Earlobe Repair or Reduction
Earlobe Repair
If your earlobe piercing has stretched out or has completely torn through, it can be repaired in the office under local anesthesia. Tiny sutures are used to meticulously repair the earlobe after the damaged area is removed. A plastic surgery closure is done to give the most favorable scar. There is essentially no downtime and you can resume normal activities and return to work.
Q&A:
Q: I just tore my earlobe and the urgent care doctor said he can’t repair the tear with stitches and that I have to see a plastic surgeon. Why can’t he fix the tear?
A: In most cases, a torn earlobe is a piercing that has torn through the bottom of the earlobe. Since the piercing is lined with skin cells, the two sides of the tear will not heal properly if a repair is done without removing the old piercing. Dr. LeVan not only removes the old piercing at the time of repair, but also restores the normal shape of the earlobe.
Q: My earring got caught on my sweater and tore through my earlobe. Is this procedure covered by my insurance?
A: Earlobe repair is considered to be a cosmetic treatment and is not generally covered by insurance.
Q: Do you repair earlobe gauges?
A: Yes, we do repair earlobe gauges. Similar to the repair of a stretched out earlobe piercing, the old piercing is removed, however, sutures alone will not restore the earlobe shape if the hole is very large. Repair of earlobe gauges often requires rearrangement of the remaining earlobe tissue to create a new shape and more proportionate size of the earlobe.
Earlobe Reduction for Droopy Earlobes
Earlobes can become larger or longer over time, changing in shape from a round curve to a droopy appearing oval shape. Sometimes large or long earlobes are inherited. Earlobe reduction is an outpatient office procedure done under local anesthesia to remove a small wedge of tissue and reshape the earlobe to a more youthful, rounder shape. The procedure also reduces the size of the earlobe. Sutures are precisely placed for a plastic surgery closure to give the best result.
Q: When a droopy earlobe is reduced, is the hole from my ear piercing removed?
A: An elongated earlobe is often the result of wearing heavy earrings over many years. With time the earlobe stretches out, giving a droopy appearance. If the hole of the ear piercing is located in the area that is affected, it will be removed. The remaining earlobe is reshaped and after it has completely healed, repiercing of the earlobe can be done.
Q: Does a facelift cause someone to have droopy earlobes?
A: Earlobes that hang too low, have wrinkled or excess skin or appear saggy are most commonly related to stretching of the skin over time which often causes the earlobes to appear more aged. A facelift rejuvenates the face by lifting the facial tissues and removing excess skin, but does not address the excess or wrinkled skin of the earlobes. Often, droopy appearing earlobes are more noticeable to a patient after a facelift since the more youthful appearing face no longer matches the older looking ears. Earlobe reduction gives a more youthful appearance to the ears by removing the excess skin and reshaping the earlobes.
If you are interested in having earlobe repair or earlobe reduction and would like to schedule treatment, please call the office at (859)276-5577 or fill out our contact form and we will be happy to reserve an appointment time for you.