Earlobe Repair

What to Expect From Earlobe Surgery

Earlobe surgery is a minor procedure, performed awake under local anesthetic. Depending on the procedure, this may take 1-2 hours. You will be able to resume normal activities. The skin heals in 1-2 weeks and sutures will be removed at that time. Depending on your surgery, you may require silicone taping or compression buttons for best results. At least 3-4 months of healing is recommended prior to re piercing the ear.

Torn Earlobes

Torn earlobes from a piercing that has been pulled, may result in stretched holes or a complete cleft earlobe. Repair involves minor surgery under local anesthetic to remove the stretched pierced inner skin and allow the tissues to heal back together. Once healed, you may re-pierce the ear in a different location beside the surgical scar.

Stretched Earlobes

Earlobe tissue that has been stretched by large gauge earrings result in a fl oppy circle of permanently elongated skin. The majority of the loose and hanging tissue will need to be removed as the blood supply is not reliable to use for surgery. The tissue closest to the ear is preserved and sutured together for a smaller, but more anatomically intact ear lobe.

Keloid Excision

Keloid scars are common in the ear as the ear is a prominent part of the head, often being injured or pierced. Keloid formation is associated with prolonged inflammation or repeat infections, repetitive trauma, and genetic predisposition. They are difficult to treat and often recur over time. Non-surgical treatment may be performed by Dermatologists or physicians specializing in skin treatment. Surgical treatment involves excision with additional injections or radiotherapy. Post-surgical silicone sheeting and compression is recommended for best results.

Surgery itself can trigger large keloid growth and therefore expectations must be realistic that this may not work.

Earlobe Reduction

With age, the earlobe may appear longer as the skin deflates and drops. The earlobe may be reduced using a minor surgery, hiding the scar in the shadows where the earlobe is attached to the face.

Earlobe Volume Augmentation

With age, the earlobe volume decreases. To restore lost volume, plumping injections may be performed using temporary hyaluronic acid fillers or permanent fat injection.