Earlobe Repair

What is an earlobe repair?

An earlobe repair (lobuloplasty) is a common cosmetic surgery that fixes torn, split, stretched or drooping earlobes. Your earlobe is the lower part of your outer ear.

Gravity isn’t always favorable to earlobes. Your earlobe size may increase if you wear heavy earrings. Or you may stretch your earlobes to wear larger jewelry called gauges. Your earlobes may also rip or tear due to injuries or accidents.

A plastic surgeon will perform this minor surgery on your affected ear(s). Your ears will have a more symmetrical (balanced) appearance after you heal.

What does an earlobe repair treat?

You might choose to get an earlobe repair to:

• Repair a laceration or injury that damaged your earlobe
• Connect a tear caused by ear gauging or the process of stretching the hole in your ear to wear larger jewelry
• Connect stretched-out piercing holes, often from wearing heavy earrings
• Repair your lobe after getting multiple ear piercings, piercings in the wrong location or piercings too close together

Undergoing a cosmetic procedure is a very personal decision. What leads you to choose this procedure can vary from someone else.

How common is an earlobe repair?

An earlobe repair is one of the most common procedures that a plastic surgeon performs. This means that plastic surgeons have a lot of experience repairing earlobes. In most cases, this makes the procedure quick, effective and safe.

How should I prepare for an earlobe repair?

Before an earlobe repair procedure, you’ll meet with a plastic surgeon. They’ll perform a physical examination and discuss your goals and treatment options. 

At this appointment, your provider will also ask about your:

• Health history
• Current medications and supplements you take
• Nicotine or tobacco product use

If your healthcare provider thinks an earlobe repair is right for you, they may recommend temporarily making changes to your medications or stopping the use of tobacco products until your ear heals. You should also avoid wearing jewelry or piercings on your affected earlobe before the procedure.

Your provider will examine your earlobe and consider these factors:

• The condition of your earlobe
• The health of surrounding earlobe tissue
• The size of the hole or tear in your earlobe or the amount of stretched skin

Depending on your desired look, your provider may recommend other procedures. For example, they might suggest cosmetic ear reshaping (otoplasty) instead to improve the shape, position or size of your ears if it matches your goals.

Where does an earlobe repair procedure take place?

An earlobe repair usually takes place at a healthcare specialist’s office. It’s a relatively quick outpatient procedure. This means you can go home the same day.

If you injure your earlobe in an accident, you might need immediate treatment. A surgeon may repair your earlobe at an urgent care facility or hospital emergency department if indicated.

What happens during an earlobe repair procedure?

On the day of your earlobe repair surgery, your surgeon will clean the skin on and around your ear. They’ll use a very thin needle to inject a small amount of local anesthetic into your earlobe. You may feel a slight pinch or sting, but it shouldn’t be very painful. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you will hear your provider working.

During the procedure, your provider will:

1. Make a cut (an incision) in your earlobe.
2. Remove any excess skin or scar tissue.
3. Close the incision site.

Earlobe repair stitches

Your provider will use either tiny dissolvable or removable stitches to close the incision site on your ear(s). Your provider will remove the stitches in about a week or two or the stitches will dissolve on their own in the same timeframe.

How long does an earlobe repair take?

An earlobe repair takes less than an hour to complete. The length of time varies depending on what your provider needs to do.

What are the benefits of an earlobe repair?

The benefits of an earlobe repair include:

• Being able to wear earrings again
• Boosting your self-confidence
• Improving the appearance of your ear
• Quick healing time
• Reducing your risk of severe tears and infections

What are the risks of earlobe repair?

An earlobe repair is a low-risk procedure. But as with any type of surgery, complications can happen. They include:

• Asymmetrical appearance
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Numbness
• Scars
• Sensitivity
• Skin discoloration

What happens after an earlobe repair?

After an earlobe repair, you’ll be able to go home the same day. Many people can drive themselves home, but you may ask a friend or family member to help if necessary. You should be able to get back to your regular activities shortly after the procedure if you feel up to it.

It’s normal to feel numbness around your earlobe. When the anesthetic wears off, you may have some discomfort until the area heals. Your provider will give you instructions on what pain relievers are safe to take.

You may have some bruising or swelling. This goes away in a few days.

Your provider will instruct you to return to their office in one to two weeks to remove stitches (if the stitches don’t dissolve). Your provider will also recommend applying an antibiotic ointment to the treatment area as it heals to prevent infection.

You’ll likely have a very small scar on your ear after your skin heals. How your scar looks after time depends on your skin type.

How do I take care of my earlobe after an earlobe repair?

Your provider will give you instructions on caring for your earlobe after surgery. The instructions may include:

• Don’t smoke tobacco products or drink alcoholic beverages until your earlobe heals.
• Avoid taking blood-thinning medications, NSAIDs or certain supplements until your provider approves they’re safe to take. Don’t make changes to your medications.
• Sleep with your head elevated on pillows for the first few nights.
• Keep the incision site clean, using mild soap and water.
• Be careful when putting on clothing and when using a hairbrush. Don’t make contact with your earlobe.
• Avoid putting substances like makeup and hairspray on your earlobe while it heals.
• Avoid putting your head underwater in a swimming pool or hot tub until your earlobe heals.

If you have any questions about how to care for your earlobe after surgery, contact your provider’s office.

How long does an earlobe repair take to heal?

It could take several weeks to completely heal after an earlobe repair. Your healthcare provider will let you know what your recovery time looks like, as it can vary.

Can I get my ears pierced after an earlobe repair?

Yes, you can get your ears pierced or re-pierced after an earlobe repair. Your healthcare provider will let you know how long you should wait before getting your ears pierced. On average, you may need to wait three to six months.

The new piercing should be at least 0.12 inches (3 millimeters) from the treated area. Let a professional ear piercer know that you had an earlobe repair before you get your ears pierced.

You may be able to wear clip-on earrings while your earlobe heals, but before doing so, ask your provider. To prevent reinjury, don’t wear heavy earrings.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:

• An allergic reaction, like an itchy rash
• Bruising, skin discoloration, swelling or pain that lasts for more than a week
• Bumps or nodules near the treatment site(s)
• Signs of infection or an infected ear piercing like fever, tenderness or yellow discharge

How can I fix my earlobe without surgery?

It depends. Gently stretched earlobe gauges may shrink on their own over time. It can take several months to years before you see results. Earlobes damaged after an injury may not return to how they looked before without surgery. A healthcare provider can help you find a treatment option that’s right for you.