Earlobe Repair
Your earlobes play an important role in obtaining a harmonious facial appearance. After all, you use your ears to hold your earrings, and they also bring a certain balance to your head when they are exposed. However, years of wearing heavy earrings, gauges, and other trauma can leave the hole looking stretched, which negatively impacts your facial balance.
When you want to bring your earlobe aesthetic back to how it used to be, an earlobe repair can do wonders. At Azul® Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa, anyone looking to fix a damaged earlobe can receive the help they desire.
Candidates for Earlobe Repair
Earlobe repairs are recommended for all individuals with earlobe deformities (intentional or not). For instance, if years of wearing heavy jewelry or gauges caused the earlobe to stretch, then the procedure can remove the excess skin and close the hole. If the enlarged earring hole constantly causes your jewelry to fall, an earlobe repair can help close the gap.
Those patients who experience accidental trauma to the earlobe can also benefit from earlobe repair. For instance, if your child grabbed your earrings and accidentally tore them out, then an earlobe repair can help fix the damage. Those women and men with congenital earlobe deformities or age damage can also undergo the procedure to create a more balanced look.
Ideally, you should be in good health, as this is a surgical procedure, and some recovery is involved. Patients should have realistic results and be non-smokers, as smoking can compromise your body’s ability to heal. Our providers at Azul® should be able to determine if you are a candidate once you come in for a consultation.
How Is an Earlobe Repair Done?
Earlobe repairs are surgical procedures where our specialized providers reconstruct your ear, bringing it back to its original shape. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, with the patients being able to go home after the surgery is complete. The procedure itself can last around 30 to 60 minutes, but the timeline depends on how much damage has been done.
During the procedure, incisions are made in the earlobe to remove damaged or stretched tissue. Our providers will then suture the remaining tissue, using advanced techniques to keep scarring at a minimum and promote healing.
Depending on the reason for getting earlobe repair, our providers might also suggest complementary treatments to get a natural result. For instance, if the earlobe stretching was caused by aging, then fillers might be recommended to give the ear a plumper appearance. Because the technique varies from person to person, a consultation is necessary.
Recovery from an Earlobe Repair
The area where the surgery is performed is small, so the recovery is also minimal. Only local anesthesia is used, which means that patients can drive themselves home after the procedure. You may return to your daily activities immediately after your procedure, but you should avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Sweating should also be avoided because it can affect your recovery time.
The earlobe might be sore for several days, but discomfort is easily managed with over-the-counter medicine. Swelling, redness, and bruising are to be expected, and you should keep the bandage on for about one to two days. This protects the stitches and keeps the injury from bleeding during the initial stages. The sutures can be removed after about a week or two, based on the recommendations from our providers.
Your earlobes will feel less sensitive after two weeks, but you should wait at least two months before re-piercing them. This is necessary to ensure proper healing and that you don’t unnecessarily damage the delicate area. Follow the instructions from our providers to avoid potential complications.
Earlobe Repair Results
Initial earlobe repair results are visible almost immediately after your procedure, but they are usually concealed by swelling and bandages. Your earlobe will likely have the correct shape, but it may take a few weeks or even months for the swelling to go down. After this happens, though, the earlobes should be natural-looking and symmetrical once more, giving you more confidence.
The results are permanent, especially if you take care of the area. You should be ready for your next set of piercings after the skin fully heals, which is after around six to eight weeks. You should also refrain from wearing heavy earrings or gauging them to keep the earlobes from deforming again. However, this depends on each individual and their preferences.