Stretched, Split, or Gauged Earlobe Repair


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Stretched & Split Earlobe Repair in Washington, DC

Before and After Gallery *

Stretched Earlobe Repair

Stretched piercing holes are common and are caused by pressure on piercing holes by heavy earrings or simply a lifetime of light pressure exerted by small earrings. Stretched piercing holes can be improved by 2 primary methods. Very mildly stretched holes can often be supported by injection of small amounts of filler inferior to the piercing hole. This provides support to the inferior earlobe and area under the piercing hole, and is effective for patients who have ‘drooping’ of their earrings, or who do wish for permanent surgical earlobe correction at that time. This method provides temporary improvement lasting between 4-10 months on average.

A more permanent solution is surgical correction of stretched piercing holes. Surgical earlobe correction typically involves excising the entire piercing hole with a small punch biopsy followed by suturing the front and back of the resulting wound. The ear can be re-pierced in approximately 6 weeks following this procedure.

Split / Torn Earlobe Surgical Repair

Fully split earlobes are typically caused trauma and require surgery to correct. Typically, to repair a complete tear the earlobe is clamped and the skin on the inside of the split is removed, followed by careful suturing of the edges of the split portion to reform the normal plane of the earlobe. Minimal to no scarring is encountered with this method, however if any scarring occurs it can be improved dramatically with post-operative laser treatments to minimize its appearance. We recommend waiting 3 months after split earlobe repair before having the ears pierced again.

Gauged Earlobe Repair

Gauged (intentionally stretched) earlobes require surgical repair and are typically more complex to correct than standard stretched or torn piercing holes. However using advanced surgical techniques even significantly gauged earlobes can be returned to a relatively normal anatomical shape and appearance by experienced dermatologists.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Adrian to discuss earlobe repair please contact us or call 202-966-8814. Please note that earlobe repair is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance, payment is due at time of service. There is a $125 consultation fee for earlobe repair applicable towards treatment costs. 


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*Results may vary for each patient.