In certain eastern and African cultures, the insertion of a large disc into the earlobe holds sociological or religious significance. It may indicate allegiance to or membership in a particular tribe, or indicate the person has successfully gone through a rite of passage. However, the practice of tribal earlobe piercing or stretching has become a popular form of body modification for Millennial generation men and women.
The process of piercing and expanding a hole in the earlobe to accommodate jewelry such as a “flesh tunnel,” a “barbell” or a “plug” is time consuming. The person undergoing the procedure can anticipate at least 8 weeks from the time of the initial piercing to the final fitting, with additional piercing procedures needed every two weeks. If the stretching process is rushed, it can result in the earlobe actually splitting in two. There are some hazards involved in tribal ear piercing that aren’t found in traditional ear piercing as well. One is the occurrence of what is known as a “blow-out.” This happens when too much pressure is placed on the piercing tool and skin from inside the hole is squeezed out. The result is a visible build-up of scar tissue.
Once the earlobe is stretched to 12 mm, the earlobe will not regain its original shape if the process is stopped. Unlike more traditional ear piercing, the hole created through stretching is permanent even if jewellery isn’t inserted.
Although this form of body modification has become more widely accepted, there still are several considerations that should be examined prior to getting this type of piercing.
In a 2008 Harris Poll, 32 percent of respondents answered that they considered people with extreme body modifications such as earlobe tribal piercing to be “more likely to engage in deviant behavior.” One specific incident involving the inside sales representative of a box company in Massachusetts found that customers perceived this woman to be “promiscuous” and “emotionally unstable” based solely on her body art. A study done by the International Journal of Hospitality Management in 2004 found that 87 percent of human resources managers and recruiters would decline hiring an interviewee based on visible body art or modifications. According to a recent story done by CBS News on earlobe tribal piercings, the British Royal Army forbids enlistees from having any ear piercings other those that hold stud-type earrings. Although many international firms don’t have explicit dress codes that forbid earlobe tribal piercing, the majority will decline to hire a job applicant if he or she has them. And under United States civil law, unless the piercing has religious significance, denying a job applicant a position based on visible piercing is not considered discriminatory. Unlike other forms of body art that can be discreetly covered by clothing, earlobe tribal piercings are quite visible and have a direct impact on one’s ability to obtain employment.
Further, as skin ages, it loses its elasticity and firmness. Combine the aging process with the exaggerated stretching the piercing produces and the ears become reminiscent of those of a Bassett hound. The teenager who looks “hip” with enlarged earlobes becomes the 40-year-old who looks ridiculous.Earlobes that have been stretched can be repaired through cosmetic surgery. This process involves anesthetizing the earlobe, cutting away the excess flesh and reconstructing the earlobe so that it appears normal. Under NHS regulations this is considered elective surgery, but an investment in this cosmetic procedure is an excellent investment if earlobe tribal piercings have become an impediment to career or social success. For information regarding earlobe reconstruction, contact Cosmetic Surgery Partners.
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The process of piercing and expanding a hole in the earlobe to accommodate jewelry such as a “flesh tunnel,” a “barbell” or a “plug” is time consuming. The person undergoing the procedure can anticipate at least 8 weeks from the time of the initial piercing to the final fitting, with additional piercing procedures needed every two weeks. If the stretching process is rushed, it can result in the earlobe actually splitting in two. There are some hazards involved in tribal ear piercing that aren’t found in traditional ear piercing as well. One is the occurrence of what is known as a “blow-out.” This happens when too much pressure is placed on the piercing tool and skin from inside the hole is squeezed out. The result is a visible build-up of scar tissue.
Once the earlobe is stretched to 12 mm, the earlobe will not regain its original shape if the process is stopped. Unlike more traditional ear piercing, the hole created through stretching is permanent even if jewellery isn’t inserted.
Although this form of body modification has become more widely accepted, there still are several considerations that should be examined prior to getting this type of piercing.
In a 2008 Harris Poll, 32 percent of respondents answered that they considered people with extreme body modifications such as earlobe tribal piercing to be “more likely to engage in deviant behavior.” One specific incident involving the inside sales representative of a box company in Massachusetts found that customers perceived this woman to be “promiscuous” and “emotionally unstable” based solely on her body art. A study done by the International Journal of Hospitality Management in 2004 found that 87 percent of human resources managers and recruiters would decline hiring an interviewee based on visible body art or modifications. According to a recent story done by CBS News on earlobe tribal piercings, the British Royal Army forbids enlistees from having any ear piercings other those that hold stud-type earrings. Although many international firms don’t have explicit dress codes that forbid earlobe tribal piercing, the majority will decline to hire a job applicant if he or she has them. And under United States civil law, unless the piercing has religious significance, denying a job applicant a position based on visible piercing is not considered discriminatory. Unlike other forms of body art that can be discreetly covered by clothing, earlobe tribal piercings are quite visible and have a direct impact on one’s ability to obtain employment.
Further, as skin ages, it loses its elasticity and firmness. Combine the aging process with the exaggerated stretching the piercing produces and the ears become reminiscent of those of a Bassett hound. The teenager who looks “hip” with enlarged earlobes becomes the 40-year-old who looks ridiculous.Earlobes that have been stretched can be repaired through cosmetic surgery. This process involves anesthetizing the earlobe, cutting away the excess flesh and reconstructing the earlobe so that it appears normal. Under NHS regulations this is considered elective surgery, but an investment in this cosmetic procedure is an excellent investment if earlobe tribal piercings have become an impediment to career or social success. For information regarding earlobe reconstruction, contact Cosmetic Surgery Partners.
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