twist your cartilage. Cartilage piercing, such as a helix or tragus piercing, often requires a long healing time and it is important to take proper care during the healing period to avoid infections and complications.
If your cartilage is twisted during this time, it can damage the piercing and can even cause a permanent deformity of the cartilage. Additionally, when cartilage is twisted, there is the potential to cause trauma to the piercing and the area can become infected.
If you have a cartilage piercing and wish to twist it, it is best to wait until the piercing is fully healed, which can typically take anywhere from 6 months to a year.
Is 16 gauge too big for helix?
In general, 16 gauge is not too big for a helix piercing. 16 gauge is slightly wider than standard size for helix piercings and is more suitable for larger helix piercings. Generally, the bigger the gauge, the greater the risk of the piercing tearing which is why it is important to have an experienced piercer evaluate the situation before getting a helix piercing done.
The best gauge for a helix piercing will also depend on anatomy, lifestyle, and comfort level. Some people may be more comfortable with a 14 or 16-gauge helix piercing while others may find 16 gauge too big.
Talk to a professional piercer to discuss the best size for your helix piercing.
Is 16 gauge normal for ear piercing?
Yes, 16 gauge is a very common gauge to use for ear piercing. Most ear piercings—both traditional lobe piercings and cartilage piercings—are done with 16 gauge needles. This size is considered a “standard” gauge and is often the recommended size for a first piercing.
16 gauge needles are thin enough to heal quickly and not cause too much pain, while also being thick enough to ensure a successful piercing. The jewelry worn after the piercing is usually also 16 gauge in size, although 14 gauge is increasingly becoming more popular in more recently popular ear piercings, such as tragus and helix piercings.
Ultimately, the size of your ear piercing depends on personal preference, the piercer’s experience and knowledge, and your health and healing capability. If you are unsure about the gauge, you should always consult your piercer before the procedure.
Can I put a 16G in an 20g piercing?
No, it is not recommended to put a 16g in an 20g piercing. The size of a piercing is determined by the initial size of the needle or jewelry that is used during the piercing process. Generally, the initial jewelry should be one size up from the needle size to ensure the piercings is comfortable but not too loose.
Therefore, you should use a 16g (usually a thicker piece) from the start if you are looking to wear a 16g. Placing a 16g into a 20g piercing hole can cause the hole to tear, leading to pain and possible further complications like infection.
What gauge should I get for my cartilage?
When selecting a gauge for cartilage piercings, a 20-gauge needle is generally recommended for initial piercings, although a larger gauge may be used for certain locations. It’s important to consult with your experienced piercer to decide which gauge size is best for you and your specific body type.
A larger gauge may be recommended if you have thicker ear cartilage, while a smaller gauge may be more suitable for thinner ear cartilage. Additionally, considering the anatomy of the area you wish to pierce is important.
For instance, when piercing the helix it may be best to go a bit larger than the piercing you want for your tragus. Lastly, when choosing a gauge for cartilage piercings, safety should always be the priority, so make sure to ask your piercer any questions you may have.
How can I increase my piercing gauge?
The easiest way to increase your piercing gauge is to start stretching your existing piercing. This is a process that should be done gradually over time and with caution. It is not recommended to increase the gauge of your existing piercing more than 0.
5mm per week, and it is important to have patience and not rush the process.
To stretch your existing piercing, you can use larger gauge jewelry to gradually expand the hole. After cleaning your piercing, wearing gloves and ensuring your tools are sterile, slowly insert new jewelry that is slightly larger in gauge.
If the piercing starts to hurt, stop the process and wait until your body is comfortable with the inserted jewelry before progressing. This process may take multiple weeks or months to complete depending on the size of your piercing, but it is essential to take care and take your time.
You can also visit a professional piercer to do a “tapered stretching” in which jewelry of a larger gauge is inserted piece by piece. For instance, if you want to increase your piercing’s gauge from 14g to 8g, the piercer may insert a 12g and eventually a 10g before the 8g.
This process is likely to be more successful than stretching on your own, and will also minimize the chance of infection.
Regardless of your method, it is important to take your time and be aware of potential complications. If you have any doubts or questions, reach out to a professional piercer for guidance.
What do you do if your piercing is too small?
If your piercing is too small, it can be a difficult situation to handle. You will want to begin by consulting a professional piercer to discuss methods of enlarging or stretching your piercing. Depending on the type of piercing and its location, there may be different methods of enlargement, including changing jewelry, jewelry stretching, applying tapers, or increasing the size of your piercing.
Your piercer will likely be able to advise you on the best method and materials that are suitable for your specific type of piercing.
It’s important to remember that the enlarging process is a slow and gradual one, and it takes patience and care to properly complete the process. If done too quickly or without the proper care, it could lead to discomfort, infection, tearing, and other complications.
During the stretching process, you should be sure to use sterile tools and properly sanitized jewelry, and be sure to clean the area every day with a gentle non-irritant soap. Additionally, it is important to take breaks from stretching so that the body can fully heal and the skin can adjust to the new size.
By following these steps, you should be able to properly and safely enlarge your piercing. In the event of any complications, consult with a professional piercer to assess the situation and provide advice.
Can you fit a 16g into a 18g?
No, you cannot fit a 16g into an 18g, as gauge sizes indicate the thickness of a piece of jewelry such as rings and earrings. 16g is thicker than 18g and is therefore physically too large to fit. Generally speaking, when it comes to jewelry, the higher the gauge number, the thinner the material is.
The difference in gauge may only be one size, but it can make a significant difference in the size and weight of the jewelry.
Is 16g bigger than 20g piercing?
No, 16g is not bigger than 20g piercing. 20g is actually the larger size, while 16g is the smaller size. Piercing gauges are measured in increments of 2 gauge sizes, so 20g is 2 gauge sizes larger than 16g.
The larger the gauge, the thinner the piercing. The smaller the gauge, the thicker the piercing.