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The earlobe is made up of fatty tissue and skin. Unlike the harder cartilage part of the ear, the earlobes are soft and flexible, making them easy to tear. Gradual elongation which takes place while wearing gauges, years of wearing heavy earrings, or having an earring forcefully ripped out can all lead to sagging and tearing of the earlobes.

How is the procedure performed?

An earlobe repair surgery is a very simple procedure and can be performed in-office under local anesthesia to numb the area. The technique used during your procedure will depend on your specific concerns. For a partially torn earlobe, the tear will be removed and stitched to encourage the earlobe to heal together. For a complete tear, the edges will be removed and the two ends will be brought together and stitched to maintain the natural border of the earlobe. If a larger hole is present due to gauges, flaps may be used to restore the natural appearance of the ear.

How to care for your earlobe after repair

Regardless of the type of technique which has been used, the wound should be kept dry for the first 24 hours. After this, the sutures should be cleaned everyday using water and mild soap. You will be given antibiotic ointment to apply to the incision to promote healing and protect the wound. This should be applied 2-3 times per day until the sutures have dissolved.

Preventing resplitting

You can get your ears repierced after your repair! However, this does leave some risk for earlobe resplitting. Dr. Hall finds that most patients who return for a second repair have been sleeping with their earrings in or continue to wear heavy earrings. The best way to ensure your earlobes do not retear is to always remember to take your earrings out before bed and wear light jewelry.

To get started on your earlobe repair to restore the natural appearance of your ears, contact Dr. Hall for a consultation in Stoneham, MA.