WHAT ARE TORN OR STRETCHED EARLOBES?
The earlobe is a thin area of skin that allows for piercing. It is also an area that is susceptible to stretching whether on purpose, known as earlobe stretching or gauging, or by natural aging or the weight of the jewelry worn which increases the diameter of the pierced hole. Others may experience trauma where an earring is “ripped” through the skin. If you have noticed earrings falling through the pierced earlobe holes or have stretched them so that the earrings are hanging even lower than they were a few years ago, board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz will be able to repair your stretched or torn earlobes.
MANY OPTIONS FOR EARLOBE REPAIR AND ENHANCEMENT
No matter the previous history of the earlobe, board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz can repair torn or stretched earlobes.
Dr. Schwartz classifies an earlobe deformity into four different categories:
1) Mild Earlobe Enlargement- Most clients will state that some of the earrings, particularly posts, are able to fit through the pierced earlobe hole. Depending on the size of the hole, Dr. Schwartz prefers to treat this nonsurgically with dermal hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane. These fillers give more support to the existing tissue. However, they are temporary and will need to be refilled.
2) Moderate Earlobe Enlargement- This is when the earlobe is stretched enough to be able to see through it, but there is also a good amount of tissue or support at the base. Dr. Schwartz prefers to repair this surgically by removing the skin only on the inside of the piercing and closing it together. This can better hide the scar so it is not visible around the earlobe.
3) Severe Earlobe Enlargement- The hole is extremely stretched and wide with very little skin along the base. This is most common with earlobe stretching or gauging. Dr. Schwartz repairs this surgically by removing the thin area of skin and closing the hole as a straight line.
4) Torn Earlobe- Whether by trauma or a severe earlobe enlargement that has finally pulled through. This is repaired by reapproximating the sections to create a straight-line closure.
Any of the earlobe enlargements usually can benefit from the addition of a dermal hyaluronic filler to give more support.
IN-OFFICE PROCEDURE and RECOVERY
Dr. Schwartz performs torn earlobe repair at his Beverly Hills office. He has developed numbing protocols so most patients do not feel anything during the procedure. Everyone that Dr. Schwartz has performed this on has been able to return to work the next day. Your stitches will be removed in a week. Depending upon the severity of the torn earlobe and the skin thickness, Dr. Schwartz may allow the area to be re-pierced between 3 – 6 months.
Earlobe Repair Reviews
