I have some piercings and tattoos, so I guess I can put in MTC, right? Here's what I know: Stretching the ears to accomodate plugs does not hurt IF it is done slowly! I mean, SLOWLY! This is NOT something you want to rush, otherwise you risk skin tears, which can lead to infections, and believe me, an infected earlobe can hurt! I don't have my ears stretched, cause I'm a girl, and I like my earrings. If you stretch you holes, no more earrings. And what I can also say is how many people who have stretched their ear holes is that if they wear the natural plugs, say made out of wood, they start to get an odor about them. A BAD odor. This is natural. I have my septum pierced, the skin between your nostrils, and it is natural for your body to release lymph and oils through these holes, and there is an odor. Sometimes, I notice an odor from my septum piercing. And I wear titanium. I have worn a wooden piece there, and believe me, it does get an odor. So, not to be gross, but to be truthful. People won't notice this odor, only you will. Maybe some of you ladies who wear earrings have noticed this odor too? Its just natural. It's not from being unclean.

I wouldn't want to stretch my holes. Once you do, you can never go back. NEVER. You will have to be committed to wearing plugs for the rest of your life, otherwise you will end up with long droopy earlobes, like the Buddha had. If that is your thing, then go for it, but PLEASE make sure you research what other people who have them say about it.