Earlobe Repair

The increased popularity of large, heavy earrings and gauges over the past several decades has significantly increased the need for earlobe repair. Some people who seek earlobe repair may wait assuming their earlobes will heal on their own. They can see minimal improvement after several years, but to see true restoration, a more advanced surgical treatment may be required. On this page, you can learn more about earlobe repair from the knowledgeable team at Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – a division of U.S. Dermatology Partners. If you’re interested in this procedure, don’t hesitate to get in touch to schedule a consultation visit.

What Is Earlobe Repair?

Earlobe repair is a form of cosmetic surgery that is targeted at repairing damaged earlobes. Some of the reasons patients seek earlobe surgery include:

• Earlobe elongation or splits caused by wearing heavy earrings.
• Multiple, close-together piercings causing the earlobe to pull or distend.
• Large holes or gaps caused by gauges.
• Ripped or damaged earlobes caused by pulling on earrings or earrings snagging.
• Earlobe damage from burns, cuts, and other traumatic injuries.

Earlobe repair surgery should be performed by a skilled plastic surgeon. Preferably, a surgeon who specializes in facial cosmetic surgery should be chosen as they have experience working with small, sensitive, and complex facial structures. Depending on the patient’s specific goals and needs, earlobe repair surgery can be as simple as closing existing piercings. In more advanced cases, there may need to be tissue grafting, removal, or reshaping.

Benefits of Earlobe Repair

The main benefit of earlobe repair is to restore the ear to its appearance prior to being damaged. This improves confidence as many people feel that damaged earlobes are noticeable and draw unwanted attention. Sagging earlobes can also leave people looking older. Tightening the earlobes restores a more youthful appearance. Following earlobe repair, patients can re-pierce their ears. They should wait for three to six months or consult their surgeon before piercing ears following earlobe repair.

Recovery After Earlobe Repair

In most cases, earlobe repair is a same-day surgery that can be performed quickly under local anesthesia, so the patient is able to drive themself home after. Patients are typically able to return to work as soon as the day after treatment. There may be some mild pain for the first few days, but this is almost always manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. Dressings or bandages are not typically required. Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions on caring for the area as well as recommend antibiotic ointments to be applied regularly. Any stitches should be removed after the first week or two.

Risks Associated with Earlobe Repair

The risks associated with earlobe repair surgery are relatively low when the procedure is performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon. Most adverse effects of earlobe repair are typically very minor, but it’s still important to understand potential risks before beginning treatment. Infection is one of the main concerns associated with earlobe repair (and all plastic surgeries). For this reason, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions closely. Additionally, there may be some scarring after the earlobe heals, but the surgeon will typically work to hide any scars on the back of the earlobe or in other less noticeable areas. If you notice excessive scarring or the formation of keloid scars, the procedure may require a revision.