THE SURGERY CENTERPLANO DERMATOLOGY

Earlobe Repair

A single pull — an earring caught on a sweater — can split an earlobe outright. More often the change is gradual: years of earrings lengthen the piercing until studs sit low, hang unevenly, or slip through entirely. With time, the lobe itself can stretch and droop.

Repair is a short office procedure under local anesthetic. The torn or stretched tract is removed and the lobe is rebuilt with fine, layered sutures — the same closure techniques our surgeons use every day in facial reconstruction after skin cancer surgery.

Most patients return to their normal day immediately, and once the repair has healed, the earlobe can be pierced again.

(972) 378-0620
Soft surgical light reflected in polished steel

Earlobe repair, drawn simply

A split lobeA sudden pull can tear the piercing clean through the edge of the lobe.
A stretched piercingYears of earrings lengthen the hole until studs sit low, hang unevenly, or slip through.
The custom repairEither way, the damaged tract is removed and the lobe rebuilt with fine layered sutures to a natural contour.

When to come in

  • A torn or split earlobe — whether it happened yesterday or years ago
  • A piercing stretched so far that earrings droop, hang unevenly, or pull through
  • Earlobes elongated by years of heavy earrings
  • A partial tear you would like repaired before it splits completely

How we treat it

Torn earlobe repair

The edges of the tear are freshened and the lobe rebuilt with fine layered sutures under local anesthetic.

Stretched piercing repair

The elongated tract is removed entirely and the lobe closed so it can hold an earring securely again.

Your surgeon will walk you through what to expect — including preparation and aftercare — before anything is scheduled.

Common questions

Answers reflect the typical course — your surgeon will go over the specifics of your own plan.

The lobe is numbed first with local anesthetic — a brief sting, then nothing. The repair itself is painless, and any soreness afterward is usually managed with over-the-counter medication.

Any incision leaves a mark, but the earlobe heals well and the repair line typically fades into a fine, faint line. The layered closure techniques come from facial reconstruction, where the final appearance is the entire point.

Usually, yes. Once the repair has fully healed, the ear can be pierced again — and we usually offer complimentary re-piercing once the ear has healed.

Yes. A piercing lengthened by years of earrings, or a lobe that has elongated with time, can be reshaped the same way: the stretched tract is removed and the lobe rebuilt to a natural contour.

Most patients drive themselves home and return to normal activities the same day. You will care for the site with ointment for a short period, sutures are removed at a follow-up visit, and heavy earrings wait until the repair has matured.

Sometimes. Coverage depends on your plan and the circumstances of the tear. The best way to find out is to visit with us — we will examine the lobe, walk you through your options, and discuss cost before anything is scheduled.

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Request a Consultation

Talk to us about this procedure

Call the office and we will find a time that works.

(972) 378-0620
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6100 Windhaven Parkway, Plano, TX 75093 · Mon-Thurs: 7:30-4 | Fri: 10-2