Earlobes may begin to droop and hang loosely below the ear as part of the normal aging process or from years of wearing heavy earrings or gauges. Torn or droopy earlobes can be repaired, resized or reshaped by removing excess tissue, which can be performed as a simple, in-office procedure.
What To Expect: Ear Lobe Repair Surgery
Your Water’s Edge Dermatology surgeon will use local anesthesia to numb the earlobe. Then, the surgeon will trim damaged skin, reshape the lobe, and close the incision with fine sutures. For major stretching, the tissue may be rearranged.
The procedure usually takes an hour or less per ear.
Downtime for this surgery is minimal. Our Water’s Edge patients often resume light activity quickly, although we advise patients to avoid strenuous exercise for a few days. Stitches are typically removed in about a week, and the swelling will go away in one or two weeks. Complete healing from the surgery will take a few weeks.
You can expect permanent restoration of natural ear shape, though if you continue to wear heavy jewelry, it’s possible to damage your lobes again. Re-piercing of the ear lob is possible after about three months.