Ear Lobe Repair
Torn earlobe repair, also known as earlobe reconstruction, is a cosmetic procedure designed to repair and restore the appearance of earlobes that have been torn, stretched, or damaged. This common issue can result from heavy earrings, trauma, or gauges, leading to discomfort and self-consciousness.
Causes of Torn Earlobes
Heavy Earrings: Over time, wearing heavy earrings can stretch and eventually tear the earlobe.
Trauma: Accidents, such as snagging an earring on clothing or being pulled by a child, can cause sudden tears.
Gauges: The use of gauges or plugs to stretch the earlobe can lead to permanent elongation and tearing.
The Procedure
Torn earlobe repair is a relatively simple and quick procedure performed under local anesthesia. Here’s what to expect:
Consultation: During your initial consultation, our surgeon will evaluate the extent of the damage and discuss your goals and expectations. A personalized treatment plan will be created.
Preparation: On the day of treatment, the area will be cleaned, and local anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
Repair: Dr Jadoon will remove any damaged tissue and carefully suture the earlobe back together, ensuring minimal scarring and a natural contour.
Recovery: The procedure typically takes about 30-60 minutes. You can go home immediately afterward. Most patients experience minimal discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Aftercare and Recovery
Healing: Initial healing occurs within a week, but complete healing and final results may take several months.
Stitches: Sutures are usually removed within 5-7 days after the procedure.
Activity: Avoid heavy lifting, rigorous activities, and any pressure on the earlobe during the healing process.
Re-piercing: If you wish to re-pierce your earlobe, it is recommended to wait at least 2-3 months after the treatment to ensure full healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local anaesthetic is injected with a very fine needle; once the area is numb, the process involves the removal of stretched or torn skin edges using radio-wave procedure or CO2 laser. Thereon, the skin is sutured together using delicate sutures and tissue glue. The emphasis of this procedure is on restoring the natural shape of the earlobes.
This procedure usually takes between 40 to 60 minutes to perform.
We routinely perform this procedure under safe doses of local anaesthesia while the patient is conscious.
We also offer this procedure under Twilight Sedation at an accredited day hospital in Subiaco, in case the patient prefers to be asleep during the procedure. (Additional costs are associated with this option.)
Treatment area is fully anaesthetised using local anaesthetic prior to the procedure.
Patients can go home straight after the procedure and do not require post-procedure hospital admission or monitoring.
In the majority of cases, the incision scars are barely noticeable and begin to fade quickly within a few weeks.
At DermAesthetics™, we have the most extensive range of Fractional CO2 Lasers to help reduce any scarring, whether related to a procedure or trauma.
Patients may experience some numbness in the treated area after the procedure. However, this effect will disappear with time.
Most patients can return to office-based work within 5 to 10 days. We recommend at least two weeks off if your work involves heavy physical activity or travelling. A Medical Certificate can be organised, which will not mention the name of your procedure.
Light activity is suitable after 72 hours, while light exercise is usually acceptable after two weeks provided recovery is going well.
Like any surgical procedure, this procedure comes with possible risks and complications that include, but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Over-correction
- Inadequate correction
- Swelling and discomfort
- Delayed healing and unfavourable scarring
- Prolonged numbness
- Temporary skin discolouration in the incision lines
Very high quantities of local anesthesia are known to cause systemic toxicity which can result in cardiovascular compromise.
At DermAesthetics, all procedures carried out under local anaesthesia are done using a minimal amount of local anaesthetic agent to ensure patient safety.
To be considered suitable for undergoing any elective cosmetic procedure, you have to:
- Be physically fit and active
- Have a balanced and healthy diet
- Be of sound emotional/mental health
- Have realistic expectations of the outcome
People unfit to undergo this procedure are:
- Physically unwell with pre-existing medical conditions
- Those with a history of keloid scarring
- Those with unrealistic expectations
- Those who are going through emotional stress and trauma
- Those we are unable or unwilling to follow a healthy lifestyle (regarding their exercise and diet) after the procedure.
Ensure that you avoid blood-thinning medication such as Nurofen, Aspirin, Heparin and Warfarin. Please discuss this with your General Practitioner in detail and make sure you are aware of any side effects of your current medication.
Herbal medication and nutritional supplements such as St John’s Wart, garlic, ginger, ginseng, fish oil, and homeopathic or herbal tonics should also be ceased for at least two weeks before your procedure. These substances are known for their potential to thin blood and as such, may cause excessive bleeding during and after the procedure.
It is imperative that you follow the pre-surgical instructions given to you by our staff. Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are two primary culprits when it comes to increasing potential risks associated with any procedure. Please avoid these harmful agents for at least two weeks (or more) before your procedure.
Consumption of alcohol and cigarettes:
- Interfere with the body's natural healing processes
- Increase the pain and discomfort associated with any operation
- Increase the risk of potential complications such as bleeding, wound infection and scarring
- Prolong the recovery time.
In clinical practice, we have found that a herbal substance called Arnica is helpful in reducing bleeding during or after the procedure. It also aids healing and minimises bruising. This naturally occurring herb is available in the form of oral supplements and is found in most health food stores and pharmacies in Australia.
Above all, a healthy lifestyle, good sleep and a balanced nutritional diet after the procedure are essential factors for optimum healing.
A cooling-off period of 2 weeks is required after your initial consultation to give you ample time to thoroughly evaluate the risks and benefits of your chosen elective cosmetic procedure.
At DermAesthetics™ we want all our patients to feel completely confident in making their decision.
The cost of earlobe repair procedure depends upon the extent of the damage.
Stretched earlobe starts from $900 for one ear, or from $1,800 for both sides.
Small tear repair starts from $400 per earlobe, or from $800 for both sides.
Consultations are $250 and redeemable towards your procedure. To secure your consultation, we require a deposit of $100, with the balance of $150 due on the day of your booking. Please call our DermAesthetics team to book your consultation, (08) 9380 6438 ext 1.
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Important
Dr Ehsan Jadoon. AHPRA Registration: MED0001586460, Medical Practitioner. MBBS, FACAM, FCPCA.
COSMETIC PROCEDURE RISKS
All cosmetic procedures carry risks. Before considering any treatment, please seek independent opinions from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. All images displayed on this website are the property of DermAesthetics and are of actual DermAesthetics patients. Formal consent has been obtained from the respective individuals whose images have been used. Images are for reference purposes only. Individual results may vary.