The earlobes are comprised of fatty tissue and skin, which make them easy to pierce and adorn with jewelry. Whether you have traditional piercings or opted for larger gauges or posts in your ears, they can change and stretch over time. Like all skin and tissue, the earlobes lose collagen and elasticity with age, which can result in earlobes that sag lower, and the piercings can stretch or tear. Plastic surgery may be needed for earlobe reduction or repair to restore the balance of your ear appearance.
Torn Earlobe Repair
Heavy earrings or larger posts can pull on the earlobe and stretch the piercing over time. It is not uncommon for earring holes to stretch to the point that the earring can rip through the earlobe, creating a split earlobe. Plastic surgery can be performed to restore a complete earlobe – both lobes are usually reformed even if only one is torn to create a balanced appearance. The procedure does not require general anesthesia – it is an outpatient surgery that can be completed at our clinic with local anesthesia injections. The earlobes can be pierced again once they heal from earlobe repair surgery.
Earlobe Reduction for Youthful Ears
If your earlobes hang lower due to stretching, it can make your ears look unbalanced and indicate your age. Earlobe reduction procedures can remove excess skin and tissue to create smaller, lifted earlobes that resemble your younger ears. A discreet incision can be made in the back or bottom of the earlobe to change the earlobe shape – this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia by Dr. Ben Stong at our plastic surgery center in Atlanta, GA.
Changes to your earlobes can make it difficult to wear your favorite jewelry, and lengthened ears can make you look older. If you have stretched or torn earlobes that are distracting, plastic surgery may be the solution. Come see our team at Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC to explore your options. Call our plastic surgery center in Atlanta to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stong, our board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
