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Many people live with damaged earlobes without knowing that there is a simple surgical procedure to repair them. Earlobe damage can occur in many ways, but surgery can help restore the earlobe very close to its original shape.
Why live with saggy or torn earlobes when there is a quick and relatively inexpensive surgical fix?
What Are the Most Common Causes for Earlobe Damage?
There are various ways in which earlobe damage can occur. Here are a few of the most common:
- If you have pierced ears, tears and rips can compromise earring holes over time. Continuously wearing heavy earrings can also damage the delicate tissue and skin surrounding the piercing — causing lobes to snag or rip.
- Mothers of small children know well the risk of toddlers and babies grabbing any shiny object close by. When that object is a dangling earring, tears and rips can easily result.
- As body modification and piercings continue to be fashion-forward, the practice of ear gauging (increasing the size of the earlobe piercing with graduated disks or spacers) has become popular. Those who eventually tire of the look of their plugs are then left with a distorted earlobe that requires repair.
How Is Earlobe Repair Performed?
A delicate but simple procedure performed under local anesthetic, earlobe repair involves the repositioning and suturing of lobe tissue. Once the redistribution is complete, skin is sutured over the wound and dressed for healing. It is best to work with a skilled plastic surgeon who has experience working with tissue and skin in a precise and creative manner.
Although existing piercing holes are often closed over, once the patient has completely healed from surgery, the possibility of re-piercing can be discussed.
Some patients choose to combine their earlobe repair with otoplasty (ear pinning surgery) to change the size or projection of the ears.
Who Is the Best Candidate for Earlobe Repair?
Anyone who suffers from an earlobe injury, tear, or gauged piercing, has reasonable expectations about their surgery, and is in good general health is an appropriate candidate for earlobe repair.
Older patients can require special care as they often have less tissue and thinner skin to work with, but they can still achieve great results.
Need to Fix Your Earlobes?
If you are looking to learn more about earlobe repair in the Tempe or Phoenix, Arizona, area, give the friendly team at Jennifer Boll MD Plastic Surgery a call. They can answer questions, describe the earlobe repair procedure, and book you in for a consultation. Call (480) 833-5200 now or use the online contact form. There are solutions for earlobe damage and irregularities.