Earlobes are the perfect spot to show off your favorite diamond studs or display your personal sense of style. When they are misshapen or become damaged, it can significantly affect your confidence in your appearance as well as your ability to wear your pet accessories. Prominent ears can disrupt the natural balance of the face and attract unwanted attention including teasing and bullying.
In some cases, lobes are too large or hang low, making the ears look disproportionate overall. Other times, the lobes may become damaged due to regular wear or injury to the ear. While these problems are primarily cosmetic, they can have a substantial impact on your self-confidence. No matter the reason for dissatisfaction in your lobes, there are surgical options available to correct damage, enhance the shape and create balance to the facial structure.
What is Earlobe Reduction?
Dr. Barrett offers surgical earlobe reduction for men and women that were either born with oversized earlobes or have seen them lengthen over time. This procedure can be performed in two different ways. One technique involves the excision of a small wedge from the lobe so the edges can be stitched together to create a more attractive shape. The other option is to remove the lower portion of the lobe using an incision at the bottom of the ear that ensures scarring after surgery is virtually unnoticeable.
What is Earlobe Repair?
Earlobe repair is an option for patients that have experienced damage to the lobe. The most frequent culprit is tearing at an earring hole or stretching of the hole due to heavy earrings. Patients that have had plugs or gauges may also seek earlobe repair to close the enlarged gap when they are finished wearing these accessories. The only way to fix this damage is through plastic surgery designed to restructure the earlobe and produce a natural appearance.
Is Earlobe Surgery Right for You?
There are a variety of reasons why you might consider earlobe surgery. Some of the concerns addressed through this treatment include:
- Enlarged earlobes due to a congenital condition or intentional earlobe stretching
- Earlobes that have become torn or damaged due to heavy earrings or other injuries
- Earlobes that are distinctly different in size or shape
- Lobes that are cleft or completely torn, affecting the appearance of the ear
- Inability to wear earrings due to damage to the lobes
This procedure tends to work best on individuals that do not have a history of keloid formation. This type of raised scar commonly appears on and around the ears and can grow to be quite unsightly. If you have experienced keloid scarring in the past, Dr. Barrett will discuss that history with you to determine whether there is a way to correct your lobes and minimize your risk for keloids.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
While your earlobes may not seem like a prominent part of your facial anatomy, correction can have a profound impact on your overall appearance. However, it is critical that you work with a plastic surgeon that has extensive experience in torn earlobe repair or earlobe reduction. Keep in mind the scarring from this surgery may be very visible and a skilled surgeon will be able to minimize the appearance with proper techniques. In addition, you want a surgeon with substantial knowledge of facial proportion to ensure your outcome is natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Earlobe Surgery Overview
During your consultation, Dr. Barrett will examine your ears and determine how they can be restructured and reshaped to blend more attractively with the rest of your facial features. He usually performs earlobe repair and reduction in his office using a local anesthetic. When ear surgery is performed on younger patients, general anesthesia may be recommended. These procedures are tailored to the individual needs of the patient and generally take just a few minutes to complete for each ear.
After Earlobe Surgery
Most patients are pleasantly surprised and the speed and comfort of the recovery process after earlobe repair or reduction. Pain medication may be needed for the first day or two, but discomfort is relatively minimal after this process. You should be able to resume your activities within a few days, although rigorous exercise will likely be restricted for longer to give the ears ample time for complete healing. If you choose to pierce your ears after your surgery, that can usually be done after about two months.
Enhancing Your Appearance
Earlobe surgery offers dramatic, long-lasting results that provide balance and symmetry to the entire face. This procedure is quick, and recovery typically only takes a few days. If you are interested in learning more about your option in earlobe repair and reduction, contact Barrett Plastic Surgery today at 310-598-2648.
The information about earlobe reduction (earlobe repair) was reviewed by Dr. Daniel Barrett. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.