Earlobe Repair at MBody in Richmond and Vienna, Virginia
Ear piercings and ear gauging (the practice of placed a solid or hollow plug through stretched earlobes) have long played an importance role in the fashion world, allowing both men and women to express their individuality and creativity through their choice of earrings. Unfortunately, when choosing the size and shape of ear jewelry that best reflects their personality, most people rarely stop to consider that the earlobe on which the jewelry will hang is little more than soft skin and a small amount of delicate fatty tissue. Excessively large or weighty jewelry, a gentle tug by a child, or a simple snag on a piece of clothing can very easily damage these delicate tissues, make the earlobe unattractive and unsuitable for the placement of jewelry.
Luckily, in the hands of skilled, Board Certified (ABPS) plastic surgeons such as Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin, repairing a torn, stretched, or gauged earlobe can be a relatively simple surgical procedure, restoring the lobe to its original appearance and even enabling it to showcase (suitably-sized) earrings.* In the comfortable, relaxing spa setting at Modern Body Contouring and Laser Center (MBody), conveniently located in Richmond, Virginia and Vienna, Virginia, Drs. Reps and Burton Sundin will safely repair the damaged lobes and restore your ears to their original appearance so they can once again express your individuality and unique personality!*
Torn, Split, or Elongated Earlobes
Repairing a torn, split, or elongated earlobe is a relatively simple surgical procedure that can be performed in the MBody office using only a local anesthesia and/or topical numbing agent. Once the earlobe is numb, the surgeon will carefully remove any scar tissue that has built up around the edges of the tear, then bring the torn edges of tissue and skin together utilizing very fine sutures. In some cases, where the lobe is missing significant amounts of tissue and is likely to fold over, the surgeon may recommend the use of an injectable dermal filler to enhance the volume of the lobe. Antibiotic ointment will need to be applied to the repaired area for several days after the repair to avoid infection and speed healing. The repaired lobe can be re-pierced eight weeks after the repair, but the use of heavy earrings should be avoided.
Gauged Ears
A popular cosmetic trend for teens and individuals in their 20s, ear gauging involves piercing the delicate tissues of the earlobes with the goal of stretching the lobes until they can accommodate a plug of increasing size. Unfortunately, some individuals find that they no longer appreciate the look of gauged ears as they grow older, or they find that the appearance of gauged ears can inhibit their ability to enter the professional workforce. In these cases, surgical repair of the earlobe is usually required to restore the earlobe to its original appearance. Although similar in theory to repairing a torn earlobe, repairing a gauged ear can be more difficult in practice, especially if the gauge was larger than half an inch, and often results in some visible scarring on the repaired earlobe.
*Individual results may vary. Results are not guaranteed.
Contact Modern Body Contouring and Laser Center (MBody)
At MBody Contouring and Laser Center, with office locations in Richmond and Tysons Corner, VA, our valued patients know they will receive patient care in a serene, tranquil treatment environment. Your MBody experience will provide you with a much-needed respite from the chaotic pace of everyday life—and will be your time to take care of yourself and emerge rejuvenated, refreshed, and looking your very best!
If you have a torn, elongated, or gauged earlobe and would like additional information about earlobe repair, please contact MBody Contouring and Laser Center today. We look forward to speaking with you, and to scheduling your initial consultation with one of our esteemed cosmetic surgeons.
