Earlobe Repair

What is Earlobe Repair Surgery?

Earlobe repair in Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts corrects split or torn earlobes, which are commonly the result of heavy earrings, incorrect earlobe piercings, gauging, or other trauma to the earlobe. In addition, many patients are bothered by the aged appearance of their earlobes, which can droop with time and appear even worse with the weight of an earring. In this case, earlobe reduction is possible for a more natural appearance. For those who wish to return to wearing earrings or who are self-conscious of the uneven appearance of their earlobes, earlobe surgery can be a great way to restore function and appearance.

Am I a good candidate for earlobe repair?

Ideal candidates for earlobe repair are individuals who have split earlobes, enlarged earring holes in the lobe, or have experienced other trauma to the earlobe. They should also be in general good health and have realistic expectations of correction.

Earlobe Patient #236
A woman in her mid 40’s with a complete split of her left ear.  This started as a partial split when a baby pulled on her ear a year ago and then progressively got worse with redness and irritation until it split completely.  She seems to have a nickel allergy and also slept with her earring in.  She is shown before and again, 4 months after surgery.  Her scar at 3 months was tender and active and required a Kenalog injection.
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Earlobe Lift Patient #237
An 82-year-old woman with a drooping and partial split of her earlobes.  She had earlobe lift on both sides and returned at 3 months for re-piercing.  She has typically atrophy and volume loss of the earlobes from the aging process and after she had healed from the re-piercing returned for placement of NASHA fillers (Nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid ) in this case RHA-4 to “plump” the earlobes and restore a natural fullness.  The fillers typically last for a few years in the earlobes.
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Split Ear Patient #240
A woman in her later 30s with a partial split of her left earlobe.  She had a history of sleeping with her earrings. She is shown before and again, 3 months after repair in the office. We have had her using topical silicone for the last 6 weeks and her scar is fading nicely.
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Split Earlobe Patient #234
A woman in her mid-50s with partial splits of both earlobes.  She is shown before and again, 3 months after repair in the office, and immediately after re-piercing. Discussion.  In addition to the partial split of each earlobe, the piercings are sited too low on her earlobe.  After repair and healing, we have the ability to place the new piercings in a more optimal position.
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Earlobe Repair Patient #231
Details: A woman in her later 30s with a complete split of her left ear for the past 13 years.  She had been sleeping with her earrings in.  She is shown before and again, 3 months after repair.  Scars are typically at their thickest and reddest at 6 weeks and then will fade and improve over the next year or longer.  By 3 months most patient’s earlobes are ready to re-pierce.
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Each earlobe repair procedure is conveniently performed in Dr. Hall’s office. The area being treated will first be numbed with a local anesthetic for the patient’s comfort. Then, depending on the degree of repair needed, flaps may be used to repair the earlobe. Another option includes the healed parts of the earlobe tear being removed and the earlobe then being simply sutured together. Most earlobe surgical procedures can be completed in less than an hour.

What should I expect during recovery?

During recovery from earlobe repair, patients should experience minimal discomfort. However, over-the-counter pain medication is recommended to control any pain. Antibiotic ointment may be applied to the sutures to promote a healthy recovery. No downtime is required, and patients can resume their everyday tasks immediately after the procedure. This surgery generally results in a scar on the earlobe, although it is typically minor and barely visible.

How do I Care for My Sutures?

While earlobe repair is an outpatient procedure, it is still important for you to keep a close eye on your sutures to ensure proper healing. After the stitches are placed, Dr. Hall will apply a thin layer of protective ointment and a bandage to protect it while it’s still fresh. Dr. Hall and his staff will provide you with thorough written and verbal instructions before you are released, but in general, the following guidelines are the basics:

  • Keep the sutures dry for the first 24 hours.
  • After one day, wash the area around the sutures with water and gentle soap. Repeat twice a day.
  • Apply Aquaphor ointment two to three times per day until the sutures dissolve.

Can my ear be re-pierced after repair?

Yes, the ear can be pierced again, though it is advised that patients wait a minimum of eight weeks for the earlobe to fully heal. In order to avoid reoccurred earlobe damage, Dr. Hall uses a double-needle technique in the office to precisely re-pierce the lobes for patients.

Is there anything that can be done to prevent splitting or resplitting of the earlobe:

It is recommended that patients avoid heavy earrings after their treatment plan and also get in the habit of removing their ear piercing, even studs, when sleeping. Dr. Hall has found many patients who have not worn heavy earrings or suffered obvious trauma but who have split their earlobes, sometimes more than once. After talking with many patients he discovered that this usually occurred the ear on the side that they slept on. His theory is that the post of the earring can be moved back and forth by the pillow and can slowly cut through the earlobe. He now recommends that all patients get in the habit of removing their earrings when sleeping to prevent this.

Schedule a Consultation for Earlobe Damage

If you’re suffering from ear damage due to an accident or earring use, Dr. Jonathan Hall can help. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hall offers a complete set of cosmetic surgery procedures, including earlobe repair. For great results without an obvious scar, trust Dr. Hall’s experienced approach to correcting earlobe tears. To get started, contact Dr. Hall today by calling 781-279-7930 or filling out a contact form online.

“I saw 3 surgeons before meeting with Dr. Hall and by far he and his staff was the most compassionate, thorough, professional and helpful. Can’t say how pleased and comfortable he and his staff made me feel.”

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