Earlobe Repair

The ears play a fundamental role in maintaining facial proportions and symmetry. The earlobe is easily prone to injury from traumatic insults or earrings. Problems with the earlobe are surprisingly common. Although seen as relatively trivial, 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.

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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, gradually increases its diameter. This is a suitable procedure for men and women with stretched earlobes.

Some people 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 deciding to have earlobe repair, you must consult with a specialist plastic surgeon who has experience in these kinds of repairs.

Expected results after earlobe repair

• Surgical correction of earlobes that have split, stretched, torn or enlarged.
• Surgical correction of earlobes that are abnormal in shape.
• Patients can have hairstyles that do not conceal the ears, giving them renewed confidence.
• Ability to wear a full range of earrings without the risk of them falling out

Earlobe repair, also referred to as earlobe reconstruction surgery, caters to those with altered earlobes due to injury, trauma, or fashion decisions such as wearing heavy earrings or gauging. Although earlobes that have split don’t typically heal by themselves, surgical intervention can successfully restore and enhance their appearance. Post-surgery, patients can once again enjoy adorning their ears with earrings. There are several specific earlobe repair procedures, each tailored to address different issues:

Earlobe Reduction

Addressing Overstretched Earlobes

Some individuals may find that their earlobes have become elongated over time, which can lead to feelings of self-consciousness. The reasons behind this change can be numerous, including the natural ageing process, inherited traits, or a gradual decline in skin firmness.

The Surgical Solution

To remedy this, earlobe reduction surgery is performed. The procedure involves removing a small portion of the earlobe that borders the cheek, followed by a careful reshaping of the lobe to achieve a smaller, more proportional size. This operation can significantly rejuvenate one’s appearance, with the incisions strategically placed to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Repairing Earlobes After Spacers

From Spacers to Restoration

Many who opted for earlobe spacers or gauges during their younger years may eventually wish to revert to unmodified earlobes. The process begins with the gradual reduction of spacer size, eventually reaching a point where surgical intervention becomes necessary.

Procedure and Recovery

The surgery to repair earlobes stretched by spacers is commonly conducted under local anaesthesia, meaning patients are awake but the area is numbed. The recovery period is relatively short, with most individuals able to return to their routine, including work, within approximately one week.

Mending Ripped Earlobes

Common Causes of Earlobe Tears

Ripped earlobes often result from sudden accidents involving earrings or other forms of ear trauma. Such rips are among the most prevalent earlobe issues faced by individuals today.

Simple Surgical Correction

Fortunately, the repair is relatively uncomplicated. The surgery aims to mend the tear, allowing the earlobe to heal seamlessly. Following a brief healing period, patients can resume wearing earrings without any noticeable sign of the previous rip.

Ear Trauma Reconstruction

Injuries Leading to Ear Surgery

Serious ear injuries can occur due to various reasons, such as vehicular accidents or as a consequence of cancer treatments affecting the ear’s appearance.

Consultation and Restoration

Once any acute injuries have healed, individuals can consult with a plastic surgeon at a specialised clinic like Centre for Surgery. During this consultation, they can explore the available surgical options to restore their ears’ appearance, aligning with their personal aesthetic goals. This bespoke approach ensures that each patient receives care tailored to their specific situation, ensuring the best possible outcomes for ear trauma reconstruction.

Split earlobe repair:

Incomplete Split Earlobe Repair:

Stretched earlobe repair:

Earlobe trauma can arise from a multitude of sources, ranging from lifestyle choices to uncontrollable natural factors. Understanding these can help prevent damage or help you seek timely treatment.

The Weight of Fashion

Heavy Earrings and Earlobe Stretching

A prevalent cause of earlobe damage stems from the habitual wearing of heavy earrings. Over time, the weight of these accessories can stretch the earlobe’s skin, leading to elongation and sometimes even tearing.

Technological Impact

Earplugs and Their Long-Term Effects

Regular use of earplugs, especially if they’re not fitted properly, can exert unnecessary pressure on the earlobes. This continuous strain might not only cause discomfort but also contribute to the deformation of the earlobe over extended periods.

The Role of Heredity and Aging

Inherited Earlobe Characteristics

Genetics can play a significant role in the size and shape of earlobes. Some individuals may naturally have larger, more pendulous earlobes that are prone to stretching and damage as they age.

Physical Interactions

Stretching, Tugging, and Pulling

Activities that involve the stretching, tugging, or pulling of the ears, whether during sports, play, or due to habits like fiddling with earrings, can cause immediate and sometimes long-term damage to the earlobes.

Accidental Tears

Rips and Splits

Earlobes are particularly susceptible to being ripped, whether from snagging an earring on clothing or through a sudden pull. Such accidents can result in a split that might require surgical repair if not addressed promptly.

Circulatory Concerns

Restricted Blood Flow

Any condition or situation that limits blood flow to the earlobes can lead to tissue damage. This includes tight earrings, certain medical conditions, or even sleeping positions that place prolonged pressure on the ears. Regular monitoring and care are essential to maintain earlobe health and prevent such occurrences.

Centre for Surgery strives to provide every patient with the very highest standard of care. Our plastic surgeons constantly learn 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 and are in harmony with overall facial aesthetics. Centre for Surgery differs 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.

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 as 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 earlobe shape is often difficult to hide, particularly for those with 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

• It 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

Earlobe repair surgery is a safe and effective procedure for individuals who have experienced a split or torn earlobe due to trauma, injury, or wearing heavy earrings over time. In general, ideal candidates for earlobe repair surgery include:

Individuals with split or torn earlobes

Earlobe repair surgery is primarily used to correct split or torn earlobes, which can occur due to various reasons, including injury or prolonged wear of heavy earrings.

Individuals in good overall health

As with any surgical procedure, it is important that patients are in good overall health and do not have any underlying medical conditions that could increase the risk of complications.

Non-smokers

Smoking can increase the risk of complications during and after surgery, so it is recommended that patients refrain from smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery.

Individuals with realistic expectations

It is important that patients have realistic expectations for the results of the surgery and understands that the goal of earlobe repair surgery is to restore the natural appearance of the earlobe, rather than to achieve perfection.

Individuals who are committed to postoperative care

Proper postoperative care is essential to ensure the best possible healing and minimise the risk of complications. Patients must be willing to follow their surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments.

Earlobe repair can be performed on a ‘see and treat’ basis on the same day as the consultation provided our patient coordinators are informed of your preference at the consultation booking stage. The earlobe repair procedure is performed under local anaesthetic as an outpatient. After earlobe repair surgery, you must follow all the necessary postoperative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.

You should avoid taking aspirin-containing medicines before the procedure for at least one week beforehand. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for a minimum of 48 hours beforehand, as smoking tobacco and alcohol impair the wound healing process.

If you have the procedure under local anaesthetic only (with no oral sedation), you may drive home afterwards.

There are several techniques that can be used in earlobe repair surgery, and the best technique will depend on the extent and location of the injury.

Simple Closure

Simple closure is the most common technique used for repairing a split or torn earlobe. This technique involves making a small incision to remove any excess tissue and then carefully stitching the edges of the earlobe back together. The stitches used in this technique are typically dissolvable and do not need to be removed.

Z-plasty

Z-plasty is a technique that can be used to repair earlobes with a diagonal or irregular tear. This technique involves making diagonal incisions in the surrounding tissue and then repositioning the tissue to create a Z-shaped pattern. The new shape of the earlobe helps to improve the appearance and minimize scarring.

Wedge Excision

Wedge excision is a technique that can be used to repair earlobes with a larger or more complex tear. This technique involves removing a small wedge-shaped section of tissue from the earlobe and then carefully stitching the edges back together.

Lobe Recontouring

Lobe recontouring is a technique that can be used to correct elongated or stretched earlobes. This technique involves removing excess tissue and then reshaping the earlobe to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

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

• Split earlobe repair

• Stretched earlobe repair

• Tribal earlobe repair

Earlobe repair is a procedure with very little discomfort. The recovery period is characteristically expeditious. 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 expected to disappear in a few weeks after the procedure. Once the repair is fully healed, you can have your ears re-pierced.

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 the 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.

When can I re-pierce my ears after earlobe repair?

The timing for repiercing the ears after earlobe repair surgery can vary depending on the extent of the surgery and the individual’s healing process. In general, it is recommended that patients wait at least six weeks after the surgery before repiercing their ears.

During the healing process, the earlobe may be sore and swollen, and it is important to avoid putting pressure on the earlobe or wearing any earrings that could interfere with the healing process. Repiercing the ears too soon can delay the healing process or cause further damage to the earlobe.

Once the six-week period has passed, it is important to choose high-quality, hypoallergenic earrings that are appropriate for newly pierced ears. Patients should avoid wearing heavy earrings or anything that could put pressure on the earlobe for several weeks after repiercing.

Follow the surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully and wait until the earlobe is fully healed before repiercing the ears. This can help to ensure the best possible healing and minimize the risk of complications.

Earlobe surgery is generally seen as a low-risk operation, but as with any surgical intervention, it carries certain inherent risks and possible complications. Opting for a skilled surgeon and adhering strictly to their advice before and after the surgery can significantly enhance your recovery. Below, we discuss some complications that, while typically rare, could occur:

Infection Risk

Infections following earlobe surgery don’t frequently occur, but they are a possibility. To minimise this risk, it’s crucial to use any topical ointments provided and take any medications your surgeon prescribes. It’s essential to keep the surgical area clean and sterile.

Hematoma or Bleeding

Very occasionally, patients might experience a hematoma, which is when blood collects in the ear, causing swelling. Should this happen, your surgeon can address the issue by draining the accumulated blood.

Protruding Stitches

Sometimes, especially with permanent sutures that might be used behind the ears, there’s a chance they could begin to poke through the skin and become visible. This issue can be resolved by removing the stitches if it becomes a problem.

Overcorrection Issues

Overcorrection refers to when the ear is attached too tightly to the head, and it’s a problem that can happen. It’s often addressed by inserting cartilage grafts, which allow the ear to reposition itself more naturally. In some cases, additional surgery may be needed to correct this.

Under correction Concerns

If the earlobe surgery results in under-correction—meaning the ears still stick out more than desired—it’s usually a simpler fix than overcorrection. This can typically be corrected in the surgeon’s office with a minor procedure under local anaesthesia.

Gradual Reversal Over Time

Since ear tissue is largely composed of elastic cartilage, there’s a long-term possibility that the ears may slowly move back towards their original position. This reversal is a rare occurrence, but if it does happen, revision surgery is an option.

There are a number of factors which will impact 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 can give you a rough costing before your earlobe repair procedure?

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

Centre for Surgery is a plastic surgery clinic committed to providing all our patients with the highest standards of medical care. Our specialist plastic surgeons are always learning to keep abreast of the latest advances in their practice field. This ensures patients get optimal results. With the use of microsurgical techniques combined with years of experience, all our earlobe repair patients can achieve natural earlobes in overall facial harmony.

Our surgeons are recognised sub-specialists, and we believe this helps to achieve superior outcomes compared with general plastic surgeons. By performing a smaller number of procedures extremely well, outcomes are better compared with surgeons who perform lots of different procedures less frequently.

What is included in my treatment package?

• As many preoperative consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure the procedure is right for you
• Treatment at a specialist day surgery facility recently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC
• Enhanced same-day discharge with the added benefits of recovering in your own home
• 24/7 clinical support from your surgeon for the first 48 hours and our expert postoperative support team
• Your very own dedicated patient coordinator
• In-depth preoperative medical assessment to make sure you are fully fit for the rhinoplasty procedure
• Exceptionally high standards of postoperative care are described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, with regular telephone and face-to-face checks by our expert postoperative support team.

RealSelf Top Doctors for earlobe repair

RealSelf’s top doctor status is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf doctor community.  This status is earned by achieving consistently high patient satisfaction (from RealSelf reviews), getting excellent feedback on expert answers to patient questions, and investing significant time in Q&A and other doctor activities. RealSelf’s top doctors are rated among the very best surgeons in the UK. 

If you are interested in earlobe repair, we recommend booking a private consultation with one of our specialist plastic surgeons. Our surgeons will take time to assess you carefully and fully and then advise the most earlobe repair technique to get optimal results.

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