Repairing Guides

how to repair earlobe tear

by Sydnee Trantow Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Earlobe repair is performed under local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting. The real repair procedure involves cutting away of the skin lining the tear or piercing the tract, followed by removal of the excess tissue and finally suturing of the lobes back together. This usually results in a smaller earlobe.

To perform earlobe repair surgery, our doctors make an incision in each earlobe, then they remove any damaged tissue that is present. (This step generally entails removing the tissue around each earring hole.) Then, the patient's incisions are closed with sutures, which are typically removed after one to two weeks.

Full Answer

What to do if you tear your earlobe?

Your provider is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

  • When did you first experience symptoms?
  • Did you have symptoms such as pain or vertigo that cleared up?
  • Have you had ear infections?
  • Have you been exposed to loud sounds?
  • Have you been swimming or diving recently?
  • Have you recently flown?
  • Have you had head injuries?
  • Do you put anything in your ear to clean it?

How much does earlobe repair cost?

How Much Does Earlobe Repair Cost? Earlobe Repair at Nuance Facial Plastics usually costs between $900 and $1500 per ear, depending on how extensive the surgery is. This is an all-inclusive cost that covers the cost of the surgery, facility, and follow-ups.

How do you repair ear lobes?

The surgery to repair a stretched or torn earlobe can often be performed under local anesthesia. A board-certified plastic surgeon can work with the earlobe tissue to reconstruct the shape of the lobe. Unlike in a ripped or torn earlobe repair, ear gauging creates a hole where normal tissue should reside.

How to repair split earlobes without surgery?

  • The healing time is about a week.
  • There are a range of over-the-counter painkillers that usually do a good job of numbing the pain during the first few days when the pain is mostly at its peak.
  • It is best for smokers to give up smoking a month before this surgery. ...

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How do you fix a ripped ear lobe?

Unless you're intentionally stretching your earring holes with gauges, most people don't want stretched earlobes. Unfortunately, once an earring hole has been stretched or torn, there is no way to repair the hole or tear without surgery.

Can a ripped earlobe be repaired?

After the skin is removed the earlobe is sutured back together. A fully split earlobe will require more steps during surgery than a slightly ripped earlobe will. Repairing a fully torn earlobe requires removing the damaged ear piercing tract, and suturing inner and outer layers of skin together.

How long does it take for a torn earlobe to heal?

How long does earlobe repair recovery take to heal? Healing time for ear lobe repair is usually around 4-6 weeks.

Why does my ear lobe tear?

A torn or split earlobe is a fairly common complication of ear piercing. Splits and tears go from the piercing site to the inferior edge of the earlobe. The condition results from constant pulling, traction, weight, and trauma engendered by heavy earrings.

How do you fix a ripped earlobe without surgery?

Sometimes, a small portion of tissue gets torn from the ear during a traumatic injury. If this happens to you, dampen a piece of gauze or cloth and carefully wrap up the severed piece of tissue. Place the wrapped piece of earlobe on a bed of ice cubes, then drive to the nearest hospital immediately.

How much does it cost to fix a ripped earlobe?

The cost of an earlobe repair can range from $500 to $2,000. Most offices have payment options.

Do dermatologists repair torn earlobes?

Earlobe repair involves treating torn or stretched earlobes. These could occur from trauma, wearing heavy earrings or large gauge piercings. Your dermatologic surgeon uses local anesthesia to numb the area, remove the damaged skin and reconstruct the earlobe tissue so it has a more natural appearance.

How do you wear earrings with a torn earlobe?

If repair was performed without a hole, you should wait at least six months, or preferably even longer, before you pierce your ear and start putting earrings. You may wear clip on earring starting at about six weeks after procedure.

Can a dermatologist repair a torn earlobe?

Thankfully, it is possible to repair damaged earlobes, even if the damage is extensive and/or it occurred years ago. Earlobe repair surgery performed by an experienced, professional dermatologist can eliminate discomfort as well as any signs of damage.

Can your earlobe grow back?

If you previously wore gauges, the earlobe will only partially grow back together after they're removed. To fully repair the earlobe requires the help of a safe, minimally-invasive procedure. Most torn earlobes can be effectively repaired surgically. The procedure is performed with local anesthetic.

What to do if your earlobes are stretched?

If your earlobes are severely stretched or split, you’ll need to seek medical care if you want to restore their form and function. Though stretched or split earlobes that result from earring use (not injury) aren’t considered an emergency, they still require the attention of an experienced plastic surgeon.

What to do after earlobe surgery?

After you have earlobe surgery, keep your ears protected from sun exposure when you go outside (no matter what the weather is like). Ultraviolet radiation slows healing, damages collagen in the skin, and contributes to the development of thick, dark scar tissue, so avoiding it is imperative to good results.

Why do people have earlobes fixed?

Because earlobe repair surgery is quick, affordable, and generally painless, most people prefer to have their stretched earlobes fixed in our clinic, rather than having to live with them.

Why do my earrings have holes in them?

This happens due to the combined effects of gravity and collagen loss: The skin, cartilage, and connective tissues in your ears become weaker as collagen levels drop with age.

How long does it take for earlobes to heal after surgery?

Still, it’s important to understand that while your earlobes may look better after a week, deeper tissue healing takes a long time.

How long after ear piercing can you wear earrings?

Though most people can wear earrings after having their earlobes repaired, you’ll need to wait at least two months before having your ears pierced again. Wearing earrings too early during recovery will damage your earlobes; you may also experience pain and significant irritation if you pierce your ears prematurely.

How to stop bleeding from a sprained hand?

Immediately after your injury, place gauze over the wound and apply gentle pressure to slow the bleeding. (If you don’t have gauze on hand, try using a clean washcloth to control bleeding.) Don’t place ice directly on the wound; ice will restrict circulation to the area and potentially delay healing.

How much does it cost to repair earlobes?

In fact, some people decide not to get their earlobes repaired because of the price tag, which can range between $300 and $1,000 based on where you live, the type of repair you want, and whether you need both earlobes mended, Dr. Henderson says. “It completely depends on the institution or physician,” Dr. Giordano adds.

What to do if your earring is stretched?

If your earring holes are stretched because of small gauges, ask your doctor about using a punch tool for repair. This nifty machine punches out a hole that’s just a shred larger than the piercing, creating fresh, wounded skin that is then sutured together.

How long does it take to get a V in your ear?

The whole procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes per ear, Dr. Giordano says.

Can earring tears happen after piercing?

Even after the piercing has healed, though, putting too much force on that skin can cause it to stretch or even split completely . Earlobe tears can occur through accidental trauma, like when my cousin’s earring got yanked, or when your earring gets caught in your sweater as you tug it over your head.

Can a doctor repair earlobe tears?

The good news is that a doctor can repair these tears, but treatment depends on your preferences and how severe the tear is. Cosmetic surgeons perform most earlobe repairs in-office under local anesthesia, Dr. Giordano says.

Do you wear earrings during healing?

This explains your piercer’s instructions to wear earrings at all times during the healing process. “When you keep an earring long enough between the two edges, the skin epithelializes around it,” meaning that the open wound heals so it’s like the skin covering the rest of your body , Rachel Bluebond-Langner, M.D.,

Is the earlobe flexible?

Your earlobes, which are made of skin and fatty tissue, are quite strong and flexible but not as hardy as the rest of your cartilage-based ear structure, Peter W. Henderson, M.D., plastic surgeon and assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells SELF.

Who is the surgeon for earlobe repair?

If you have any questions about earlobe repair surgery in the Southwest, schedule your consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Agullo today by calling our El Paso office at 915-590-7900 or our Las Cruces office at 575-520-5041.

What happens when you split your earring?

A split that occurs in your earlobe may seem unattractive and unsightly. It can make you feel self-conscious.

Is it dangerous to wear heavy earrings?

The dangly or heavy earrings are more dangerous to your earlobe, although millions of people love to wear them. Your earlobes’ soft tissues may not be strong enough for some larger earrings, and especially if you wear them over a long period of time, the earlobe can become more vulnerable to tears or stretching.

Can earlobes be torn?

Sometimes, the earlobes are not completely torn, but the earring holes are stretched and seem to be close to impending doom. Your earlobes are comprised of fatty tissue and soft skin, which makes them a good place for piercing.

Can you repair earlobes with local anesthesia?

The technique he uses to repair your earlobe will depend on the type and severity of your tear. The good news is that earlobe tear repair can be done with just local anesthesia right in Dr. Agullo’s office, without having to endure any pain or hospitalization. Dr.

How to restore earlobes?

Fortunately, plastic surgeons like Dr. Deutsch can easily restore earlobes to their natural appearance through earlobe repair surgery. The earlobe repair procedure. An earlobe repair is an outpatient procedure, performed in Dr. Deutsch’s office. He starts the surgery by injecting local anesthesia into the ear lobe to numb the area.

What is earlobe repair?

Earlobe repair is a reconstructive plastic surgery procedure to correct split, ripped, torn, drooping, stretched-out or unusually large earlobes. While not often discussed in the media, it is one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Mark Deutsch, MD, FACS, regularly provides earlobe repair to both men and women in the Atlanta area.

What is ear gauging?

Ear gauging, also known as earlobe stretching, is a type of body piercing which involves progressively increasing the size of an earlobe hole to accommodate increasingly larger earrings. The process starts with a standard ear piercing, and then after the lobe heals, a larger piece of circular jewelry is inserted.

Why do earrings rip?

Having a piercing that’s close to the bottom of the earlobe can cause earrings to rip through the earlobe even more quickly. Additionally, the overall aging process, which causes almost all the tissues of the body to sag, can also affects the earlobe, compounding the effects of prolonged heavy earring use.

Why do people have earlobe surgery?

People opt to have earlobe repair for a variety of reasons. Some patients want to correct hereditary or congenital deformities; they may have been born with overly large or deformed earlobes, and be very self-conscious about it. More often, though, Dr. Deutsch performs this surgery to repair some type of damage to the earlobes.

What causes a tear in the bottom of the ear?

This type of injury could be caused by anything from a sports injury or getting an earring caught by a hairbrush or article of clothing, to a baby or young child pulling on an adult’s earring. The result is a vertically-oriented tear, ripping the bottom portion of the earlobe into two parts.

How long does it take to repair an earlobe?

An earlobe repair generally takes between 15 minutes to an hour for perform, depending on the severity of the damage. It is a relatively pain-free procedure. Most patients are able to drive themselves home immediately afterwards. Earlobe repair aftercare.

How long does it take for earlobes to heal?

Its only disadvantage is that it may require 2-3 sittings for total earlobe repair. Recovery. The healing time is about a week. There are a range of over-the-counter painkillers that usually do a good job of numbing the pain during the first few days when the pain is mostly at its peak.

Why do my ears tear when I wear earrings?

While the number one cause of earlobe tearing is the continued use of wearing heavy, pendulous earrings, other causes such as trauma from snagging earrings on clothes, telephone cords, hairbrushes or babies pulling earrings can also cause earlobe tearing.

How long should I wait to wear earrings after earlobe surgery?

Wearing earrings after earlobe repair. It is mostly said that waiting for a minimum month is a good enough time before putting on lightweight studs in ears.

How long does micro tape stay on earlobes?

Both the ends of the lesions are held together and the micro tape is applied and kept intact for 1week. Follow up is needed after one week, if the lesion has not healed procedure can be repeated, maximum of 3 sittings required one week apart. Read here how to treat dangling earlobes. No local anaesthesia is needed.

Can you wear heavy earrings again?

It is best to not wear heavy earrings again to avoid tearing. If you must, always wear that extra ear chain that goes all round the ear to give support to extra heavy earrings. Do listen to your surgeon properly when it comes to after-care and post-surgery maintenance. Image source: Shutterstock.

Why do I tear my earlobe?

Sometimes earlobe tears occur because your ears were pierced too low to begin with. In these cases, even a small tear can split your lobe down the middle. Other ear lobe problems include droopy or stretched-out earlobes, which also occur from the pull of heavy earrings.

What is the procedure to repair a drooping earlobe?

Ear Lobe Surgery. Ear lobe repair can correct torn, ripped, drooping and stretched-out earlobes. This is not to be confused with ear surgery (otoplasty), which is typically performed to correct large, protruding or deformed ears. Earlobe surgery is often sought by people whose ear lobes have been damaged by earrings or who wish to reverse ear lobe ...

How long does it take to get an earlobe repaired?

Earlobe surgery takes about an hour and is usually done with local anesthesia. Your time in surgery and type of anesthesia may vary based on the extent of the reconstruction. In the case of droopy or stretched ear lobes, your surgeon will excise the skin lining the tear, which reduces the size of your earlobe.

How long should I wait to wear earrings after ear surgery?

Your surgeon will advise you to wait about two months before wearing heavy earrings. There may be some minimal discomfort after your procedure, which can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Your surgeon will tell you which types of OTC medications are OK to take after ear lobe surgery.

How long do earrings stay in place after ear surgery?

In these cases, new stud earrings can be placed in the ear (s) immediately. These earrings must stay in place for about two months.

How much does it cost to repair a ear lobe?

Ear lobe repair costs about $400 to $900 per ear. If the tear is more involved, the cost can be higher. Nevertheless, the ultimate cost of a poorly done repair is higher still because a more involved revision surgery will likely be needed.

How long does it take for stitches to go away after ear surgery?

Stitches are removed after the swelling has subsided, usually within one week.

How long does it take to repair a tear in the ear?

William Long of Manhattan Dermatology can easily fix your injury. The repair procedure is done in his office and only takes about 30-60 minutes per ear.

Does skin on ears change as we get older?

As we get older, our skin begins to change. It gets thinner and more lined. This is probably not news to anyone. What you may not have considered is that the skin on your ear is no different. It isn’t immune to the degradation that happens with time. The same aging process on your face affects the skin on your ears.

Can you wear earrings after ear surgery?

After the surgery, you won't be able to wear earrings because the hole will be closed. Once your ear heals, you will be able to get it repierced in a more attractive location so that you can wear earrings again.

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