A simple earlobe repair may be right for you if your earlobe is torn from trauma, a piercing hole is elongated / misplaced, or the earlobes have sagged with age. Over time, earrings can elongate a piercing and make it difficult for you to wear jewelry. Sometimes, earrings can even rip the piercing completely through, resulting in a split earlobe or torn earlobe. After years of wearing heavy earrings, the earlobes can become stretched or elongated.
A simple earlobe repair procedure can help restructure the shape of the ear and provide natural-looking results. Torn earlobe repairs are done in-office by our facial plastic surgeon. In some cases, the entire earlobe can be re-shaped or shortened. Ear reshaping is more involved than a simple torn earlobe repair; however, even ear reshaping can be done in-office with just local anesthesia.
Is earlobe repair right for me?
Earlobe repair may be right for you if you are looking to fix an earlobe that has been stretched or torn as a result of trauma, gauged ears, or an accident. Torn earlobes are a result of heavy earrings that continually pull down on the earlobe. If these earrings are caught on clothing or pulled, you can stretch out your earlobe. If the tear continues, your earlobe can even split. Earlobe repair removes the damaged skin from a trauma or accident and restores the appearance of your earlobe.
Earlobe repair procedure:
During earlobe repair, Dr. Zimbler will carefully trim the edges of the tear along the earlobe. After removing any extra or damaged skin or tissue, stitches will be applied to the earlobe. Dr. Zimbler will administer stitches in a way that prevents any irregularities forming while your earlobes heal and to minimize any potential scarring. The exact method of earlobe repair and applying stitches depends on your particular case, the severity of tearing, and how much tissue was damaged or lost. In some cases, small flaps on the earlobe are used when cosmetically redesigning the entire earlobe.
Earlobe repair recovery time:
Following earlobe repair, stitches are typically removed around 1 week, and the earlobe can be re-pierced once the area has fully healed, which is roughly 1-2 months. When piercing your ears again, you should not get the same spot pierced, as the scar tissue may cause complications. Instead, you should pierce your ear in a slightly different area to avoid any complications. If you pierce the same area of the earlobe that has undergone earlobe reconstruction, you face a higher risk of suffering from another torn or split earlobe. Dr. Zimbler re-pierces all earlobe repairs himself at no extra charge, guaranteeing the placement of the new piercing is exact and symmetric with the opposite side.
Mild ear discomfort is to be expected after your earlobe surgery, but this can be controlled through oral medication prescribed by Dr. Zimbler. Following your split earlobe repair, you will have to apply a topical antibiotic on your incisions so that no infection forms. Showering is permitted 24 hours after surgery, but it is important not to subject your ears to excessively hot or cold water, as this can irritate your surgical site.
