Earlobe Repair

Earlobe repair for stretched or torn earlobes is a simple, cosmetic surgical procedure that Dr. Webb performs in her Atlanta office under local anesthesia. Because earlobes are made up entirely of cartilage, damage to the earlobe is easy. This can happen from prolonged wear of long or heavy earrings causing stretching and even tearing of the lobe. Damage to the earlobe structure can also happen if multiple piercings are made too close together or too close to the bottom of the lobe. Whether a patient suffers from a torn, stretched, injured, or abnormally shaped earlobe, Dr. Webb can repair the earlobe in a matter of minutes with no downtime.

• Earlobe Repair for Stretched Hole: Heavy earrings that pull on the lobe can cause earlobes to develop a stretched hole. Treatment for stretched earlobes involves closing the hole completely by removing the skin on the inside of the hole so tissue can reconnect and repair itself. This procedure typically takes a few minutes to perform and normal daily activity can resume immediately.

• Earlobe Tear: Simple tears in the earlobe can result from wearing heavy earrings or earrings being pulled out. This type of tear will not heal and close on its own. This may also be repaired by removing skin on the inside of the tear and reattaching tissue for a rejuvenated appearance of the lobe.

• Earlobe Gauges: Earlobe gauging has become popular in recent years. This process of stretching the lobe can cause damage as the tissue becomes thinner. After the gauge is removed, the hole will shrink a little bit over several months; however, the earlobe will not completely revert to its pre-stretched state and will require repair. After the lobes are completely healed most can be re-pierced.

• Earlobe Deformity: Sometimes patients are born with earlobe deformity that do not conform to the shape of the face. Dr. Webb can reshape and contour earlobes to have a softer appearance to achieve better facial harmony.
  Earlobe Keloids: Keloids are an overabundance of scar tissue that may itch or burn and can result from even minor trauma or ear piercing. Injections with steroid or 5-fluorouracil in combination with silicone compression and, sometimes, excision of the keloids may be options.

Earlobe repair is an in-office surgical procedure that restores the natural appearance of the ear. During the procedure, healed skin under the torn ear lobe is simply cut away, and fine sutures are placed along the edges to close the area. This procedure is typically performed with only local anesthesia and takes less than one hour to complete. Patients who experience some pain or discomfort can use over-the-counter pain medications to find relief. Dr. Webb will review postprocedure instructions but typically regular exercise can resume the next day (as long as the ear is protected) and stitches need to be checked in one week. Healing only takes a few weeks and Dr. Webb can re-pierce the ears three months later when swelling and scarring is better, if the patient so chooses.

Whether the earlobe has been damaged due to piercings, gauges or some sort of trauma or injury, Dr. Webb can repair damaged earlobes and restore the natural shape and symmetry of the ears. If you believe you could benefit from earlobe repair or would like more information on this procedure, we encourage you to schedule an earlobe repair consultation at Webb Plastic Surgery.