Some of the conditions we treat are partially or totally torn earlobes, keloid scars of earlobes, elongated earlobes, or earlobes with a fold or crease in them. Earlobe repair or rejuvenation can be a simple but very rewarding procedure. Torn earlobes usually occur to women who either have worn heavy earrings or had a child pull on their earrings. An earlobe could be torn partially or totally, and the surgical treatment is adjusted to the nature of the problem.
This technique can also apply to people with keloid scars on their earlobes after having an ear piercing. For the patient who is bothered by a protruding or elongated earlobe, which usually comes with age, then a wedge of the skin may be removed, thus shortening the earlobe. If a crease appears in the middle of the earlobe and creates a fold, NYC double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rokhsar injects the ear with Restylane or Radiesse can solve the problem for months to years, but not permanently.
An initial consultation is set-up where we discuss your options, and whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. Since this is an in-office procedure, preparation is minimal. Since the ear has an excellent blood supply, patients are encouraged to stop medications that cause bleeding, such as aspirin, or aspirin products such as Ibuprofen, a week before this procedure. Mild to moderate pain is alleviated with local anesthesia.
In most pierced ears, the pierced hold gradually enlarges over time. If it tears, the final tear is usually just through a tiny piece of tissue at the bottom of the lobe. In this case, an immediate repair will not take care of the skin covered slot, so reconstruction is delayed until after the wound has healed and inflammation has diminished. However, if the tear starts from a tiny pierced hold, immediate repair is an option.
Depending on the deformity, torn earlobe repair in NYC can take different forms. In all methods, the skin lining the slot is removed creating a raw edge to rebuild. When tissue has been lost, however, the procedure is more complicated, and reconstruction involves creating normal proportions around a somewhat small ear.
* Results May Vary
Torn earlobes are a common problem for those with pierced ears. A partial or complete earlobe tear can result from over-usage of heaving earrings that stretch the earlobe.
Reconstruction can be performed in a variety of ways depending on the tear.
The Z-plasty and L-shape technique are effective in avoiding a “W” shape at the end of the earlobe. A straight excision scar may shorten over time as it heals, pulling the bottom of the earlobe upwards to create a “W” shape. Using the Z-plasty and L-shape effect can work to avoid that issue and leave a cleaner, less noticeable scar.
Earlobe repair surgery is a common in-office surgical procedure that can be performed to fix earlobe tearing, stretching, or sagging earlobes. The most common cause of torn earlobes is wearing heavy earring for long periods which stretch the hole over time. The procedure begins with the ears being marked for repair. Then, a local anesthetic is injected into the earlobe that makes the lobe numb for around two hours. A surgical incision is made along the inside border of the lobe exposing fresh tissue. The ear lobe is then carefully stitched in the front and back. If the tear is not a complete vertical tear and only the hole is enlarged, then the split-lobe repair surgery involves removing the damaged ear piercing tract surgically and suturing together the outer and inner layers of freshly exposed skin. Stitches are usually left in place for 1-2 weeks. A new hole can be placed in the desired area of the earlobe a month after surgery. Dr. Rokhsar has treated hundreds of split or tone earlobes over the years with hundreds of happy patients.
The cost of earlobe repair surgery can vary depending on various factors such as the extent of surgery needed, the experience of the surgeon, and the location of the practice. The ultimate cost of a poorly done repair can be much higher, as it may require more involved revision surgery. Therefore, it’s essential to choose an experienced and reputable surgeon who can perform the procedure effectively. Dr. Rokhsar is double board certified in dermatology and surgery and is a professor at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC where he teaches the residents.
The recovery from earlobe surgery is usually easy without pain. Sutures are usually removed about 7-14 days after the surgery. While individual healing times may vary, the earlobes should be fully healed in about 4-6 weeks so that a new hole can be placed in the right location with an earlobe piercing gun. During this time, it’s important to avoid wearing heavy earrings or engaging in any activities that could impact your results.
Upper East Side Manhattan Office
121 East 60th Street, Suite 8AB New York, NY 10022
(212) 285-1110
Long Island Office
901 Stewart Ave, Suite 240, Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 512-7616
Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, MD, FAAD, FAACS, is the founder and medical director of the New York Cosmetic, Skin, & Laser Surgery Center. Dr. Rokhsar is a graduate of Harvard College and NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Rokhsar is double board certified in dermatology and micrographic dermatologic surgery, being one of the few select dermatologists in the country who is also fellowship trained in laser surgery. A researcher and innovator, Dr. Rokhsar is the creator of the non-surgical nose job and has been instrumental in the research and development of laser systems such as the Fraxel, CO2, Mirady, Vbeam, Themitight, and Ulthera devices. An Associate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, Dr. Rokhsar actively teaches the cosmetic dermatology clinic to the resident at Mount Sinai. An expert injector of fillers, and a trainer for many companies, patients fly in from around the world to see Dr. Rokhsar in his Garden City and Manhattan offices in New York.
Dr. Rokhsar was chosen by
magazine as a top dermatologist in its Best Doctors 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 issues.
