Oh boy. He's referring to the correct term called "gauges". Yeah, if you're not a total fucking idiot, it won't hurt.
Honestly, you should probably have a regular ear piercing (for at least six weeks.) before attempting to gauge. Go slow and don't jump sizes like a complete fuck. From smallest to biggest, sizes:
18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 00 (They go down by two's)
Once you hit 00 is goes 7/16 6/8 1 (1=inch)
18-00 = Measured in MM's (millimeters)
After six weeks of a regular ear piercing, go to size 18, and so on.
Wait 2-4 weeks per jump. (You normally can do 18 - 14, 14 - 10, 10 - 6) if you wait a good three weeks per sizing. Try to avoid the gauges titled "tappers" for a LONG time.
(They look like needles that are thick, then thin) Those, every time, will hurt like a bitch, and make your lobes bleed/throb for hours. Sleeping with them in, also a major pain.
I'd suggest using pinchers till about size 0. (The ones that look like rings, but have to ends on them).
Once you hit 0 (if you want to go on) use tappers then, then put the plugs in.
NEVER buy plugs for the next size WITHOUT HAVING TAPPERS, plugs DONT go in if they're bigger than your lobe.
Just be careful, it gets addicting to gauge because you always find them smaller than they are.
If you ever resort to tappers, lube your ears, or do it in the shower. Be sure to do it in the early morning, so that way you can sleep with plugs in.
Enjoy.
Edit - once you hit 00 (like 10MM) they WONT HEAL OVER TIME.
