A taper is a tool or piece of jewelry used for gradually enlarging the diameter of an already healed piercing hole. It is most commonly used for earlobes but can also be applied to other types of piercings. The enlarging process, also referred to as „stretching“, prepares the piercing channel for the insertion of larger diameter jewelry, such as tunnels or plugs. Tapers typically have a conical or spiral shape, which allows for smooth stretching of the tissue without damaging it. They are made from various materials, such as surgical steel, acrylic, glass, or organic materials like wood and horn. The process should be done slowly, usually one millimeter at a time, with sufficient time for the tissue to heal between each size, to prevent tearing or the formation of a scar known as a „blowout“.