Earlobe Repair/Reduction

Piercing of the earlobe has been fashionable for centuries and sometimes the tiny hole isn’t so tiny anymore. Heavy earrings may stretch the opening and large, loopy earrings are vulnerable to accidental pulling. Over time, the diameter of the tunnel through which the post is inserted may enlarge or be torn.

Every earlobe deformity is unique and surgical treatment is designed to give the best possible cosmetic improvement by excising a small, pie shaped piece of flesh that includes the exaggerated hole. If an additional piercing site is too nearby, it is often included in the removal process. Next, the fresh edges of the adjacent flesh are sutured back together, restoring appropriate aesthetics.

Gauges may stretch local soft tissue more than desired and, in some cases, downsizing and surgical revision may be indicated; patients entering military or law enforcement careers often request full earlobe restoration. In each scenario, Dr. Wetherington will make the best possible use of your available soft tissue to close the defect and restore a normal contour to your ear.

After surgery, you can help restore a supple texture to the earlobe by frequently massaging the scar. Our recommendation is to wait at least 12 weeks before re-piercing the earlobe. Dr. Wetherington will painlessly accomplish this using local anesthesia. Soon, you will have your beautiful earlobes sparkling again.

Dr. Wetherington is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He is a former President of the Georgia Society of Plastic Surgeons.