Types of Flares for Plugs & Tunnels Explained

The flare on a plug or tunnel is the lip at the end of the jewellery, usually a few millimetres wider than the main wearable part.

It stops your jewellery from falling out. But over time and perhaps inevitably, different types of flares for plugs and tunnels have become part of the aesthetic.

Now, they come in many types, like:

• Double flare - Flared both ends for pressure fit
• Single flare - One flared end, the other side secured with an o-ring
• No flare - Completely cylindrical, held in place with two o-rings
• Flat flare or single flare top hat - Sleek, flat-faced variation of a single or double flare
• Mayan flare plug - Flared and often decorative front for drama, standard back for ease
• Saddle fit plugs - Curved to contour to the ear
• Threaded plugs - Screw-in ends for ultimate security

Some are comfy. Some are dramatic. Some are ideal for healing ears. Others? Only if your ears are tough enough to handle the pressure.

So, let’s take a closer look at each of these different but always banging types of flares for plugs and tunnels.

Double flares are commonly recognised as the most classic types of flares for plugs and tunnels. They feature a flared lip on both sides. This is why no o-rings are needed to keep them in place.

They’re:

• Secure
• Pressure fit
• Ideal for long-term wear

But it’s a guaranteed disaster if you try forcing them into fresh stretches. This is because double flares need your lobes to be fully healed and flexible enough to handle the extra width. Going against the grain can result in tearing, irritation, and one seriously pissed off lobe!

Best for:

• Fully healed ears
• If you don’t like using o-rings
• Low maintenance plug life

Pro tip -

Use the button-up method by inserting them at an angle, like fastening a tight shirt.

Shop all double flare plugs and double flare tunnels here.

Single flare plugs and tunnels have a flared front and a flat back secured by an o-ring. They’re kind to healing lobes. And when you’re thinking about double flare vs single flare, they’re easier to insert than their double-flared cousins.

Best for:

• Beginners
• Sensitive ears
• Mid-stretch phases

Shop all single flare plugs and single flare tunnels here.

Pro tip - Don’t Blame the Plug Just Yet

Think your ears are reacting to your new single flare jewellery? It might not be the metal or material - it could be the o-ring.

Standard black o-rings are usually made from nitrile rubber, which can trigger allergic reactions or irritation in some people. The result? Itchy, sore, red lobes that are easily mistaken for a jewellery allergy.

We recommend clear silicone o-rings instead. They’re hypoallergenic, softer on the skin, and less likely to cause drama.

So, before you ditch the plug, try switching the ring.

No flare, no fuss, just simple and comfortable. These cylindrical flare plugs are as basic as they come, in a good way. And they’re held in place by two o-rings, one on either side of your lobe, in front and behind.

They’re:

• Ridiculously easy to insert
• Better for sleeping in than double or single flares

Just be sure to avoid o-ring grooves when you’re stretching, and clean your o-rings regularly.

Plus, it goes without saying to choose high-quality materials rather than cheap junk.

Best for:

• Noobs
• Stretching phases
• Everyday wear

These sleek types of flares for plugs are a variation on single or double flares. You might also hear this style referred to as single-flare top hat. This description sums up the difference between a regular single flare and flat flare, because the lip is flat rather than curved, giving the appearance of a top hat. (Yeah, we know it sounds a bit nuts).

For this reason, the flat flare or single flare top hat gives you a polished look and a larger wearable area at your actual gauge size.

They’re:

• Flush to the lobe
• Easy to clean

And forget the double flare vs single flare dilemma. The single-flare top hat is definitely your vibe when you’re after minimal contemporary style.

Best for:

• Clean aesthetic fans
• Minimalists
• If you’ve got thicker lobes

They’re bold, decorative, and you could call them the peacocks of the plug world.

The Mayan flare plug has a flared front, giving the illusion of a larger gauge without the commitment.

They're:

• Ornate and makes a statement
• Easy to insert due to its standard back flare
• Often found in bold materials like brass and carved stone

Why not wear a Mayan flare plug when you’re feeling extra or dressing up your ears for a festival, big night out, or special celebration?

Best for:

• Drama queens (and kings)
• Aesthetic lovers
• Healed ears
• Making your stretch look huge!

Shop the Mayan flare plug collection here.

Fancy double flares, but prefer curved comfort with extra grip?

Saddle fit plugs gently curve in the middle and flare out at each end, hugging your lobe, and eliminating the need for o-rings.

They’re:

• Standard go-to for double flares
• Great for all-day wear
• Easiest double flares to insert

The curve helps distribute weight and pressure more naturally. But beware! They can pinch if your lobes are thick or you’ve stretched to a larger gauge size.

Best for:

• Healed lobes
• If you’re sick of buying more o-rings to replace the ones that keep getting lost

Shop saddle fit plugs and tunnels here.

Ever lost a plug down the drain? You need ultra-secure, internally or externally threaded jewellery in your life. 

These plugs screw together, so they stay exactly where you put them giving you the ease of inserting single flares but the sleek look of double flares.

All the same, threaded types of flares for plugs come with the good, the bad and the potentially ugly.

On the one hand, internally threaded styles are smoother and safer to insert. 

Whereas externally threaded flare plugs have sharp threaded edges, which increase the risk of damage to your lobes. 

Steer clear of externally threaded tunnels, it's a cheap manufacturing method and a tell tale sign the jewellery is no good!

Best for:

• Active lifestyles
• Heavier materials
• Wanting the double flare look without the hassle

Little things can make a supersized difference. So, it’s well worth putting into practice the hints and tips of folks who’ve been there, stretched it, and worn the t-shirt.

Here are five of the best:

Don’t stretch with grooved jewellery -

Grooves on stretched ear jewellery to be worn with o-rings can irritate or trap bacteria. So, use smooth plugs until your ears are fully healed, to be on the safe side.

Don’t force a double flare -

Never rush the process, even if you think your lobes can handle it.

Clean your o-rings and plugs -

They live in your body, like your teeth. So, keep them clean, regularly.

Measure your lobes -

Not all types of flares for plugs and tunnels suit all ears. But it’s the least you can do to make sure you’re buying the right size jewellery.

Switch it up -

Rotate plug styles to give fully healed ears a break and avoid pressure points building up.

The beauty of having all these sick types of flares for plugs and tunnels? You’re not stuck with just one style. This means you can switch them in and out to suit your mood or the occasion:

• Duvet day - Go with easy breezy no flare styles.
• Big night out - Whip out your Mayan flare plug collection.
• Working from home - Saddle fit plugs = comfy vibes.
• Gym session - Wear threaded plugs to avoid any accidental losses during circuit training.

It’s always worth repeating care is key, no matter what types of flares for plugs and tunnels are in your ears:

Q: Can I wear double flare plugs in newly stretched ears?

A: Absolutely not. Wait until you’re fully healed.

Q: What’s the comfiest flare for daily wear

A: Single or saddle fit plugs for minimal pressure but maximum comfort.

Q: Are single flare top hat plugs different from flat flare?

A: Not really. Same idea, flat, sleek, and often minimalist in style. Just a different way some people refer to them.

Q: Will a Mayan flare plug stretch my ears more?

A: No. They only look bigger because of the optical illusion they create. But the gauge stays the same.

One thing’s for sure. There are some awesome types of flares for plugs that are just right for you, no matter where you are on your stretching journey.

Just keep the recommended MO in mind for safe and stress-free stretching:

• Starting out - Go single or no flare.
• Healing - Flat or groove-free single flares are your BFFs.
• Healed and ready - Time to play with double flares, threaded, saddle fit plugs and even a Mayan flare plug when you really want to stand out from the pack. And have fun with it.

Your ears deserve jewellery that fits your style, your body, and your vibe. And you don’t have to make do with one-size-fits-all options, thanks to the varied types of flares for plugs and tunnels.

At Stretch It Body Jewellery, you can browse all plug styles by flare type. And why not grab some aftercare while you're at it?

What are you waiting for? Get flared. Stay bold.