Earlobe Repair
Torn or damaged earlobes can impact your appearance, confidence, and ability to express your unique style. Fortunately, earlobe repair surgery offers a minimally invasive solution to restore the natural shape and balance of your ears. Whether you’ve developed a split earlobe from heavy earrings, stretched your lobes through gauging, or simply want to correct elongated holes or excess skin, earlobe repair surgery can be personalized to your specific needs. This minor cosmetic procedure is highly effective for repairing torn earlobes, correcting stretched earlobes, or addressing lobes affected by aging or trauma.
At Warrington Facial Plastic Surgery in Glendale, AZ, Dr. Stephanie Warrington offers expert earlobe surgery, focusing on both form and function. As a board-certified ENT and fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon, she specializes in soft tissue procedures of the face and neck, including earlobe reconstruction, reshaping, and reduction. Schedule a consultation for earlobe repair to find the right solution for your aesthetic goals.
The procedure typically lasts less than an hour using local anesthesia
Return to light activities the same or next day
Repairs and restores normal contours to the affected earlobe
Designed to minimize scarring and blend seamlessly with surrounding skin
Ears can be re-pierced once the area heals completely
Earlobe repair surgery is a minor surgical procedure that corrects torn earlobes, stretched earlobes, or gauged earlobes. It involves removing scar tissue or excess skin from the damaged area, reshaping the lobe, and closing the opening with absorbable sutures or fine stitches to promote minimal scarring.
This type of ear surgery can address various causes of earlobe damage, including trauma from heavy jewelry, stretched earlobe piercings over time, or the natural thinning of tissue that occurs with age. Some patients seek earlobe reduction surgery to improve the proportions of large earlobes or to remove stretched skin from prior ear gauging.
The earlobe repair procedure is performed in-office using a local anesthetic. Once the treatment area is numb, Dr. Warrington will gently remove excess tissue or scar tissue, then suture the soft tissue into a smooth, natural shape. Small incisions are made to keep the treated area discreet and well-contoured.
Most patients describe the experience as comfortable, and the procedure typically lasts less than an hour. You’ll be given post-operative instructions, which may include keeping your head elevated, applying antibiotic ointment, and avoiding activities such as swimming or using a hot tub until the skin has healed. With these simple precautions, you'll be able to return to most of your regular routine quickly.
Earlobe surgery can be used to treat a wide range of aesthetic and functional concerns, including:
If you're unsure whether your concern is suitable for earlobe repair surgery, Dr. Warrington can assess the affected earlobe during your consultation and help you determine the right approach.
Earlobe repair surgery is a minor procedure that can offer a significant improvement in how you feel about your appearance. For many patients, the ability to wear earrings again, without discomfort, self-consciousness, or fear of further tearing, is reason enough to seek treatment. Whether the damage was caused by heavy jewelry, gauging, or aging, the procedure provides a discreet and lasting solution. Most patients see improved symmetry and a refined contour with minimal scarring. Once fully healed, the ears can be safely re-pierced. It’s a small, in-office treatment that can have a lasting impact on both your appearance and your self-confidence.
Most patients in good health are candidates for earlobe repair surgery. If you’ve stopped wearing heavy earrings due to a stretched or torn earlobe, or you’ve had ear gauging and now want a more refined look, this procedure may be right for you.
During your earlobe repair consultation, Dr. Warrington will review your medical history and evaluate your skin type, anatomy, and goals. You should avoid blood-thinning medications before surgery unless cleared by your physician. Those with a history of keloid scarring or unusual healing may require a modified surgical approach.
Recovery after earlobe repair surgery is typically a straightforward process. You’ll go home the same day with small bandages over the repaired area. Discomfort is minimal and can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications. Most patients return to work or light activity within one to two days.
Sutures are typically removed approximately one week after the procedure. To ensure the area heals smoothly, Dr. Warrington will instruct you to avoid wearing earrings, touching the treated area, or exposing it to excess moisture. Once the area is fully healed (usually within 6–8 weeks), most patients can re-pierce their ears in a more suitable location. Dr. Warrington will provide guidance on when it is safe to do so.
Once the skin has healed, you’ll see a restored, natural-looking earlobe that blends seamlessly with your other features. Whether the goal is to repair torn or stretched earlobes, improve symmetry, reduce earlobe size, or safely wear earrings again, the results are permanent as long as the area is not re-injured.
Re-piercing is often possible after the surgical site is fully healed. Many patients are thrilled to return to wearing jewelry they previously avoided.
Dr. Stephanie Warrington brings a rare dual training in ENT and facial plastic surgery, making her uniquely qualified to perform delicate, soft-tissue procedures like earlobe reshaping and reconstruction. Every earlobe repair procedure is performed with precision and a deep understanding of both facial structure and aesthetic balance.
As a Phoenix native, Dr. Warrington is dedicated to providing safe, high-quality facial plastic surgery to Glendale and its surrounding communities. You don’t have to drive to Scottsdale for expert care—exceptional results are available right here, close to home.
A small scar will remain, but it will fade with time. Dr. Warrington employs precise techniques and minimizes scarring through small incisions whenever possible.
Yes. Many patients opt to combine earlobe reshaping with procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, or other treatments. Just mention your goals during the consultation.
You can typically return to work the same or the next day. You’ll need to keep the head elevated, avoid strenuous exercise, and skip hot tubs or swimming for about a week.
Earlobe repair is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. Financing options, such as CareCredit, are available for eligible patients.
Yes, most patients can safely re-pierce their ears once the earlobe is fully healed, usually in 6 to 8 weeks. Dr. Warrington can recommend the best placement for the new piercing to avoid repeat damage.
