Is it possible to repair a damaged earlobe?

Earlobe repair Sydney

Earrings are a very popular form of self-expression, and many people enjoy wearing them. However, in some cases, wearing earrings may cause damage to the earlobe. Heavy earrings may stretch the earlobes downward over time. Earrings that are caught on clothing or pulled by a child may result in a torn earlobe.

There are also some people who choose to place “gauges” in the earlobe, which are round objects of gradually increasing size that are used to deliberately stretch the earlobe. While some people enjoy this look, there are some cases in which people later decide that they no longer like the look of the gauged earlobe, and would like to repair it and return it to a more natural appearance.

Will the earlobe heal on its own?

A hole in an earlobe that has been stretched (whether by heavy earrings or by a gauge) will generally shrink on its own to some degree. However, in most cases, it will not shrink completely, or even back to the size of a normal piercing, on its own. How much it shrinks depends on many factors, including how long the piercing or gauge was in place, how large it was, and over how long of a period of time it was stretched.

An earlobe that has been torn will generally heal on its own in some way, but the outcome may not be what the patient desires. The two sides may heal separately, so that there’s still a slit in the earlobe. Alternatively, the two sides may come back together, but may be uneven.

Can a damaged earlobe be repaired?

If a person is not happy with the appearance of the earlobe, a simple plastic surgery procedure can be used to repair it. In many cases, this can be conducted in the plastic surgeon’s office, under local anaesthesia. Although there will be scars on the earlobe after the repair, a highly skilled plastic surgeon can minimise these and make them as discreet as possible. Taking good care of the area after the procedure will support the healing process and help to ensure that the resulting scars have the best possible appearance.

Earlobe repair Sydney

The specifics involved in earlobe repair depend on the particular situation. If you have a stretched, torn, or gauged earlobe, and would like to learn more about what might be involved in repairing it, you will need to have an examination by a professional. If you’re in the greater Sydney area, and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Marucci at our Miranda or Kogarah offices to get more information and personalised advice, please contact us.