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Number 5 Surgical Dermatology (Non-Cancer Procedures)

Number 1 Skin Cancer & Pre-Cancer Care
Number 1 Medical Dermatology
(Chronic & Inflammatory Skin Diseases)
Number 3 Pigment & Lesion Disorders
Number 4 Non-Cancer Growths
Number 5 Surgical Dermatology (Non-Cancer Procedures)
Number 6 Cosmetic Dermatology
Earlobe Repair PDF

• Earlobe Repair

(Repair of torn or stretched earlobes, including split piercing holes)

What Is Earlobe Repair?

Earlobe repair is a minor in-office procedure that fixes:

  • Split or torn earlobes (often from heavy earrings or trauma)

  • Stretched piercing holes

  • Elongated earring holes

  • Gauged earlobes that you want closed or reduced

The goal is to restore a more natural earlobe shape and improve comfort and appearance.

Why Do Earlobes Split or Stretch?

Common causes include:

  • Long-term use of heavy earrings

  • Accidental pulling (children, pets, clothing, hairbrushes)

  • Trauma to an existing piercing

  • Gauges or plugs that stretch tissue over time

 

What to Expect During the Procedure

Earlobe repair is usually performed in the office with local numbing medicine.

In general:

  1. The earlobe is cleaned and numbed

  2. The edges of the torn or stretched area are carefully prepared

  3. The earlobe is closed with small stitches to restore shape

  4. A bandage is applied

Most patients feel pressure but not pain once numb.

Pre-Op Instructions (Before Earlobe Repair)

1–2 weeks before

  • Tell us if you take:

    • Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, etc.)

    • Aspirin or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)

⚠️ Do not stop prescription blood thinners unless your prescriber instructs you.

  • Let us know if you have:

    • History of keloids or thick scarring

    • Allergies to adhesives, antiseptics, or numbing medicine

    • A history of frequent skin infections

One week before
  • Stop drinking alcohol (due to blood thinning effect of alcohol)
  • stop smoking
  • stop fish oil supplement
  • avoid optional aspirin and NSAIDS: Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), Naproxen (Aleve®), Aspirin (Bayer®), etc…
Day of procedure

  • Eat normally (no fasting needed)

  • Arrive with clean ears (no makeup, lotion, or oils on the earlobes)

  • Avoid wearing earrings to the appointment

  • If you dye your hair, try to do it before the procedure (to avoid irritation during healing)

Post-Op Instructions (After Earlobe Repair)

What’s normal

  • Mild swelling, tenderness, and redness for a few days

  • Small amount of spotting on the bandage

  • Itching as the skin heals

Wound care

  • Keep the bandage on and dry for 24 hours (unless instructed otherwise)

  • After 24 hours:

    • Clean gently with mild soap and water

    • Pat dry

    • Apply ointment if instructed

    • Cover with a clean bandage as directed

  • Avoid soaking (pools/hot tubs/baths) until healed

Activity & protection

  • Avoid sleeping directly on the repaired side if possible

  • Avoid pulling on the earlobe (be careful with hairbrushes, masks, headphones)

  • Do not wear earrings until cleared

Stitch removal

  • If non-dissolving stitches are used, removal is often around 5–10 days (timing varies)

When can I re-pierce?

  • Re-piercing is usually allowed only after the earlobe is fully healed—often 6–12 weeks (sometimes longer depending on your healing and scar tendency).

  • Re-piercing should be placed slightly away from the scar to reduce risk of re-tear.

(Your clinician will provide the exact timing for your situation.)

Call the Office If You Notice

  • Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or worsening pain

  • Pus-like drainage, bad odor, or fever

  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10–15 minutes of firm pressure

  • The incision opens or stitches loosen

Frequently Asked Questions

Does earlobe repair hurt?

You may feel a brief pinch/burn from the numbing injection. After that, most patients feel pressure but no sharp pain.

Yes, a small scar is expected. We use fine stitches and provide aftercare instructions to help the scar heal as smoothly as possible.

Yes—most split earlobes can be repaired. The exact technique depends on how the tear looks and whether there is missing tissue.

Often, yes. The approach depends on how stretched the tissue is and your goal (close completely vs reduce size).

Many earlobe repairs take about 30–60 minutes, depending on whether one or both earlobes are repaired.

You should not wear earrings until your clinician clears you. Re-piercing is typically delayed until full healing.

Re-tears can happen, especially if heavy earrings are worn or if re-piercing is too close to the scar. We’ll guide safe re-piercing placement and earring choices.