Torn earlobe repair is a minor, in-office surgical procedure to correct a split, stretched, or fully torn earlobe. Whether the injury was caused by a snagged earring, the weight of heavy earrings over time, or the result of past gauging, this simple treatment can restore the natural contour of your earlobe. Dr. Goldberg performs this quick and precise repair, allowing you to once again wear earrings with confidence and comfort.
Earlobes can tear for several reasons, including:
Traumatic Pulling: An earring getting caught on clothing, a child's hand, or a telephone receiver.
Heavy Earrings: The gradual stretching of the piercing hole from the long-term wear of heavy earrings.
Sleeping in Earrings: Constant pressure or pulling during sleep can slowly enlarge the hole.
Gauged Earlobes: A conscious decision to stretch the lobe that you now wish to reverse.
Accidental Tugging: Catching an earring during sports or other physical activities.
You are likely a perfect candidate for this procedure if you have:
A partially or completely split earlobe.
A stretched or elongated piercing hole.
A desire to reverse the effects of ear gauging.
Good general health without active infection in the area.
The patience to allow the lobe to heal before re-piercing.
Dr. Goldberg performs torn earlobe repair right in our office under local anesthesia, ensuring you are completely comfortable and feel no pain. The entire process is typically completed in about 30 minutes or less per lobe.
The Process:
The area is thoroughly cleansed, and a local anesthetic is injected to numb the earlobe.
Dr. Goldberg carefully trims away the old, healed skin lining the tear, creating fresh, healthy edges.
He then meticulously sutures the edges of the lobe together using extremely fine stitches.
The Goldberg Difference: His focus is on creating a smooth, natural-looking contour that blends seamlessly with the rest of your earlobe, leaving a barely noticeable fine-line scar.
Recovery from earlobe repair is remarkably easy and straightforward.
Immediately After: You will leave with a small bandage. There is no downtime, and you can return to most normal activities right away.
The First Week: You may have minor swelling or bruising. Dr. Goldberg will provide simple care instructions to keep the area clean. Stitches are typically removed in 5-7 days.
Healing Timeline: The lobe will be tender for a few weeks as it heals. The scar will mature and fade over several months.
Re-piercing: You can have your ears re-pierced once the lobe is fully healed, usually about 6-8 weeks after the repair procedure. Dr. Goldberg can often perform this for you as well.
While seemingly simple, earlobe repair requires a cosmetic surgeon's eye to ensure a beautiful, symmetrical result.
Cosmetic Expertise: As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Goldberg approaches every procedure with an artist's eye for detail and symmetry, ensuring your repaired lobe looks natural.
Precision and Care: He uses the finest sutures and techniques to minimize scarring, a level of detail not always found in urgent care or other general settings.
Comfort and Convenience: Performed in our private, comfortable office, this procedure is quick, affordable, and resolves a common frustration with permanent results.
Comprehensive Service: From repair to future re-piercing, we provide a complete solution for your earlobe concerns.