Earlobe Repair in Glastonbury, CT
Dr. Beam offers torn or gauged earlobe repair for patients in Glastonbury, Avon, Farmington, Hartford, Marlborough, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Simsbury, South Windsor, and surrounding areas of Connecticut.
A torn, stretched, or gauged earlobe is one of the most common cosmetic ear deformities. It can result from wearing heavy earrings, multiple ear piercings, accidents, or other forms of trauma. Regardless of the cause, an injured earlobe can be a source of frustration and self-consciousness.
How is an earlobe repair performed?
Completely torn or partially torn earlobe repairs can commonly be performed in office under local anesthesia. Dr. Beam will numb the ear using a lidocaine injection, then proceed with the repair. The repair consists of removing the healed tissue that is creating the slit or enlarged hole and suturing the skin back together to create a normal earlobe appearance.
The repair of gauged earlobes depends on where the gauge is on the ear and how large the gauge is. Generally, smaller gauged earlobes can be repaired in office, similar to a torn earlobe repair, while large gauged earlobes may need flaps and/or reconstruction to create a normal-appearing earlobe. The degree of repair may require the procedure to be done outpatient to allow for optimal patient comfort and the most favorable results.
Before the procedure begins, the earlobes are carefully measured and evaluated to ensure symmetry. It is common for earlobes to differ in size, shape, or position.
A small amount of local anesthetic is injected into the earlobe using a small needle. You may feel a brief pinch or mild burning sensation during the injection, but the earlobe will quickly become completely numb once the anesthesia takes effect. Because no sedation is used, patients can drive themselves to and from the appointment.
Once the earlobe is numb, the repair process begins. The incision is closed with non-dissolving blue sutures placed on both the front and back of the earlobe. The same process is then performed on the opposite ear if needed.
Once the procedure is completed, ointment will be applied to the incision and sutures, front and back. You will be able to see your earlobes immediately at the end of the procedure since there are no dressings or bandages needed. The earlobes will be swollen at this time.
After the procedure, we will schedule a follow-up visit for you in 7–10 days to have the sutures removed.
What if I have multiple tears?
If both ears are affected, they can be repaired at the same time. If the same ear has multiple tears, they will have to be done about 4–6 weeks apart to ensure the first repair has enough time to heal before doing the second.
What to expect?
Surgical correction is the only effective way to recreate a normal-appearing earlobe. There are no medications or other nonsurgical treatments that can repair the earlobes.
One-sided in-office earlobe repairs take approximately 1 hour, while both sides take approximately 2 hours in office.
Before the procedure begins, the earlobes are carefully measured and evaluated to ensure symmetry. It is common for earlobes to differ in size, shape, or position.
A small amount of local anesthetic is injected into the earlobe using a small needle. You may feel a brief pinch or mild burning sensation during the injection, but the earlobe will quickly become completely numb once the anesthesia takes effect. Because no sedation is used, patients can drive themselves to and from the appointment.
Once the earlobe is numb, the repair process begins. The incision is closed with non-dissolving blue sutures placed on both the front and back of the earlobe. The same process is then performed on the opposite ear if needed.
Once the procedure is completed, ointment will be applied to the incision and sutures, front and back. You will be able to see your earlobes immediately at the end of the procedure since there are no dressings or bandages needed. The earlobes will be swollen at this time.
After the procedure, we will schedule a follow-up visit for you in 7–10 days to have the sutures removed.
Earlobe Repair FAQs
Will insurance cover earlobe repair?
Are there scars from earlobe repair?
You may have slight scarring from earlobe repair, but Dr. Beam takes steps to ensure the scar is as small as possible. Postoperative care instructions will be reviewed at every visit to help ensure the scar looks its best.
How can I prevent my earlobe from tearing again?
If your earlobes tore from jewelry use, wear lighter earrings and take regular breaks from wearing them. If you must wear heavy earrings, only wear them for a short period of time and use supportive earring backs. Additionally, take precautions to avoid injuries that may cause tearing, such as changing clothes while wearing earrings. We also recommend taking out earrings before physical activity and when sleeping.
Post-Surgery Care
Following the procedure, your earlobes will be numb for approximately 2 hours. Once the numbing medication wears off, there may be minor bleeding or a mild burning sensation in the earlobes that can be easily treated with Tylenol or Motrin. This sensation usually resolves within 24 hours. You will need to apply ointment to the incision site multiple times per day. Prior to applying any ointment, we ask that you gently cleanse the area with soapy water to minimize the risk of infection.
You can shower 24 hours after the procedure. Initially, we recommend letting soapy water run over the earlobes, then as you get more comfortable, gently wash them with your fingertips. You cannot submerge your ears in water, such as in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub, until the sutures are removed.
If only one earlobe is done, we recommend sleeping on the other side for the first week. If both earlobes are done, we recommend sleeping on your back. Some patients like to sleep with a donut pillow for the first week to avoid pressure on the incision sites.
When can I get my ears re-pierced?
We recommend waiting a minimum of 3 months after the repair prior to re-piercing the ear. Waiting this amount of time ensures the tissues are healed and the scar has enough strength.
Included in your procedure is a complimentary re-piercing that we will schedule at your one-week visit.
At the piercing visit, the earlobe will be measured, and a surgical marking pen will be used to mark out the new location of the earring. Once the patient has confirmed they are happy with the placement, the ear is pierced using surgical-grade piercing jewelry. Multiple earlobe piercings can be done at one time, on the same side or both sides.