Ear gauges may have felt like a good idea at first, but might be something you’re having second thoughts about now. Worse still, your earlobes may be damaged due to your gauges. We offer earlobe repair services to help restore your ears and help you feel beautiful again. Schedule an appointment in McLean & Potomac Dermatology to learn more today.
What Causes Torn Earlobes?
Torn earlobes can occur in a number of ways. Some of the most common causes are lacerations, tears, bites, and other forceful motions. The elasticity and vascularity of most ears allow individuals to stretch them far beyond their standard size without the risk of tearing. However, stretching your ears beyond 8mm causes them to enter “the point of no return.” Past this level, stretched ears lose the ability to shrink back to regular size. Once this happens, tears become much more likely.
What to Expect During Earlobe Repair
Surgical torn earlobe repair treatments take less than an hour to complete. This process first involves an examination of the size and elasticity of your earlobes. After getting a thorough assessment, we will apply a local anesthetic to prevent discomfort, and the surgery begins. The surgery involves making several incisions and then suturing earlobe skin to return it to its normal size.
Results of Earlobe Repair Surgery
After your repair procedure, your scar may take about three months to heal. However, the treatment itself requires no downtime, and no medication is needed after surgery. Some aching and mild discomfort may be experienced as your body heals. As with any surgical procedure, earlobe surgery carries some risks, which we will discuss during your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes earlobes to stretch permanently, and when do they require surgical repair?
While earlobes are highly elastic, stretching them beyond 8mm typically crosses “the point of no return,” where the skin loses its ability to naturally shrink back. Past this size, or if the lobe suffers forceful trauma like a tear, laceration, or bite, surgical repair is required to restore the earlobe to its original shape.
What should I expect during a professional earlobe repair procedure?
Earlobe repair is a quick, in-office surgical procedure that takes less than an hour. After assessing your earlobe’s size and elasticity, our providers apply a local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel discomfort. The surgeon then makes precise incisions and utilizes sutures to carefully reshape and close the skin.
What is the recovery process like, and will there be permanent scarring?
The procedure requires no downtime, and no post-surgery medication is needed, though you may feel mild aching as you heal. While the surgical scar takes about three months to fully heal and fade, the treatment successfully restores the normal size and natural appearance of your earlobe.
Schedule Earlobe Repair in McLean, VA, or Potomac, MD
If you have torn earlobes, we’re here to help. We provide earlobe repair services to help restore your ears to the way they used to be. Connect with our team in McLean or Potomac today to get the care you deserve.
You can reach us and learn more about our earlobe repair procedures by messaging us on this site or calling us at (703) 356-5111.
