Earlobe Repair

Repairing Torn Earlobes

Our ears might not be our most noticeable feature, but we still want them to look natural and attractive. Unfortunately, torn earlobes are a surprisingly common problem. In most instances, they are caused by prolonged wear of heavy earrings that have pulled through the usual piercing hole and caused a vertical split at the bottom. However, torn earlobes can also be caused by trauma to the ear, such as an earring being caught in a brush and dragged through the ear, or by gradually enlarging a piercing over many years.

This doesn’t mean that you need to live with the appearance of torn earlobes though. Surgery to repair them is very simple and can help to reform and restore the natural shape of the lobes, so much so that people would never know that they had previously been damaged.

What happens during surgery to repair a torn earlobe?

Fortunately, the process to repair torn earlobes is fairly straightforward and, since it is performed under local anesthesia, there is very minimal discomfort. Once you are suitably anesthetized, our expert Board Certified Dermatologist will remove the edges of the torn bits of lobe so that they are more even. We will work to shape the affected ear so that it resembles your undamaged ear as closely as possible in terms of size and shape. The split parts will be closed and secured using sutures that will remain in place for around a week before being removed. All effort is made to ensure that scarring is minimal, and you will be given advice on caring for the wound to ensure that this is possible.

Recovering from earlobe surgery

Once your surgery is complete and the anesthetic has worn off, you may experience a little bit of discomfort, although this shouldn’t be anything that over-the-counter pain relief can’t handle. You may have had a dressing or steri-strips placed over the sutures to protect the wound while it heals, and you should take care to ensure that the area remains clean. You will be given instructions on the best way to do this.

It generally takes between 7-14 days for your ear to heal. During this time, you will be advised to avoid any heavy or vigorous exercise so that you minimize the risk of damage to your sensitive ears, as well as reducing the likelihood of complications. However, in most cases, you should be able to return to work the day following your procedure.

Can I have my ear re-pierced after earlobe repair surgery?

You may wish to continue wearing earrings after your earlobes have been repaired. You are able to get your ears re-pierced, but it is recommended that you wait until approximately 6 months after your ears have healed – the longer the better.

If you would like more information on surgery for repairing torn earlobes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced and knowledgeable team at our offices in Deerfield Beach, FL. 954-481-0650