Cosmetic surgery
to
repair
a
torn
earlobe
is a
frequent
occurrence.
Piercing
an
earlobe
puts
it at
risk
to
tear.
The
size,
style
and
weight
of an
earring
can
contribute
to
the
stretching
of
the
earlobe
opening.
Large
earrings
that
dangle
are
caught
on
clothing
or
grasped
by a
child.
The
result
may
be a
partially
or
completely
torn
earlobe.
Repair
of a
torn
earlobe
occurs
in
the
plastic
surgery
office
setting
using
a
local
anesthetic.
The
procedure
consists
of
"freshening"
the
edges
of
the
split
and
placement
of
sutures
to
complete
the
repair
of
the
earlobe.
Keloids
are a
common
skin
care
issue
on
the
ear
lobes
for
African
Americans
and
Hispanics.
They
can
be
easily
treated
by
being
surgically
removed
and
followed
by
corticosteroid
injections
as
well
as
pressure
earrings
to
prevent
their
recurrence.
Torn
Earlobe
Repair
Procedure
In
most
pierced
ears,
the
pierced
hole
gradually
enlarges
over
time.
If it
tears,
the
final
tear
is
usually
just
through
a
tiny
piece
of
tissue
at
the
bottom
of
the
lobe.
In
this
case,
immediate
repair
will
not
take
care
of
the
skin
covered
slot,
so
reconstruction
is
delayed
until
after
the
wound
has
healed
and
inflammation
has
diminished.
However,
if
the
tear
starts
from
a
tiny
pierced
hole,
immediate
repair
is an
option.
Depending
on
the
deformity,
reconstruction
can
take
different
forms.
In
all
methods,
the
skin
lining
the
slot
is
removed
creating
a raw
edge
to
rebuild.
When
tissue
has
been
lost,
however,
the
procedure
is
more
complicated,
and
reconstruction
involves
creating
normal
proportions
around
a
somewhat
small
ear.
After
Your
Ear
Lobe
Repair
Procedure
Sutures
are
removed
1 - 2
weeks
after
the
repair
procedure.
A
thin
layer
of
antibiotic
ointment
is
the
only
dressing
applied
in
most
cases.
A
little
drainage
from
the
wound
is to
be
expected.
How
soon
can I
wear
earrings
after
surgery?
You
should
wait
six
months
after
surgery
before
wearing
earrings.
The
scar
should
be
soft
before
you
get
your
lobe
re-pierced,
approximately
three
months
after
the
earlobe repair.
