Earlobe Repair

The ears play a fundamental role in the maintenance of facial proportions and symmetry. The earlobe is easily prone to injury from traumatic insults or ear rings. Problems with the earlobe are surprisingly common. Although seen as relatively trivial in nature, they can exert a disproportionately negative effect on self-image and confidence. Fortunately, earlobes can be easily repaired. Earlobe repair surgery is also often referred to as a lobuleplasty. Patients can improve their confidence and self-esteem with improved facial aesthetics by a simple procedure to repair or even reshape the earlobes.

Earlobe repair is a safe and effective way to correct ears that have been stretched, split or torn by tribal piercings or other earrings. This commonly happens when an ear piercing, sometimes referred to as flesh tunnels, has gradually had its diameter increased.

This is a suitable procedure for both men and women who have stretched earlobes.

There are some people who are not happy with the size of their earlobes because they feel that they are too large. In these cases, an earlobe reduction can be performed by removing excess earlobe tissue. When choosing earlobe repair, it is important that you consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who has experience in these kinds of repairs.

Centre for Surgery strive to provide each and every patient with the very highest standard of care. Our plastic surgeons are constantly learning about the latest techniques at international conferences to apply to patient care. The expert surgical methods combined with many years of experience result in earlobe repair results that look beautiful and natural-looking that are in harmony with overall facial aesthetics. Centre for Surgery differ from other providers in that our surgeons are sub-specialists and only perform a select range of procedures in which they are recognised as accredited experts.

If you are interested in earlobe repair, why not book a face to face consultation with one of our specialist earlobe surgeons. Our surgeons will take time to assess you in full including selecting the most suitable method of repair customised to your unique needs and preferences. If you wish, a selection of earlobe repair before and after photos of real patients can be shown, what you can expect in terms of results and answer all your questions in detail.

Our clinic at 106 Crawford Street was recently inspected and rated as good across all 5 domains.

Expected Results after Earlobe Repair

• Correction of earlobes that have been torn, split or stretched
• Congenital correction of earlobes that were abnormally shaped from birth
• Renewed self confidence to style hair in such a way to reveal the earlobes
• Freedom to wear all sorts of earrings with no risk of the earrings falling out

Should I have my earlobes repaired?

Large earrings and plugs will create a hole in the earlobe, which becomes bigger as the diameter of the earring is increased. After a certain size, the earlobe will never contract to its original size and shape. The altered shape of the earlobe is often difficult to hide, particularly for those who have shorter hair.

Sometimes the stretched or split earlobe will negatively impact your appearance and in some instances your work or career. In these cases, earlobe repair surgery is an appropriate option.

Dangers of ear stretching

• Can cause an ‘ear blow-out’, which happens when the skin inside of the earlobe is forced out through the back of the piercing
• Earlobe repair is the only option for stretched ears to go back to normal
• Can cause physical pain

• Torn, stretched or injured earlobes
• Congenitally excessively large or small earlobes
• Large holes created from tribal piercings
• Earlobes that have sagged or overly prominent scars such as keloids
• Fear that earrings will fall out because of how stretched the earlobes are
• Fear of having hair styles that will expose the earlobes on show to others

Earlobe repair is a suitable procedure for any person who has had large, heavy jewellery in the past or sustained an injury which has caused their earlobes to become damaged. Those who have naturally large earlobes or whose earlobes have enlarged with age may also wish to undertake this procedure.

This procedure is suitable for those who are over 18 years old.

Earlobe repair is one of the most popular procedures performed at Centre for Surgery. Earlobe repair take about an hour to perform if a patient elects to have both ears repaired. The treatment of torn earlobes, split earlobes or stretched earlobes demand a procedure which involves a reconstruction of the soft tissue and sometimes to replace any tissue that beyond repair. In cases of partial tear, the surgeon will surgically excise the injured skin and suture the earlobe back together using very fine sutures. A restoration of normal and natural looking earlobes can be expected at the conclusion of the procedure.

Centre for Surgery is one of the most highly regarded providers of earlobe repair.

Our surgeons reconstruct all types of earlobe deformity using meticulous plastic surgery techniques.

• Split earlobe repair

• Stretched earlobe repair

• Tribal earlobe repair

Earlobe repair is performed under a local anaesthetic, so you will still be awake but unable to feel any pain. The surgery involves removing any excess tissue, with surgeons applying fine internal and external stitches to the earlobe. This will create a normal earlobe shape.

Earlobe repair is performed as a day case, so you will be able to return home on the same day.

Earlobe repair is a procedure with very little in the way of discomfort. The recovery period is characteristically very quick. Your surgeon may prescribe you a special antibiotic ointment to apply to the earlobes or a special brown tape may be applied to the earlobes which is dependent upon the surgical techniques employed.

In most cases there is no discomfort but your surgeon may recommend over the counter painkillers in the event of any prolonged soreness. Bruising and swelling are temporary phenomena and are expected to disappear in a few weeks after the procedure. Once the repair is fully healed, you can have your ears re-pierced if you wish.

You should avoid wearing polar neck jumpers or pressing your phone close to your earlobe for about a week after the procedure. You should also avoid direct sun exposure to the area and avoid use of harsh soaps to facilitate excellent healing. It is perfectly fine to return to work straightaway – there is no downtime with earlobe repair surgery. However you may wish to consider having your procedure at the end of the week to allow some rest over the weekend.

Want to wear earrings earlier?

During your consultation, it is best to discuss with your surgeon if you are wanting to wear earrings earlier then you may be a suitable candidate for the rotational flap technique, which will allow you to wear earrings sooner. This procedure will take around 50-60 minutes on each earlobe.

Earlobe repair surgery is recognised to be a low-risk procedure with minimal risk of complications. Your surgeon will fully assess you to ensure your suitability for the procedure. During your consultation, the surgeon will outline the risks and potential complications associated with earlobe repair surgery.

Potential complications

• Surgical site infection
• Keloid scarring
• Delayed wound healing
• Potential requirement for a revision procedure

There are a number of a factors which will impact on the final cost of your earlobe repair procedure:

• Primary or revision earlobe repair
• One or both earlobes
• Complex corrections such as tribal earlobes
• Earlobe reduction

Why not call 0207 993 4849 and speak to one of our expert patient coordinators who may be able to give you a rough costing prior to your earlobe repair procedure.

Always remember that price should never be the determining factor when it comes to choosing your provider. We feel that safety and quality of service should be your number one priority and instilling in you the confidence that our team will look after you before, during and after your procedure to the best of their ability.