What options are available for large, elongated or stretched earlobes?
We commonly see patients with concerns of large or elongated earlobes. This can happen with age as the earlobe tissue loses structure and thins over time. Heavy earrings can cause this process to happen earlier in life or create more significant changes over time. Regardless of the cause, treatment of these concerns is focused on addressing the underlying thinning and elongation of the earlobe tissue. Surgical approaches involve carefully and meticulously removing the excess earlobe tissue.
Who is a good candidate for surgical earlobe reduction?
Patients with moderate to severe aging and elongation of the earlobes are the best candidates for earlobe reduction. Earlobe reduction procedures are performed to remove excess earlobe tissue to shorten the elongated earlobe, reshape the long earlobe or to remove stretched or torn earlobe piercings.
Can earlobe reduction be combined with other procedures?
Earlobes age at a similar rate as other parts of the face and neck. Thus, it is very common to combine earlobe reduction with facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, and many other facial plastic surgery procedures.
What are the risks of earlobe reduction or earlobe shaping surgery?
The typical risks of surgery can also occur with earlobe reduction. Dr. Weber strives to place incisions in an area of the earlobe where they will camouflage well. Normally, this involves hiding incisions behind the ear where they will not be visible. In some cases, incisions must be placed on the outer surface of the earlobe to remove a small “wedge” of excess skin or a stretched earlobe piercing. These incisions are created and repaired very carefully and typically heal without any noticeable incisions. In rare cases, if the scar is pink or not smooth, it can be treated with a pulsed dye LASER to reduce redness or a fractional CO2 LASER to further smooth the incisions. It is exceptionally rare to need to revise or surgically remove an incision on the earlobe.
Asymmetries are found in all of our faces and earlobes. Dr. Weber carefully uses a caliper instrument to measure the length and shape of the earlobes. He also takes high definition photos of your earlobes to look at the overall shape, contour, size and symmetry of your earlobes to further refine the plan for your earlobe reduction surgery. The measurements and the photo information is combined to devise a comprehensive plan for your procedure.
Can an earlobe reduction procedure be “touched up?”
Yes. Although very rare, an earlobe reduction or earlobe refinement procedure can be touched up or improved upon. Most often this involves a LASER resurfacing procedure to smooth incisions or to blend in an incision that is noticeable. In rare cases, additional earlobe tissue can be removed to further refine or improve upon the symmetry of the result.
How much “downtime” is expected after earlobe procedures?
There is usually no downtime following filler injections of the earlobes. A small bruise is possible but can be camouflaged immediately with makeup. After earlobe reduction surgery, delicate sutures stay in place for five days. Hairstyle can be used to completely camouflage the earlobe sutures during the first five days of healing. Mild pink coloration of the incisions is expected for several weeks following surgery but can also be camouflaged with makeup or tinted sunscreen as soon as the sutures have been removed.
Are there alternatives to earlobe reduction surgery?
Filler injections with products such as Juvederm or Vollure can be performed to thicken and rejuvenate the thin, atrophic, hanging earlobes of aging. Unlike surgery, which creates permanent results, filler treatments are temporary but typically last up to 18 months per treatment.
Who is a good candidate for earlobe filler treatment?
Filler injections are optimal for those with mild to moderate earlobe aging. In these cases, placement of a small amount of filler can result in dramatic improvements in the size and shape of the earlobes.
What are the risks of earlobe filler injections?
Earlobe filler treatments are very safe. In the vast majority of cases, careful cleaning and preparation of the skin will prevent infection from occurring. However, infection can result from filler treatments and could require antibiotic treatment. Even more rarely, injection of filler into the earlobe can result in blood supply problems to the earlobes and require filler removal with Hylenex (Hyaluronidase) but Dr. Weber has never seen this complication after filler injection of the earlobe.
How can I learn more?
If you’re interested in learning more about earlobe reduction and refinement procedures you can all (303) 792-2224 to speak with one of Dr. Weber’s patient coordinators or send an email to [email protected].